PSP Shortage? Hype or Real?

Zoglog

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Sony has been Claiming there won't be any PSP shortages and that they will ship 1 Million Units. This is in Contrast with the PS2's launch which had around 500000 Units at Launch. We all know for certain that the handheld market is considerably smaller than the home console market and that in conjunction with the 1 Million Units being promised by Launch you would logically assume that there would be no shortage.

However All the local stores around Culver City near my work (EB, gamestop etc.) all have sold out of thier 1st shipment preorders. So my question is just what is going on? Are not all of the units being sold at these stores really up for preorder? Or is sony understimating thier launch capacity? Or maybe the stores are just not knowing that they will be getting more units than they assume. Also in Addition could it be possible that It's just my area that is selling out of preorders?

I'm trying to assess demand so I can decide whether or not I should wait outside Best buy in the morning for my PSP. I am pretty intent on getting it during Launch since i'm going to tokyo on the 31st and I definetly want it for the flight. However I'm not going to pay for those rediculous amounts on ebay if there are shortages. By going early and waiting in line i'll be skipping out on an hour+ of work and having to wait in line. I'm wondering if this is necessary or if I just goto Best Buy on my lunch break will there still be units?
 
I'm hoping there's not really a shortage. With 1,000,000 units that should more than cover pre-orders but I think it depends on your area and how well the stores in your area sell things. If your local stores don't do too well they may not get as many units as a stronger market. On the other hand it's a million units. Should be more than enough to cover pre-orders and then some. My pre-order is in the second shipment or so I'm told but I'm thinking there shouldn't be a problem getting one on launch day. First shipment could come on the 17th and the 2nd on the 20th for all we know. They won't just all miraculously show up on the 24th. Or will they...:p
-G
 
Part of the PS2 shortage was created by the stores getting less than they were initially told. A lot of them pre-ordered out their allotment and then on launch day they end up getting half of what was promised. So if what Sony says and what Sony delivers are actually close to each other, than there shouldnt be shortage
 
Hmmm darn, sounds like it's up in the air. I don't thinkthey'd choose to understock my area considering it's in LA. I thought by what they meant by 2nd shipment was like during april or something? Is 2nd shipment inhand for launch day?
 
Depnds on how you define shortage. If you mean not everyone with money in hand will be able to get one the first week, then yes, the shortage will be severe. If shipments are steady and demand still exceeds supply by after four or five months, Sony will be crying all the way to the bank.
 
You have to take into account actually how many will show up on Ebay.

I personally see the japan sales drop once its released here.
 
to the best of my knowledge, at gamestop where i work, we stopped taking 1st shipment as a precaution, theres a chance well get extras, but we just dont know how many, so rather than fall short we stopped early... but regardless of how many preorders there are it will surely fly off the shelf and if you cant find one at your local store im sure you can find one on ebay overpriced
 
Link doesnt work MR Answer =).

Looks like i'm gonna have to wait up in line for Best buy either way eh? Chances that places will have it during lunchtime on launch date are pretty slim?
 
If you want a PSP then pre-order it. If you change your mind at the last minute (launch day) I'm sure places like Target and Walmart will have them (game stores will be sold out though).
 
Mmmm, None of the preorder places will get it to me by the time I goto japan.

PC connection siad March 31
all the EB games and gamestops around here say they are on 2nd shipment preorder. If you think Target will still have them in stock during lunchtime on launch day and they have them that'd be cool.
 
[quote name='Zoglog']Mmmm, None of the preorder places will get it to me by the time I goto japan.

PC connection siad March 31
all the EB games and gamestops around here say they are on 2nd shipment preorder. If you think Target will still have them in stock during lunchtime on launch day and they have them that'd be cool.[/quote]

I think Target would have them but not for long. My local target had the DS and PS2 in stock during the holidays. Maybe because people don't go to Target for Video games. Try to go in the morning and you have a good shot since all the fanboys will be at EB, GS, or BB.
 
Most likely what will happen is every store with preorders will get an alotment to fill those preorders (which the stores were likly told to stop at a certain point to make sure they would have enough on hand to meet demand)

In all or most stores any one who preordered will get theirs but the store will probably run out if people see they have more units for sale out side of the preorders. (these will end up on eBay)

Other stores that dont do preorders will get their shipments and their's will be easily accessable to the non preordering public it you best be fast because I'd expect many of these units to sell fast as well.

Now if Sony can produce the million units they'll probablynot have any trouble meeting the demand the first week. If they cant though.... best not think of it.
 
[quote name='Zoglog']Hmmm darn, sounds like it's up in the air. I don't thinkthey'd choose to understock my area considering it's in LA. I thought by what they meant by 2nd shipment was like during april or something? Is 2nd shipment inhand for launch day?[/quote]

i was told 2nd shipment is April as well. many people were told that they had 2 wait for the 2nd shipment of the DS and found them readily available at Best Buy, etc. I preordered my DS and after picking it up stopped by BB and they had plenty. At the time I lived in Moreno Valley, CA. The same thing cld happen w/ the PSP. I preordered the PSP and I am on the 2nd shipment b/ if i find it at BB i can just use my preorder deposit for games.
 
I really doubt we will see 1 million PSP systems sold on the first day. I don't believe that there is that much demand for the system.
 
[quote name='Kaijufan']I really doubt we will see 1 million PSP systems sold on the first day. I don't believe that there is that much demand for the system.[/quote]

I'd say there will be 1 million shipped, with a good majority being sold. I'd doubt there's actually a shortage, though it'll probably be depending on the region as to where shortages are.
 
So you guys are saying basically if I goto Best Buy During Lunchtime I can probably still get one =)? Maybe I can leave for lunch early and go at like 11 am heh
 
[quote name='Zoglog']So you guys are saying basically if I goto Best Buy During Lunchtime I can probably still get one =)? Maybe I can leave for lunch early and go at like 11 am heh[/quote]

Definitely call first to avoid going when/if they sell out.
 
Well the best buy is only 3 mins from my work =) hehe.

I hope Best Buy has deals like they did for the Xbox and Gamecube Launch. I believe it was you buy 2 games iwth the console and you get 10 dollars off each game. That's what convinced me to buy DOA3 and Halo with my xbox =D
 
Keep this in mind...

Wal-Mart is the nation's largest retailer, therefore it is appropriate to assume they will get the largest allocation of units. Since Wal-Mart isn't preordering units (in-store or online), one will have a good chance of obtaining one on March 24th.
 
I look at it this way :

1.000.000 units at launch shipped

900.000 actual units get to the stores

50 states

18.000 units per state



Now if you think about it..18k units per state isn't all that much.


I myself am on the second shipment at my EBgames, I still hope to get the spiderman2 movie.

Alot of units will also be bought up by ebay people to resell and try and make profit (same happened with the DS). However I do not forsee such a huge profit margin as the DS was, because it lauched around xmas.


Only time will tell how the launch will turn out...
 
somehow I doubt every state will get exactly 18,000 units I mean hell, it's not like anyone actually LIVES in Delaware.
 
Yeah it's true. Sony definetly wouldnt be stupid enough to spread the distribution evenly across all states. That would be the worst way to approach distribution ever lol
 
[quote name='Alpha2']somehow I doubt every state will get exactly 18,000 units I mean hell, it's not like anyone actually LIVES in Delaware.[/quote]

Somehow I think California will see more units than a lot of the wee bitty states put together. There are probably more people with intent to own a PSP within a 50 mile radius of me than in the entire states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined.
 
That's what worries me since all of the stores around claim to have sold out of preorders =). Oh well since I still have that 200 dollar gift card at best buy I should just wait outside Best buy before work and just stay at work an hour late.
 
I can't believe i'm more hyped about the PSP than my trip to Japan at the end of this month o_O... Maybe my priorities are jacked heh.
 
[quote name='Zoglog']I can't believe i'm more hyped about the PSP than my trip to Japan at the end of this month o_O... Maybe my priorities are jacked heh.[/quote]

If you're going to Japan then just buy a PSP over there. The games are region free.
 
That's true. Otherwise I would have already bought my PSP import already.
but then again i'd be able to import overpriced Jpop and anime UMD's lol.....
I guess it isnt a real big deal since i'm not too big of a fan on using the PSP to watch movies on UMD, but getting the US one with spiderman 2 doesnt seem bad to me. If I don't get one before I goto tokyo you bet your arse i'm gonna end up getting one in shinjuku hehe
 
Weird, some guy posted earlier that Gamestop went back to first shipment preorders, but I just called the gamestop near my place and they said they were on 3rd shipment preorders. -_- I'm really confused...
 
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