THE new PlayStation 5 consoles are like gold dust and getting your hands on one can feel almost impossible.
With retailers rapidly selling out as soon as they’re restocked, we’ve put together a guide to how to be the first to know when they’re available again.
⚠️ Read our PS5 launch live blog for the latest news & updates
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While these tips are geared towards the PS5, which launched in November, they can be applied to any sought after toys that have sold out.
Of course, it’s worth remembering these pointers will only let you know when a product becomes available, not that you’re getting the best deal.
For this, you’ll need to check price comparison sites like Idealo, Google Shopping and Pricespy.
Here’s how to boost your chances of getting your hands on sold-out toys:
Sign up for email and text alerts
Get alerts sent to your email inbox when an item is back in stock directly from the retailer.
This is useful if you know which shop you’d like to buy it from.
PlayStation releases – what’s the history?
Here’s what you need to know…
- The original PlayStation launched in Europe in 1995
- This was followed by the PlayStation 2 in the year 2000
- The PlayStation 3 arrived over half a decade later, in 2006
- Then gamers had to wait a further seven years for 2013’s PS4 launch
- Sony has announced it will release the PS5 around Christmas 2020
Amazon shoppers can click the “alert me” box next to a product if it’s out of stock. Click “sign up” and you’ll be sent an e-mail when the item becomes available again.
Argos will alert shoppers when a particular item is back in stock at your nearest branch.
You’ll need to send a text message to 61201, include the catalogue number, your postcode, store town name or number, making sure there’s a space between them.
For example, 5003727 HA46LL, 5003727 Woking.
You will then be offered the option to opt in to a “back in stock” text message. Opt in to the message by texting YES.
Remember though, these are only alerts and your item won’t be automatically reserved.
You should visit the retailer directly to find out if they offer a back in stock notification service.
Set up alerts with a stock checker
Rather than waiting for individual retailers to let you know when an item is back in stock, you should sign up to a stock checker.
These online tools monitor a range of different retailers to find out when a product is available to buy again.
Some will send a push notification to your phone when the product you’re monitoring comes back into stock, while others will send you an email.
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For example, Stock Informer is currently monitoring PS5 stock at a range of different retailers including eBay, Amazon, Currys PC World and Very.co.uk.
Playstation5stock.com focuses purely on the latest Sony console but only monitors nine retailers.
Stock checkers don’t tend to monitor every retailer, so you’ll need to register your interest directly with a store if it’s not included on the stock checker list.
They won’t tell you if you can get a better deal by shopping elsewhere.
Most stock checkers only monitor popular products, which can be restricting if you’re after something in particular that isn’t listed.
Get on Twitter
Following the right social media accounts on Twitter can also put you ahead of the game when it comes to spotting whether an item is back in stock.
@PS5UKStock monitors the discussion on PS5s from other users and shared them with their own followers.
They share information when other shoppers have spotted consoles back in stock, as well as scam alerts and buying advice.
PS5 UK Stock Instant Update – which tweets from @Ps5Instant – uses bots and information from other users to track when PS5s are back in the UK.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out on popular hashtags on Twitter too to see what other users are saying about stock.
For the PS5, the main hashtag to follow is #PS5UK.
If it’s another product you’re after, search # and then the product name.
Remember though, these aren’t official sources so be wary about trusting everything they report.
Bookmark The Sun for the latest updates
For all of the latest updates on when the PS5 is back in stock you should check out our blog.
New stock drops at the likes of Argos, Smyths, Very and Game seem to be snapped up before most us even have a chance to get on the websites, so it pays to be super-fast when rumours of an imminent release begin to swirl.
We regularly update it with news about the latest release, from where you can buy it to how much it costs.
Checking it often will give you the very best chance to get yourself a console or accessories like wireless headphones.
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A shopper has spotted a “glitch” on the Argos app that lets customers add a PlayStation 5 to their basket ready for when they’re back in stock.
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