Getting a hold of a new console can be tough in the beginning. The launches of the PS2 and Wii have gone down in gaming legend as supply was limited and crowds formed around retail stores to buy one. But the first couple of years of the PlayStation 5 was unprecedented since it coincided with a pandemic and resulting lockdowns.
Stuck at home and in need of entertainment gaming products surged, and the PS5 being the hot new thing was in demand, while supply was limited and further constrained by pandemic-related shortages of components. Scalpers meanwhile made themselves popular (read: loathed) by exacerbating the problem, snapping up available stock when it came onto market using bots and the like, and reselling with ridiculous premiums. But now as PS5 stocks have stabilised, it seems scalpers have had their day.
Over on the PlayStation subreddit, redditors have declared the end of PS5 scalping with images showing resellers having to cut their prices. It's a far cry from the time when PS5s were going for hundreds above their RRP on reseller sites.
Taking a look on eBay, TheGamer can see multiple listings for the PlayStation 5 in the $450 to $490 range with the latter for bundles that include God of War Ragnarok. This depression in prices is perhaps the best proof yet that Sony's claims that stock for its console is stable are true. It really is the case that you can pick up a PS5 much more easily nowadays, whether from an official store (where you'll be covered by more robust warranties and returns policies) or through a resale marketplace.
And as you can imagine the sympathy for these scalpers is not exactly immense. Far from it. "I hope he has to go down like $230 for people to buy", said one redditor in reference to the captioned listing. "Would be hilarious". The comment received more than a 1,000 upvotes. Another wrote of their experience with one of these sellers.
"I saw a FB marketplace seller doing this same thing! Around $400 as well, just under retail. However, when I messaged him he told me that was just for the listing and they're actually $500", they revealed before dropping the punchline. "Went to the store that day and got one, at least now I have a warranty".
As PS5 availability increased Sony was eager to get the message out earlier this year, with Sony chief Jim Ryan making it clear that it is easier to buy the console while the company splashes out on marketing campaigns across the world. Sony has clearly signalled it is leaving the PS4 behind and moving fully into this generation as exclusives are also being talked up. As for PS5 scalpers, your days are thankfully finished.