Starting Tuesday morning, GameStop and EBGames stores will begin accepting "limited" preorders for the system with a $100 deposit. Per-store allotments for preorders are relatively small, and customers will not be guaranteed a PS3 on Nov. 17, when the system is scheduled for launch in the U.S.
"Most stores will receive a preorder allocation of eight units, while a few select stores will receive 16," a GamesStop official said. "In either case, employee purchases will be restricted to a total of no more than two systems per store."
The $100 deposit can be paid in cash, or via credit card or credit for a trade-in. Last month, the company conducted a test run of preorders for Nintendo's Wii and the PS3 at its Hawaii stores. In that one-day campaign, the company required that customers pay a $50 deposit with trade-in credit.
Reservations for the retailer's in-store program will be limited to one per household. The company's online preorder program will be revealed at a later date, the GameStop official said, "after software and accessory availability dates are confirmed."
Brendan Sinclair reported for GameSpot.
