European retailers unsure of allocation numbers
by Nick Doerr 
{ Jan 31st 2007 at 2:00PM }
If you live in Europe, raise your hand. Okay. If you live in Europe and you've been able to pre-order a PlayStation 3, raise your hand. Hmm, significantly less. This may be because many of the European retailers such as Game, GameStation, HMV, Virgin Megastores, Comet, PC World, Toys 'R' Us and Dixons are holding out on the pre-order madness until they know what the allocation of PS3 units will be. There will be a logistics meeting between Sony and these retailers in the coming weeks to discuss just that.You may be thinking "why? Why no pre-order when launch is less than two months away?" but the answer is quite simple. Sony is learning from their mistakes, as well as Nintendo's. As well as Microsoft's. We're talking about letting retailers jump the gun on orders and have to fight to meet the needs that are given to them. They're changing from a type of pull strategy to a push. Sony wants to be in complete control for this launch. Which is good. Unless you'd rather pre-order a PS3, only to get a call the day before launch where a young employee's cracking voice tells you over the phone "uh, sorry, you'll have to wait until the next shipment". So, no worries. You'll probably be able to pre-order mid-February.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vince @ Jan 31st 2007 3:09PM
Pre-ordered last May at "independant retailer of the year 2006" - ePlay, got a letter through the other day informing me I was guaranteed a PS3 at launch as their "suppliers" have now given them the nod.
Seeing as this outfit received a reasonable supply of xbox360's and Wii's at launch, - job's a good 'un.
It's nice to be out of the panic scenario. :)
Lumbo @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:36AM
Amazon.de had a preorder available in mid 2006 that came with a 1st batch certificate (cost 50€ extra, will be refunded on the PS3 price) So preorders are not "upcomming" but have already been finished. The poor guys who did not preorder in time will have to wait :p
Danny @ Feb 2nd 2007 6:53AM
preordered with play.com on november 11th. got an email yesterday (subject: "Your Playstation 3 is coming!") saying:
"We are thrilled to confirm that Play.com will supply your pre-ordered Sony PlayStation 3 Console with 60GB HDD & 3 Games at launch".
Argos, HMV (with a PSP), Play, Dark Planets, homeandgardengifts.co.uk (!?!?!) are some who are all taking preorders now.