Wii, PS3 Shortages Will Last 'For Months'

GameStop isn't expecting the current shortage of PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles to end anytime soon. When asked during the company's investor call this morning, Executive VP of Merchandising Tony Bartel said he expects the shortages will continue into the summer months.

"Obviously it's a question we ask the platform holders constantly," said Bartel when asked about the shortages. "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.

[RageAgainstTheMShine]

Would that explain the 39 units millions shipped not sold?

[zeeshan]

Who cares about xbox360 supply or demand!?

Sony needs to step up their game right now. They have got a kick ass system seller software out there with no systems to sell? Seriously, they need to fire those who didn't see this coming. I hope this doesn't happen again when they drop GT5 later this year cuz that's gona post some crazy numbers both for software and hardware sales!

[swiftshot93]

^agreed with the above. Its retarded to have these shortages at this point in the life cycle.

[xX_JeneraL_Xx]

Sony's current inability to meet demand is UNACCEPTABLE. They wanted demand and now they're getting it but they can't keep up?

This proves yet again that Sony's worst enemy this gen is none other than Sony.

Jeneral OUT.

[-Alpha]

My Best Buy had a few in stock, but they are definitely scarce. I don't understand the sudden shortage. At least this is a blessing in disguise somewhat: People are buying PS3s and demanding more. It's just too bad this had to happen now.

[hs123]

I can only see one reason for these shortages
When Sony dropped the price of the ps3, the manufacture would produce less ps3 because they don't make too much profit. It cost them more to produce it. the demand is high but the supply is low. just think about it if you are to make a product, but can't get too much profit out of it will u make more of it or less. these shortages will last until the cost of making a ps3 drops.

[Voice_of_Reason]

Sony makes the PS3. They have no reason not to produce as many as they can. They have always sold their consoles at a loss. They make most of their money on software sales and they need as many PS3s out there as possible to get the better software sales.

[Saigon]

I do agree Sony should have seen this coming...but sometimes you are unable to predict what will happen...usually around this time of the year companies catch up from the Christmas / Holiday blitz...The Wii and PS3 have not had a chance to catch up which causes them to submit a minimal amount of product to the retail chain...so is this sony's fault...in a way no...they will get caught up if the demand tapers off a little...but with the library of AAA games growning by each week I don't expect this to happen any time soon...Gamespot is on the Money with the Summer prediction...

[palaeomerus]

My local Best Buy has at least nine PS3 units in plain site (three on the aisle and six more on a shelf.

That's a shortage? Meanwhile there are no Wii-fit boards in the store.

[DaTruth]

Bu, bu, but, teh shortages was just teh damage control!

[mint royale]

Sony and Nintendo to any extent are in a tough position at the minute. Making extra consoles than originally planned is a tough process. It could be done though, certinaly within months but both companies have to consider whether it is worth the additional costs to make and ship more consoles than they have budgeted for. If strong demand is not thought to last then I guess its best to play it safe and grin and bear shortages until May I guess.

[Nitrowolf2]

wow its a bad time to have a shortage to, God of War 3 just came out. Hopefully Sony can get it together and ship more, this would suck if it happened on GT5 date

[RememberThe357]

But it seems Sony really does need to step their game up. There are people out there who want a PS3 and can't get one. That is not cool.

They still could be stock piling supplies for the holiday season. Hardware shortages then would be much more of a concern.

[SonySoldiers]

GOD BLESS Y'ALL

/;-)

[Anorexorcist]

I just received a brand-new 120 gig PS3 from Best Buy on Tuesday after ordering it last Friday. After seeing this article, I'm so damn glad I didn't place a backorder with Gamestop.

As far as online supply goes, I would recommend all to keep a constant eye on all the major, blue-chip retailer's websites because the prompts will display "sold out online" one hour, then "add to cart" another hour. PS3 supply is replenishing, albeit in something of an erratic way.

[GameSpawn]

I believe the shortages are regional, in not in the sense of US and UK, but even closer like Northwest US or Southeast US for example.

I could not find PS3 Slims ANYWHERE in my local area nor from my usual online stores. However, I went to Sony Style (Sony's online store) and PS3 Slims ship in 24 hours. Low and behold the PS3 I ordered direct from Sony arrived in no time.

I believe two things are happening. (1) Sony is not supplying distribution channels fast enough because of their recent rumored change to the wireless adapter and/or (2) Sony is doing what HP is doing right now with their printers; cutting back production and distribution and shipping directly from their own store (reaping 100% of the profit from cutting out distribution) and only filling distribution channel orders once they hit a certain break point.

[ATLGAMER]

I live here and there are shortages...but u can find one if u keep looking

[Gradient]

That's what happens when everyone wants your product.

[SnukaTheMan]

When they are 200 dollars......no more.

[Subzero200x]

right right a shortage is only when people want something bad enough to buy it out...lol sony

[saint_john_paul_ii]

well considering that your a kid who has a yu-gi-oh avatar on n4g, you have no say in this conversation. go to sleep. its way past your bedtime.

[Nitrowolf2]

yeah and when people buy stuff out, and there is still more demands after that, there isn't enough supplies
Supply and demand 5th grade material

[sashimi]

I went hunting for Lunar:SSH LE today in 3 bestbuy in NY and i did not spot one Ps3 but they had a sh*t ton of xbox360 in stock which is pretty unusual since i usually see ps3 in stock all the time.

[CaptainPunch]

Luckily I bought my ps3 before the shortages hit, this sucks for people looking to buy a ps3.

[Biggest]

It seems the shortages are site dependent. I checked a local GameStop for Wii and of course they had none. The area BestBuy told the same story. But within walking distance there is a Target with 15 in the locked case and zero people wanting to buy one. The same deal for the PS3. Wal-Mart has quite a few, but the Best Buy across the street hasn't had more than 3 on hand for weeks. I guess the moral of that story is to check the places that have them, but aren't known for them.

[justlikeme]

Ms is trying... it's arcade is $129.99 atm in canada..

http://www.amazon.ca/Xbox-3...

[SnukaTheMan]

Where the ps3 will be remembered in North Americas as the year the xbox 360 surpassed the ps3. Notice the Wii still manages to outsell both the ps3 and xbox and has these "shortage" problems......

[evrfighter]

in the americas?

Wii and 360 are both outselling the ps3 here.

somebody that worked for Sony yesterday. Is filing for unemployment today.

[cliffyboy21]

glad i still have my 80 gig. this could be due to the fact that they said they were taking more weight out of the slims about 2 grams or something like that. but i guess their just taking their time, you gotta have perfection on these things they don't wanna ship bad consoles this time.

[Eiffel]

Glad I got mine from Sonystyle before they sold out, wewt!

[jalen247]

Apparently PS3s are Wiis the consoles in demand....Not surprising.

I am wondering if the Haters are now convinced that Sony and Nintendo are trouble keeping up with demand.