Is it worth waiting until PS4 drops in price or finding used consoles?

[dieselfit]

Honestly I don't want to spend that much on a gaming console that's going to be outdated in a year or two. I can see a new PlayStation coming out soon as technology becomes faster evolved and everything. We all know time goes fast so I don't mind being patient. I want to save by buying a used or a discounted PS4, how long do you think before I see one or two of those?

 

[Oberon]

The PS4 has only just been released so you would'nt see a 'new' Playstation 5 for 5-7 years. Its hardly going to be outdated until that time.
Or,perhaps you also mean a new version of PS4,a PS4 slim perhaps?
As for buying used,dunno..I would guess you would find it difficult.
You are better off with a new one anyway so perhaps you can wait for the first price drop? When that time is who knows.

 

[mauricioq]

I'm probably going to wait for the price to drop, and then buy one...
Unless a member of my family or a friends buys me one for Christmas! haha

 

[dean290000]

As someone who had the console delivered on day 1, I would say you are better off to wait. I don't think there is going to be a price drop for a long time. This is not costing $1000 bucks like the original PS3 after getting an extra controller and a couple games. It will probably be 2- 3 years and it will only drop $50.

Right now there are just not any good games on either the PS4/Xbone. I would wait until there are games you want to play.

The thing that is scary to me is what if Watchdogs and Infamous: Second Son both suck for the PS4? Those are the two games that really sold the console and now have been delayed to mid 2014 at the earliest and it would not surprise me if they get delayed until late 2014 or even early 2015.

 

[DrRipley]

I think it's worth it to wait for a price drop, or at least just wait. There aren't very many games out for it yet, anyway, and it would be best to wait for something that will really compel you to buy a system like when a favorite game of yours comes out for it or something. Maybe they will come out with a bundle that you like soon? Even without the price drop, that would be a good enough reason for me to rush to buy a console, since they are relatively cheaper than usual anyway, and a bundle would just be icing on the cake.

 

[Joker99352]

I really think buying used consoles is a bad idea because you never know how people treat their stuff. Plus you can get better warranties and whatnot when you buy new. It's going to be a while before the price drops, yeah, but it's not like it's going to suddenly become obsolete overnight.

 

[Tripplej]

I also am hesitant to buying "used" products. You just never know the condition. Plus, with the PS4 being new and everything you have to be very careful when meeting some stranger someplace.. Lot of crazy people out there. Better to be safe and just get it at a retailer..

 

[dieselfit]

After seeing how much hype and excitement is out for these games, I doubt that they will suck. I don't mind buying it used I mean, maybe the seller is specialized in selling it used so they have tons of positive feedback on their products, then I'll know it's worth it. But 5-7 years before the next console? I think it'll be sooner since technology is growing faster and bigger than ever, or am I wrong?

 

[SpaceTiger]

After seeing how much hype and excitement is out for these games, I doubt that they will suck. I don't mind buying it used I mean, maybe the seller is specialized in selling it used so they have tons of positive feedback on their products, then I'll know it's worth it.

I tend to get consoles used and never had a problem (the only ones I bought new were the Wii U and 3DS). I could just be lucky though...plus I use Amazon. You have to really research the seller: see how long they've been around, their reviews, etc. Same with eBay. Recently there was a guy who tried to get an X1 off eBay for $450 and was scammed...only got a picture of an X1. Luckily he got his money and a free console, but still you have to be careful about freshly released consoles.

And you have to really be careful when going with Craigslist. Now that I wouldn't recommend at all.

That aside, used is where the best prices come in. You can pick up the console and a few games as opposed to waiting waiting for a slither of a price cut and getting either just the console or a console and a game...one game (which will drop faster than the console itself, of course).

But 5-7 years before the next console? I think it'll be sooner since technology is growing faster and bigger than ever, or am I wrong?

I'd say you're somewhat wrong. You're right that technology is growing faster and bigger, but it will be 6-7 years before the next console. No one's going to want to keep buying a $400 and $500 device--which will probably jump to being $500 and $600 given the technology and features put in a new console and to actually warrant building it and releasing it so early. People do that for smartphones (people love their smartphones and need to have a new one that is somewhat different from the last), but with consoles I don't see shorter life cycles.

Consoles are built to be around for awhile and left open enough to add new apps and some features. If a new feature just needs a new console, there will be a slim version in that line (with Sony and Nintendo there's always a slim version...as if they figured in the middle of the generation "This can be smaller, really.") with it being priced the same as launch and the original PS4 getting price shave.

That's when you the first official price drop comes. When a newer model of the same console that does the same thing hits shelves.

 

[Ghost_of_Crash]

It's worth waiting for the price drop. Getting it now there's very little that isn't on the PS3 for you to enjoy. You're just getting it to ogle "next gen graphics" (I hate phrase) on games that exist and play the same on the previous console? You could wait for both the console and games to drop in that case.

 

[Stuck_X_Button]

I would wait for a used PS4 or a price drop. I'm leaning more towards a used PS4 since the used prices tend to be better.

 

[dieselfit]

I tend to get consoles used and never had a problem (the only ones I bought new were the Wii U and 3DS). I could just be lucky though...plus I use Amazon. You have to really research the seller: see how long they've been around, their reviews, etc. Same with eBay. Recently there was a guy who tried to get an X1 off eBay for $450 and was scammed...only got a picture of an X1. Luckily he got his money and a free console, but still you have to be careful about freshly released consoles.

And you have to really be careful when going with Craigslist. Now that I wouldn't recommend at all.

That aside, used is where the best prices come in. You can pick up the console and a few games as opposed to waiting waiting for a slither of a price cut and getting either just the console or a console and a game...one game (which will drop faster than the console itself, of course).



I'd say you're somewhat wrong. You're right that technology is growing faster and bigger, but it will be 6-7 years before the next console. No one's going to want to keep buying a $400 and $500 device--which will probably jump to being $500 and $600 given the technology and features put in a new console and to actually warrant building it and releasing it so early. People do that for smartphones (people love their smartphones and need to have a new one that is somewhat different from the last), but with consoles I don't see shorter life cycles.

Consoles are built to be around for awhile and left open enough to add new apps and some features. If a new feature just needs a new console, there will be a slim version in that line (with Sony and Nintendo there's always a slim version...as if they figured in the middle of the generation "This can be smaller, really.") with it being priced the same as launch and the original PS4 getting price shave.

That's when you the first official price drop comes. When a newer model of the same console that does the same thing hits shelves.

Firstly, thank you for your well thought out response.

Yes I agree that sellers are not all the same and have a reputation that is usually reviewed by previous buyers. And that is surprising to hear about that scam as I thought eBay buyers/sellers are protected with refunds if they are scammed. I guess this is not true.

I see, hopefully the slim version comes out sooner than later. It might be better for me to just buy the PS4 instead of waiting as you've convinced me. Thanks again.

 

[Oberon]

It might be better for me to just buy the PS4 instead of waiting as you've convinced me. Thanks again.

Let us know how you get on,when you get one,or plan to get one etc and what you think of the PS4 once you do get it

 

[PS4Gamer]

I don't think it's worth waiting!

 

[Haymansafc]

Personally, I'm holding out on the off-chance there may be some sort of decent value package on the horizon during the course of this year (I will be very surprised if there's nothing). I got 'caught out' with the PS3 - buying it shortly after launch, come with almost nothing, paid top whack price e.t.c... I certainly won't be making that mistake again! I'm older and certainly wiser now! I'm happy to play the waiting game.

For what I want a PS4 for - predominately a games console which I slot in a disc and play as a single player, I really can't justify the current launch price. Especially if you start adding a few games, maybe the camera e.t.c... It's like buying a new car. The basic price is already high enough but add a few necessary options (arguably that it should come with as standard) and it comes out half as expensive again! No thanks...

The earliest I'm going to be looking for one will be in April - which is my birthday. I do have a bit of a plan, actually. Over Christmas, I received a £50 Amazon gift card (doesn't expire for ten years). If I ask solely for more of them for my birthday over anything else, I could get myself a really decent deal if I buy it from them...! If the urge isn't strong enough come April, I'll simply wait a few more months. I've even considered waiting until this coming Christmas.

I don't honestly see any sort of official price 'cut' coming for some time yet, especially with the low numbers being supplied to the retailers which will only keep demand high. Right at the back end of this year, maybe even into 2015 we may see some sort of minor reduction...? I really don't know.

Whilst I have bought pre-owned games in the past and so far they've all been fine, I wouldn't personally contemplate buying a used console unless it was ludicrously cheap. As what's already been said, you just have no idea on how it's been treated.

 

[lupitabaires]

I would wait for the price to drop. I'd also buy it used but that's just me. I don't mind if it's in good condition. I've always bought my consoles used from either friends or online, and I've never had a problem, so I'm probably going to do the same thing for PS4.

 

[orz]

I can guarantee the PS4 will last longer than 1-2 years, they did say it won't last as long as the previous PS3 generation but even then it won't be anytime soon seeing as its not even been released in some countries. You can wait for a price drop, but then you can say you'll wait for a new, improved version, just get it while you can!

 

[WarriorSoldier]

The estimated time of the PS4 is roughly about 5 years. Knowing Sony I think They will push it to 7-10 years with the PS4. Just a hunch, even if a new system comes out, the PS4 will have plenty of live in it to simply let it go. Just look at the life of the PS2 & PS3. If a person can't find a PS4 I personally think that getting a used console in great condition, is well worth the investment. I love my system. Anyone that gets the system will likely really enjoy theirs. I can't see a reason why to be honest there would even be a used console.