Why PS5 Will Be Harder to Find and How to Buy It Anyway
PlayStation 5 stocks have been meager since launch, but buying a console is likely to get even more daunting in the coming weeks. Many PS5 exclusive games are already available or close to launch, and we’re sure to see big openings at upcoming events like E3 and Summer Game Fest, which are likely to boost demand for the console. TechRadar editor-in-chief and PS5 resupply tracker Matt Swider says he expects demand for the PS5 to be as strong as it is on the Nintendo Switch.
However, Sony will not be able to increase production to meet this demand until the semiconductor shortage ends and the global pandemic ends; and even when things get back to normal, supply chains will take a long time to recover.
With more people than ever wanting to buy one of the few PS5s available, the chances of getting it from an online store will be higher than ever, but not ruled out. Here are some tips for buying a PS5 before the ravenous hordes of die-hard fans, bots, and speculators get them first.
How to Buy PS5 Before They Sell Out Again
- Call Local Stores: Some locations may offer in-store items separate from their online stock. Call your local stores to see if they have more or if they expect new ones soon. (If you buy in person, make sure you follow all COVID-related safety precautions in your city.)
- Set up alerts from online stores: Bookmark store lists for as many online stores as possible. Create a store account, subscribe to automated email, browser and mobile push notifications when available. Here are the store pages for Sony , Amazon , Best Buy ( PS5 , PS5 digital only ), Walmart ( PS5 , PS5 digital only ), Target ( PS5 , PS5 digital only ), Sam’s Club , GameStop ( PS5 , PS5 digital ). -only ) and NewEgg . Many of these retailers will also offer time-limited kits that include slot packaging and optional accessories. The kits are more expensive than buying a basic PS5 pack, but are worth checking out too.
- Use auto-complete and fast checkout options : Customize auto-complete and auto-check options in your browser (s), store accounts, or password managers. I usually don’t like saving my name, mailing address and billing information remotely, but one-click order fulfillment will increase your chances of success.
- Receive alerts for restocking . Sign up to receive email, text or push notifications from various retailers when pre-orders are back in stock. Not every store provides these alerts, but you can use a service like NowInStock for immediate alerts (as long as the website isn’t down due to high traffic). Another great option is visualping.io , which monitors web pages and warns you about every update.
- Keep track of specific social media accounts: Follow Twitter accounts that tweet when new promotions come out, and turn on push notifications or SMS notifications when they tweet. Some suggested accounts are @ Wario64 , @mattswider , @GYXdeals , @ PS5Drop, and @ PS5StockAlerts . Be sure to comment below if you know of other trusted accounts that you can subscribe to. Likewise, there are public Discord servers and Telegram channels that send alerts when new PS5s arrive.
- Avoid eBay: Scalpers will charge you twice as much for pre-ordering, and sometimes more. PS5 is cool, but it’s not a $ 1000 joy.
If you manage to buy a PS5 online, congratulations! But don’t let your guard down for now; you need to keep an eye on your email for at least the next few days as orders are usually canceled due to resale, failed transactions and other errors.
This story was originally published in September 2020 and was updated on May 25, 2021.