Sony Is Sending PS5 Restock Alerts To People Who Already Own One

It’s hardly worth stating now, as we’re sure you know already, but in case you don’t - finding a PlayStation 5 since launch has been a complete nightmare. Stock problems have swept the gaming generation and have kept many players out in the cold, desperate to play the latest games in all their next-gen glory with fistfuls of cash ready to throw at Sony.

PlayStation has made every attempt to remedy this by pushing stock out as fast as they can and insisting that the issues are not influenced by a desire for manufactured hype, and now they’re opting to send out stock alerts to those who want to be reminded when the consoles go on sale near them or online. But it’s not quite working as intended.

PS5 Restock Alerts Only Going To Those Who Already Own One

When selling a new batch of PlayStation 5 consoles today directly from the PlayStation Direct website, Sony had the brilliant idea of sending out alerts to purchase a PlayStation 5 to those who had previously shown interest in buying one. The email sent out offers an “invitation” to order a console from the site, which would have been a lovely surprise for those looking to pick one up - except they didn’t get them. Instead, the alert went exclusively to those who already owned PlayStation 5 consoles. Whoops.

The internet had to rely on the benevolence of some PlayStation owners to let the rest of us PlayStation-less scrubs know they were suddenly available.

Twitter user Wario64 was the first to bring the problem to light, and it prompted a wave of other users who had received the alert to share, and subsequently, fans clamouring for their consoles.

It’s a big misstep from Sony, as a well-meaning gesture became a bit of a gate-keeping mess. Still, at least consoles are coming back into stock, and at the end of the day that’s the most important thing. The hunt goes on.