Let's not forget there are consumer laws in the EU that specifically forbid what SimplyGamer wants us to believe what Sony does. Let's just assume for the moment that there is a somewhat shady distributor who wants to cash in on the rumour of limited availabilities....

This happens a lot with all of the console manufacturers.  They tell the retailer that they will get 100 units.  Then they later tell them that they will get 70 units and 30 bundle units.  It really hurts if the store presells their whole allotment.  That's why so many retailers are only preselling a certain amount of their orders.  Sony went the bundle route, because they get the software cheaper from the vendor when they bundle.  The bundles genrally represent a $7-10 cost difference for the console manufacturer.  Add that into the promotional tie-ins and it is a better deal for them(NOT US).  Either way, as a consumer, you had probably planned to get a couple of games anyway, so it won't hurt you too bad(assuming that was the game you wanted).

did this happen with the PS2? if so, then the PS4 is the new PS2?

Err... so? This is how the UK shops have always worked. They try and sell you bundle deals whether it's a Sony one or their own with extra controllers or whatever. They like money, Bundles are more expensive, they'll do it for the money.

And if a company get given 100 units,80 with normal, 20 as bundle and they run out of the the normal, you think they are going to say 'Go to our competitor, I hear they have loads that aren't bundles.'

If this is true then it is anti-consumer of Sony.

However... who buys a console and not have any games to play on it? It's not like the PS3 where some people may have bought it as a cheap bluray player.

I would assume most people would get a bundle anyway, so it doesn't seem like a big deal.

This sounds like a store trying to get people to upgrade to the bundle so the store can make more money.

I think a few people have already received emails from various retailers stating that they have a "choice".

The 50 dollars less is peanuts for mmany, and not worth the 2 years without the new console. I spend more on restaurants a month with the family. There are also features new consoles have the old ones don't. Wonty be able to play witcher 3 (Going to be amazing) and many other next gen only games.

But people who intend to buy a console are surely going to buy a game with it, so why wouldn't it be bundled with, and gain some few bucks ?
Personally i've never bought a "solus" console.

I still have no idea why so many people are preordering the next gen consoles, why is it so important to be the first to buy something?