Andre Yoskowitz
21 Mar 2007 6:59
This morning, Italian gamers looking for Playstation 3s were able to pick some up at retailers that decided to break the street date and begin selling the console two days earlier than the March 23rd street date.
Davide Sher, of TIM, the "leading specialist publication for Italian retailers" had this to say about the situation: "It's a strange situation. This is the first time retailers have broken street dates by two days."
Sher went on to explain that the problems began earlier this week when the retail chain Darty took out ads in the national newspapers advertising that they would be selling the consoles on Wednesday instead of of Friday's street date.
Rival retailer Media World learned of the news and cancelled its launch date event and moved the release date up to Wednesday as well.
Upon learning of the news of its rival stores, the huge retail chain Gamestop stated it was policy to not break street dates but they might start so they do not lose their edge over the competition.
Sher had this to say: "The mainstream consumer electronics retailers get their PS3 stock early, so they can start selling early," he said, confirming that Sony's new console did indeed go on sale at Media World this morning but many specialist retailers don't have any units yet and won't receive any until Friday morning. This puts them at a real disadvantage."
A Sony spokesperson said, "Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is deeply disappointed by the unilateral decision of some Italian retail chains to commence the sale of PlayStation 3 to consumers before this official launch date.
"Such decisions run counter to our policy of consumer protection which seeks to ensure that all of our consumers have an equal opportunity to purchase PlayStation 3."
Sony also threatened to "carefully consider all available options in relation to retailers who have commenced sale of PlayStation 3 prior to 23rd March 2007".
Source:
Gamesindustry.biz