Thursday 30-Aug-2007 4:23 PM SCEA says it has cleared the last of its internal 60GB PS3 inventory, although retailers are said to still have "ample supply"
SCEA's Dave Karraker told GamePro that the company's internal stock had been depleted, but that there was evidence that plenty of 60GB PS3s were still left in the channel.
"We no longer have any inventory in SCEA warehouses. All inventory has been purchased and shipped to retailers," Karraker said.
"We don't have visibility as to if that is on their store shelves or in their warehouses at this time. However, based on inventory reports from our retailers, there is ample supply still left in the channel," he added.
Once all of the remaining 60GB PS3s have been snapped up for $499 apiece, the only option left open to consumers will be to purchase the 80GB model, which currently retails for $100 more at $599. It has long been rumored that once all 60GB PS3 stock dries up, the 80GB will be subject to a price cut, but SCEA has failed to be drawn on the matter to date.
"We won't be making any further announcements regarding our PS3 model hardware strategy in North America until the 60GB model is exhausted and market conditions are evaluated," the company has said.
"We no longer have any inventory in SCEA warehouses. All inventory has been purchased and shipped to retailers," Karraker said.
"We don't have visibility as to if that is on their store shelves or in their warehouses at this time. However, based on inventory reports from our retailers, there is ample supply still left in the channel," he added.
The price drop was a ploy to try and get sales up so Sony could say "oooo... look, we outsold the 360". It failed. Expect a cut for the 80gb model soon.
With amble stock still in the hands of retailers across the pond of the 60gb model and sales actually falling after they peaked, i would say the 60gb model will still be on the shelfs come thanks giving (america's biggest holiday) leaving the romoured price cut of the 80gb model not going to happen this year, but early next year, say around about easter.
Which means PS3 will be the worse selling console this xmas by a mile.
To sum up this article, Sony has flogged off all its 60GB models to retailers but are simply sitting there on the shelves collecting dust. I also agree with a users previous statement, PS3 will be the worst selling console this christmas. It just doesn't have the software line-up to warrent such a costly purchase. I think Sony are better off waiting until spring 2008 when they can release the likes of MGS4 and Killzone 2. Then they can put a price cut on the 80GB model and possibily release a 100GB or 120GB model.
My ignorance could be easily fixed over this matter, but am I right in thinking the only difference between the 60gb model and the 80gb model are in fact 20gb of space? If so how is Sony justifying the $100 price gap between them? In NZ the current price of hard drives sits at around the 40c per gig ratio. If the States is at all comparable (probably cheaper than here if anything), the difference in price between the different SKUs should be more like $8 not $100.
Anyone who wanted the PS3 would be nuts not to pick up a 60gig unit while it's at this price. Without taking into account the possibility of a price drop in the near future, a marginal difference in hard drive space shouldn't fool the discerning consumer into buying an 80gb model.
The price drop was a ploy to try and get sales up so Sony could say "oooo... look, we outsold the 360". It failed. Expect a cut for the 80gb model soon.
The price drop was just to get rid of the old stock, thats all. Number of sales don't mean jack, I've got a 360 and only one game for it. My PS3 has 4 games and nothing I wanted (the reason I brought the thing) has come out yet. Its the sales of games which is where the money is and if (and this is from the list of games that interest me) PS3 has heavenly sword, WarHawk, Killzone 2, MGS4 plus the multi player MGS4. 360 has bioshock (which is the only reason I got the 360) and Halo 3 which looks to be nothing new and does not interest me. multi platforms games, if its network play I'll be getting it for the PS3 because its free to play on line. I don't want to give MS another Ł40 of my money to do what I can do on Sonys system for free. Plus UT3 will be open on PSN so I get to play the user created maps. As for the multi platform single player games like strangehold and assasins creed, I'll still be sticking with PS3 because it just feels better. So lets look at the score PS3 - 7 360 - 1 So from this one user who has the money and is free to choose, who came out on top?
Fact is, people who can afford it, would choose a PS3. 360 is games on a budget.
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