What's sad is people can't accept that there may just be a shortage, even with so many things pointing towards that there are.  Just a quick check online will show that Amazon and Best Buy are out, and say it may be a month till they get more.  And other large retail chains, Wal-mart, Target, and Gamespot, are out of normal 120 GB Sku's.  You can only purchase them in bundles, most being over priced.  Also, most sites are limiting the amount of units a household can purchase.  And these aren't bottom-rung retailers, either.  These are the largest here int he US.  If that doesn't point to a shortage in the US, I don't know what does.  Something tells me if the shoe was on the other foot, these people would be arguing that the 360 had shortages.  Of course, I wouldn't be arguing with them, since if they actually provided the same proof. I would concede.  But since it isn't dealing with their system of choice, they not only won't accept therre may be shortages, but also can't provide hard evidence to back their claims that there are plenty in stores.

And again, I'm sure ioi does the best with what resources he has.  But, no one can know the exact situation for every region.  There are also 250 GB models in stock, but that's not the model/price that buyers want.

The PSP could outperform the PS3's 2009 sales with a price cut, it really isn't that hard to be up YOY on what were very poor figures. 

The 360 figures in Japan are disasterous which is a big part of the world wide discrepency, I'm not asking you take Japan out of the equation just to accept that it is the reason the figures WW look bad.  The 360 has had a price hike on the RRP for the Arcade in Europe last year making it actually more expensive so the figures right now reflect the reduced demand at the pricing Mirosoft set.  It has been over 18 months since the 360 had a price cut (on the point of entry model), the figures its showing are expected given those circumstances. 

Now in the US we have Sony less than 8 months after their price cut being outsold by a console that hasn't had a true price cut for 18 months.  The fact the 360 is ahead of the PS3 isn't that impressive as much as the fact it is up YoY too.  The PS3 is trailing below its 2 competitors, has just had 4 major exclusives released, is less than 8 months since it went down in price by 25% and updated its form factor.  Looking at those facts to be trailing the 36 is terrible.  Any analysis of performance should be taken into context of the product, the PS3 is a better console (hardware wise at least), it should be performing a lot better than it is and hence the sales are terrible. 

360 costs 199/299 (299 is bundled with 2 of the biggest recent games), with the Arcade on sale very commonly nowadays for 169.  Meanwhile PS3 at 299 IS out of stock off and on at retailers lately.  All this -- mostly price cutting and bundling for 360 -- accounts for why 360 is up YoY and above PS3 still.  In the US only.  PS3 is getting beat in the US, but beating 360 more in Others; doesn't seem a reason to call it terrible.  You may say so but then 360 in others is more terrible. 

Japan is not required to say that 360 is doing pretty bad overall.  360 is being outsold in just the US and Others combined, by the (quite a bit) more expensive PS3.  But anyway, note I didn't enter the Others or WW thread and say that.  I'm just counterspinning your spin in this thread.

You keep referring to price changes and what context they give current sales numbers, but what's more significant is still the current relative price of the consoles, one vs another.  I agree that PS3 is better hardware and worth a premium, but looking at the price differences...  Damn.  PS3 is doing just fine, as opposed to stomping ass as in the last few months.  This past week was quite a drop for PS3, but that's partly seasonal and just underscores how great PS3 has sold since the price drop.  And those great sales make current PS3 sales 'terrible' in comparison, gotcha.  For one week in one region.  That's pretty selective sniping, and you've gotta be selective, given the Others and WW numbers.

Pot, kettle, black.

Sorry I'm dizzy reading your posts.  The US PS3 numbers are still terrible regardless of any argument you put forward, shortages argument is garbage now but carry on in denial.

Exactly.  I actually don't even care if its affecting sales or not, perhaps its not.  It's just kind of annoying to hear people say without a doubt that there are no PS3 shortages, and anyone saying there is has an agenda.  I've actually been thinking about getting a 2nd PS3 (I know it sounds wierd, but I have reasons...), so I always tempt myself by looking to see if stores have them around the area.  And I've found 1 (ONE!) that does, and 6 or 7 that didn't.  I know, its a small area, but couple that with the online situation....I just don't see how people can say there ISN'T at least a strain.  Why would Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Gamestop not be selling them if they had plenty and there was no shortage?  Because that's exactly what's happening.  I'm not calling ioi a liar at all, I'm sure he's going with exactly what his sources are telling him, I'd just like to know how he comes up with his statement.  There's a very good chance that the two facts mesh somehow...

Please tell me how a shortage argument is garbage.  Amazon, Best Buy, and Gamestop are all sold out online.  Ready...GO!

I actually gave these guys saying it the benefit of the doubt. So i asked my work collegue in NY to look at the stock of consoles when he went to buy his Avatar blu-ray. He said to me they all had around the same number on the shelves.

Now what is sad is this whole argument get's changed to suit some people. For example a few months ago the PS3 had a shortage because when you tried to get them in store there were few available. But you could get them online. It was argued that because you can get them online it wasen't really a shortage. But either way people accepted that it could be supply restraint. Now it is like the roles have reversed. The stores have them in abundence. But a few places online seem to be out of stock and all of a sudden those same people are back out saying there are shortages. You can't have it both way's and i think that is why people are not believing you. If you can see the stock in the stores then how can it be supply restraint?

The whole definition of those words get's changed all the time to suit certain peoples views. Normally pro Sony views. The reality is if you want a PS3, you will easily be able to find one.  Even online you can find them at the places sold out, it just seems some of these websites need updating. For example Target, it say's they are out of stock online for the 120gb PS3 right? But if you look at the 120gb PS3 with an extra controller, all of a sudden it is back in stock! http://www.target.com/PS3-120-Console-Dualshock-controllers/dp/B0038LAG52/ref=sc_qi_detaillink

It is this point which i tried to make before. If someone is after a PS3 they will find one. You guy's are trying to paint a picture of tens of thousands of people not being able to find a PS3. Which is just false. As others have tried to explain to you. If you believe this website and it's figures then you will believe the people who have the contacts to get the data. If they tell you that they were told there were no supply issues then that means you have to accept it. If not then your basically saying you don't believe these numbers.

I honestly don't care about the sales figures.  I don't think there are tens of thousands of people who want PS3's that cant get one.  You are right, if you really want one, you can get one (though you may have to pay more/get more than you want).  All I know is, here in Omaha, NE, it's been out of stock at the 3 Best Buy's I've checked, at my local Gamestop, and at my local Wal-mart (now, there are proabably 10 Gamestops and 10 walmarts in the omaha area, and I have not checked them all).  So, lets just say I wanted a PS3...I check Best Buy...out, I check gamestop...out, I check walmart...out.  Then I check online and see them out at amazon, bestbuy, and gamestop (unless I want referbs or to pay more).  How am I to believe they are not at least SOMEWHAT supply strained?  Now, I did see they had plenty at Nebraska Furniture Mart, so I do know I can get one.  So like you said, if someone wants one, they can get one (if they look hard enough).  I have no arguement there, or that its even affecting sales in any meaningful way.  What I am saying is there is DEFINETLY a short supply, and to say they are in ready supply is a gross exaturation.  I guess I just don't understand how people can say there is not a short supply when they are out of stock at the major retailer outlets...

You have been misapprehending what others mean when they bring up 360 sales elsewhere.  It's not to dig at you or at 360 (if we wanted to do that we'd go troll 360 in Others or WW), but it is to say about the PS3 US numbers: the gap b/t 360 and PS3 isn't all that big, it's not a "terrible" situation especially when considering weeks prior to this one, and you are trolling PS3.

Shortages have been on and off, including over the past weeks/months when PS3 has been outselling the bundled and often-discounted 360.

@Hyruken: your argument against there being any shortages is that there is a retailer-created bundle in stock somewhere?  That's what happens during shortages: you can't find the console on its own very easily, and retailers allocate what systems they do have into bundles with other items where they can make more of a profit from each sale.