Playstation 2 Shortage Reported

Posted on December 13, 2004

If you have waited until now to buy the sleeker new version of PlayStation 2 you may waited too long. Sony claims the demand was more than they anticipated. "Consumer demand for the new PlayStation 2 has exceeded our expectations, and we are doing all we can to fulfill the wish lists of people who want a new PlayStation 2 unit under their tree this holiday season," Sony said in a prepared statement. However, a story in the New York Times suggests that there might be a manufacturing problem at Sony. Retailers are concerned a lack of PlayStation 2's could slow sales of games as well.

An article from The Times (UK) says that "it is difficult to know whether this is a real corporate crisis or a stunt to boost demand for the product." But in the same news story the Times also points out how a tanker in the Suez Canal has stalled some ships including one carrying PS2s headed for England. Also, sales in England have slowed dramatically over the past few weeks, from 70,000 per week sold in November to only 6,000 sold last week -- so there does appear to be a major lack of supply. Sales of the new PS2 on eBay are reported to be climbing.

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