Microsoft acknowledges Xbox 360 shortages in US

by Christopher Grant { Feb 14th 2008 at 8:30AM }

If you've been having trouble tracking down an Xbox 360 (and we've heard from a handful of you on our tips line), Reuters physically grabbed a hold of marketing veep Jeff Bell and wrung some answers out of him. Bell told Reuters that Microsoft "misjudged" post-holiday demand which lead to ongoing outages at retailers nationwide. This has, understandably, upset some retailers.

But retailers aren't the only ones missing those boxes, Bell also worries the shortages "will have an impact on [their] sales." We'll find out precisely how many units they managed to sell in January later today, when the monthly NPD report fills us with enough stats to make our little green and red arrow generator perk up. To jog your failing memory: Microsoft sold 770K consoles in November, a 110% increase from the previous month, and then a whopping 1.26m in December, a generous 64% increase. Easy now, arrows. It won't be long. Be patient ...

Tags: Microsoft, retail, shortages

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

baby sea tuna @ Feb 14th 2008 8:38AM

Ugh, are you effin' serious? I need a new one STAT. I'll have to go validate this claim at lunch today...

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 14th 2008 10:08AM

Oh BTW,

Happy Valentines Day Bitches!!!

FrankTheCrank @ Feb 14th 2008 10:09AM

I hope this is true. Finally clearing the channel of those crappy RROD units to hopefully fill the channel with new "falcon's" or "jasper's". 60nm or 45nm is better than what they have out there now.

I was at Target yesterday and they were all sold out of Wii's and 360's.

jonondaspot @ Feb 14th 2008 4:26PM

It isn't true. The Best Buy here had two mini pyramids. This is MS trying to soften the blow for what will be low January NPD numbers that come out today. If you know what they are they aren't exactly pretty. Judas Priest, can't people recognize marketing when they see it? It is the first slip down a very icy slope.

why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 14th 2008 11:19AM

Funny story.

Friend had his spring-2006 era 360 die in November. Said "screw this, MS will never repair these old ones correctly" and didn't feel like waiting a month so he bought a new one, making sure to get one with the new 175W power supply, so it would be one of the 65nm ones, cause they're more reliable.

Switches to that, sends his 2006-era 360 back at his leisure, gets it back in January. 5 days later his new 360 dies. It doesn't RRoD, MS seems to have removed RRoD from the new ones completely, but it puts up "code 91" or something and dies. Repeatedly. He's currently using his old one and getting the new one repaired right now.

Does this form a pattern? I guess one problem doesn't. But it sure shows the risks of assuming that MS has fixed their problems. He basically threw $350 down the toilet, although now he refers to it as being "like owning a Jaguar, you have one for you and once for the mechanic".

baby sea tuna @ Feb 14th 2008 11:27AM

And yet, he's so content with the, well, content that he's willing to go through with repurchasing rather than being without. I have friends that have done similar things. I would as well, had I not taken the proper precautions.

Hardware aside, I definitely think that that says something about the interface, the exclusives, the controllers, and/or the brand itself (as the numerous repeat PS2 buyers proved last generation).

McWeen @ Feb 14th 2008 8:39AM

Clowns selling Xbox 360's?

Youthinized @ Feb 14th 2008 8:51AM

I know, they should be trying to sell PS3's, because you know that would be funny.

Matt B @ Feb 14th 2008 8:51AM

Gamestop employees?

xGeneral DEATHx @ Feb 14th 2008 11:34AM

I believe you would call those "assclowns".

TJ0331 @ Feb 14th 2008 8:43AM

Rest of the nation hurting that bad? Or is it a marketing decision to make it seems like they are selling out constantly like the Wii? All my local stores have a boat load in stock.

MariosInferno @ Feb 14th 2008 8:49AM

I haven't seen an Elite in weeks...

TJ0331 @ Feb 14th 2008 8:54AM

Thats all one of my walmarts have in. If you need one, I'll ship them for a little bit over cost. :)

J Todd @ Feb 14th 2008 8:43AM

Well, they have clowns repairing/refurbing them and handling their consumer help lines...why not use them for sales as well? It continues to amaze me how many people will have multiple failures, and 'fix' the problem by buying a brand new one - nothing quite like rewarding a company for producing a console that doesn't last three years.

baby sea tuna @ Feb 14th 2008 8:45AM

Dude, please..."Clowns" is not the preferred nomenclature. Indians and Mexicans, please.

TJ0331 @ Feb 14th 2008 8:54AM

LoL, how true. (both of you) Baby sea tuna it took me over 45 minutes to cancel my Live account with them. It got to the point where I just kept telling them on the phone that I needed somebody who spoke english. Not in a mean way but in a very calm respectable way. Took 15 minutes just to find one, and when I did it took over a half hour to cancel a service. So yeah, they are Indian Clowns or Mexican Clowns.

xGeneral DEATHx @ Feb 14th 2008 11:37AM

Only took me five minutes to cancel one of my accounts.

And yes, I want a cookie for that.

No one Important @ Feb 14th 2008 8:46AM

I know it must be earily but you miss spelled "hte" near the bottom. I say leave it.

KidFrigid @ Feb 14th 2008 10:33AM

You said "earily", lol.

Gehodra @ Feb 14th 2008 1:19PM

You "miss spelled" misspelled too. That's gotta hurt.

me @ Feb 14th 2008 8:50AM

can you say "forced shortage"....I knew you could....

Matt B @ Feb 14th 2008 8:53AM

I wonder how many of them where bad out of the box and taken back to the store for an exchange.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 14th 2008 9:48AM

I was wondering who would be the ones to turn this into a conspiracy attack on MS. Thanks for not letting us down.

Matt B @ Feb 14th 2008 10:54AM

NO problem!

Do you really think the most defective console out now wouldn't have decent rate of returns?!?

It's not a conspiracy against MS.

It's all good though. Just 'Focus on the repair'. *barf*

Dnice @ Feb 14th 2008 8:54AM

HAHAHAHAHAHA..... Its laughable for them to even attempt the notion that they are having shortages due to high sales demand. I think it more in line with the fact that still to date over 16% failure rate and they have to replace those systems. Not to mention those that get they system back (more likely a different one) and it doesn't work right out the box. So guess what.. they have to return it again.

Besides the last time I check for the last 6 weeks Wii and PS3 have been outselling 360 on a global level. Just take a look at last weeks numbers.
http://www.vgchartz.com/ The only region that 360 is selling well is in the USA. Thats it.

Co @ Feb 14th 2008 9:05AM

"The only region that 360 is selling well is in the USA. Thats it."

So true. Which is why I wonder why the 360 boys always think their console is going to come out on top.

And to anyone that doesn't get why someone would want their console of choice to be the market leader, the answer is simple. The console you own, being the market leader, equals more games and more choices, and more attention from developers. Trust me, owning only a Gamecube last generation, I'm soaking in all the Wii love this generation best I can!

Boss Tempo @ Feb 14th 2008 9:38AM

Unlike the artificial supply shortages Nintendo is creating for their kiddie system, I'd say this one is real. How many adults are still playing with their kid's Wiis at this point? Once the novelty wears off, you're still stuck with a last gen system with no games. Keep flailing around and telling yourself its fun and the system kicks miles of ass. Hopefully by the time you grow fuzz on your balls, you'll be able to find 360s so you can come get pwned by the big kids.

Co @ Feb 14th 2008 9:49AM

lmao @ Boss tempo..... this coming from a 14 year old nonetheless!

ssuk @ Feb 14th 2008 9:54AM

Hello, I'm Europe. I'm very sorry you blatantly ignored me and my Xbox 360 buying trend. Please continue to remember me in the future.

Yours truly,
Europe.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 14th 2008 9:58AM

Damn Co.

You are such a blatant unabashed Nintendo fanboy man. You sat through last generation while the PS2 rolled out all of those amazing titles and yet refused to go beyond a gamecube – now you latch onto the Wii and think that its numbers mean it has the best game selection, which is plain laughable. The 360’s library is far more interesting than the Wii’s right now, and I have yet to find more than 5 must have released Wii titles for our house while the 360 and the PS3 keep on announcing better and deeper titles. You cannot seriously ignore the fact that devs have to blow off the Wii when they want to do something big - and instead keep shoveling minigames and watered down visuals in order to get some cash from that system.

I know that you know you’re full of shit about the Wii’s having the best game selection this generation (present or future) due to sales numbers – the question is when you will give the rest of the community some credit for being able to see it too. Maybe you should try going multi-console like so many of us are and then you won’t have to live through delusions.

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 14th 2008 10:06AM

"Trust me, owning only a Gamecube last generation"

Co.

You are a fucking loser. I had all 3 last gen and now all 3 this gen. Last gen PS2 PWND HAAAAAARRRRD!! This Gen game library wise 360 is pwning. PS3 is catching up but Wii is just shelling out all the 1st party titles like Nintendo always does. Im really let down by Nintendo this gen =( My Wii has a light layer of dust on it right now...

Co @ Feb 14th 2008 10:09AM

lol go multi-console. Ok, lemmie drop another cool $400 to boot and cut down to a part time job to play everything as well.

Nato, I didn't say I never PLAYED ps2 or 360, I just never owned them, and never will (unless I like win a console in a giveaway contest or something lol). 360s hardware is complete crap, and I never really enjoyed dual analog controllers all that much anyways. Despite soem great games across all consoles last gen, I did not play as much as the PS1/N64 gen. The fact is, I'm only going to own one console a generation, and it's going to be Nintendo until another company gives me a damn good reason why I should buy theirs.

I love the hatred people have towards Nintendo Fanboys as well.... its like you guys really truley WANT us to not like Nintendo. It really helps me stick to my guns.

Co @ Feb 14th 2008 10:10AM

LOLOLLLZZZZ OMFG FENIX URZ A STALKER ME!!! U STALK!! AHHHHH!!!!

Damn dude ur a fairy. And your moms pretty hot too.

deaftly @ Feb 14th 2008 10:12AM

now now.... let the nintendo boy have his fun in the land of make believe

James @ Feb 14th 2008 10:19AM

Fenix I think Dnice works for Nintendo.

I work for Microsoft today since I really like their Habu mouse and 360 controller on my PC.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 14th 2008 10:23AM

Co - we show hatred to people who live in fantasy about one console. Its pathetic to those of us who don't draw a line in the sand. I and others here are able to enjoy multiple consoles without having to tell ourselves lies.

We don't want you to hate Nintendo - we would like you to stop spewing bs to support your love.

Also, "Ok, lemmie drop another cool $400 to boot and cut down to a part time job to play everything as well" That quote is so weak man. I went through law school with high marks and practice law full time - all while owning multiple consoles and having an active life. So I don't know why you're even trying that line.

Tell yourself all the lies you want, but that won't make them truths.

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 14th 2008 10:23AM

Co.

Wow, just wow...

Now I'm definately convinced that your a 10 year old kid playing around on the computer while your in the school library. Someone get his ass to detention! ASAP!
Or a banhammer would be nice. Look at your comments they are filled to the brim with Nintendo love. Did you send Nintendo flowers 2day for V-day? Did you stick your beloved nun-chuck in your ass this morning? STFU already and go to wiifanboy.com where you belong.

Co @ Feb 14th 2008 10:30AM

NATO, you practice law full-time.....and post comments on Joystiq. Wow. Well you couldn't work for the state and find as much time as you do to post on here, and there no way you work for a private firm unless its owned by your dad or something which would explain your shoe-in at the company. lol hey nice try though! Hey what'd u get on your Bar? What state?

NATO_Duke @ Feb 14th 2008 10:43AM

Co - that’s quite a personal attack on me about subjects you have no clue on.

I'll entertain it: The state is Illinois - and you pass the bar or fail, and only get a score if you fail so you could know by how much. Seeing as I passed - I wouldn't know my score. My firm information is none of your business, but your baseless conjecture is just that – conjecture. My father is very ill in another state and was never a lawyer, so I think you can drop him from topics from this point on. I have time to answer when I get an email from my posts or when I feel like taking a break. Welcome to the world where we don’t have to take off our apron and punch a time clock to do as we please.

Maybe you should keep on the subject matter and not make up slanderous comments about people. It makes you look pretty damn desperate.

baby sea tuna @ Feb 14th 2008 11:00AM

NATO_duke, if you weren't before, you are now my new favorite poster on here.

Co @ Feb 14th 2008 11:00AM

NATO NATO NATO...... where to begin. Wait thats right, you began this entire "personal attack" thing, so save me the sop story. You only know your score if you fail? What? Bro, they MAIL you your score, pass or fail, at least in Florida. And in Illinois, you typically have to actually elect to take it on a pass/fail basis....

Half my family are lawyers working for the state, both in FL where I reside and IL.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 14th 2008 11:34AM

Co - now that was a blatant lie.

Florida and Illinois have totally different rules and you do not elect to do anything. Its pass or fail. The bar exam is part multistate and part Illinois specific. Don't you dare make up the rules in order to support your slander. I made no personal attack on your professional life – I pointed out that you are blinded by one console. You then chose to call my professional abilities into question and then make up facts to support it.

For those that aren't fooled by your lies: https://www.ibaby.org/ is the Illinois Bar Admission site

When you pass they post your number on the site with everyone else’s that passed - if your number isn't there then you failed and they mail you the score so you know whether it is appealable or not. It's quite cold and scary and leaves everyone refreshing their browser on the day they announce. You then wait to hear who didn’t get their number posted. (Two years ago they posted the numbers in sections, so people who didn’t see it at midnight freaked and then awoke to find they actually had passed. It’s that cruel.) If you pass you get a letter saying the Supreme Court will contact you.

If you think it happens any other way right now then you obviously have not taken part in the process. That is how it is done right now – not 30 years ago, right now. There is no electing whether to take it pass or fail. That is the most idiotic thing I have heard of. Every bar is pass or fail.

Damn Co. - that was a new low right there. You flat out lied to make me look bad here. Illinois is not Florida and I don't give a damn what you think other lawyers did or didn't do to get into the bar. You really should be more responsible in your postings about other people.

xGeneral DEATHx @ Feb 14th 2008 11:50AM

Wow. Just wow. Co...please stop while you're not completely buried here, man. Why all the egocentric ranting on who has the better console? They all have their strengths and weaknesses. We get it...your e-penis is H-U-G-E for going out on a limb and saying that the Wii is "t3h aw3s0m3!1!" Next time try less trolling and instead leave space for funny/more relevant comments. Also, I recommend that you never use the term "Bro" again, unless you are about to be tased by police officers, because then it's kind of funny. Saying "Bro" in a serious context makes you sound like every other wanna-be on the block.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 14th 2008 11:52AM

Thanks Tuna!

xGeneral DEATHx @ Feb 14th 2008 11:56AM

NATO:

You're my fuckin' hero.

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 14th 2008 12:10PM

NATO

Will you marry me? lul

Korova @ Feb 14th 2008 8:56AM

In this generation, shortages are sexy. I blame Apple - they started it.

Andy M @ Feb 14th 2008 8:59AM

COME ON M$- come clean and admit the real reason for the artificial shortage of 360's- that you had another sku poised for launch during CES and then hurredly tucked it under the counter when the 'BluRay Wins' announcement came out.

Better to feign a shortage due to underestimating demand than admit to a systemically flawed product launch that never happened, huh? Being able to keep up with the unprecedented demand during Nov / Dec but not for January?? No one's fooled.

Oh well, you still have GDC next week to redeem yourselves! :)

Ben @ Feb 14th 2008 9:09AM

I see it three ways.
1. Well, some say the Wii shortages created the illusion of a demand that may or may not have been there. On one hand, people could have seen the Wii shortages all over the news and said, "Hey that's a hot product, it's selling out everywhere, it must be fun, I want one for me/my kid." On the other hand, the demand for the Wii could just be real and not created by possibly (but probably not) artificial shortages.

2. Faking shortages could be an excuse to not look so bad after PS3 sales started to pick up. Microsoft could easily say PS3 sold so many because people couldn't get 360's due to the shortage.

3. The shortage is real and due to manufacturing issues or mass RROD replacements after the holiday season. Also, could be that what MS says is true and they did happen to somehow misestimate post-holiday season sales.