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[GDJustin]

I live in eastern Iowa, and I've never EVER seen anything gaming related sell out. PS2s, PSPs, N64s, Nintendogs... they could ALL be bought post-launch with a little searching.

I'm not saying things haven't been scarce. The PS2 launch was especially bad. I had to call like a dozen stores before I found one that had some. I'm just saying that I've never once known of a piece of gaming software/hardware completely unavailable within a 30 min. drive...

...until now. The Xbox 360 is completely and utterly sold out. I called EEEEVVVVERY store yesterday, including the kinds of places I didn't expect people to think of (Kmart, Sears, etc), and they were all gone.

So make of that info what you will. Not sure if its a good illustration of nationwide supply/demand... but every time I've heard about a system being IMPOSSIBLE to find at launch, it has never been a problem till now.

 

[Gio_CoD]

I think everyone is in agreement that the Xbox 360 shortage isn't because of demand but because MS didn't ship enough units.

 

[GDJustin]

I think everyone is in agreement that the Xbox 360 shortage isn't because of demand but because MS didn't ship enough units.

So in other words, supply isn't matching demand...


...like I said.

 

[snatches]

I think everyone is in agreement that the Xbox 360 shortage isn't because of demand but because MS didn't ship enough units.

so, demand has exceeded supply? hmmmm. sounds like demand is a factor after all.

edit: beaten

 

[Gaia Theory]

Isn't there an official thread for this somewhere... oh I don't know, stickied at the top of the forum page?

 

[Gio_CoD]

Here's the point I'm trying to make:

If MS has manufactured enough units to match the previous launch numbers of the Xbox or the PS2, you wouldn't be having this problem right now. This is the first time I can remember that stores that took preorders didn't get anything CLOSE to the amount preordered shipped to them.

Supply only doesn't meet demand because MS didn't manufacture in tune to previous launch sales. It's not like The Xbox 360 is selling more than the PS2 did at launch, it's just that MS made significantly fewer 360s to go around.

 

[shinjijai]

So you're saying MS artifically lower supply so they wouldn't sell as many units? I guess it's good from a PR point of view.

 

[Link]

I don't think he's implying MS purposely made so few, that's just how things worked out for whatever reason. Manufactoring problems, most likely.

 

[Gio_CoD]

So you're saying MS artifically lower supply so they wouldn't sell as many units? I guess it's good from a PR point of view.

I'm not saying they're doing it on purpose. One of two things happened:

1.) MS is holding back shipments to create hype. That way people who were on the fence will buy it when they see it because they think they may not get another chance for a long time.

2.) MS just didn't finalize the console in time to produce enough units to cover a tri-territory launch.

I think 2 is probably the most logical option, but you never know. Microsoft loves to market.

 

[GDJustin]

Here's the point I'm trying to make:

If MS has manufactured enough units to match the previous launch numbers of the Xbox or the PS2, you wouldn't be having this problem right now. This is the first time I can remember that stores that took preorders didn't get anything CLOSE to the amount preordered shipped to them.

Supply only doesn't meet demand because MS didn't manufacture in tune to previous launch sales. It's not like The Xbox 360 is selling more than the PS2 did at launch, it's just that MS made significantly fewer 360s to go around.

Hey now, I didn't want to turn this thread into "that thread."

I don't know whether it was a "manufactured" shortage or not. All I was saying is its the most extreme shortage I've ever seen in my neck of the woods, and that I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case nationwide.

Edit: And for the record, there's no way the shortage was intentional. Absolutely no way.

 

[Triumph]

I don't think he's implying MS purposely made so few, that's just how things worked out for whatever reason. Manufactoring problems, most likely.

Howsabout stupid fecking "worldwide launch" FTL?

Seriously. Fuck Europe and Japan, MS! I'm a red blooded Amurrican. I breathe the air of freedom and deserve my console more than the godless socialists and dirty kamikazing bastuhds!

 

[Future]

-------------------
This is the first time I can remember that stores that took preorders didn't get anything CLOSE to the amount preordered shipped to them.
-------------------

This is true with stores near to me. Even some people that preordered early got bumped to second shipment because they didn't ship what was expected. Kinda shocking how it could sell out so quickly. I thought for sure there would be some core systems left around that I could score if I got the urge before the holdiday

Sucks, but maybe it works for M$ to create more demand and be the Tickle Me Elmo for 2005. All I know is that if I could easilly walk into a store and grab a unit, I probably would have bought over $500 worth of stuff so they lost at least one sale.

 

[littlewig]

Howsabout stupid fecking "worldwide launch" FTL?

Seriously. Fuck Europe and Japan, MS! I'm a red blooded Amurrican. I breathe the air of freedom and deserve my console more than the godless socialists and dirty kamikazing bastuhds!

Lol, you fear globalization? You sound like a damn liberal hippy.

America agrees with this post.

 

[Link]

Howsabout stupid fecking "worldwide launch" FTL?

Seriously. Fuck Europe and Japan, MS! I'm a red blooded Amurrican. I breathe the air of freedom and deserve my console more than the godless socialists and dirty kamikazing bastuhds!

Well, I still think that would boil down to manufacturing issues. MS announced its intentions of doing a worldwide launch ages ago. Obviously that means making more consoles to be ready for it.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

I think everyone is in agreement that the Xbox 360 shortage isn't because of demand but because MS didn't ship enough units.

My theory is that there are a large number of defective units.

 

[GDJustin]

I feel like I need to reiterate that there is absolutely no way that this was done intentionally by MS. You think my WalMart getting FOURTEEN systems (four premium) was intentional? My Target got 26.

That is not good for business or good for PR or good for... anything, really. FOURTEEN 360s at WalMart doesn't say "oh shit this is a hot product." It says "I was thinking about getting a 360, but this has made me angry. I'll wait until 06 now"

 

[Nos_G]

And also... if you didn't already didn't get a 360 yesterday, MS does not want your money.



And with saying that... second shipment ;_;

 

[Striek]

Most extreme shortages because its (one of) the worst stocked launches in history by all accounts, and also because console launches are more and more becoming 'events' that are attracting greater attention -> greater demand.
I think it will be interesting to see how fast the console is restocked, if its an intentional shortage then one would presume they will quickly restock to utilise the shortage hype.

 

[borghe]

That is not good for business or good for PR or good for... anything, really.

bullshit. I haven't seen one negative PR thing come out of this in a news outlet. On the contrary everything I've seen states something along the lines of "this is THE hot item this christmas. if you haven't gotten one now, you won't get one until March." Yet MS plans on shipping 3M of them to the US by year's end, which would in turn make it the fastest selling console of all time (and better selling than the PS2 during the same time frame despite having a lower initial launch).

all because of hype. so while I won't get into the manufactured shortage argument again, to question WHY microsoft would want to create hype is pretty silly, and to not think that having the system sold out ON IT'S FIRST WEEK doesn't create anything but positive hype in the media is equally as silly.

and for those saying that "MS is creating a lot of bad blood here with gamers" is bullshit, because each and everyone of those gamers will forgive all sins if/when they have a shiny x360 (core or premium) sitting under their TV's by year's end. being told by gamestop that you won't have your system until after christmas is entirely different than actually not getting your system until after christmas.

 

[Norse]

Early numbers that I have heard are that over 1 million 360's sold day 1...now, I cant remember for sure the number of ps2's that shipped, but I remember it being clse to 500k or so for n. america........I really didnt imagine the x360 being this popular...I figured with the 400 dollar price tag, 1 million shipped units, and just the fact its a MS console would have made it easy to find on a store shelf today.

I camped 20 hrs to get 1 and I dont plan on ever camping over 8 hrs again for anything. And after messing with my 360 for the past day, I can see why everyone wants one. I think MS nailed it this time.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

The manufacturing dates on these machines are insane. Hot of the presses indeed.

 

[Marlowe]

I'm not saying they're doing it on purpose. One of two things happened:

1.) MS is holding back shipments to create hype. That way people who were on the fence will buy it when they see it because they think they may not get another chance for a long time.

Actually, option #1 IS saying that they are doing it on purpose...

 

[GDJustin]

bullshit. I haven't seen one negative PR thing come out of this in a news outlet. On the contrary everything I've seen states something along the lines of "this is THE hot item this christmas. if you haven't gotten one now, you won't get one until March." Yet MS plans on shipping 3M of them to the US by year's end, which would in turn make it the fastest selling console of all time (and better selling than the PS2 during the same time frame despite having a lower initial launch).

all because of hype. so while I won't get into the manufactured shortage argument again, to question WHY microsoft would want to create hype is pretty silly, and to not think that having the system sold out ON IT'S FIRST WEEK doesn't create anything but positive hype in the media is equally as silly.

and for those saying that "MS is creating a lot of bad blood here with gamers" is bullshit, because each and everyone of those gamers will forgive all sins if/when they have a shiny x360 (core or premium) sitting under their TV's by year's end. being told by gamestop that you won't have your system until after christmas is entirely different than actually not getting your system until after christmas.

Look man, I don't have the time (or the desire) to argue the finer points of why it is clear as day that the 360's current shortages aren't intentional.

I examine this stuff for a living... its my job. I can say with complete confidence that there is absolutely NO CHANCE that Microsoft intended for the retail landscape to be in the position it currently is (360-wise). They would have much much rather had twice as many systems avail. in N.A. on Day 1.

In fact we most likely will have an in-depth analysis at the global launch and its impact, etc., sometime next week.

 

[Gio_CoD]

Actually, option #1 IS saying that they are doing it on purpose...

Yeah, but notice that I said 2 was the more likely scenario.

 

[borghe]

I examine this stuff for a living... its my job. I can say with complete confidence that there is absolutely NO CHANCE that Microsoft intended for the retail landscape to be in the position it currently is (360-wise). They would have much much rather had twice as many systems avail. in N.A. on Day 1.

the bottom line is that you DO NOT WANT systems sitting on shelves after the first day. in today's market systems sitting on shelves = people don't want the item = I can always come back and buy it later.

I will not argue about this either. I also have no interest. But MS, Sony, Nintendo, ANY manufacturer, wants early allocations to sell out immediately. Items people have a hard time getting sell faster than items people can readily buy.

as to whether MS wanted this or not, no matter how much analysis you (or I) do on it, unless we have proof directly from MS there is no way to prove either way.

 

[Flatbread]

The first xbox I think sold about 1 million units as of 1st of the new year, if they sell between 2.5 million units and 3 million by the 1st of the new year I think its because of the much greater demand coupled with the european launch being before the new year unlike the xbox launch.

Its not just that MS isnt meeting the demand, its also because the demand is much greater this time around.

 

[Rhindle]

Michael Pachter is estimating that 900,000 units sold on Day 1. If true, that's more than Xbox 1 units at launch, PS2 units at launch or anything else.

Until anything to the contrary is released, you would be well advised to STFU with the stupid conspiracy theories.

For the record, I think much of the reason that the sell-out is so pervasive is that Ebay is so much bigger than it was 4-5 years ago.

 

[Azure Dream]

Here's the point I'm trying to make:

If MS has manufactured enough units to match the previous launch numbers of the Xbox or the PS2, you wouldn't be having this problem right now. This is the first time I can remember that stores that took preorders didn't get anything CLOSE to the amount preordered shipped to them.

I think another way of putting it is that when I went to buy the Gamecube at midnight on launch day, the Meijer we called up and went to had I think 100 units total, 50 black and 50 purple. (Although even that sounds a little low.) When I phoned up the same Meijer yesterday and asked about the 360, they said received 7 units total. (Obviously all gone.) I phoned some other Meijers, and they all had a prepared automated recording (all the same, so it was distributed by corporate HQ, or at least the regional one) saying that they were sold out, and that if one had any questions about it, they should come in, not call.

the bottom line is that you DO NOT WANT systems sitting on shelves after the first day. in today's market systems sitting on shelves = people don't want the item = I can always come back and buy it later.

Alternatively, though, you don't want empty dedicated shelf space, and irate customers repeatedly calling up and being disappointed that you don't have the product, with only an unclear second ship date to suggest. ("Sometime before Christmas.")

 

[Prine]

Michael Pachter is estimating that 900,000 units sold on Day 1. If true, that's more than Xbox 1 units at launch, PS2 units at launch or anything else.

if thats true, and X360 is still under huge demand, that would be a phenomenal achievement for MS. Didnt MS sell something like 700k Xboxes during the same period in 2001?

 

[borghe]

Michael Pachter is estimating that 900,000 units sold on Day 1. If true, that's more than Xbox 1 units at launch, PS2 units at launch or anything else.

as to this, if they sold 1M at launch, and PS2 sold .5M at launch, how come almost every best buy (and other stores) only received 1/2 to 1/3 launch allocations as PS2s? I am missing it. How can a best buy that sold 400+ PS2s on day one only sell 190 xboxes on day one and still have x360 sell twice as many PS2s nationwide?

 

[Liquid]

i really do hope MS sells 3,000,000 units just so the haters will stfu. "its not demand its that theres no enough units" WTF? whens the last time you saw someone camp out or line up 100 deep for something that wasnt in demand?

 

[TheDuce22]

There is no way MS shipped close to 1 million at launch. Like everyone else, I have looked and EVERYONE is sold out. That is a first. Anyone know anything about when the 2nd shipment is coming?

 

[Oni Jazar]

Michael Pachter is estimating that 900,000 units sold on Day 1. If true, that's more than Xbox 1 units at launch, PS2 units at launch or anything else.

I'm not buying that for a second. When all of these stores are getting a tiny fraction (we're talking single digit percents) of what they've had for previous launches I'm sorry but no way were there 900k units on 11/22.

 

[snakeater]

There is no way MS shipped close to 1 million at launch. Like everyone else, I have looked and EVERYONE is sold out. That is a first. Anyone know anything about when the 2nd shipment is coming?

I hope I am wrong but the units being produced now are going directly to Europe and then Japan so I wouldn't expect a second shipment anytime soon....GOD please let me be wrong!!!

 

[Malleymal]

XBOX/PS3 are reaping the benefits of Nintendo/Atari's hardwork..... The increase in system purchases have to do with the fact that ninteno/atari built the foundation for kids to love video games.. nowadays the 8 bit generation is making some sort of money and they are willing to plunk down 400 bucks for a system...

PS3 will blow this launch out of the water... i promise... Its not because ps3 is a better system or anything its just that there are more people , more hype more cash in the hand of gamers! supply and demand factors just add a little to it

 

[Oni Jazar]

I would put the day one launch numbers at around 450k or so.

 

[lachesis]

I read somewhere in Japanese xbox page or so... and unofficially sell-through numbers are around 450k...

lachesis

 

[sonycowboy]

Michael Pachter is estimating that 900,000 units sold on Day 1. If true, that's more than Xbox 1 units at launch, PS2 units at launch or anything else.

He's backed off that now. He's saying 1M units total for US for 2005.

Similary, Piper Jaffray has now released a report that estimates 650k 360's for November (with a second shipment next week) and 450k 360's in December.

That would put day 1 shipments at ~500k or so?

 

[Tarazet]

I stopped into a CompUSA today - they had unsold copies of Waverace: Blue Storm and F1 2002 from four years ago marked down to $9.99 (I bought them both, of course), and even they were out of 360s.

 

[BobTheFork]

Ebay is for the suckers. Us smart people put ours up on Half.com when the Ebay monster started. Only around 100 systems listed. Just sold my Prem Pack for $800 flat out. Half took about 30 bucks commission and Reimbursed me 18 of the 25 dollars it took to send it. Its not always the best, but HALF.com might be the answer for buying of selling in this case

 

[Rhindle]

He's backed off that now. He's saying 1M units total for US for 2005.

Similary, Piper Jaffray has now released a report that estimates 650k 360's for November (with a second shipment next week) and 450k 360's in December.

That would put day 1 shipments at ~500k or so?

Yeah, my guess is it was more in teh 400-600K range on Day 1. But that is still a good number comparable to the PS2 and Xbox 1 launches. And claiming that it was a successful launch only because supply was constricted is wrong.

 

[sonycowboy]

Yeah, my guess is it was more in teh 400-600K range on Day 1. But that is still a good number comparable to the PS2 and Xbox 1 launches. And claiming that it was a successful launch only because supply was constricted is wrong.

I agree. They could have sold 2M in November if they had the stock, IMO. But, I do think it's doing wonders for 360 visibility. And there's no doubt they're holding back ~some stock for weekly deliveries for the rest of this year.

 

[Rhindle]

I'm not buying that for a second. When all of these stores are getting a tiny fraction (we're talking single digit percents) of what they've had for previous launches I'm sorry but no way were there 900k units on 11/22.

Tiny fraction? Single digit percents? So I'll put you down for <50,000 units shipped, right?

 

[borghe]

Yeah, my guess is it was more in teh 400-600K range on Day 1. But that is still a good number comparable to the PS2 and Xbox 1 launches. And claiming that it was a successful launch only because supply was constricted is wrong.

I NEVER claimed that it was ONLY successful because of the possibility that it was manufactured to sell out. I only find it a bit fucked up that we HAVE gauges for this stuff (three console launches from last gen) and MS STILL ended up undershipping initial allocations from some of those launches. If the shortage isn't manufactured, then MS has possibly the dumbest people on the planet working for them.

"PS2 sold out of 500K at launch. GCN sold out of 600K at launch. XBox sold out of like 700K at launch. Let's release like 500K for launch."

 

[J2 Cool]

When is the second shipment coming even? I've asked a bunch of stores today while looking for a hard drive accessory, and they all said no clue. Sometime before christmas. Some said after christmas. Best Buy was the only one with a date, which was December 12th.... Which is odd since that's weeks off. Will Microsoft ship any next week Tuesday? I could of swore they have a certain ammount to release weekly from now until christmas. Anyway, I'm wondering if there will be lines then. This is a holiday craze, not just a launch craze.

 

[sonycowboy]

When is the second shipment coming even? I've asked a bunch of stores today while looking for a hard drive accessory, and they all said no clue. Sometime before christmas. Some said after christmas. Best Buy was the only one with a date, which was December 12th.... Which is odd since that's weeks off. Will Microsoft ship any next week Tuesday? I could of swore they have a certain ammount to release weekly from now until christmas. Anyway, I'm wondering if there will be lines then. This is a holiday craze, not just a launch craze.

There should be MULTIPLE shipments before Christmas of varying sizes. And at least one of them will be HUGE.

There won't be lines, because they won't all be on the same day, but they will all sell out almost instantly.

 

[Rhindle]

I NEVER claimed that it was ONLY successful because of the possibility that it was manufactured to sell out. I only find it a bit fucked up that we HAVE gauges for this stuff (three console launches from last gen) and MS STILL ended up undershipping initial allocations from some of those launches. If the shortage isn't manufactured, then MS has possibly the dumbest people on the planet working for them.

"PS2 sold out of 500K at launch. GCN sold out of 600K at launch. XBox sold out of like 700K at launch. Let's release like 500K for launch."

No offense, but you you apparently seem to think that companies can just pump out unlimited quantities of bleeding edge components on demand without yield issues, ramp-times, logistics or any other constraint, so it's not worth getting into that with you.

 

[Tarazet]

Tiny fraction? Single digit percents? So I'll put you down for <50,000 units shipped, right?

12 units at my favorite EB. Extrapolate as you will.

 

[sonycowboy]

12 units at my favorite EB. Extrapolate as you will.

There has been some undercurrent of EB commentary for a couple of weeks regarding the merger.

My EB got in 28 premium, 6 core systems.

The Gamestop has very comparable sales in the same mall and got 80 premiums.

It is in Gamestop's best interest to have Gamestop be the more powerful brand going forward.

 

[StoOgE]

maybe they just got smart and stopped sending so many consoles to the middle of nowhere?