A press release issued by online tracking service NotifyWire.com, which tracks stock of various online retailers, has claimed that the PlayStation 3 currently has less stock problems than the Xbox 360 experienced in its launch, due to consumer resistance to high prices.
NotifyWire founder Ian Drake commented that, "I wasn't expecting this much volume before Christmas. I think we're already at the point where many people won't pay a premium for the console or be forced into buying bundles.”
Comparing the PlayStation 3 to the launch of the Xbox 360, Drake claims that the console has been available at more retailers, more often, and for longer periods of time. "Last year we tracked several one thousand dollar Xbox 360 bundles which would sell out in less than two minutes after becoming available”, said Drake. "Just today, a one thousand dollar PS3 bundle was in stock at eToys.com for over 12 hours. This sort of thing didn't happen with the Xbox 360 until well after Christmas."
Drake also claims that sales on eBay have also been sluggish, with new console selling for only slightly above retail or in some cases not at all: "I think people are tired of being gouged on eBay”.
Although the press release is clearly negative in its appraisal of demand for the PlayStation 3, it does admit that the PlayStation 3 is still not readily available from either online or offline retailers, suggesting that the console is still in high demand with many consumers.
