Microsoft knew before the launch date that they weren't going to make their projected targets. Microsoft in their desperation, left reputable game shops high-and-dry by cutting back on promised preorder allocations to improve launch day availability. These shops who played by the rules and only took preorders for what MS promised them, found themselves having to tell preorder customers that they WOULDN'T be receiving the machine they paid for on launch day. From the customers' perspective these game shops appeared as sleazy as those who deliberately oversold preorders.

Instead of scaling back their "worldwide release", Microsoft said "F it" and went full steam ahead anyways.

Again, we're approaching the 4 month mark since the 360 release and systems are still scarce. Were PS2's still this scarce 4 months later?


It only strengthens Microsoft's position if they can make product available to consumers. Looking at the sales figures, PS2s are still outselling 360's and XBox's combined. Lack of a PS3 is NOT hurting Sony and in the long run, if they wait long enough, the PS3 will be perceived as the "next gen beyond the 360".... leapfrogging the 360 in the eyes of consumers.

The game shops were sleazy in this situation. I recall very well ebgames not being able to fill all the preorders but they had enough systems to make bundles right away. That isn't MS's fault.


Anyone who thinks the lack of a ps3 isn't hurting Sony is crazy. PS2s are still selling and that is cool, but Sony is looking like a bunch of morons right now what with all the dishonest talk about still being on track for a spring release. Personally I am glad the PS3 is delayed, now I don't have to worry about trying to get one right now. All my money is going to the 360 and I still can't get all the games I want. All of you MS haters out there who find so much time to argue about how much a failure the launch was for 360, have fun. I am off to play my next-gen 360 on my HDTV and have a great time while you guys keep trying to make yourselves feel better about no PS3. Personally, I think you guys are nuts, there is room for both companies in the business and I can't wait for a little competition to bring prices down. Anyone want to buy my plasma, blood not the tv, so I can save up for GRAW? :)

Nice broad brush ya got there. Not every game shop was sleazy in overselling preorders.


Sony makes a profit on every PS2 sold. That's a good thing for them. And while you may think that Sony looks like a bunch of morons, there are many Sony fans who are so accustomed to delays and deceptions that they are simply shrugging off this latest news and continuing to wait. There will be little to no repercussions from this delay.

If we're going to talk about companies being dishonest about their game consoles, we have to look towards all of Microsoft's broken promises regarding the 360. They all do it, so let's not imply that only Sony is underhanded.

That is a pretty simplistic attitude. I own a 360 and love it. But I can see that the 360 launch was a failure. I can see that Microsoft did not keep its promises about the capabilities of the 360. That doesn't mean I'm an MS-hater. It means that I can see things in perspective.

And there we have it. :rolleyes:

The only time that's ever happened is with the Dreamcast.

Yes. Yes it was. But it was not a drastic, horrible failure. Just a failure. Four months after launch no one can get a 360!

Lots of people have a 360, both boughten on launch day and past.
Four months after launch and some people are having problems finding a system would be a better statement to make.

How many of those do you think got a non-bundled or non-eBay version?

I'm really curious about that. I've checked the Best Buy Store Finder every day for the past three weeks and I've seen Premiums show up ONCE at ONE store near me and they were gone within an hour or so.

That's a bit bigger than "having problems finding a system" - I CAN'T find a system.

It is bigger, but the poster I quoted made it sound like no one at all could find a system. That just isn't true.
I walked into a Best Buy in the Detroit suburbs. It was a Wednesday and she said that ysterday they got in about 10 systems, 3 core and 7 premium. They sold out, of course. But said that it seems they get in some on Tuesdays. Sure enough, next Tuesday, I called around 2pm and they had gotten in systems and had 1 premium system left. I was able to drive up there and get that system.

It does happen. I can't begin to state why the Best Buy hear you hasn't gotten any since launch. Maybe employees are holding them for friends before they get put into general stock. maybe employees are tyring to make a quick buck on ebay or some other way. I can't say.
But people are finding systems.
I've gotten two systems. One on launch that I waited 10 hours for. And the one a few weeks ago.
Well, the one a few weeks ago is for the roommate, but I drove up to the store and picked it up.

I tried for 2-3 weeks tops to get a Premium non-bundled system and eventually found one sitting on a shelf (I was calling ahead each day - it took maybe 10-15 minutes a day to check). Within 40 minutes of me I found about 17 unbundled Core systems continually in stock at least 4 of the 6 days i called. Granted i live in a rural area but that also means i have 1 Circuit City and 5 Wal-Marts within 40 minutes of me. That is it. No Best Buys, Frys or anything else.

I was getting frustrated I couldn't find one and think the launch could have been better but I think classifying it as a failure based on units is a little inaccurate (in my opinion). Classifying it a failure based on launch title games i htink would be a much more convincing argument due to them really not having something for everyone at launch.

ok, now we're getting into semantics here. I guess I should have said "Hardly anyone can get a system" rather than "No one can get a system". geez!

Not to try to piss you off or anything but there are many people here who do have them so I would say "Many" people where able to get them, I think more the problem is that you are looking at the wrong place at the wrong time. I think people are still casually buying them if they see them because they are still "hard to find" therefore the people who really want them are still having problems. The fact that people are able to get them at reasonable prices on ebay now is a statement to that effect.

The way I got mine was underhanded and it may be what's happening to you, the lady that is the manager of the electronics department at the local K-mart called me and told me that they had one, but I had to hurry and come pick it up, this was not a preorder but more of a favor paid to me. She kept it so hush hush that the next time I went there to buy a game the girl that was working back there said "you actually own a 360??!!" I said umm yeah I bought it here, she had no idea they had ever even gotten any.

Fair enough - I know other people have been more successful than I am.

Who knows what's going on with Best Buy? It does seem weird to me that the 5 BBs near my house (including the one that is within sight of the corporate office) haven't gotten 360s in in weeks. I also have a problem asking at the counter when looking, since it's usually busy after work (the only time I can go) and I hate to be one of "those" customers.

I guess that means I haven't been trying hard enough, but when I wanted a PS2, I got one. Same with the Gamecube. When I wanted a Dreamcast, I got one. When I wanted a PSP and a DS, I got one. All right around their launch times. I never had to ask someone for it. I shouldn't have to, actually.

The problem is most likely that you're going only after work. I know it's a hassle to go in the morning when they open or even during your lunch break, but that's most likely when they'll put them out. I know I went to a local BB a few weeks back at lunchtime to pick a DVD up, and they had some cores... but they would have been all gone by 5pm.

I agree that there is still a supply problem, though, as there still aren't readily available on store shelves across the country.

I'm pretty sure Best Buy is getting them in, you are just missing them. I have seen Cores and Premiums but it's usually over lunch hour during the week. By evening they are probably wiped out. And to think the mods wanted to shut down this thread weeks and weeks ago. Yet, here we are......

Oh I forgot to add that Nebraska Furniture Mart here in Omaha(OMFG HUGE furniture/electronics, one of the biggest non-franchise stores in USA) has had pallets of the Cores for sale in the last 2 weeks.

I have yet to see on in a Best Buy since launch.

Draven, have you gone to Kmart? Go there during the day and check. Or even better, just go there and talk to the person who works in electronics during the day. Ask them to hold the next one for you and give them your info. I know my Kmart does that for people. I also know they ALWAYS have cores in stock and almost always are getting the premiums in too.

By the same token my local Kmart never got any in. Not a single one from launch to mid-January according to a worker bee there.

K-Mart is a possibility. I'll have to track one down. Thanks for the suggestion!

It's extremely hard to get away to a Best Buy during the day, even over a lunch hour. Traffic makes it tough to make it. I'll keep at it though.

If youreally want to know why there's no 360's then look at this

http://listings.ebay.com/_W0QQsocmdZ...t=a10244%2Ca14

I hate to say but I blame Microsoft for allot of this. High demand has caused nothing but greed while leaving true gamers out in the cold. They need to step up and assure those wanting a 360 they're working on getting more units to market. As long as a few units come in and go in less than an hour then you'll continue to see it all on e-bay. Flat out "BU## SH*$"


Kenny J.

I hate to say it, but most people buying the system aren't true gamers. All they are doing is buying them and putting them on ebay to turn a quick profit. I think the only way to fix this problem is the Microsoft needs to quadruple production to exceed demand. That way there will be no market for the machine on ebay or any online auction site. Also, what is up with these bundles going for 700-1000 dollars? I'd rather buy the 399.00 system and gradually add games I want than thrown stuff I won't play.

I've been to Best Buy in Cerritos, Culver City, West Los Angeles and Lakewood and have yet to see one on the shelf.

They don't keep them on the shelves when they're in. You have to ask. It's the only way you'll know other than seeing a customer walking out with one.

see my post above *

Yes. I mentioned this before. Best Buy and Circuit City are most likely going to leave them in the back. If they put out 12 360s on the floor, there would still be a stampede of people rushing towards them.

I've only seen them out at one Best Buy and they were behind the CS counter.

Someone is selling a *core* system with an opening bid of $550 and a buy it now of $990.

I know the 360 is still in demand, but I think some people have no idea of how to setup an auction. For some strange reason, there are no bids.

Edit: On the other hand, it has 6 plus days left so I guess it's possible that someone will buy it.

Good to know.