Slim PS2, low supply, high demand!

**tekken4life** · 12-15-2004

Have you guys noticed the short supply but high demand for the new Slim PS2, I mean my older brother wanted to get my niece a Slim PS2 for this Christmas, because thats what she wants but their are no PS2 to be found, I work at Circuit City and we just are not getting any shipments for PS2, I find this really hard to believe. On Ebay PS2, are getting bids higher than $200 dollars...

**siren** · 12-15-2004

While the demand is high, I think the issue at hand is the supply is low.

Sony (in one of the worst business decisions I have seen in a while) cancelled production of the original Playstation2 when they started making the slim PStwo.

They expected to be able to manufacture them at the same rate, but where unable to meet the demand.

Due to the lack of supply on Sony's part, it is hard to tell if the demand is really that much higher than normal. They have been unable to produce the quantity that sold last holiday season in the US, let alone this one with the theoretically high demand because of the new design.

**Blake** · 12-15-2004

You make a good point, how can we know if the demand is really that great if they cancelled the original PS2. We dont know how many slim PS2's they have in stock and I dont believe any sales figures have been released to make a comparison. It's even possible Sony could purposely be undersupplying themselves to make it appear like they are selling more than they really are. Then again Im not sure that would be a smart business decision.

**Evolution** · 12-15-2004

I had to put a £50 pre-order payment on one at my local GAME.

**siren** · 12-15-2004

Originally Posted by Blake

You make a good point, how can we know if the demand is really that great if they cancelled the original PS2. We dont know how many slim PS2's they have in stock and I dont believe any sales figures have been released to make a comparison. It's even possible Sony could purposely be undersupplying themselves to make it appear like they are selling more than they really are. Then again Im not sure that would be a smart business decision.

I highly doubt they are undersupplying them at this point. I imagine that they would frown upon any business decision that would unneccessarily give even one calander month to MS. The lack of slim PS2's on the market has given MS 2 calendar months on top of the 3 MS earned earlier in the year in the US. Thus MS is one month's sales away from virtually splitting US sales with Sony for a full year.

The only sales figures I have seen that can even remotely be used to compare are Nov 2003 vs Nov 2004. Sony's sales were off by about 200k units this year over last and MS's were up by about the same 200k. Nintendo was down about 800k, but this is mostly due to not having a significant price drop compared with last year.

**MiThRaZoR** · 12-15-2004

whoa... like almost 5 years later the demand of a PS2 is still high....

**knowitman** · 12-15-2004

I know people that are still asking for PS2s for christmas and stuff.

**Seb** · 12-16-2004

Originally Posted by MiThRaZoR

whoa... like almost 5 years later the demand of a PS2 is still high....

The slim PS2 is just an extension strategy to prolong the life of the PS2 and it seems to be working very well. Sony have also reduced the price of PS2 significantly and as a result demand has shot up. It is just the theory of the cost minimizing consumer at work. My point is that there are many reasons behind this apparent success of the console and that it didn’t just happen. Obviously these are not the only reasons behind the PS2’s long lasting appeal and I haven’t mentioned them all because there are just far too many.

**siren** · 12-16-2004

The PS2 is a work of art. For the most part Sony has done a fabulous job at leading the market. They definately haven't made mistakes on the same level that Sega and Nintendo did when Sony entered the market.

Believe it or not, the Xbox team is loving having Sony as a competitor. It drives them every day and they know they have to keep fighting if they want to eventually win. They also know that even if they do win at some point, they will have to fight very hard to keep it. They are far from arrogant (and some people claim).

**mac** · 12-17-2004

I got mine with GTA SA the day they both came out, from amazon.co.uk

made me a very happy person.

**SessDMC** · 12-17-2004

I got the original ps2 when it came out, its fine to me works like the clappers, but all my mates didnt have one when the original came out, but now EVERY ONE HAS/WANTS ONE!

Oh yeh and Siren i think it would be the other way AS well for Sony, seen as they have to drive hard to Stay the leader, wouldnt you think?

**siren** · 12-18-2004

Yes they do have to drive hard to stay the leader. But, if their recent public statements reflect their worker opinion, they own the market and don't believe that Microsoft can beat them.

I doubt that does reflect worker opinion, and is more than likely a front they are putting on to reassure investors.

**kOrNfReAk2k4** · 12-18-2004

i am going to get me a new pstwo next x-mas and then wait for the ps3's first price cut with my ps2 i am no hurry to buy a ps3 at launch but i am for sure getting a ps3

**watashi** · 12-31-2004

I think it's great that Microsoft is against Sony because without MS and it was Sony Vs. Nintendo, Sony would blag off and not care because they know they'll win...On the bright side Sony made themselves a competitor and I think there happy...From what I read and heard Sony declined Microsoft for the PS2's Hard Drive and then months later Bill decides to make a system because he knew that in the future PS3's vision is to have one in every house, but Gate's vision is that he wants everyone to have a computer with microsoft in it...

**MiThRaZoR** · 12-31-2004

Lol, so that's your explination of why they made Xbox? Most people that have a computer have Windows on it. Even libraries and schools. All those public places.

**watashi** · 12-31-2004

No that's true, I read it somewhere...I think it's true, because PS2 had a bombed Linux...It was true I think so...Siren can you explain ;_;?

**FmanFORPS3** · 01-01-2005

so ...wait watahi, this i know is getting a bit off tipoc, but does all this posting from you mean you got yor internet back?

**watashi** · 01-01-2005

lol, I never lost it...from that time I came back from a whole week...I had been gone for a while, like 2-3 weeks, or it felt like it...in the general chit chat I made a topic about how no one noticed I was gone

**FmanFORPS3** · 01-01-2005

o ok then, i did see that thread and i did read it but what i was confused about was that i remember once you made a different thread about losing your internet and being here rarely. o well, your back now and i guess thats all that really matters...

ok, i guess we should get back on topic

**watashi** · 01-01-2005

Well that pos was a long time back...I think like end of November or osmething...but back on topic...

With the reports of back-orders on all sites of the Slim PS2, Sony is not doing a good decision, With everyone saying 'I'm going to buy a PS2' they go inside and find out there's not one and buy an XboX instead for the same price!

Bah! How come my signiture is not showing up ;_;

**FmanFORPS3** · 01-01-2005

to show your signature your going to have to purchase it from the effects store...your also going to have to purchase your avatar and rank...

With the reports of back-orders on all sites of the Slim PS2, Sony is not doing a good decision, With everyone saying 'I'm going to buy a PS2' they go inside and find out there's not one and buy an XboX instead for the same price!

I agree with you, first they dont have enough PStwos, then the PSP, sony is going to have to be a little more cautios on the number of consoles/handhelds they get in production

**siren** · 01-01-2005

The Xbox was made for a lot of reasons.

1) Microsoft saw an oppertunity for huge profits (upwards of 1$ billion per quarter)

2) Sony was planning PC like features in the PS2, hence competition to Windows, hence Microsoft becomes immediately interested

3) Both Sony and Nintendo refused to let Microsoft help build the OS for their systems or help with the development kits. Microsoft would like a piece of the pie, so they went full bore.

They only dived fully in after Nintendo refused to be bought out, Sega (who was working with MS) started going under, and they couldn't convince another company like Intel, Dell, or Compaq to make the system with their support.

**MiThRaZoR** · 01-01-2005

What they should do is. They should wait awhile longer before they release a console. Get extra made. Just in case you go on a shortage you could just use those extra. But I'm not really sure why Sony always has a shortage.

**watashi** · 01-01-2005

Sega (who was working with MS) started going under, and they couldn't convince another company like Intel, Dell, or Compaq to make the system with their support.

Hmm...WAS? so there not anymore right? However if they do get a company to be supported then there would be a 4th entry of Sega's consoles right?

Meh I dunno but I don't like seeing Sonic with Mario

**Blake** · 01-02-2005

Sega's not coming back into the console business period, they dont have the funds...and that would be an imediate red flag to any company they wanted to support them in the endeavour. That's my opinion anyway...take it however you want.