UK Retailer "Unable to Fulfill" Every PS5 30th Anniversary Preorder, Cancellation Email Informs Disappointed Buyers

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UK retailer Argos has started canceling preorders for the PS5 Slim Digital 30th Anniversary Edition, citing an inability to fulfill the orders. Customers affected by the unexpected cancellations are being automatically refunded to their original payment methods.


Preorders for the highly sought-after PS1-themed console went live on the Argos website in the early hours of October 10, priced at £429.99. The limited edition console sold out shortly after it became available.

Less than a week later, customers have begun receiving email or text notifications that their orders were canceled. The news has led to confusion, with some buyers seeking clarification from Argos' customer support.


Reports from those who reached out to Argos have been mixed. While some customer service representatives have indicated the cancellation emails were sent in error, others have confirmed that the cancellations are legitimate, leaving buyers uncertain about the status of their orders.

IGN reached out to Argos/Sainsbury's for clarification and comment. Argos responded, with a spokesperson saying: "We saw huge demand for the PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary Limited Edition console and unfortunately had to cancel some orders, after they were processed incorrectly. We have contacted the customers affected to tell them how sorry we are for the disappointment this has caused and confirm they will receive a full refund."

This isn't the first bit of trouble the PS5 30th Anniversary that customers have run into. Only a few weeks back, shoppers were quick to report 'sold out' messages for the PlayStation 5 – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition bundles just minutes after preorders went live on PlayStation Direct in the UK, causing frustration for many who had visited the site and sat in the queue beforehand.

Following this multiple listings for the PS5 Pro Console 30th bundle went up on eBay, where scalpers were asking for up to £10,000.

While Argos' cancellations do not involve the PS5 Pro bundle, but rather the PS5 Slim (Digital Edition), the demand for this console has been equally high. A second wave of preorders was made available through major retailers like Amazon, Argos, and Very on October 10, but these sold out just as quickly. Now, Argos seems to be reversing some of those orders.


Those who made preorders are unsurprisingly frustrated by the situation. @Natty301288 on Twitter/X stating: "@ArgosHelpers is this a joke preorder made last Thursday confirmation received now can’t get this elsewhere"

The sentiment was shared by user @Malik_Zain7, exclaiming: "@Argos_Online this some kind of joke???
After taking payment for a limited edition console and also sending me a confirmation email, you’re now saying it’s cancelled?"

For further updates on the situation, follow our deals team at @IGNUKDeals on Twitter/X, who are closely monitoring the cancellations and other preorder developments. The reason behind the cancellations remains unclear, though overselling of stock due to processing error is currently be speculated as an explanation.


Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.