Preparing for Target Restocks
A free, detailed guide to help you succeed when Target restocks consoles online!
Target is getting ready for yet another PlayStation 5 console drop! This time, inventory numbers are looking very promising. Stay tuned, subscribe for detailed updates & buying guides, and follow on Twitter for real-time alerts & news!
Read through this full article for detailed strategies to prepare and improve your odds of success, BEFORE a restock begins. Share Stock Tracker News to help other families and gamers secure their consoles at retail price!
Recent news, an overview of how Target’s restocks work, and detailed buying strategies are all provided in this article!
Direct link to TARGET’S DISC PLAYSTATION 5 PAGE.
Direct link to TARGET’S DIGITAL PLAYSTATION 5 PAGE.
(Console images don’t show on the site until the day the restock occurs!)
RECENT TARGET NEWS
Courtesy of my friend Jake Randall, we have recent Target inventory numbers showing stores across the country are receiving many PS5 consoles to sell online for in-store pickup in the near future. Jake’s detailed thread explains that a restock both THIS week and NEXT week are possible.
Next week is essentially guaranteed since many more consoles will be delivered over this upcoming weekend! As shown in a screenshot, one store that has 34 consoles on hand will get 74 MORE on 1/02.
”I can confirm EVERY region has stores that will have 100 units,” - Jake Randall
This will be a significant restock for many areas. Details for preparing for Target restocks, and how their drops work, are listed below! Be sure to check out Jake’s full thread on Twitter for additional information to ensure you’re as ready as possible, whether Target decides to have a nationwide restock THIS week or save all the stock for next week instead!
PREPARING FOR TARGET
When Target restocks PlayStation 5 consoles, it’s online purchase for in-store pickup. What’s nice about Target compared to other major retailers: you can pick your console up the same day you buy it!
This also means they don’t offer shipping. So the amount of consoles on-hand at local stores makes all the difference! When the drop begins, keep in mind you can switch between local stores (if available) if your “Home Store” runs out of consoles.
Target sells standalone consoles, no bundles - so a disc PS5 is $499.99 and a digital PS5 is $399.99. If you have a Target RedCard, you can get an additional 5% off.
Persistence is key. You may have to add to your cart multiple times, and you may have to attempt to place the order repeatedly. This is normal! The site will be throttled.
Like most in-demand restocks online, there’s a lot you can do to improve your odds of securing a successful checkout.
Target restocks are EARLY - but consistent. They always drop between the hours of 6-9AM Eastern Time. More often than not, the “golden hour” is 7-8AM ET! The product pages don’t show PS5 console images within that timeframe UNLESS there is a restock incoming.
I alert early - when the product pages show - so you can get ready!
I notify instantly on Twitter when a console restock begins! Have notifications ON to ensure you’re alerted to restock Tweets in time.
When Target sells PlayStation 5 consoles, it’s a nation-wide restock and they sell disc and digital PS5 in separate waves. Digital PS5 stock is HIGHLY regional and will not be available in every store that has Disc!
To have the best odds with Target, be prepared to buy a disc console if you can. Many stores won’t have any digital consoles at all, but I will still alert for each!
I also don’t suggest staying up all night, since it could be either Thursday or Friday if Target does restock PS5 this week!
Know yourself. If you need to wake up early and have coffee to be ready, do that! That’s how I get by, living in Pacific Time for these early morning restocks.
BUYING STRATEGIES & TIPS FOR TARGET
Keep in mind: the amount of PlayStation 5 consoles available won’t be listed on the site until the restock begins! All Target stores with consoles on hand will show “in stock” starting at the same time - it’s a nation-wide event. But some stores will sell out faster than others! If you’re able to add to cart at any time, keep trying.
Take some time to over the steps and tips below to get an idea of how these restocks work, and how you can solve common challenges during a Target drop.
Have an account set up BEFORE the drop! It may go without saying for some of us, but I’ve seen others scramble during a restock to create an account and try to buy a console all at once! You don’t want to be in that position. Have an account, have login info saved, and know your password just in case.
Watch for my Tweet notifications indicating PlayStation 5 pages have loaded! I alert when the restock officially begins, too - but this advance notice gives you time to get ready! When the console images load during the regular Target timeframe, this confirms a restock will be taking place within the upcoming 10 minutes - 1 hour.
Since it’s early, I will notify via Tweet TWICE when the pages load. You will still have time to sign in - but I always recommend having information saved to save yourself time!Immediately attempt to purchase through Target when my alert goes out! There is no queue - but the site will be throttled. These restocks are especially in-demand, because it’s only the console: no bundle!
I’ve seen the most success with the desktop website, but if you have the mobile app as well as a PC nearby, you can be signed into BOTH and attempt to check out through either device!Expect to tap or click the “Place Order” button several times, EVEN IF it says unavailable! If it’s in stock, KEEP adding to your cart - and KEEP trying to check out! This means you may have to try over and over to add to cart (or refreshing/re-selecting your cart with the console in it) and try over and over to check out successfully. Keep tapping/clicking to complete the order!
If your nearest store runs out of stock, select a different store! You may also be able to enter a neighboring Zip Code if you’re comfortable with a drive to pick up your console. If you can’t see stores to choose from near you, that’s the best time to try a different zip code.
If there’s a store with stock, continue to follow step 3: keep adding to cart, keep trying to “Place Order” - even if it says unavailable or unable to complete purchase! If it’s in your cart - KEEP trying to get it. I’ve seen people mash the “Place Order” button 50-100+ times before completing the purchase.Apple Pay and PayPal often provide a faster checkout - but this isn’t always the case for everyone! So this part is KEY: Always know your 3-digit CVV number on the back of your credit or debit card! Target may have you re-enter the CVV multiple times at checkout. Some people have even had to re-enter their card numbers!
If you have autofill set up on your device you can avoid re-entering your full card number, but expect the site to request your 3-digit CVV number! This is one of the most important parts of your payment information to know for restocks, anyways. You need to memorize it.
If you want to try PayPal or Apple Pay, you need an item in your cart first: then it will be a payment option at checkout!The most important tip: Don’t get discouraged while the drop is still live. It can be a fight and it can take a lot of button-mashing, tapping, and clicking to finally get the site to accept your order.
Thousands have been through these restocks before, and many who succeeded would say the same thing: keep adding to cart, keep attempting to complete the order. Tap those buttons as long as the Target PlayStation 5 restock is live!
Target drops can be a challenge, but every step you take to prepare will get you closer to a successful checkout. They can sell out fast - but as long as you can cart a console, you still have a chance of getting through.
No restock is a guarantee, but it’s worth a shot; especially since Target doesn’t require a bundle!
I recommend reviewing each strategy listed so you’re prepared to try other methods, if you don’t get through at first. Watch for my Twitter alerts and tips while the drop is live!
Remember: as with ANY PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X drop, it’s NOT the last one! This community will be here before, during, and after - the Stock Tracker Team is here to see you succeed at retail restocks!