Anecdotal -- Consoles in Stock at One Super Wal Mart in Austin, TX.

[johnlucas]

One thing to remember is that in-store stock display can be deceiving. You don't know how many they have in backroom in storage of either system.

Here where I live in Southeast Georgia at my local Wal-Mart I didn't see a PS3 for months after release (except for the one in display used on the demo screens). Always saw the games but never the system. And still when I go to the store I tend to see that single one sitting there like always. But just one.

It's space constraints for one but also subtle manipulation by the retailers to create an impression of a must-have out-of-stock-soon system hoping on people to buy it.

I've occassionally seen 4 Wiis in stock at one time in this store but of course they don't last long. It's usually empty and NOT because of retailer storeshelf manipulation.

360s seem to be stable with always one or two or more in the cases.

Ask someone who works in the back what's going on or the clerks of said store and you'll get a clearer picture. Ask "Do you have any ______ in stock?" placing whatever system of choice in the blank and listen to the response and tone of response.

If it's somewhat resigned and exasperated response that's an out-of-stock system because the clerk may get asked this constantly and is tired of hearing it.

A friend of mine works in the back of this Wal-Mart and he let me know how things were going.

John Lucas