Author Topic: BestBuy... Pile of PS3s.. Not Selling! (Read 11732 times)

capamerica · « **on:** December 11, 2006, 12:06:45 PM »

I know this could very well be in the "Sony getting hit Hard lately" topic but to me it seemed liked it needed its own topic.

My Sister was out Christmas shopping on Sunday and she stopped by BestBuy to pic up some DVDs and she said that there was a guy at the front of the store with a pile of 10 (or more) PS3s telling people as they walked in that "This is the gift your kid wants this year". She saw one parent go to the table and when they asked about the price they turned and walked away.

My sister was a bit excited when she saw the big pile of PS3s cause she figured that if BestBuy had that many PS3s then they must have some Wiis in stock. Sadly she could not find a Wii at all.

I know Portsmouth NH isn't a huge site or anything, but it still amazes me that something that is supposes to be "So popular" can't even be sold out here. And What's even more funny is that BestBuy (or Maybe Sony) is paying someone to be a Barker to sell the PS3.

Makes you wonder how many of the 425,035 PS3s "sold" have actually been sold or if Sony is just releasing their "Shipped" numbers again.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2006, 12:11:34 PM »

Something tells me their numbers and reality aren't coinciding here.

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2006, 01:21:19 PM »

Sony and reality never have gone together at all. They are lost in a world were puppies have wings and cats hop around and carry mice in their pouches.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2006, 03:04:11 PM »

That's not the worst of it, Cap...

I've heard from mothers that have been doing some holiday shopping that some stores are selling PS3 games for up to 100 dollars, immediately turning them and their kids off towards the PS3.

JonLeung · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2006, 03:34:52 PM »

I knew this would happen at some point, but I'm surprised it's this soon.

I know there are plenty of die-hard PlayStation fans and hardcore gamers and people willing to spend all this money - and those people would take care of the first shipment. But I figured that there would've been enough of them to perpetuate some sold-out exclusivity at least until Christmas.

If your experience at Best Buy is representative of how they are all over North America then the PS3 is evidently in a bad spot, or even worse, than many of us had foreseen. Of course there are price drops (which would hurt Sony more, they're already losing lots per unit) and future games like MGS and FF (if everyone hasn't moved on to a competing system by then).

LOL @ Sony. Sucks to be them.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2006, 04:27:55 PM »

They dug their own grave on this one and I think we all know it.

Who the hell is going to pay $600 for a console with one good game? Forget about parents looking for something for their children...

Amodaus1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2006, 04:38:42 PM »

This is a strange story, i thought playstation 3 would sell out well through the first 5-6 months based on hardcore fans, hype and mainly the shortages.

I think overall this won't be the effect in the entire region, however, it is very strange. I'm surprised no one bought them to ebay them.

IceCold · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2006, 05:37:02 PM »

eBay prices dropped sharply a week or so ago.. now you can find PS3s for maybe $150 above retail.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:19:48 PM »

PSP, anyone?

I'd assume the PS3 will remain sold out in some areas while others will start accumulating huge piles. Would be funny if demand for it was satiated before Decemberween.

Darc Requiem · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2006, 12:15:03 AM »

Ever since Sony started the consistent bad new from E3 to now I knew the PS3 would end up third. Even with that line of thinking, I never thought the PS3 was be falling out of favor so soon. If this starts to be a regular occurrence across North America, Sony will be finished. They shafted Europe and to a lesser degree Japan to get the as many units as they can to the US. If PS3's start piling up in the States, the few exclusives that they have left will end up on 360.

Athrun Zala · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2006, 02:26:04 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Amodaus1
This is a strange story, i thought playstation 3 would sell out well through the first 5-6 months based on hardcore fans, hype and mainly the shortages.

well, given the price I'd say that the hardcore fans with enough money have got it at or around launch, and the rest is just waiting for a price drop....

couchmonkey · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2006, 02:37:18 AM »

This is quite surprising, but I'm waiting to hear some more reports. At least around here, PS3s don't seem easy to find.

Like JonLeung said, I expected this to happen, but not until after Christmas - well after Christmas.

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2006, 03:45:08 AM »

The thing with supply vs. demand is that you actually do have to eventually meet the demand with supply, because if you keep the supply low, the demand will go towards something that is readily available. It's almost a month since the PS3 has launched and supply seems to be getting worse instead of getting better, in the wider scheme of things.

Ceric · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2006, 04:09:51 AM »

I'm sort of waiting for an official story about this from someone.

Edit:
Official like Story Found!

couchmonkey · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2006, 08:03:11 AM »

Again, interesting. The photos in Ceric's article makes me soooo glad I camped out when on launch week. It was nice and warm - by Calgary standards. Still waiting for more reports. It'll take multiple reports to confirm that this is happening in more than isolated areas.

I liked that article, but I disagree with his conclusion:

Quote
The gaming market is continuously growing, and if there was enough room in the previous generation for all three consoles, then there should be no reason to expect any different for this current generation.

1. The market has only been growing the past couple of years thanks to DS. Without it there would have been little or no growth in North America, and shrinking in Japan.

2. There is not room for three consoles. Microsoft has lost $5 billion and just as it's starting to look like MS will make a profit, Sony is starting to bleed money. Maybe if all three companies were as financially conservative as Nintendo there'd be room for three consoles, but basically it's two guys purchasing each others' marketshare and Nintendo making a profit on the side.

zakkiel · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2006, 11:50:13 AM »

Quantifying demand is damn hard right now. I'm sure you can find stories about Wiis sitting in stores somewhere (though not in the great state of new Hampshire, where people have taste).

[Insert obligatory statement about how only when all three systems are readily available can we judge, etc.]

stevey · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2006, 03:53:11 PM »

Quote
Quantifying demand is damn hard right now. I'm sure you can find stories about Wiis sitting in stores somewhere (though not in the great state of new Hampshire, where people have taste).

You maybe right about stores with wii in stock, but I doubt that there's pile of wiis with the store beggin people to get rid of their stock and failling...

hudsonhawk · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2006, 04:30:12 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: stevey
Quote
You maybe right about stores with wii in stock, but I doubt that there's pile of wiis with the store beggin people to get rid of their stock and failling...

Likewise I have yet to see this anywhere with the PS3. My coworker was dying to get one (who knows why) and was aggressively calling every Gamestop, Best Buy, Circuit City, and everything else in the city. He was only able to get one last week by camping out in front of Gamestop one morning.

I don't doubt that the Wii may be more popular than the PS3 but until supplies catch up with demand, some guy on the internet's sister's anecdotal experience probably isn't the best metric we can use to judge that.

Ceric · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2006, 11:03:53 AM »

For me its more of the fact that these sort of reports are around at all. I was expecting Both to be a line up affair for a while and the Wii to go into a walk in affair.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2006, 06:10:32 AM »

If nyon cares, I did see some Wiis available in a store today. The preorder my parents placed was fulfilled today as well so it's no loss for me.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2006, 06:33:31 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
If nyon cares, I did see some Wiis available in a store today. The preorder my parents placed was fulfilled today as well so it's no loss for me.

Lucky you...I called Gamestop today to see if they would be getting some Wiis tomorrow (as it has been announced) and they had no idea if they would be getting Wiis in their next shipment.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #21 on:** December 16, 2006, 08:18:48 AM »

My guess is if I had been serious about Wii hunting on day zero I'd have gotten one then as well. The area I'm in makes it easy to get launch consoles.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #22 on:** December 16, 2006, 04:50:24 PM »

Since gamestops have been robbed for consoles when they tell people when they'll be getting them in, it doesn't surprise me that they give you the "don't know" excuse.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #23 on:** December 16, 2006, 04:50:24 PM »

Double post

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2006, 05:02:51 PM »

Twice the SB, twice the goodness! :p

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 17, 2006, 01:53:01 AM »

I just called three places:
Gamestop: They said that they don't receive merchandise on Sundays, to check Monday through Saturday
EB Games: Same, except they said to expect merchandise from Monday to Friday
Wal Mart: They didn't know

Hey NWR guys, can you send me to the alternate universe you guys visited where the Wii was widely available? :p

KDR_11k · « **Reply #26 on:** December 17, 2006, 02:50:05 AM »

It's called Braunschweig and is located in Germany. Have a nice trip.

kings x · « **Reply #27 on:** December 17, 2006, 03:09:31 AM »

Pap, you're not alone. I am still Wii-less as well. A month after launch (and non stop Wii hunting) and I'm getting a bit cranky, bored and looking at the 360 for my gaming fix since gamecube has been pretty much useless for over a year while I held out for Wii. I even put off buying a dvd player when Nintendo annouced Wii would play them, so my whole entertainment center is pretty much void until I find Wii. I blame no one really, well except the stores that horde their shipment to exaggerate hype with the line ups and al that BS, and my location probably has something to do with it too. But this week I have been REAL close to putting off the Wii purchase, probably indefinitely, while I buy and play xb360 (I can't really afford, do not play enough to justify, and choose not to go the multiple console route) . Hang in there though, you'll find one by mid-January at the latest!

KDR_11k · « **Reply #28 on:** December 17, 2006, 03:43:36 AM »

And here I sit bored with my Wii because there aren't any interesting games and I haven't heard of any coming out soon, either.

Kings: Should've gotten a PS2 then. GC is dead, 360 isn't really alive yet but the PS2 is still going strong.

kings x · « **Reply #29 on:** December 17, 2006, 03:57:30 AM »

No you're right. I did have a slim PS2 for a few months (sold it for dslite), and played the few games I wanted. 360 has 4 so far that I want. I am an interesting bend od casual and hardcore gamer... hardcore in my own personal tastes and demand for quality, yet casual in the limited time I have with playing, so when I do play, I am actually very picky. But geez you can't blame me for being bored, if it weren't for the few interesting games per year (usually from nintendo) I wouldn't even bother. I've decided to wait out the 360 until a cool bundle or price drop, and give some more time to grab Wii so I can cool my jets a bit.

Kairon · « **Reply #30 on:** December 17, 2006, 09:43:07 AM »

Sounds a bit like my situation kings x. Also, don't forget the wonderful world that is PC gaming. There are a lot of gems to take up some of your time there as well, especially if you bother to look at older titles.

But wait a second... you've got a dslite! I've nearly spent myself out of a Wii buying all the DS games I wanted this holiday season!

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 17, 2006, 10:07:22 AM »

I got my Wii today @ TRU and I was 33rd in line for 145 Wii's. But just before TRU opened a flood of people that were waiting at the local Target came rushing over. I guess there were 100 people waiting over there for 15 Wii's, and
several of them, out of desperation to get something, brought their tickets for PS3's hoping to trade someone at TRU for their spot in the Wii line. We all laughed at them and told them that no one here cares about a PS3, and that everyone in this line(and apparently at Target too) were in line for a Wii.''

It was kinda wierd too, cause earlier one lady drove up to the line and asked "how many are left?". She didn't specify what she was looking for or anything, but the lady behind me answered with "145". Just as she started to turn towards the parking spaces, her son(?) jumped out of the moving truck and sprinted around the corner to get in line. We all had a good laugh at that incident too. It has been a good morning.

kings x · « **Reply #32 on:** December 17, 2006, 10:18:52 AM »

Kairon, I am more interested in console gaming right now than my DSlite. I just got a 42" plasma, surround sound, Wii component cables, and a complete redisign of the room, largely for this generation of games... so that is definitely added to my impulse...and everytime I can not get Wii I walk by amazing footage of Gears of War ttempting me... but I'm going to try to hang on a little longer.

An my PC is so far outdated it's better if we just pretend I dont even have a computer for now.

WuTangTurtle · « **Reply #33 on:** December 17, 2006, 03:27:01 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: BlackNMild2k1
Just as she started to turn towards the parking spaces, her son(?) jumped out of the moving truck and sprinted around the corner to get in line. We all had a good laugh at that incident too. It has been a good morning.

lol, i can actually picture that pretty well in my head. I would probably do the same thing if i was in his position too though.

Kairon · « **Reply #34 on:** December 17, 2006, 05:23:33 PM »

Heck, I sprinted for my spot as 7th in the pre-order line all of a month long ago...

Man, that's rough there kings x. I really don't think that an X360 is that bad of a choice, what with Gears of War now, and Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, and other hardcore sci-fantasy shooter-esque titles coming out on it in the coming year. That's only if you can afford having two consoles though, as not owning a Wii is sort of unthinkable to me right now.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

KDR_11k · « **Reply #35 on:** December 17, 2006, 07:58:16 PM »

Not owning a Wii is quite thinkable to me because I don't use it much.

Arbok · « **Reply #36 on:** December 17, 2006, 08:19:20 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Not owning a Wii is quite thinkable to me because I don't use it much.

Man, when did KDR become such a stick in the mud?

Seriously, though. I don't play my Wii non-stop, in fact haven't played it the past three days to being busy, but whenever friends come over this system shines through and through with just Wii Sports and its really the most fun I have had with a launch system due to these experiences.

IceCold · « **Reply #37 on:** December 17, 2006, 09:52:03 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Arbok
Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Not owning a Wii is quite thinkable to me because I don't use it much.

Man, when did KDR become such a stick in the mud?

I don't think the guy even likes games..

KDR_11k · « **Reply #38 on:** December 18, 2006, 01:04:29 AM »

I decided to pick up Zelda for the GC, what else is there that's worth the 60€? I've been subsisting on bargain bin games lately which means those 60€ could buy me three or four games.

Nick DiMola · « **Reply #39 on:** December 18, 2006, 01:14:19 AM »

KDR I think the big problem for you is simply the price of games. It is unthinkable to have to pay 60€ for a new game. That translates to nearly 80 USD. I would have a hard time finding games worth that amount of money as well.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #40 on:** December 19, 2006, 02:59:29 AM »

Oh, Zelda is easily worth that but I think for the rest it's questionable.

SgtShiversBen · « **Reply #41 on:** December 20, 2006, 02:53:13 AM »

So the same phenomenon happened to me last night at three places I went to.

Feeling the need to play Zelda, and no Wii to play it on, I bought it for the GCN. In my quest I tried Wal-Mart [to no avail]. The strange thing was that there were about 6 or 7 PS3s in the cases (60GB) with people just looking at them, then the price, then shifting away. As I was walking out I saw one lady who had purchased one but for some reason was walking with it unprotected, in 20 degree weather, raining miserably. Needless to say I hope it works when they get home.

I then tried another Wal-Mart for Zelda, but had the same luck with both the game itself and the PS3s sitting there in cases. I thought it meant something and that there would at least be a Wii somewhere within the store. I was wrong

I then went to Hastings and finally found my copy of Zelda. I also found about 5 PS3 60GB models sitting there. I asked about the Wii and got the no go sign and was heartbroken. At least I got my game finally.

Another strange thing was that there were tons of PSPs but no DSs

couchmonkey · « **Reply #42 on:** December 20, 2006, 04:26:56 AM »

Ah, more evidence! I may have to stop at a Wal-Mart or something tonight just to see if they have any PS3s around.

segagamer12 · « **Reply #43 on:** December 20, 2006, 05:21:06 AM »

This is funnay as hell I have to share it.

Me and my dad were at Shopko monday at customer service trying to get aprt fopr a cabintet we bougth that was broken repelaced. There was a guy in front of us who SLAMMED his ps3 box down hard and said I want to return this peice of *$&$. The lady asked is there anythign wrong with it, he said YES its only a 20 GB hard drive and I was told it ws 60. Sony is stupid I dont want nothing to do with this POS.

ANd he left all angry.

So Shopko has one more Ps3 collecting dust.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #44 on:** December 20, 2006, 06:25:20 AM »

Sucks for the lady running the desk, I doubt she's the one who lied to him. Also begs the question: how much better did he think the 60 GB one was going to be?

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #45 on:** December 20, 2006, 06:29:52 AM »

He probably has a wifi setup, and didn't want to run wires across his house.

SgtShiversBen · « **Reply #46 on:** December 20, 2006, 07:34:15 AM »

Well it happened again. I went to another Wal-Mart looking for a Wii [to no avail so I picked up Christmas presents] and there were perhaps 20 or more PS3s just lounging around waiting to be picked up [along with 50 or so PSPs] while there was no Wii or DS and DSLite available.

Typical.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #47 on:** December 20, 2006, 08:08:39 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: BlackNMild2k1
He probably has a wifi setup, and didn't want to run wires across his house.

Ah! I didn't realize that. You know, the differences between the two versions of 360 seemed pretty highly publicized, but I've never seen a side-by-side comparison of the two PS3 packages. Does anybody know what the other differences are? Is it just the HD and wireless?

segagamer12 · « **Reply #48 on:** December 20, 2006, 08:21:27 AM »

no HDMI Support, Ethernet instead of Wifi, 20 insted of 60 GB, thats all I can remember.

vudu · « **Reply #49 on:** December 20, 2006, 08:34:34 AM »

There's no memory card reader in the 20 gig version IIRC.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #50 on:** December 20, 2006, 08:51:49 AM »

Sega I may be wrong but didn't they end up including HDMI support in the 20gb version? Besides that I think that is pretty much it, and I did hear the 60gb is shinier or something (which could be a load of crap but I thought I'd pass it on!).

hudsonhawk · « **Reply #51 on:** December 20, 2006, 09:09:07 AM »

You're correct, VG. Both models have HDMI. The only difference is hard drive size and wi-fi.

IceCold · « **Reply #52 on:** December 20, 2006, 09:37:35 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: SgtShiversBen
Well it happened again. I went to another Wal-Mart looking for a Wii [to no avail so I picked up Christmas presents] and there were perhaps 20 or more PS3s just lounging around waiting to be picked up [along with 50 or so PSPs] while there was no Wii or DS and DSLite available.

Typical.

That's incredible.. where do you live?

I still haven't got a Wii yet either

It's so depressing - I either call somewhere and the workers, who must be fed up with all of this, quickly tell me that they don't have any in stock, then hang up. Even worse, sometimes they tell me they'll be getting some on a certain day, so I go there in the morning, only to find out that they got them yesterday and sold out.

Last week, Toys R Us finally had a firm date that they would be selling 20+ systems. I called the night before, at 8, and the salesman said that there were already 15 people lined up. Imagine that! They would be waiting more than 12 hours, and it wasn't even the launch of the system.. Places like Walmart just randomly get shipments, and they're snapped up by the people in the store at the time.

stevey · « **Reply #53 on:** December 20, 2006, 11:08:09 AM »

"I did hear the 60gb is shinier or something (which could be a load of crap but I thought I'd pass it on!)."

No it's true, the 20 gig is Fugle

couchmonkey · « **Reply #54 on:** December 21, 2006, 02:40:32 AM »

I think after Christmas the difficulty of getting a Wii should drop off noticeably, when parents stop trying so hard to get one for their kid before Christmas day. You may still have to get to stores at opening time, but hopefully people will stop waiting overnight.
If they are still waiting overnight...wow.

SgtShiversBen · « **Reply #55 on:** December 21, 2006, 04:58:53 AM »

I live in Lubbock, TX. It's not the most populated city (about 280K) but still, just seeing them everywhere is making me pissed that people aren't buying those, and stealing all the Wiis. Grrr.

One more occurrence. When I went to Best Buy to buy a new monitor, they had the PS3s right when you walked in the store with no one even looking at them. There were 11 of them just sitting there all "hurrr" while Wiis and DSLites again were sold out.

Damn you Nintendo

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #56 on:** December 21, 2006, 05:14:04 AM »

ahahahhhaha

HURRRRRRRR

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #57 on:** December 21, 2006, 05:21:15 AM »

Is that "HURRRR" because it was like The bright white light was shining onto the PS3's and the hurrr sound was that great "you just made a discovery" sound?

JonLeung · « **Reply #58 on:** December 21, 2006, 05:21:23 AM »

I'm hearing stories here at work confirming the availability of the PS3 but the sold-outness of the Wii continues.

This one woman at work has humourous anecdotes about her constant failure of obtaining a Wii, like the one where she totally chanced upon a short lineup earlier this week for the Wii and hopped in fourth in line but the store only had three. One of many adventures. Her husband really wants one for Christmas. Yesterday she spotted an available PS3 and bought it but now she's trying to sell it for $975 (Canadian) here at work but no one's going for it at that high since word is out that if anyone did want one, there's a dozen or more for about $700 at a Wal*Mart somewhere.

Requiem · « **Reply #59 on:** December 21, 2006, 05:53:40 AM »

Another Example of Wii Domination:

I asked a fellow clerk at Wal*mart if he had any Wii in stock. He looked at me bewilderedly and said "Nope. Everytime we get a shipment it's going within 15 minutes." That's pretty crazy.....but what made it worse was when I asked him if he had any PS3's in stock, he replied "I don't know....I think...I think we had one that came in yesterday. (he looks around for a bit) I guess someone bought it." He wasn't even sure...it was like noone had asked him that question in awhile.

Also, he had only ONE come in yesterday. My town isn't huge but it's home to Purdue University, so it's at least prominent. That's pretty sad to have just ONE PS3 shipped.

SgtShiversBen · « **Reply #60 on:** December 21, 2006, 06:36:09 AM »

The "hurrrr" noise is from everyone passing up the PS3 in order to buy DVDs, iPods, cell phones, Wiis, 360s and everything else under the sun except the system.

Hell I bought a monitor for $500 yesterday and thought that that was a good deal whereas a $600 I think is a ripoff.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #61 on:** December 21, 2006, 08:28:17 AM »

I scored a Wii today.

I called a Wal-Mart and they had 4 in, then I sprouted wings and soared o'er the land, crashed through the roof and crushed 4 people, all of them children.

But I got it, so now my lady can finally enjoy her xmas break and stop waking up at 7 in the hopes of getting one.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #62 on:** December 21, 2006, 09:05:35 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
I scored a Wii today.

I called a Wal-Mart and they had 4 in, then I sprouted wings and soared o'er the land, crashed through the roof and crushed 4 people, all of them children.

But I got it, so now my lady can finally enjoy her xmas break and stop waking up at 7 in the hopes of getting one.

So that's while you were gone all afternoon...Man, I wanted to crush children. I need SOMETHING to vent my frustration on...

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #63 on:** December 21, 2006, 09:59:56 AM »

I crushed enough children for both of us.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #64 on:** December 21, 2006, 10:54:25 AM »

I've had pretty much the opposite with the Wii, in fact at my local Fred Meyer I walked in around 7pm or so a couple weeks ago and they had 2 Wiis in the glass shelf. Though they did tell me they only had them in for about 10 minutes and one had already sold.

News:

Author Topic: BestBuy... Pile of PS3s.. Not Selling! (Read 11732 times)