PS3 Slim: Consumers Need To Strike As Early As Possible

If you wander into GameStop a month from now and ask to buy a PS3 Slim, don't be too surprised if they say they're out of stock.

Thing is, although the new system has a launch date of September 1, many retailers have already begun selling it...and as a direct result, they're flying off both physical and virtual shelves. PSXE readers have reported finding the system at their local Best Buys, and according to GameSpot, calls to San Francisco Bay Area retailers have confirmed that the PS3 Slim is available, but already sold out. One GameStop employee said:

"I think Sony's probably trying to keep supply tight, so it will be in high demand like the Wii and the PS3 were at launch. We had less than a week's warning it was coming. We had reserves only open for two to three days, and the shipment only had 12 to 13 consoles. We don't know when we'll be getting our next batch."

We all remember the launch of the PS3, when Sony didn't even have enough systems ready to cover pre-orders on the first day, and the console was essentially impossible to find for the first few months. Now, we really don't expect something like that to happen this time around; the console is cheaper and easier to produce, and this late-August/early-September release is better for the holidays than that mid-November launch in 2006. Right now, GameStop's online store and Amazon.com are listing the PS3 Slim as shipping within 24 hours, but Best Buy says the Slim is already on back-order. The good news is that the majority of Slim shipments haven't gone out yet; those should be shipping on or around the first of September.

But the bottom line is this: if you plan to get one, we advise not waiting. There's little point to it (the price ain't gonna drop again) and if you wait, you're risking a lot of, "sorry, we're sold out."

8/28/2009 Ben Dutka

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MirrorSoul
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:43:24 AM
Reply

It now time for the Ultimate rise.....

9 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:05:34 PM

...to true prominence.

3 up, 0 down

Robochic
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:48:12 AM
Reply

Ebgames here in Canada is having a deal if u trade u're 60gig or 40gig in u get a PS3 slim for 49.99? still not getting one as of yet just upgraded my 20gig the other day plus my little fat console is not worth the deal.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:06:18 PM

yeah stick with your BC machine good woman.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/28/2009 4:06:35 PM

2 up, 0 down

OtisFeelgood
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:51:39 AM
Reply

I'll be getting another one soon hopefully

0 up, 0 down

Mounce
Monday, August 31, 2009 @ 12:53:36 PM

This is what I had feared since the beginning, I had sold my 60GB, knowing that I didn't want 2 PS3's, waiting for the Slim to come out for a whole year, sad thing is, from 1 year, MANY god damn PS3 exclusives that are awesome have come out! I gotta catch up!

I grabed and had pre-ordered my PS3 Slim as fast as possible, and was able to get my PS3 Slim on August 25th, my only gripes are the facts that it feels slower in many situations, especially at startup, by around 3 seconds. Though from the comparison-videos, it seems to startup games faster, I am only waiting for 3.0 to see what it will do with the Slim since 3.0 AND Slim were meant to exist together at the same time.

0 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:52:54 AM
Reply

I really want to get one...but i'm broke :( I really want my ps3 less friends to grab one before they are gone. Because i want to play Fat princess with em!

1 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:53:18 AM
Reply

Great idea Sony, cut the price on the PS3, introduce the Slim, keep the flow of product tight so people who want the PS3 Slim can't find it, and watch as potential customers pick up the $299 Elite because they don't want the frustration of having to wait to join this new gen of gaming.

We gamers are an impatient lot.

For every correct step that you think Sony makes and that they are finally getting it right, Sony takes two steps back.

I really hope Sony doesn't keep PS3 Slim supplies tight.

3 up, 6 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:58:53 AM

Like I said, the major shipments are yet to come. But any hot item has a chance of selling out...including the 360 Elite.

9 up, 0 down

NightHawk17
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 11:08:23 AM

I see what you did there XD

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:07:31 PM

I dunno Orvis, there is something to be said for creating demand in this fashion early on, then letting it rip as the holidays close in.

1 up, 0 down

KabutoHunter
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 5:05:46 PM

You should remember, this quote came from a GAMESTOP EMPLOYEE. They're not known for being the most knowledgeable lot, or having any information that all of us don't already have.

4 up, 0 down

bridgera
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 6:38:02 PM

Oris, what are you reacting at?

The comments of some store employees?

Careful reacting to information without knowing the source. If Sony said that, sure your reaction makes sense.

If it was from some dude at a retailer, then it's probably not even worth acknowledging.

A month ago I was looking at the PSP and DS for my gf, a Gamestop employee told me:

"The PSP is going away, we don't have many games for it anymore"
"Ya, but isn't the whole deal that you can download games on the PS3 and load them onto the PSP?"
"No you can't do that" she tells me.

Then I went home, looked at FFVII on my PS3, hit copy, and it tells me to connect my PSP.

So it appears the Gamestop employee had no idea what she was talking about.

I imagine, the person who made those comments, similiarly did not know what he/she was talking about. Ya, it'd be stupid if it were true.

3 up, 0 down

dlte
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:41:31 PM

wouldn't someone who is so impatient already have a 360 or ps3?

Last edited by dlte on 8/28/2009 10:42:13 PM

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 4:28:26 AM

Hey dlte, I'll be there on the 12th of Sept. :)

0 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Monday, August 31, 2009 @ 12:06:45 PM

Hey, videogame companies have been doing this for years. Send very few consoles into the market, let them sell out, and watch the frenzy as the mainstream media reports your console is this year's hot X-mas item.

Brilliant strategy as long as people are willing to wait for you to resupply the market, not so much if they don't.

As far as being impatient, how many kids are willing to accept an IOU under the X-Mas tree saying "You'll get XYZ console when it is in stock"?

As far as retail employees, I never listen to any of them because they are normally fanboys of one kind or another pushing their agenda.

1 up, 0 down

CH1N00K
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:55:20 AM
Reply

Stopped by a best buy in Scarborough Ontario yesterday. Sure enough they had about a dozen of them sitting on the floor. I don't know how many Best Buy is getting but the guy I talked to said they had sold 70 of them before noon the day before. If that's only one Best Buy in Ontario, imagine how many units are being sold in NA alone. I can't wait to see the sales figures for August, September.

I was thinking of grabbing one, but my 80 GB is still going strong so I'm holding off for a bit.

Last edited by CH1N00K on 8/28/2009 10:56:00 AM

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 11:39:52 AM
Reply

Picked one up yesterday. Kinda regret it now. I didn't need one. My fatty works fine. It was an impulse buy. Lol. But they were indeed in short supply. They only had 2 left.

1 up, 0 down

AKA M80 TheWOLF
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 11:49:45 AM

If it means anything I think you made the choice lol ;)

2 up, 0 down

bOnEs
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 12:11:06 PM

check ebay and see what they're going for... you might be able to turn a profit if the supply is low right now... someone might be willing to spend a little extra...

i regret not doing this with the original PS3 launch... i've learned my lesson and, i'm camping out the next time a new system hits the shelves because, you can almost double your money...

2 up, 7 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:10:49 PM

Good idea bones. I remember when the PS3 1st launched they were going for 1200+ on eBay.

1 up, 0 down

bOnEs
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 3:01:47 PM

well, if you like your new slim then maybe you shouldn't sell it... but yea, there's a small chance that they could be going for more online than in stores once the supply dissipates...

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 7:16:13 PM

Ughh....i got mine for 1000.....

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 12:11:11 PM
Reply

I snatched one up on the 25th, tehehe!

2 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:12:54 PM

Me too!

I love the way some PS3 Phat owners here want to pick up a Slim, but they really don't have an excuse to because their Phat is still going strong like a gaming console should! 360 owners on the other hand.......

7 up, 1 down

TheHighlander
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 12:17:08 PM
Reply

What's that saying about early birds and worms? Be early my friends.

As they say in entertainment, always leave the audience wanting more. Having tight supply of the new PS3 isn't necessarily a bad thing, remember the criticism of the PS3 when it launched and people poked fun about the fact that it was easy to find? Do we really want a return of this?

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:09:53 PM

we do not. It is our turn to poke fun at the simplicity of finding a virtual lego-tower of Elites in every store, untouched by the masses.

2 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 7:37:39 PM

But in the world of retail if you wait you get things cheaper =O lol

1 up, 0 down

RadioHeader
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 12:41:55 PM
Reply

Jawknee, LV - How do you like it? Would it win a beauty contest with the phat PS3?

1 up, 0 down

Button Masher
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 12:48:49 PM

Hey the old PS3 is just "pleasingly plump"!!!
:)

2 up, 0 down

RadioHeader
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:03:23 PM

lol, the PPPS3 :)

1 up, 0 down

Button Masher
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:07:22 PM

Just more PS3 to love!! LOL

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:08:42 PM

It's super quiet. I think that's the best thing about it. Other then that its exactly the same. The start up tune and screen is a tad different. It looks purrty but I do miss the gloss finish.

Last edited by Jawknee on 8/28/2009 1:10:03 PM

3 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:10:25 PM

I'm loving the slim. The videos and pics of it made me think it was going to be bigger than it actually is. It's definitley smaller than the Fat PS3 and VERY quiet. I like the look of it more, it doesn't collect dust. My fatPs3 collects dust every day it seems. I've had the slim since the 25th and it shows no signs of dust. It look really nice laying (lying) flat and it matches my other electronics (all black) way better than the Fatty did.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 8/28/2009 1:11:17 PM

4 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:16:01 PM

Have to second that LV. no dust. The fatty was a dust magnet. The matte finish doesn't match my TV though. My Samsung is a glossy one.

3 up, 0 down

RadioHeader
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:45:48 PM

How about the buttons? I remember being so pleased with my futuristic PS3 non-button-buttons. Will I be disappointed with the normal button-buttons? Or am I just being a PITA now?

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 3:33:46 PM

I do like the touch buttons more. But the new ones are ok too. I dig the mirror finish on he surface where the buttons lay. Also the got rid of the power switch incthe rear. If plugged in. It's alway on standby.

2 up, 0 down

migabyte
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 6:41:34 PM

Who ever touches the PS3 buttons? I always turn mine on with the controller. It's like turning a TV on with the buttons.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 8:24:48 PM

Ha! I actually do use the buttons on the console and the TV quite a bit.

0 up, 0 down

Natalisrubbish
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 12:24:49 PM

The old fat PS3's are now part of the BBW genre! (-;

0 up, 0 down

taus90
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 12:52:57 PM
Reply

I still Have my Fat PS3 from launch, running without any Hicups, But this time things will be completely opposite for sony from '06. oh i love my Fat PS3 got it for $310 in jan '07

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:11:23 PM

That cat rules the farking universe.

1 up, 0 down

taus90
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 12:55:19 PM
Reply

I still Have my Fat PS3 from launch, running without any Hicups, But this time things will be completely opposite for sony from '06. oh i love my Fat PS3 got it for $310 in jan '07

0 up, 0 down

Milonakis
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 1:49:48 PM
Reply

Will everyone stop calling it the FAT ps3. Fat is a file system, not a descriptor. Please refer to it as big boned PS3.

0 up, 5 down

Oyashiro
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 3:08:35 PM

How about PHAT? Because they are 'Pretty Hot And Tempting';)!

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:11:55 PM

So overweight people are just file systems?

4 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:33:52 PM

Actually Fat was used as a word to desribe an overly large person way before the FAT file system came into creation. People choosing to put the word Fat in all caps are simply expressing their intense love for the word through the net. Capisce?

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 8/28/2009 4:34:22 PM

0 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 9:30:16 AM

well if you want to get technical its fat 32 plus i think south park have the im not fat just big boned line on copyright :')

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 2:57:18 PM
Reply

I remember this with Street Fighter IV
Lots of people in line, and those who didn't pre-order well like "what? no more copies? wtf?"

But yes get the ps3

But better recommendation: Get the 80GB ps3, it's only $300 now.

1 up, 0 down

SgtBarone
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 3:14:45 PM
Reply

The PS3 was defenitly not hard to find after launch.

2 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 3:46:49 PM

Sure it was. That's why people were able to hawk it off on eBay for 1200+ dollars.

4 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 5:10:49 PM

It took me until February 07 to see one in stores (I bought that one).

3 up, 0 down

kevyd09
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 3:57:52 PM
Reply

hey the original ps3 isnt phat, fat, big boned or chubby!! in this day and politicly correct age the original ps3 should be called weightly challenged!!

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:12:50 PM

let just settle on "busty" I like that...

4 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:19:47 PM

^Yes!
Busty ps3 :D

2 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 5:12:20 PM

I prefer to think of my 60 as powerfully muscled. No fat on that magnificent beast.

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:14:36 PM
Reply

Ahem, I'm cited for folks who are joining the revolution. It's always good to have more supporters, more online players, more people seeing the light. A slim would be great but I'm spending all my free cash on games and my old "busty" PS3 is still rockin and rollin with the best of em.

Edit: LOL, Amazon just sent me an email for the xbox price cut. Never got one for the PS3 price cut, hmmmm.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/28/2009 4:15:59 PM

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:00:57 PM

Oh how could you Amazon! You hurt me inside! I love amazon. But seems they are paid whores of the M$ money machine too.

2 up, 0 down

jerocarson
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:15:46 PM
Reply

defining moments

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:23:43 PM
Reply

I just picked one up from gamestop and the receipt list they scan only showed like 12 or 15 slots on it and half were gone. I stopped by Sears first like a dumba** and they're not available there until Sept. 1. I'm liking the size reduction already and it hasn't taken the fat one's spot yet.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:04:38 PM

Mine either. I'm still in the proces of swap HDD's and restorting data. I put the 120gb in my fatty and am trying to restore it. Keeps freezing. Hmmm....Once I'm finished with that Ima stick my 500gb in the slim and and start the lengthy redownload/reinstall process.

2 up, 0 down

tes37
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 10:13:47 PM

I've been trying to get all my stuff back by redownloading it, it's gonna take awhile, almost 100gb. My daughter wants the fatty, so I didn't try swapping drives. She kinda shocked me when I offered her the choice of a slim or original and she picked the original.

2 up, 0 down

coldbore
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:24:01 PM
Reply

I just bought one today at futureshop in Richmond British columbia, if any canadians are looking for them, futureshop has quite a bit in stock

5 up, 0 down

Xplicit
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 4:46:07 PM
Reply

i feel sorry for the Xbox 360.

Nah, not really.

15 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 5:10:34 PM

Haha!

2 up, 0 down

b3mike
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 6:06:22 PM
Reply

Strange................One of the Southern California Targets yesterday had a whole lot of them behind the glass fixture

1 up, 0 down

ffrevenge
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 6:50:56 PM
Reply

Well, it'll sell a heck of a lot, I know that. Probably even more than it sold in the first launch.

1 up, 0 down

archs13
Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 8:02:34 PM
Reply

when i went to best buy just earlier there were four.. and then i went to go see some games and then when i got back to the ps3's again there were three. and im not the one who bought one because i already have the voluptuous ps3.

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 1:08:53 AM
Reply

Anybody with Sony Bravia hdtvs will probably like to know that when you turn the slim's power on the tv automatically switches to the input with the ps3. It also tells you it's a ps3 instead of which hdmi input number you're using. It also powers your tv on if it's off.

0 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Monday, August 31, 2009 @ 12:00:33 PM

Any Bravia or only specific models?

I'm curious if that'll work with my Bravia.

0 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 1:46:54 AM
Reply

Two things about this new Slim that I experienced today. 1. I met someone at Fry's that bought a new Slim for his sons and the employee seemed to be an Xbot and didn't help this poor guy. He would just point to him in a hurried fashion. "Just get that." I guess he was preoccupied with getting clearanced stock for his friend so that they could get some major discounts. At least, that's what I overheard. I helped out the customer and he was very greatful. His kids are stoked to be getting that many games right away.
2. My brother has a MotorStorm 80GB model and is thinking about buying two Slims, to have blu-ray players in the other rooms. I saw a pretty impressive stock at the store today but yeah, come the holidays, they could be scarce. I've seen that happen during many holidays.

2 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 3:03:58 AM
Reply

there all sold out here.
well either sold out or retailers are refusing to sell them, as the release date is not till september 3rd.
its really wired normally if one store sells something all do.
like i got KZ2 2 days before release, every EB and game store was selling it 2 days early.
but with the slim EB parra, blacktown, penthurst, is sold out, but EB in strathfield, farfield, merrylands and wetherwill park is refusing to sell them till september 3rd.
thats never happened to me before normally if one store sells it all stores sell it.
dam it getting games early these days is dam near impossible.

1 up, 0 down

SoraKH
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 8:38:51 AM
Reply

I hope this means great demand and not shortages.

1 up, 0 down

Ricochet
Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 12:59:56 PM
Reply

What's up with those "naked" men with the PS3 Slim ad here in Hong Kong?

1 up, 0 down

Kangasfwa
Sunday, August 30, 2009 @ 12:03:02 AM

. . . ?

0 up, 0 down

Neo_Aeon666
Monday, August 31, 2009 @ 4:55:33 PM
Reply

mmm well I work at a Montreal Future Shop and we got 157 consoles (ps3 slim) on the 25th and started selling them. Then we ran out on the 28th AND we received 60 more the 29th. I don't think the shipments will be that tight and I think that Best Buy might have been lost in some country side town for getting only 12-13 consoles lol . But one thing is for sure. PEOPLE LOVE EM. And on that week the ps3's outsold the Wii's and 360's 147 to 1. lol no jokes.

Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 8/31/2009 4:58:07 PM

0 up, 0 down

NetheRealm
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 @ 1:15:33 AM
Reply

To be politically correct we should call it the Morbidly Obese soon to be Deceased PS3

0 up, 0 down

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