CompUSA offering PS3s with Sony HDTV purchases

We know it's been a rough couple of nights for you folks who didn't get your pre-order on (or got the shaft, even so) trying to hunt down a Playstation 3 without becoming the hunted, but there's an off chance that CompUSA may still be able to save your sanity. If 48 (or more) hours of sleeplessness has you ready to drop an inconceivable amount of cash to secure your machine through eBay, hold tight. Certain CompUSA locations will be bundling Playstation 3 units with any Sony HDTV purchase of 40-inches or larger, which could be fabulous news if you were planning on picking up a svelte new set (or dropping $2,000 in some entrepreneur's pocket) anyway. Currently, the lowest priced display compatible with the offer is Sony's $1,999 KDL-40S2010, which means that you'd be ponying up nearly $2,500 for the 20GB PS3 kit, or $2,600 for the 60GB package. Representatives have stated that some stores are "devoting their entire PS3 allocation" to the offer, which isn't exactly surprising considering last year's Xbox 360 bundle fiascoes. Regardless, for gamers looking to go all out, this may not be such an awful idea (especially if they end up including Wiis), but we're not sure if this offer will last past the (admittedly scant) first wave of shipments -- but hey, it sure beats getting shot up or beat down while squandering vacation days, right?

[Via GameSpot]

[Javaflash @ Nov 18th 2006 11:54AM]

I'm worried. I believe Sony has made a grave mistake launching PS3 this holiday season with constrained supplies. It creates misconceptions that PS3 won't be possible to get for a really long time.

What happen when supplies do arrive earlier than expected. Stores will end up with excess inventories at the very time when Sony needs to improve market penetration. With the price point of $599, they have to wait till 2007 holiday to get any meaningful sale.

My worst fear however is that by that time, Microsoft will release XBox 2.5, not Xbox 3, but a fully backward compatible system with a slight CPU/GPU upgrades and ramp-up features such as Wii-like controller, 1080p, full Media Center PVR, HDMI, Keyboard+Mouse, IE7 with a removable HDD = Zune (it's no accident that Zune is built under Xbox wing).

These features are over the shelves commodities with R&D fully sunk. Redmond won't be where they stand today if they don't already have this machine built, camping in Taiwan now to further refine manufacturing efficiency.

My prediction >> PS3 won't LIFT Sony. PS3 will END Sony. I hope I'm wrong.

[Abe @ Nov 18th 2006 4:53PM]

your worst fear is microsoft producing a better product??

You sound like you care if sony falls prey to its own inadequacy but I certainly don't, why? Because the consumers are the ones who benefit when a company is beaten by a competitor marketing a better or cheaper product. If microsoft made good on your threat it wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

[KineticOnline @ Nov 18th 2006 12:00PM]

Worst part is it says reserve, so even if you did fork out all that extra cash, it only means they will reserve you a ps3, you could probably end up waiting for the 2nd or third shipment before you got one

[Nate @ Nov 18th 2006 12:21PM]

So the 25k PS3's on ebay are 1/5th of the shipment?, holy shit

[Joseph Jenovese @ Nov 18th 2006 12:32PM]

yea, honestly. There was not a single compusa in south florida (largest market for compusa) that recieved the ps3 on the release day. Its a reserve for whenever it comes in.

[Don Wilson @ Nov 18th 2006 12:33PM]

Actually, my brother works at CompUSA and this is for a RESERVE for the console, not actually for a free console.

[Don Wilson @ Nov 18th 2006 12:34PM]

btw, the whole company only received 500 PS3 units. So don't expect to get one from them any time soon.

[kOa7 @ Nov 18th 2006 12:34PM]

OK. Have you people lost it. You're talking about spending a lot of extra time and money, and buying things you weren't planning on buying (which are probably sets they want to dump anyway), just to have a game console a bit early. Cripes, its not like it has the best games available for it today, or its not going to be available in 3 months.

There is really a line when hysteria crosses over into stupidity, and this line was crossed some time ago. The "just helping you guys out" tone of this post, when normally caustically cynical, is particularly suspect.

Go for a walk people, hug your cat, clear your heads.

[Andrew @ Nov 18th 2006 5:02PM]

Already on it :) That's the nicest post I've read in a while. It makes me think about how many lonely cats/dogs/pets are getting pushed aside for a bloody console. When were the days of going outside and playing fetch with your dog or sharing a lovely personal conversation with your pet?

You've struck a nerve my friend, and everyone who is getting hot and bothered about the whole issue should just cool down. They'll get one eventually, and there's only 1 good game for the system right now (Resistance: FoM) so it'll be worth waiting a while.

Wonderful :)

[vR @ Nov 18th 2006 12:42PM]

Fry's offered a similar deal, so my buddy took it. She went into the store on Friday, and they told her that her pre-order was canceled. They also implied that she had to keep the tv. Obviously, she'll get her money back, but now it's gonna be a hassle just to return the damn tv.

Sneaky. Don't take the deal.

[Tim Meloon @ Nov 20th 2006 6:57PM]

I sign up on the list

[jptech @ Nov 18th 2006 1:02PM]

I hope CompUSA gets sued for this action.

it's not consumer-friendly

it's like saying, you have to pay this idiot tax to be considered to buy a ps3.

despite the idiot tax being a Sony HDTV, this is still unethical.

[Dave @ Nov 18th 2006 1:05PM]

Javaflash said "Stores will end up with excess inventories at the very time when Sony needs to improve market penetration. With the price point of $599, they have to wait till 2007 holiday to get any meaningful sale."

Hahaha... are you kidding? Ok, you posted here so Im assuming you dont live in a cave somewhere. The PS3 is selling like crazy, people are getting shot, beat up, offered tons of money, etc etc... I think it will be a VERY long time before you can just walk into a store and buy one. I dont think there will be a problem with "meaningful sales".

[Impositron @ Nov 18th 2006 1:21PM]

"people are getting shot, beat up, offered tons of money, etc etc..." because many aren't willing to shell out $600 for a PS3. Sales will continue but the crimes most likely will as well.

I think that grocery stores should start selling milk with an option to buy bread. No milk, no bread.

[Ken @ Nov 18th 2006 1:16PM]

You people think you're OWED a device that Sony is taking a $300/unit bath on?

Shut up and go back to stealing mp3s.

[Jason @ Nov 18th 2006 1:18PM]

Money. It's the saddest thing. That people are willing to pay the amounts they are paying for some plastic and metal on eBay (900 and up) and in the stores (600) is truly disheartening. That companies are being sneaky and deceptive, while typical, is also outrageous. IT"S JUST AN ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE; another reason to not go outside and be active. In a few years, it will be a huge, useless piece of out-dated hardware, no matter how "future-proof" Sony says it is.

For all the collective intelligence, the human race is really stupid sometimes.

[SubFuze @ Nov 18th 2006 1:21PM]

What's really stupid is that people are paying $3k on eBay for a PS3 and not getting a free T.V. with their purchase.

Seriously, this whole PS3 thing is insane - it's a stupid game console... I'm not in the game console market at all, but even if I was, I wouldn't buy one. Over-priced and over-hyped.

[Sang @ Nov 18th 2006 1:26PM]

previous.. that's what I meant to say

[BlurryEyez @ Nov 18th 2006 1:37PM]

This is exact replay of the situation Sony created back with the PS2. Intentionally create a short supply of the product that it generates so much hype and buzz that people will do anything to get a hold of one. I fell into the trap last time with the PS2, but not this time. I won't even consider buying any of the new consoles for at least 6 month to a year if that!

[Sully @ Nov 18th 2006 1:48PM]

What have business practices come to these days. I wish that Comp USA had a little more ethics in this business practices. Can they even live up to this offer?

http://www.aerialhost.com/

[Greg @ Nov 18th 2006 1:51PM]

I agree with blurry eyes. I was in the same situation and why I ever did that is beyond me now. However now with the ps3 I will wait for couple years until the price comes down because for $600 I could grab myself a Wii and Xbox 360 but even those I'm waiting on as well. As far as this hype goes I was out on the night of launch and at the local stores it was madness. And another thing of madness I was on ebay yesterday morning checking on things and I decided to check out what the ps3 situation was and I found one that people had bidded on and was @ 30k.

[Chris Green @ Nov 18th 2006 2:00PM]

This deal has been going on all week.
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=670786&newest=1#last
I'm locomodem if you want to read my experience (so far). BTW you can't get sued for not being consumer friendly. If you don't like it, vote with your wallet by not shopping there.

[GeNnOve @ Nov 18th 2006 3:50PM]

and i bet people lashing out 1k+ for a ps3 is the same people complaning about how vista is 2 expensive, the same people complaining about gas prices when they increase and how they believe buying a .99 cent track is a rip off.

Society is doomed how can some people let a corporation toy with them is beyond me. Business ethics have changed dramatically
ands its all conducted for the sole purpose of claiming we sold every single system we shipped, looks good on paper
but in reality any company can sell the entire stock if limited supplies are provided.

Sony ship 2mill+ of your systems and report back on how quick they sold not try to make yourself look good by saying you sold out on 500k shipments i hate sony period and i hate any company taking advanatge of gullable idiots.

[kOa7 @ Nov 18th 2006 5:48PM]

If only I could follow my own advice better. I could care less about consoles, but spend far too much time agonizing over electronics. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to augment our sensory networks, but it's a fool's game because manufacturers could care less about creating rational systems, and instead would rather create transitory, incompatible, marketing based products.

I see signs of caring behind the gizengadget crew too, but mostly it's all about pushing the clicks. There are plenty of ways to work more of an advocate, and less of an inconsistent shill.

[Javaflash @ Nov 18th 2006 5:59PM]

Dave, you pointed out EXACTLY my concern. The shortage right now are created by manufactures who can't meet their quota due to problematic dye inside Blu-Ray laser. The contrast between that supply problem, and the demand of PlayStation fans wanting to be the first PS3 owners are drastic, therefore misleading. Press' extensive coverage further blur the picture.

Ever visited a Costco during Q2 or Q3/06, and saw a giant pile of Xbox 360s sitting idle. That pile is what I am talking about. The actual market penetration happens THERE, when a potential buyer passes by, picks one up wanting to go home and play games. That John/Jane Doe represents the real majority of a console install Base. Not folks who camped outside BestBuy during the last holiday.

And Abe, I like the way it is with console market right now. We have 3 "credible" competitors going after better technologies. If Microsoft takes over... umm, think Windows...

P.S. I have never played a console or a portable in my life. I'm observing + learning this new trend. I'm indeed a huge fan of Apple, and a harsh critic of Microsoft, so my opinions are skewed toward that direction... my disclaimer.

[[e-mail] @ Nov 18th 2006 6:16PM]

Time for a CompUSA person to step up and field this one.

Ok, so here is the story behind this promotion. Sony, back in June, came to us and said we would be getting a very small alocation of ps3's for the christmas season. This gave us approximetly 1 per store. Our new CEO in August then negotiated a bundle deal in which you were given a pre-order on a PS-3 for buying a TV from Sony. Sony was the other side of this negotiation securing us enough PS-3's to cover every Sony TV we could sell (apprx 800). The way this system went around a bundle is the only way Sony would supply a store with a PS-3 is from them to see pre-orders.

This week people could come in and buy a TV (Sunday the 11th through today) and buy a sony TV. With that you would be given a pre-order for a PS-3 and could come buy it when it arrived. All pre-orders up till tuesday arrived in stores yesterday, with the rest arriving in about 3 weeks.

Unfortunetly, this was the only way for CompUSA to get enough PS-3's to sell. Sony is a bitch of a company. Our compusa location was able to allocate 1 PS-3. ONE. A single unit. Do you know where they all shipped from? Directly from Sony. They were the ones who came up with this damn promotion.

On a second tangent, this also effected our Nintendo selling capability. Because we didn't give the Wii its own display in the stores, and didn't negotiate with Nintendo well, we, nationwide, have 225 Wii's in a warehouse in TX. Still not shipped. So if your looking for a Wii look else where too. I've worked at CompUsa for many years and by no means am i justifying this promotion, i thought it was garbage. But there is a reason behind it and a reason behind the shortage, and her name is Sony.

[Ran @ Nov 18th 2006 7:31PM]

Thanks for the for clearing it wood0517.

As for Sony losing money for every console they sell, well they are not really losing that much. Companies usually put the in amount they "could have" made, but didn't as a loss as well.

As for the PS3, I'm not buying it, just like I haven't bought another console since the PlayStation with 2 games.

[kdmaster @ Nov 18th 2006 8:06PM]

in australia you can reserve/preorder any console and you are garunteed one on launch day

[kdmaster @ Nov 18th 2006 8:11PM]

it only costs $10AU (around 7 or so american dollars)

[Ken @ Nov 18th 2006 9:05PM]

That must be why they won't be selling them in Australia for months.

[Galley @ Nov 19th 2006 1:02PM]

I spoke to a dude in line for the Wii who scored a PS3 this way. Of
course, he was a grandfather buying the PS3 for his grandson, not
someone who would dump the PS3 on eBay to pay for the TV (like me).

[Tim Meloon @ Nov 20th 2006 6:56PM]

CompUSA reamed us good. I was told that I was number six on the store waiting list and the console would be in on Friday. Now I find out that it is a nationwide waiting list and it might be 4-8 weeks before I receive my console.

I hope they lose their shirts in a class-action lawsuit.