Noonan

This is the first time bots have gone after gaming consoles. That plus the pandemic puts us where we are today.

The Questyen

None of this is true.

Toddarino

at the very least the last part is. I can’t play it since I don’t have it.

milo bloom

I work in international shipping - it's absolutely the pandemic. It has thrown all of our models of past movement histories out the window. All it takes is a few labor shortages here and there in critical points of the global shipping chain, and those delays cascade all through the system.

I know my kid would love a PS5 and I kinda would too, but we're not going play the scalper game. We always wait at least a few months on new systems anyways, so we're just biding our time.

DthRdrX

They can easily use a voucher system. Say I go to Best Buys website at any time, buy a voucher for one console, my name goes on a waiting list. When they get the correct amt of inventory they send me my console. they are going to be selling these things like crazy the first year regardless of what system they use.

A lot of online toy stores use waiting lists similar to this. Sure, I might not get it NOW, but I will get one eventually and I will not have to pay a scalper. I'd be fine with that and I think a lot of people would as well. I remember getting the Kenner vouchers for Christmas when the original Star Wars toys were in demand.

Sonny Corinthos

PS5 AND XBOX "SCALPERS" AREN'T WHO YOU THINK, DATA ANALYST REVEALS.

PS5 and Xbox "scalpers" aren't who you think, data analyst reveals (inverse.com)

This article sheds a little more light on the subject.

fujishig

I'm curious which online toy stores use a voucher system? I collect toys but most are a pain and a half to collect (unless you're talking about the preorder windows that some smaller manufacturers like Super 7 have?)

I think it is a little problematic for such a big purchase amount, though maybe other manufacturers do it:
1. They can't tick off their retail partners by monopolizing inventory, so it would still trickle out
2. With such a large amount ,and no certainty on when you would release more, I'm sure there are problems with authorizing the charges and not having people get concerned that 700 might charge on their accounts at any time. And I'd think people would balk about being charged upfront.

It's certainly doable, though I don't know what prevents the scalpers from just signing up for hundreds of systems pushing you way way way down the list anyway.

Michael Corvin

It may not be the root cause, but it's definitely compounded by that fact, not only in manufacturing, but in consumption as well. With everyone stuck at home, there are likely more people buying during the launch window that normally would wait 2-3 years to jump in.

Deftones

This is like the perfect storm of shit. Pandemic slowed down manufacturing and shipping. Scalpers with bots buying up inventory because they are in short supply. Those two things combined are wreaking havoc on the availability. MS already said it may be late summer before you regularly see systems in the wild. I'd imagine that's going to be the case for Sony as well.

DthRdrX

A few of the transformers stores I shop at use waiting lists. TheChosenPrime comes to mind because a lot of their stuff sells out so quickly. TFSource uses a stacking system that is similar to preordering an item but you can back out later if you change your mind. If they don't get enough of the product in to meet demand, the item stays in your stack until they get more.

Some of them like ShowZstore overseas let you put a small deposit down or pay up front.

Let's be honest they are going to sell everyone they get in the first year regardless if people back out or not. They are still going to see the same flow of units. These stores are trying to get as many as they can.

Obi-Wanma

Truth. This is actually the first time that I bought a console at launch. Because I have the money and there's nothing else to do.

collven

AMD Chip Shortages Causing Delays

There are several reasons for the shortages, none of which involve Sony trying to artificially drive up demand. Think about it, Sony is better served having as many PS5s in the wild as possible. A big reason now is explained in this article. AMD is providing the chips to both MS and Sony for their consoles. If they can't produce enough chips, MS and Sony are screwed. Then, there is the fact that this is the first console released during a pandemic, so sales have to be done online. This gives scalpers and bots the opportunity to grab inventory.

The Questyen

If these last few years have taught me anything it's that no matter how many facts are presented some people are still going to believe a conspiracy theory over the most obvious answer.

K&AJones

I know many look at "Chips" as this and that part on a motherboard and somehow it just pertains to certain parts but this Chip Shortage is a bit more complex and covers a lot of stuff besides Consoles & PC's....it's basically like look at a large Funnel...that be Demand that keeps getting bigger at the top while the bottom stays the same......interesting articles and there's others out there but here's two to check to get a better understanding...

A Massive Chip Shortage Is Hitting the Entire Semiconductor Industry​​​​​​​ .......A Massive Chip Shortage Is Hitting the Entire Semiconductor Industry - ExtremeTech

Chip Shortages Hinder Automobile, PC, Consumer Electronics Production ....... Semiconductor Stocks Rocked By Chip Shortages | Investor's Business Daily

Michael Corvin

If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it must be a penguin.

Pnwrainman

Soooooo...how do I create a bot and get one. Lol


im hoping maybe summer it will slow down a tad and some will be available

Sonny Corinthos

I went to several Wal-Mart and GameStop stores this week and both of them had zero consoles of any kind. Of course the new ones, but also PS4, XBox One and Nintendo Switch.

Deftones

There is a reason for that. Most big box places have said they will only sell online. Want to avoid large crowds gathering.

GameStop was selling in store, though.

Sonny Corinthos

Yeah, they say that, but anytime you go to Walmart, it's elbow to elbow full of people.

Maxflier

I saw some PS4’s in stock at the WalMart here a few days ago. First time in as long as I can remember that they have had any.

maxfisher

Looks like GameStop has stock right now, but you have to buy one of several $700+ bundles they have that include things like nba2k21, a PlayStation ‘fan pack’ and GameStop $20 gift cards.

slop101

They're even throwing in some GS stocks too!

Decker

My PS4 Platinum Wireless Headset works for a PS5 but mine has been disconnecting constantly. I wonder if it's dying. It's probably 4 years old now.
I just ordered a PS5 3D Pulse one as they came in stock at Amazon. Will see if that works better - I hope it does.

candyrocket786

No issues with my Platinum dropping the connection.

milo bloom

They show up in the local Facebook garage sale groups all the time, I always report them

As for the shortage, I know it happens for every game launch, and it's always demand and chip shortages, but golly gee gosh darn it, it's so hard not to think, for even just a moment, that the company might take advantage of these shortages to get their names in the news cycle.