These track issues here are become annoying... ioi have to work to fix these issues.

 I know software is more difficult to fix but hardware? Hardware at least have to be accurate to make VGC credibility.

B b but everybody here said to me Sony stopped the PS2 production in December of 2012.

PS. I'm just kidding .

I don't recall him saying the amount on shelves was correct or fact.  He's giving estimates, just like you said, that everyone, but Sony, Nintendo, and MS will actually know.  And as he said in another post he is using the amount on shelves that ioi usually estimates.  There is so much data released right now that it can't be hard to adjust the numbers to be a little more accurate because it's not hard to do rough estimates at all.  Actually they only started combining numbers to hide the horrible vita numbers not PS3 numbers.  

Wow, that post doesn't come across as snobbish at all.

And really, who are you to say who can and can not estimate shipments/supply?  It's not as if I'm pulling these numbers from my ass.  I'm using official shipment numbers, as well as logic, to come up with a realistic range.  You know, the kind of logic you lacked when you stated the 360 would be #1 in 2012. 

Of course, you are more than welcome to explain why you feel that my estimate of a 27% drop for the PS2 is too big, when it fell 36% the previous FY.

@ Farsala

I don't get it, either.  I could be wrong, but I don't recall them announcing when they passed the 360 in Japan or EU.  Heck, even when they have respectable numbers when compared to the 360 in the US, the 360's best region, they don't respond to the NPD data.  My guess is it is either part of them being more humble after how this gen started or they just figure they won't say too much til they reach #1.

I thought ioi made it clear that VGC was longer a priority for him. Gamewise seems to be a money maker for him or thats the way he made it seem. Hell, we were suppose to have a site update that kept being hinted at by mods but never happened.

Is there a post or thread where this is stated?  Not that I doubt you, as it seems that could be the case, I just would like to read it myself.

shipment vs sold numbers becomes larger the longer a gen runs for b/c a console is being sold in more markets than when it first launches aswell as the stores display models being swapped out for the newer design of console which would affect both ps3 and 360 in are case, ps3 more as they have had 3 physical changes

looking back at some of the data i have when i used to compile it (could have changed since not updated since late 2011) vgc sold vs shipments since this gen started 360 has had over 2M on shelves at least 6 different quarters and at or over 1.5M 13 quarters.  ps3 has also been over 2M and over 1.5M atleast 10 different quarters so unless vgc adjusted there past numbers i would use a 1.5-2M as a baseline for consoles on shelf's

when sony releases updated total ps2 only ww shipments only then can we calculate ps3s true numbers im not saying ps2 wasnt down for fy 2012 but not as much as believed

if ps2 is shipping at such a slow rate why would sony need to combined them with ps3s all of a sudden?
if there shipping such a low amount wouldnt that make it easy to track and release ps2 only shipments?

i believe that it is a cover up to give a false sense of successes in passing msfs 360 instead of having to wait at a later time as most the internet hype has ps3>360 shipped at end dec 2012 shipments quarter which is clearly false

in conclusion my thoughts on the under/overtracking is that it just is was and will be a part of this site, especially this late in a console war hw sales this late in a gen dont create the buzz they did in 06-08 you can bet that ioi and vgc will be up on ps4 wiiu 720 numbers next year and the yr after as you mentioned in your op about a adjustments coming in a timely fashion.  it will not be corrected until more data is released as it is pointless and time consuming for vgc to keep going back and forth with there numbers instead of waiting and doing it less frequently

Your logic is flawed.  Greatly.  Shipped vs. sold will become smaller as the gen goes on, not larger.  This is for two reasons.  First, larger markets drop support (like the US and Japan for the PS2), so consoles no longer need to be shipped there.  And second, in the markets that retain support retailers need to order less stock to keep up with demand, as sales have slowed down.  Until, in the end, the sales numbers will be an exact match of the shipment numbers.

And Sony combining the PS3 and PS2 shipments has nothing to do with it being hard to track shipments.  Sony knows exactly how many PS2s and PS3s go out.  The reason they started combining shipment data in the first place, was to hide the poor Vita sales.  Of course, it would look ridiculous if they combined the Vita and PSP numbers, but not the PS3 and PS2 numbers, so they did it with both handhelds and home consoles.  This has been stated so many times on this site, I'm surprised you missed it.

Adjustments are needed but arguing over exact amounts based on guesses are stupid. All other things aside I think the OP is incorrect that the 360 and PS3 would have the same stock in the channel, the PS3 is selling more at the moment so would need more in the supply channel than the 360 does, it seems pretty simple, especially when you consider the PS3 is also shipped to more countries.

but we dont actually know that so why give 360 the advantage. it should be same for both. unless you know for SURE that PS3 has more stock but nobody actually knows the stock levels of any console. its just guessing or being biased.