OK so I spent some time this morning doing a little research. I went to my local Target, GameStop, and EBgames first off to check if they received anything, and second to hit up some managers as to what exactly is going on with PS3 shipments. What I found out confirms for the most part of what has already been rumored in these forums. However I thought I would throw in what I know to strengthen those claims.
What I believe to be fact:
1. Sony is indeed shipping directly to retailers on a weekly basis.
2. Checking in the morning at stores, or checking inventory availability services (i.e. Target 800 number or Best Buy URL) may be ineffective. Largely in part because these systems are being shipped direct from Sony they will follow standard UPS or Fedex schedules. Which means that most systems will be delivered throughout the day. The Target manager I spoke to said that the last shipment they received on Wednesday showed up around 11:00AM after opening the boxes they walked them right out to the shelves at which they were gone in minutes. The EBgames manager I spoke to said that they usually get their shipment in around 10:30AM to 12:00PM at which just like Target it they are sold first come first served.
3. Calling the store and speaking with a CSR is useless. The manager I spoke to at Target said that they have all been instructed to tell people when they will be receiving regular orders. Direct from Sony is not considered a regular order, therefore they don't even know when they are coming in. A regular order is one that comes directly from their distribution centers. In that case they are telling everyone that their PS3 inventory will replenish next year since that is when it is scheduled to return back to a normal distribution scheme. So if you want to know for sure, go to the store don't call (the Target manager advised me of the same thing). So as I thought I was being lied to last week, I guess technically they aren't lying they just aren't telling everything. They really don't know for sure when the Sony shipments are comming in given that it is being controlled by Sony. Also they won't begin regular distributions until after the Holidays (early 2007).
What I am speculating:
1. Given that Sony is shipping direct to retailers instead of going to the companies standard distribution centers, I have a feeling that online bundle offerings will be very scarce. My guess is that when the systems hit distribution centers they get divided by the merchant for online and B&M stores. Since the shipments aren't hitting distribution centers, then the online stores may not get very many units if any at all.
2. Given the response that stores like Target and Wal-Mart are giving to those calling in (no availability until 2007), this could be a good thing as it will eliminate the casual shopper, or the uninformed shopper.
3. With the last batch of shipments showing up on Wednesday, I would guess that we will see similar activity this coming Wednesday. Even though the retailer may not know, I would assume Sony has these on a schedule and not just sending them out randomly.
4. As for when they stores will set them out on shelves. The three managers I spoke to, said that they are putting them out as soon as they get delivered. This is also confirmed by what BestBuy did on Wednesday. Personally I think its in their best interest in just getting them out and sold, especially for the PS3 given that the demand is huge and as we have seen on the news, inspires an unwanted element especially when people start lining up for it.
5. Sony must be taking a huge hit on top of selling the console at a loss, the cost for drop shipping them out through a major carier must be huge.
Once again no huge revelation here, but just the information I found out today. Personally I just want one 60GB for myself without spending eBay prices. Hopfully this helps people who are in the same situation as I am. Good luck everyone!
