If you've been to your local videogame retailer to procure a PS3 or Wii you may have noticed that you could not procure the item at all because it wasn't there. Both systems have been having shortages since December, when, according to the VP of merchandising at GameStop, Tony Bartel, the two sold much faster and better than anyone expected them to. He also says that these shortages won't be stopping any time soon, and may last into summer.
"Obviously it's a question we ask the platform holders constantly," he noted when the shortages were brought up during an investor call. "I can tell you that we do anticipate we will be in this situation, at least with the PlayStation 3, for another couple months unfortunately because we could sell a lot more hardware than what we have on both the PS3 and Wii platform."
He went on to explain that the only reason he's been given for the shortages was the strong December sales, and that he believes the Wii's shortages will stop before the PS3's.
It seems that Sony's and Nintendo's price drops last year really did the trick. The question is why weren't the two companies ready for the extra demand.
GameStop: Wii and PS3 shortages to last months [CVG]
Matthew Razak is Destructoid's Associate editor and co-founder of film site
Flixist. He began as community member "cowzilla" and was since sequestered to write brainy features material. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife.
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Contest:
9:00 AM on 03.21.2010
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In the first sentence you used "procure" twice. I see what you're going for, but it's better to mix it up.
"Both systems have been having shortages"
Been having is passive voice. Try to eliminate it. Instead use "both systems have had shortages."
"much faster and better than anyone expected them too."
Simple, "too" should be "to."
"It seems that Sony's and Nintendo's price drops last year really did the trick."
No need for "that" before Sony. Take it out. You insert "that" more times than this selection. Keep it in mind. Otherwise, pretty decent AP Style post.
Needless to say I managed to jump on a 120GB model through a local Costco and have been happy since then. LOL. I had been waiting several years to get one so I was damned if I'd have to wait two - three months more because locally it seemed out of stock. :p They have seemed to be a bit thin up this way as of late. (Metro Milwaukee area)
I wonder if people will start accusing them of manufacturing a fake supply constraint in order to create demand?
Well, last year Sony lost 1.3 Billion in the gaming division while Microsoft and Nintendo both lost only 200 mil, which is pretty profitable, especially compared to Sony.
I agree with some of the posters here because PS3 slims are available at 3 different Gamestops in my area as well as Best Buy. Only target is sold out and target takes forever to restock anything. I live in NYC and the first time I heard about the supply constaint was from fanboys on vgchartz, and given my circumstances I assumed it was exaggerated.
I think
Conspiracy?
So far Sony is sending us boxes of PS3s every other day, but they sell out almost instantly. As for the Wii, Nintendo hasn't sent us any, nor have we gotten any first party stuff. I have kids coming in all the time looking for Mario Kart, but I've got none. Also out of Wiimotes, Twilight Princess, Smash Bros., wii fit. All we got is a pile of Motionpluses
The big reason why I stopped using Gamestop, however, is the fact that they have shown a pattern of taking my money for a preorder, then not calling me when my game is in and selling the copy, and then I have to threaten someone (with legal action, though sometimes they don't even blink at that) to get my money back.
It's more likely that back-stock was drained by the holiday season, and some part of production, be it final assembly or component supply, can't keep up with direct demand. It's not like they can wave a wand and a thousand units magically appear.
"Simple, "too" should be "to." "
No, it should remain "too". Why would you give awful tips?
Buy games, absolutely. Buy systems? Fuck that; go somewhere with a good in-store warranty. A $29 3 year warranty has saved me, what would've been, $300 in repair fees.
Oddly enough, my brother-in-law bought a 360 yesterday, and he had to drive to two different stores, and ended up having to buy an elite, because that's all they (Target) had in stock.
the wii i can believe
the ps3, hah. every EB and Bestbuy around me (there are lots) still have a hefty chunk of the christmas stock, sometimes even more than half.
that $130 360 though, cleaned out everywhere.
there are Xbox 360's that cost $130?? Elite, Pro, or Arcade models?
For the record, I meant "purchased" not "purchases", and I was referring to the PS3 as being in stock, not the Wii.
no wonder he ended up in this site;
Crazy stuff. Guess God of War 3 and Heavy Rain really took their toll. Oh yeah, Final Fantasy XIII, that came out too.
When I get a PS3, I'll be sure to go through Amazon or some other store.
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