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javierdlopez

False PS3 shortages?

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javierdlopez
, 12-30-2009 at 05:10 PM (1530 Views)
So as most of you know, I'm not very fond of the Sony empire. They've always put out a competent product, but you always pay extra for the Sony name. They tend to exaggerate things a bit as well.

So as I posted in my last entry, I went out to buy a PS3 yesterday, only to find that all of the South Florida Best Buys were out of stock on the new PS3 slim (120gb) model. During the course of day I ended up passing by both Target and Walmart. They both the 120gb model in stock, but Target had one in the case and WalMart had 2.

I get home last night and out of curiosity I did a search on Best Buy's web site, Walmart, Target and Amazon. To my surprise the 120gb PS3s are out of stock at all those online retailers. Well, with some exceptions. Walmart will sell you a 120gb PS3, in a store bundle, no less. Interestingly enough, the 250gb models are readily available. They only cost an additional $50.

So is this a "real" shortage, or is this a Sony created shortage? Is Sony under-producing the 120gb Slims to try and entice customers to buy a 250gb model for an extra $50? Kind of makes you wonder.

During the Wii shortage years, peope were paying $100 over retail for the same 'ole Wii. Yet now stores have tons of PS3 stock of the more expensive sku, but have little to no stock of the 120gb? Kind of weird, no?

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Updated 12-30-2009 at 05:12 PM by javierdlopez

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  1. Kent Karma's Avatar
    From a Game Stop manager, I can tell you that at least in our store it is a real shortage. We had more PS3s than usual in the store during the holidays, including a holiday bundle and the 250 gb and they all sold out.

    But even if it was, the extra $50 isn't so bad, granted you can upgrade the memory on your own, but atleast its not the difference between an xbox360 arcade and elite which is a real choice some people have to make almost monthly.
  2. javierdlopez's Avatar
    Still, doesn't make much sense. Either they produced too many 250gb models or not enough 120gb models. No doubt about the fact that there's a stronger demand this year. But if the only difference between the two skus is a larger HDD, then why wouldn't they either drop the price on 250gb or offer some sort of incentive. Seems to me that if you're in the market for a PS3 or 360 and you have $299 to spend, you might pass on the PS3 and go for the 360, since there's stock there and holiday bundles readily available.

    Personally, I can't see myself even coming close to using a 250gb HDD on a PS3. I'm a pretty heavy 360 user. Have bought tons of XBLA titles and DLC for games, including over 100 tracks for Rock Band. I still have 45gb left over from my 120gb HDD...

    In my case, I'll eventually buy the PS3, but I'm not in such a hurry that I'll spend an extra $50 for more HDD. I'd rather use that $50 to buy a game.