KEY POINTS

  • Sony Direct will be sending email invites to potential PS5 buyers once their stock is replenished
  • The public may get the opportunity to buy PS5s shortly after the email-exclusive sale begins
  • Walmart and Best Buy are expected to restock this week as well

Sony Direct is expected to have a fresh stock of PS5s available on Thursday, and some lucky PlayStation fans who are eager to buy a new PS5 may receive a direct purchase invitation from the official Sony store ahead of everyone else.

The incredibly high demand for the next-generation console has not yet subsided, and many retailers have had their new stocks sell out in a matter of minutes. The latest batch of PS5 consoles in GameStop has already been picked clean by eager gamers, Tech Radar’s Matt Swider has learned.

Sony Direct’s approach may be unconventional, but it at least guarantees that some will get the opportunity to purchase a PS5 without fear of missing out on limited stocks. The Sony Direct restock on Thursday will reportedly begin at 3 p.m. EDT for the lucky gamers who received an invite, while the rest will have to wait until 5 p.m. EDT before they can place their orders.

This is the third time that Sony Direct has resorted to sending direct email invites to potential buyers in an attempt to regulate the distribution of consoles. The incoming PS5 stock is exclusive to those who will receive an invitation from Sony, but Swider said the public will be able to buy from the store shortly after the initial wave of exclusive orders much like in the previous restocks.

Similar to other stores, Sony Direct’s stock of new PS5 units is not expected to last long as the buying frenzy continues.

While a PS5 normally costs between £360 and £450 ($500/$627, 420/525 euros) depending on the model, its median resale price on sites like eBay is £650-750, according to US researcher Michael Driscoll.
While a PS5 normally costs between £360 and £450 ($500/$627, 420/525 euros) depending on the model, its median resale price on sites like eBay is £650-750, according to US researcher Michael Driscoll. AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

Gamers who are looking for a PS5 can also try waiting for Best Buy, Walmart and Antonline to make their individual announcements. Swider expects these three stores to restock by this week.

Best Buy is expected to restock by Friday noon based on the store’s patterns and Swider’s contacts at Best Buy’s warehouses have given him enough heads-up to make an accurate prediction.

Meanwhile, Walmart should have a new stock of PlayStations available by Thursday based on their Thursday restock patterns. However, Walmart is expected to have less stock than usual due to inventory issues that resulted in the store offering rebates to disgruntled customers over delayed deliveries.