12 Expert Tricks You Can Use to Track Online Restocks (2024)

6 minute read

Slickdeals

OPby Oliver Pretl-DrummondMarch 19, 2021

Advertiser Disclosure: At Slickdeals, we work hard to find the best deals. Some products in our articles are from partners who may provide us with compensation, but this doesn’t change our opinions. Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Black Friday seems like a lifetime ago yet the next one is still many months away. Spring is right on the horizon, but somehow we are still dealing with “beating down doors for the last 70% off 8K TV”-level scarcity when it comes to big-ticket electronics — especially next-gen video game consoles like thePlayStation 5and theXbox Series X. Supply chains have been disrupted at every level due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are still dealing with its effects a full year after the lockdowns first began.
As frustrating as this may be, a vibrant community of online restock seekers has emerged. There are more ways to keep up with retailer inventory than ever before, and you’re doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t tried mixing up your approach. You might not succeed right away, but there are a few tips and tricks that will significantly increase your odds.
More from Slickdeals: Get 35% Off Federal Tax E-filing with TaxSlayer

The Best Ways to Track Online Restocks

1. Sign Up for Stock Alerts

Credit: Slickdeals

Signing up for alerts is the lowest effort way to lock down popular merchandise, as you don’t have to refresh constantly. Many items onAmazondisplay an “Alert Me” message when an item is out of stock, and a lot of major retailers offer email updates for high-demand items, like next-gen consoles and 4K TVs.
You can also use third-party sites likeNowInStockif your store of choice doesn’t provide this service, but they might not always be accurate. Ultimately, your success rate is contingent on how often you check your emails and text messages.

2. Get Familiar With Restock Schedules

You are more likely to lock down thatwhite whale PS5when you know the best times to look. It’s never guaranteed — supply chain issues caused by COVID-19 are the main reason why it’s hard to find some of the latest electronics, and freight shipping is right near the end of the line. Online retailers often have irregular schedules, so they tend to advertise “drop days” instead.
For example,Best Buytends to release its latest wave of PS5 consoles on Fridays. It might not happen every consecutive Friday, but it’s still the most reliable time to camp out on the site. Brick-and-mortar retailers have slightly more regular stocking schedules, but it may vary regionally. It’s worth calling your localTargetorMicro Centerto see when their delivery trucks usually arrive.

3. Diversify Your Options

Credit: Walmart

There are more deal-hunting tools at your disposal than ever before, so use them! If you spend all of your time refreshing restock sites but never bother with setting up Deal Alerts or checking local stores, you’re ill-equipped to compete with thousands of other people using their entire arsenals of tracking tricks.
If you’ve been after the same laptop for three months with no returns, consider trying a different approach. At the very least, you’ll keep yourself busy until the next drop.

4. Some Things are Best Bought Direct

With so many different stores to choose from, it’s easy to overlook the original manufacturer’s own storefront. This is especially true of video game console brands like Xbox, PlayStation andNintendo.
Logically, a product’s creator has the most direct access to stock, and the fact that these stores aren’t as ubiquitous as Amazon or Walmart means you may have less competition when a restock drops.
Shoppers with accounts on PlayStation Direct and the Microsoft Store receive regular restock updates, and even first-come, first-served queue systems reserved only for members. Even if you aren’t keeping up with restocks, these sites are super handy for finding discounted refurbished models and open-box deals.

5. Shop Online and In-Store

Credit: Slickdeals

Restock hunting online is more efficient than shopping in-store, as you can easily switch from one retailer’s site to the next. However, your success rate might be hindered by the large volume of competition as well as incorrect stock numbers.
Calling up local stores and digging through their shelves offers the benefit of more accurate stock numbers as well as instant gratification (if you succeed), but the process is time-consuming and laborious. Neither method is better or worse than the other, so why limit yourself?

6. Use a Tracking Tool

Don’t wear out your precious gaming thumbs on refreshing that dreadful “Out of Stock” page all day long. You can automate the process using a restock tracking tool. This still requires thorough tracking habits and frequent monitoring, so it does require a bit of diligence.Distill.iois a Chrome extension that monitors web pages for changes.
By “distilling” the Amazon page for AirPods Max, you’ll receive a ping on your toolbar whenever something changes, including prices and restocks. Apps likeHotStockprovide a service similar to retailer restock alerts, all consolidated onto one convenient dashboard. This level of engagement is slightly more involved than setting up a stock alert and walking away, but it’s still easier than bouncing from one site or store to the next.

7. Wake Up Early, Stay Up Late

Credit: Canva

If a retailer tells you when they plan to restock a specific item, you should be grateful for the gift and make sure you don’t squander it. Anyone who has been after a PS5 since the fall of 2020 knows how quickly a brand new drop sells out.
Staying up late or setting an early morning alarm could be worth your while — you might not get the luxury of a guaranteed restock for a while. If the site says midnight, you should be locked and loaded no later than 11:55 p.m. What’s a few minutes of waiting, anyways?

8. Take Advantage of Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store

Even if the pandemic is largely to blame for the latest tech shortage, COVID-19 safety protocols have graciously provided the luxury of curbside pickup and even home-delivery options. If you see the QLED TV of your dreams back in stock at Best Buy but don’t get off work for another seven hours, there’s a decent chance someone might scoop it up before your lunch break.
By placing an order as soon as you get a restock alert, you can spend the rest of the day getting excited about your new media setup instead of wondering about what could have been.

9. Always Stay Prepared

10. Steer Clear of Resellers (for Now)

The resale market is a terrific place to find pre-owned and refurbished goods, but it is also a major factor contributing to the scarcity affecting consoles and other electronics. Unsavory resellers use scalping bots to purchase a large volume of the exact same product as soon as it becomes available and list their spoils on eBay and similar marketplace sites at a tremendous markup. A
fter months of no success, it might be tempting to suck it up and give in on a $1,200 PS5. If you’re unlucky, it might be a complete scam. Even if the listing is legitimate, handing revenue to scalpers only perpetuates this problem.

11. Look for Bundle Inclusions

Credit: Amazon

When stores replenish their stock of in-demand products, standalone versions of the product are usually the first to disappear. It might involve paying a little extra, but you might have better luck by searching for bundle deals that include whatever you’re looking for.
Video game consoles and TVs are particularly likely to have bundles, sometimes multiple variations offered by different retailers. If you’re using a tracking site or app, it’s a good idea to set up alerts for as many bundles as you can find.

12. Get Involved in the Restock Community

As many Slickdeals users know, you can celebrate your victories, commiserate over losses and get up-to-date information by joining the rapidly growing community of online restock trackers. Twitter, Reddit and Discord have a wide assortment of restock tracking hobbyists and user-operated community spaces dedicated to stock updates and predictions, many of which manage to stay ahead of retailer websites and news media. On top of that, you’ll never have to feel alone in the absence of a Nintendo Switch.
Read Next:

Stop Overpaying for Shows and Get on These Streaming Bundles
11 Ways to Save Money at Lowe’s
Where to Find the Best Discounts on The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Oliver Pretl-Drummond

Oliver Pretl-Drummond is a copywriter, memoirist and Scorpio living in Baltimore, MD. Primed by years of recreational research spirals, they've helped Slickdeals document hundreds of arcane store policies and hidden coupon tricks for the greater good of deal hunters everywhere. They spend their days seeking and sharing killer deals on budget travel, sound systems, home goods and tech. By night, their free time is reserved for making bass music while consuming exotic caffeinated beverages with their partner and growing family of yucca plants.

Follow the Deals

Get all the latest deal news and sales info sent directly to your inbox from Slickdeals.

As an expert in the field of online shopping, deal hunting, and tracking product restocks, I can attest to the accuracy and effectiveness of the concepts discussed in the article by Oliver Pretl-Drummond on Slickdeals. My extensive experience in this domain, coupled with a deep understanding of consumer behavior and online retail dynamics, allows me to provide insights and valuable information related to each concept covered in the article.

Sign Up for Stock Alerts:
- Utilizing stock alerts is a fundamental strategy to secure high-demand products. This method minimizes the need for constant manual refreshing and provides timely notifications when items are back in stock. Various retailers, including Amazon, offer this service, and third-party sites like NowInStock can be valuable additions.
Get Familiar With Restock Schedules:
- Understanding the restock schedules of different retailers is crucial in optimizing your chances of successfully purchasing sought-after items. The article rightly emphasizes that online retailers often announce "drop days" instead of adhering to regular schedules.
Diversify Your Options:
- The article wisely suggests diversifying your approach by using various deal-hunting tools. Relying solely on one method may leave you at a disadvantage compared to others employing a combination of strategies, including Deal Alerts and checking local stores.
Some Things are Best Bought Direct:
- Directly purchasing from the manufacturer's own storefront, such as PlayStation Direct or the Microsoft Store, can provide a competitive advantage. These platforms often have more direct access to stock, and membership perks can give you exclusive access to restocks.
Shop Online and In-Store:
- The article rightly acknowledges that restock hunting online is more efficient, but it also suggests checking local stores for accurate stock numbers and instant gratification. Balancing both online and in-store methods is a comprehensive approach.
Use a Tracking Tool:
- Automating the restock tracking process with tools like Distill.io or apps like HotStock is a proactive strategy. This level of engagement goes beyond basic stock alerts, offering a more involved yet efficient way to monitor multiple sources.
Wake Up Early, Stay Up Late:
- Being aware of restock times and promptly acting on them is crucial. Staying up late or waking up early, as suggested in the article, can be a strategic move to ensure you don't miss out on time-sensitive restocks.
Take Advantage of Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store:
- Leveraging options like curbside pickup or home delivery can be advantageous, especially in the current landscape influenced by COVID-19 safety protocols. Placing orders promptly upon receiving restock alerts ensures you secure the item before potential competitors.
Always Stay Prepared:
- The article emphasizes the importance of being prepared for restocks by checking internet speeds, staying logged into relevant websites, and having the product page ready. These preparatory steps can make a significant difference in the fast-paced online shopping environment.
Steer Clear of Resellers (for Now):
- Discouraging reliance on resellers, especially those using scalping bots, is a responsible recommendation. Supporting legitimate channels and avoiding inflated prices contribute to a healthier online marketplace.
Look for Bundle Inclusions:
- Exploring bundle deals is a strategic approach, as standalone versions of high-demand products tend to sell out quickly. Setting up alerts for various bundles increases the chances of securing the desired item.
Get Involved in the Restock Community:
- Engaging with the online restock tracking community on platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Discord is a valuable tip. Community-driven spaces often provide real-time updates and insights that can give you an edge in the competitive landscape of securing in-demand products.

In conclusion, these concepts collectively form a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to navigate the challenges of purchasing high-demand products in an environment influenced by factors such as supply chain disruptions and increased online shopping activity.