Due to chip shortages, Sony warned that PS5 restocks would stall after the holidays, forcing retailers to adjust how and when consoles are dropped.
We know that Target is stockpiling consoles at as many of its locations as possible in preparation for a larger PS5 restock event, and that Best Buy and Walmart have begun selling consoles almost exclusively as more expensive bundles with extras. To entice you to buy more than just the system, GameStop has turned nearly entirely to selling bundles inside shops.
There have been no publicized PS5 restocks today, and weekend restocks are especially rarer than weekday restocks, thus the only chance to buy one at retail price is via a "surprise" restock. If you need a console right away, your best bet is to purchase through a third party and accept the higher price.
Here are some of our tips, techniques, and recommendations to help you get your hands on a PS5:
PS5 restocks are far more common in the afternoon and evening than in the morning. After 1 p.m., the chances of an unplanned replenishment increase considerably. If you're wondering when to check, the ideal time to start is usually at 1 a.m. ET (10 a.m. PT).
When possible, use an app rather than a browser to complete a purchase. Apps are frequently speedier than mobile browsers, and it's simple to use an app and a browser at the same time if you're attempting to buy on various machines.
If you see someone on Twitter attempting to sell you a console, it's almost probably a fraud. Stay away from these people.
Make sure you have an account and are logged in to any retailers where you will be shopping. From personal experience, it's heartbreaking to put a console in your cart only to lose out because you had to waste valuable seconds entering your payment and shipping information.
Weekend PS5 restocks are nearly never available.
Do not give up if a restock begins and you see "Out of Stock" on the screen right away. Continue to attempt after refreshing the screen a few times. To prevent bots from obtaining all of the consoles, some shops release them in waves.
The biggest retailers have made improvements to the checkout process in the previous several months to provide peace of mind and to prevent bots from buying up all the consoles and reselling them for more money elsewhere. The most recent change in the PS5 restock game is paid access, which means that if you pay a subscription, you'll be the first to know about the next restock, either before anybody else or exclusively for your club.
