Cool , finally the PSP gets some attention to :D

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I've said this before, and I'll say it again: The PSP is a KICK-ASS handheld, and finally the naysayers are coming around. They own the DS AND the PSP! With over 300 games released in N.America alone (with over 80 of them getting 80% av. review scores (source: MetaCritic.com)), it's a great system!

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I'm telling ya, Gamestop and EB don't like, won't promote and advise customers AGAINST the PSP. Whether this attitude goes as high as corporate is open to speculation, but their ad campaign lumping the PSP in with the GBA encouraging customers to 'turn in the old for the new' (DS) was strong indication.

PSP demo hardware is usually nonfunctional and software titles are shoved in a corner at my local EB and GS locations. Customers are greeted with 360, Wii and DS promos and demos - never PSP or PS3.

I've overheard reps at my local EB actively argue against the PSP (and PS3) when customers wanted to buy either. I've had them hotly debate the value of the system with me when I walk up to the counter with a PSP title, too. "Well, it just doesn't have any good games" is their common mantra.

When the PS3 launched, I heard nothing but derisive mockery on the part of EB/GS reps - and constant touting of the Wii.

I suspect Nintendo may have bought into the chain - you see more Nintendo product promotion than anything else, and that's been that way for some time.

As for this quote - it's more BS. If Gamestop doesn't have enough units, it's because they haven't ordered enough (like they do with PSP software - they NEVER have any of the hot new games in stock at my local EB because they order like 2 or 3 at a time). I'm as big a PSP fan as any, but it's not exactly a secret that there's no shortage of PSP systems out there.

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Can you just imagine how much more in-demand the system would be if the homebrew/CFW movement were more well-known? I mean, yeah, you and I know about it, but that doesn't mean the general PSP audience does...

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Sony is purposely drying up supply because they're stopping the assembly lines for the old PSP. They're stopping the assembly lines because the PSP-2000 is completely replacing the old PSP so there’s no longer a need to run them.

Consumers don't purchase old gear when it's placed right next to new gear when they both have the same price. Why would they? This leaves no choice but to heavily discount the old stuff to move it off the shelves. The answer to this problem is to let people buy the last few old units at full price and only then stock the shelves with the new ones.

Apple does this all the time. They're so regular about it that Mac news outlets will actually predict the availability of an updated iPod or iMac by the fact that the old SKU is drying up in retail. This almost always happens just before a big Mac conference and the predictors are almost always right.

I'd love to say this is super demand, but demand is only up modestly. Demand never skyrockets just before a unit with nice new features comes out for the same price. The problem is supply, it's on purpose, and it will fix itself as soon as the PSP-2000 hits the shelves.

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I'm not sure that you're right. Perhaps at your Gamestop, the employees like DS better. Having been a store manager for EB Games and another retailer for a collective 10 years. I can tell you...

Game supply is not like everything else. There isn't always "enough" product to go to every store. Stores inventory are dictated by Presales of that title/platform as well as sales of that platform. If your local store doesn't sell enough PSP, and therefore less product, try another one.

Nintendo has not bought into the company. This issue is that they provide MORE service to the retailer. The Nintendo reps that I've worked with came around often. They knew and loved the product. Nintendo makes sure they keep up the demo machines well. Hence the illusion you may have.

In my experience, Sony Game reps come around less often. They have never checked up on the demo equipment in the stores they service. Have a problem? Want to get in touch with them? Good Luck.

Overall Nintendo seems to be better at marketing that Sony, in my opinion. I believe that Sony was on top so long, they believed their product to be so superior, that they have failed in the recent couple of years in this area. I have always had a great working relationship with my Nintendo(and Microsoft) representatives. Sony, not so much.

This been said, I love my PSP. I have the same one I've had since launch day. Still works like a champ!

If any of my employees tried to bash a system because of their likes/dislikes, I would retrain them and ultimately promote them to customer. A proper sales person's job is to educate the consumer and let them make an informed decision.

I will now step down from my soapbox....

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The EB Store Manager said:

"There isn't always "enough" product to go to every store."

I'd say that's because your corporate HQ doesn't BUY ENOUGH to go to every store. The publishers generally run enough to meet orders, except maybe for the odd uber-hot titles. The stores sell out their few copies and then order more that often arrive after demand has slacked off - and then the stock sits around and they report low software attachment rate.

In this case, I went into EB Games last night and before the rep told me to GTFO (it was 5min till closing), I noted that there were no copies left of D&D:Tactics.

"Nintendo has not bought into the company."

No offense, but you wouldn't necessarily know that any more than I would. I doubt store managers would be in on something like that. It may not be a 'merger' per se, but more of a big fat marketing agreement to give preferential space/treatment to Nintendo.

"Nintendo makes sure they keep up the demo machines well. Hence the illusion you may have."

They may do that at EB/GS (due possibly to the enhanced relationship the two corporations might have), but every DS I've ever seen at other stores is a mess... Target and Circuit City regularly have scratched-to-hell screens or are otherwise broken (hinges, cracked displays, etc).

"They have never checked up on the demo equipment in the stores they service."

You know, in my industry (hobby retail) if we had a problem with a store demo unit, I as a manager would get off my butt and CALL the company and get a return authorization and replacement.

We sell PC-based R/C flight sims like G3 by Great Planes. They make a demo kiosk. If my demo computer or the software breaks down, I'd never expect GP to somehow know that... If I want my demo working so that my store sells more product, I call that in. If you have a defective PSP in your store, it's as much your responsibility as Sony's to get that replaced.

"Overall Nintendo seems to be better at marketing that Sony, in my opinion."

I'd agree - which is partly why I suspect extra ad dollars or secret pacts with GS/EB corporate.

"If any of my employees tried to bash a system because of their likes/dislikes, I would retrain them and ultimately promote them to customer"

Good! If you manage a store in the SF Bay Area or Sacramento, be warned - they're doing it in spades.

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I agree with everything in the post until the "demand not being met" comment. I do believe that the demand for the psp has sky rocketed, but I also believe that the supply is starting to dry up due to the new version being on the horizon.

If anything, I too am glad that the PSP is starting to pick up some steam. Once the new Wipeout comes out, that, in my opinion, is going to push even more systems -

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wow it great to see that PSP demand has increased just look at the boost in NPD sales numbers. PSP it right behind the Wii and DS. Hopefully this will increase with the grow library of good games and the release of new hardware.

As for stock drying up they have to get rid of the old ones especially since the PSP 2000 is going to be the new default unit when it's released.

EB/GS dont really stock up on new item anyway they make there money mainly off of trade-ins and the sale of used games, hardware and accessories .... there's not much of a mark-up on new items as there is used.

Anyway the PSP future is looking bright New Hardware, New games and hopefully a bunch of new PSP users and Fans

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My local eb/gamestop locations never stock new psp games. EVER. Despite the number of people coming in and asking for this or that psp title, they are always met with a "you have to preorder to get us to stock that game". The stores psp kiosks are never turned on, and sometimes there isnt even a psp in it. The games, are shoved into the corner near the door. They discourage people from buying the PSP, even though a couple of locations say they sell about as many PSP as they do DS's. Maybe the profit margin is smaller, maybe nintendo is incentivizing this. Something is up, why would a store care what system people choose when they are getting the money all the same. Its not like they are advising people not to buy the dreamcast or something, the psp is doing well, with no signs of slowing down. Something is up.

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