Rumor: Best Buy is sitting on your New Year PS3
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Dec 28th 2006 at 8:25AM }
According to unofficial Best Buy sources, stores are sitting on their PS3 shipments since 12/21 for a flyer advertisement being released New Year's Eve (12/31) stating they have a minimum of 25 60GB units per store. Our sources have the number at around 40 per store currently -- but it can be more in some locations. One source, using Best Buy's Retek Store System (RSS), says some stores have 60 units. We will continue to follow this story as more information comes in.
The Best Buy source who sent us the internal memo -- originally sent 12/18 and a portion of which you see above -- does apologize for the grammar in the email received from his Retail Supply Chain Manager regarding this New Year's Eve PS3 sale. We'd remove the "rumor" tag from this post if the grammar of our email evidence didn't send up red flags. If the information does pan out we are happy for those getting a PS3 on New Year's Eve and we shake our heads at the atrocious use of the English language by this Best Buy manager. We say again that this is still a rumor, but might help explain why those eight PS3s are just sitting in a Best Buy cage instead of being sold.
[Thanks Anonymous and all others]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Nick Flavor @ Dec 28th 2006 8:30AM
It was seven PS3s, not eight...
DrJay @ Dec 28th 2006 8:36AM
If they are really being held for New Year, wouldn't it make more sense to hold it in the storeroom rather than in the store floor where customers see it? Imagine a customer wanting a PS3 but being told, "Sorry these are just for display and being held until New Year, you'll have to wait until then to buy them."
kodec @ Dec 28th 2006 8:43AM
Meh. How about some updates on stocked items people might be interested in, like Wii controllers?
anon @ Dec 28th 2006 8:45AM
No surprise here... oh thats because I work at Best Buy. My store store got 120, we sold 80 last week and are holding 40 for the 31st.
"2. If they are really being held for New Year, wouldn't it make more sense to hold it in the storeroom rather than in the store floor where customers see it? Imagine a customer wanting a PS3 but being told, "Sorry these are just for display and being held until New Year, you'll have to wait until then to buy them." "
They arent on the floor... lol. Theyre in the back. Depending on how many you got, you could sell them. Best Buy is also getting a shipment of Wii's this week, unannounced and will be sold as soon as stores get them. Still, no employee purchases tho...
anon @ Dec 28th 2006 8:47AM
"Meh. How about some updates on stocked items people might be interested in, like Wii controllers?"
29th.
Redscare @ Dec 28th 2006 9:01AM
"We say again that this is still a rumor, but might help explain why those eight PS3s are just sitting in a Best Buy cage instead of being sold." As a former best buy employee I can tell you if its out front on the floor its there to be sold, the ones on hold are kept boxed in the warehouse or a locked office until the day they are to be sold.
Ken C @ Dec 28th 2006 9:07AM
Why are they sitting on a product no one is really interested in buying anymore? My bro works for gamestop he was telling me that they have had the same "Brand New" PS3 60Gb bought and returned 6 times, I know my local walmart and other stores have PS3s just sitting behind the glass cases, No one wants them anymore, they are too expensive and there is only one good game out for it. Its not enough for people to justify buying it at this point.
Why bother sitting on them when its not like you would have really sold out anyways?
flymolo @ Dec 28th 2006 9:18AM
yea, I also saw a bunch of PS3's at a best buy on the 23rd.
Pip @ Dec 28th 2006 9:19AM
Yeah, i'm not sure why they would be holding these. I was at Best Buy the other night and they had a bunch out on the floor. No one was interested.
Josh @ Dec 28th 2006 9:24AM
"They arent on the floor... lol. Theyre in the back. "
The local Best Buys have those stock cages out on the floor. They mainly just hold video game stock.
ToastyBuffoon @ Dec 28th 2006 9:23AM
They can sit on them until the price is $299 or less.
hehe @ Dec 28th 2006 9:24AM
so what if they are holding ps3s who wants these things anymore?
the eb i work at has had 6 returned and we have 9 in stock just chilling there, we even have them behind the counter in front of everyones line of sigh. nobody asks about them, everyone wants a wii.
Chocolate Starfish @ Dec 28th 2006 9:26AM
In my search for a specific sized "wine-refrigerator" for a snobby relative, I tripped over stacks of PS3s in every Best Buy, Circuit City, and local-chain electronics store for 3 counties. Holding these is likely little more than an attempt at digging up some "oh noes! I have to get one before they're gone" demand from the proles.
Jewelry stores and car dealerships do this all the time by having a dozen of the same ring/car on hand, and telling you the one you're looking at is the last one so that you'll pull your wallet out without haggling or shopping around. We all know how well receieved car and jewelry sales techniques are. It's good to see electronics catching up to other reputable dealers in terms of getting the customer what they want.
philip weber @ Dec 28th 2006 9:27AM
Christ, is it too much to ask to have someone proof read that crap before sending it out? That made my head hurt just reading it.
SuperChuck @ Dec 28th 2006 9:28AM
This smells like fanboyism to me...
I understand holding a minimum number for a huge shopping day like Black Friday, but New Year's Eve?
I can't imagine Best Buy turning down the giftcard-toting masses in order to hit the big New Year's Eve shopping blitz.
And just after PS3 is getting press for being unpopular? Seems fishy to me...
Jason @ Dec 28th 2006 9:36AM
Super Chuck, you underestimate the growing power of the gift card in holiday sales.
Kevin @ Dec 28th 2006 9:39AM
@ #14
Thank you! I can't believe nobody else noted the butchered grammar and spelling in that letter!! It made me want to cry "Fake" as soon as I read it!
It was hard to read. Every sentence was using incorrect tenses. Someone had to TRY to be that unreadable.
devi8i @ Dec 28th 2006 9:50AM
#12
I went to a local gamestop to spend a giftcard I recieved for christmas and asked teh clerk if they had any ps3's just so happened they recieved 2 that day. NOw that store has zero.....got them both, one for me and one for my buddy. Don't say noone wants them anymore.
just_somebody @ Dec 28th 2006 10:03AM
At MY Best Buy, the PS3s are so unpopular that they have been giving them to the homeless who use them to build makeshift shelters....
I am still looking for two Wiis (each for grandparents, and parents-in-law.. 2 aunts/uncles, parents, brother, sister, and self already have our Wiis), but haven't seen those or a single PS3 for sale. Still about 13 nunchuks short also.. I guess I have seen PS3s in the local paper for $800 obo.
Kevin @ Dec 28th 2006 10:05AM
#17 -- Have you ever been to a Best Buy? That email sounds about normal for most of the employees I've dealt with. Here's a sample:
"Hi, I'm looking for microphones. Do you have any?"
"Uhhhhh, did you look around the store?"
"No, I was hoping you could tell me where to look."
"Uhhhh, did you try over in computers?"
"No. Do you have some there?"
"Uhhhh, you know what? I don't think we carry any. Sorry, man." *he walks off*
I walk to the computer section. No microphones. I go to the "Music" section where they have about two keyboards, a drum machine, a Blue Man group synthesizer thingy, and about eight different microphones. Nice.
Finis.
Michael @ Dec 28th 2006 10:04AM
People who see PILES of PS3s that nobody wants to buy at every single retailer in your area: COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOU LIVE? I just might take a road trip... Where I live - Charlotte, NC - PS3 sell out as soon as they show up at the store... I've been looking around, checking 'tracker' web sites, and I have yet to see a single PS3 other than a demo unit.
Thanks,
Michael
Jon S. @ Dec 28th 2006 10:08AM
During my wii hunt i saw about 10 ps3's at various stores... no luck on the wii's though
Silver Gecko @ Dec 28th 2006 10:12AM
Those aren't my PS3's unless they are giving them away for free.
anghus @ Dec 28th 2006 10:16AM
i've heard multiple stories about PS3's being widely available in my part of the country. 2 or 3 at a Gamestop, 10 or more at a local Wal Mart.
memo to Best Buy: the high demand phase of the PS3 is over. Ebay prices plummeted. No one cares anymore.
So now you have a healthy mix of PS3 owners made up of hardcore gamers (30%) and people who couldn't unload the system on Ebay and are wondering what to do with their 600 dollar doorstop (70%)
mietha CAG @ Dec 28th 2006 10:20AM
No surprise. They did the exact same thing last year with the 360.
fcodc @ Dec 28th 2006 10:33AM
My local Best Buy manager confirmed that to me. They will be running PS3s on their Sunday newspaper ads.
Martin Austin @ Dec 28th 2006 10:38AM
@ #15 -- Do you really think Best Buy (or any other retailer, for that matter) would ever pander to the "giftcard-toting masses?" Hell no. Those gift cards have been bought and paid for, and only represent merchandise waiting to leave the store with no more tender exchanging hands. They care about the people without gift cards, carrying cash and credit cards in their fanny packs.
As for this story, it doesn't even strike me as odd anymore. The new console launch tactics over the past two years have made me somewhat immune to the fact that retailers could care less about the consumer, and more about manufactured hype and the resultant trickle profits.
sploy @ Dec 28th 2006 10:48AM
"PS3 will be a on ad..."
Jason @ Dec 28th 2006 10:54AM
Its kinda funny, they probably couldn't sell any if they put them out early anyway. No one seems to want a Sony.
The only reason to get one is the maybe 1-2 exclusive must-have 1st party games....gee...Sony's using Nintendo's old formula.(Cept Sony's franchises pale in comparison)
Digriz @ Dec 28th 2006 10:53AM
Wii sold... PS3 Bought. 1080P Panel is finally happy. If I wanted a Gamecube I would have just bought one.
eric @ Dec 28th 2006 10:56AM
i saw two @ target in san pablo,ca.and the oakland eb games on boardway had some.
Beaudry @ Dec 28th 2006 10:59AM
#27, I beg to differ. Let's say you get a $50 gift card to Best Buy. Are you going to walk in there and buy an item for $49.99? No, most people will buy the $150 item that is only $100 with their gift card. I'm no expert, but I just heard this being discussed on the radio yesterday. The stores LOVE giftcards because of this.
Mal F4cti0n @ Dec 28th 2006 10:59AM
Michael (post 20),
I have found little mark-up on PS3s sitting on eBay, I see "selling at price on receipt" at Craigslist.
Other than those two open-markets, have you tried to shop from MySimon.com? They will link to all electronic stores that have the PS3 in stock. Other than that you can shop online at Bestbuy.com or walmart.com or target.com and you can get one in less than 5 days.
There is no one out there that should have any trouble buying a PS3 if they want one and have a computer with access to the internet, which you obviously have.
anghus @ Dec 28th 2006 11:06AM
#29 - im still wondering why some people are on this Wii vs PS3 thing.
If you hated the Wii, why not get an XBOX 360 instead of a PS3. There are no games for PS3 (not any good ones anyway) and the graphics on the 360 are superior to the PS3.
The Wii is it's own thing. There is no real competition against it. By removing themselves from the hardware wars and stressing innovation (first with the DS and now with the Wii), Nintendo has carved themselves as a family friendly system for casual gamers.
Anyone who wants superior graphics should not get a Wii. Anyone who likes First Person Shooters should not get a Wii (they are painful). But ill be damned if i dont have a great time with Elebits, Zelda, Downhill Jam, etc.
Mal F4cti0n @ Dec 28th 2006 11:16AM
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5303667
Michael (post #20),
The above shows the PS3 bundle IN STOCK. Yes, you have to buy the bundle online, but you should be able to walk into walmart and buy the system, and if they don't have it the manager can either tell the closest store that has one or have it sent store to store in a day.
No offense, but were you trolling?
Shibathedog @ Dec 29th 2006 11:44PM
haha @ #10
USP45 @ Dec 28th 2006 11:16AM
This actually proves al the bullshit being spread by wiitards and ms bitches is just that bullshit. They wouldn't hold them back if they are not selling them.
Sony is doing a great job of getting PS3 out there and demand far outweights supply. So to all you that wish for Sony's downfall, you'll end up buying a PS3.
Martin Austin @ Dec 28th 2006 11:33AM
Beaudry --
You are correct, in that Gift Cards can, and often do, lead to incremental sales. However, it is generally tied closely to the category being shopped. I would argue that there is much higher conversion in incremental sales in categories such as music and movies than in video games, and a higher conversion in video games than, say, appliances.
You make a great and valid point though; I hadn't taken that into consideration in my original post.
navstar @ Dec 28th 2006 5:37PM
Is this news? I thought the whole PS3 craze died quickly. Who still wants one?
Michael @ Dec 28th 2006 11:17AM
Mal F4cti0n (post 32)
Yeah, I have a computer. And I have tried to use it to locate a PS3 at a retail store in my area (28209 zip code). But all those links to stores that supposedly have PS3 in store turn out to be bogus. I have tried iTracker.com and went to 3 stores reported by iTracker to have had PS3 (and Wiis as well) in stock within the past 10 hours. All I got was 'Sorry pal, we had 3 a week ago but they sold out.' Same asnwer when I asked about Wiis. I'm not sure where iTracker gets their data from - but for my area it doesn't seem to correspond with reality.
Only thing I see at walmart.com that's actually in stock is a $900 bundle ( http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&search_query=playstation+3&Continue.x=0&Continue.y=0&Continue=Find&ic=24_0 )
All I see at bestbuy.com is a note that says "Due to limtied supplies, PS3 systems will not be available for sale on BestBuy.com during during its initial release" ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat106600050030&type=category )
All I see at mysimon.com is 20 gig PS3 for $776.65 and 60 gig PS3 for $968 (
http://search.mysimon.com/search?nodeid=6464&qt=playstation+3&page=1 )
FYI: I have no intention of buying a PS3 on eBay or paying huge markup.
Thanks,
Michael
Zo @ Dec 28th 2006 11:18AM
The demand for a Wii far outstrips the demand for the PS3. The PS3 is too expensive and there are not enough games to make it worth the cost at the moment.
Nintendo has won this round -- we will see what happens next Xmas.
Nintendo has a clue -- people want fun at a reasonable price. There is not enough value in a Blu-Ray to justify the price of the PS3 and Microsoft will likely have a lower priced Xbox 360 and larger hard drive for next Xmas while Sony will hold out and keep a higher price tag further erroding its market share.
If the US economy takes a dip in 07, gas prices go back to $3+ range and people have less disposable cash Sony will hurt even more.
AG @ Dec 28th 2006 11:19AM
To the people who keep posting that PS3's are everywhere at Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. and nobody wants them, you guys must live in the middle of nowhere because every store around my area sells out of them as soon as they get them in.
nick @ Dec 28th 2006 11:29AM
If you can find them in stock practically anywhere, and the price isn't helping move units quickly, then why would you want to hold $15,000 of inventory so they can be sold into next year? What if they don't sell well, and now you have a huge allotment of them? This has the potential for disaster written all over it.
Although if they ARE running a major PS3 ad that week, I would suspect there's some sort of financial arrangement between Best Buy and Sony.
They would have been better off advertising (*) at least 10 per store, possible more if unsold
Ben @ Dec 28th 2006 11:46AM
A guy at Circuit City told me yesterday he had a guy return a PS3 that day. It's not that the system sucks (it's gonna outlive the already outdated Wii) but there's probably a lot of wives out there demanding their husbands return something that's a big chunk of a mortgage payment. Every Sony launch has sucked, I remember playing a PS2 for a couple hours in Nov. 2000 then promptly going back to the N64. Didn't stop them from selling a ton of units a year later when GTA, FF and GT came out.
You know, I took a Wii home at Christmas and my parents played it said "I want one" but that's a far cry from them actually going and buying one. Mom got tired of it (literally) after a while and said "eh, I don't need one" Other than the internet I don't know any real gamers that have played the Wii and thought it's OMG Awesome! Mostly "interesting for a while, a party system" Granted we're all 28+, maybe that has something to do with it.
I hope Xbox wins. I don't want to wave my arms and look at 2002 graphics for the next 5 years. Joystiq, why not do an article about the 360's HD-DVD drive, which seems to be doing "really well"? VS Blu-Ray. Or something... "Joystiq" as a title seems system agnostic... but you've become "Wii Fanboy"
anon @ Dec 28th 2006 11:40AM
"I walk to the computer section. No microphones. I go to the "Music" section where they have about two keyboards, a drum machine, a Blue Man group synthesizer thingy, and about eight different microphones. Nice."
Yeah, that's what happens when you don't specify what type of microphone you want.... There are computer microphones and there are microphones you sing into. 2 opposite sides of the store. And theres 3 diff kinds of microphones, max. Plus the fact that just because someone works at Best Buy doesn't mean they know where every fucking thing is. If someone works in Appliances, how the fuck do they know where microphones are? All they need to know is appliances. If you are looking for music microphones, GO TO THE MUSIC SECTION. If you're looking for computer microphones, GO TO THE COMPUTER SECTION. I know, I know, complicated. IF the employee walked away from you its probably because the 9 customers before you asked similarly stupid questions, like standing under the computers sign and asking where the computers are, why the tag on the item says 14.99 but the sale sign says 9.99, etc.
/rant
And whoever said this is fanboyism, its not. Best Buy always tries to hold popular items so we can put it in the ad, and give people a semi-fair way of getting one.
pixelator @ Dec 28th 2006 11:41AM
No doubt in my mind that's a Best Buy rep. The few reps that actually speak English in the SF Bay Area would still be hard pressed to cough up a high school diploma.
The odd Best Buy rep who actually is fluent in the language of this country and actually knows something about what they sell is indeed the rarity. I say the grammar of that memo lends MORE credence to the rumor.
MosquitoControl @ Dec 28th 2006 11:48AM
Michael:
www.itrackr.com
I've seen the PS3 at the local Target twice now. I was stuck doing last minute shopping there, then returns of the last minute crap.
If there are none near you, ebay isn't a bad option anymore? You can often get them for retail plus $50 shipping. Not great, but not bad.
anon @ Dec 28th 2006 11:45AM
"Although if they ARE running a major PS3 ad that week, I would suspect there's some sort of financial arrangement between Best Buy and Sony."
LOL. Or, the fact that, people are looking for these anywhere they can get them (as late Christmas presents or just regular purchases.) and its much easier for someone to get them if they know they're going to be there on the 31st, rather than calling and hearing "We're not sure when we're getting them, call back tomorrow" and then calling back the next day and hearing "I'm sorry we sold out earlier today."
We've done this with the 360, and now the Wii, and I'm sure before that. IT's no secret arrangement, just trying to make it easier on consumers and making it easier on employees. (Less of a mad rush on one specific day as you can set up a line and ticket system rather than people hearing theres PS3's and rushing in and punching newborns for them, etc.)
And whoever thinks PS3's aren't popular anymore... you're an idiot (you're idiots). The other day we put out 80 PS3's (60gb's) when we opened at 9am and sold out by 11:30am. Must've been a fluke...
pixelator @ Dec 28th 2006 11:49AM
"IF the employee walked away from you its probably because the 9 customers before you asked similarly stupid questions"
That's still no excuse to be a punk-ass. There's stupid questions (like not knowing what section you're in) and then there's STUPID questions. I manage a hobby store and I know *all* about stupid questions (and people). I still make every possible effort to be at the very least, polite and civil - even when I'm thinking IDIOT inside.
You work at Best Buy. You're in retail - paid to answer stupid questions. If you don't like it, try another line of work.
anon @ Dec 28th 2006 11:55AM
"No doubt in my mind that's a Best Buy rep. The few reps that actually speak English in the SF Bay Area would still be hard pressed to cough up a high school diploma.
The odd Best Buy rep who actually is fluent in the language of this country and actually knows something about what they sell is indeed the rarity. I say the grammar of that memo lends MORE credence to the rumor."
This isn't an official notice that was sent out, this is probably a district manager typing an e-mail to like 8-12 store managers. So, I'm sure grammar wasn't a huge thing to him. It's so easy to make fun of a retailer when you don't know what you're talking about.
Le sigh!