Scalpers Are Selling PS5 Pro Disc Drives for Ridiculous Prices

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Scalpers Are Selling PS5 Pro Disc Drives for Ridiculous Prices

Key Takeaways

  • PS5 Slim Disc Drives are currently unavailable for purchase in the UK, with stock quickly selling out.
  • Scalpers are taking advantage of this fact, with some selling the Disc Drives for upwards of $500.
  • The PS5 Pro will be released on November 7 and will cost £699.99 in the UK and $699.99 in the United States.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt and a deep-rooted love for Sony consoles, I find myself at a crossroads as I approach the release date of the long-awaited PS5 Pro. The console’s impressive technical capabilities have me buzzing with anticipation, but the recent news about scalpers selling the optical disc drives for astronomical prices has left me feeling a bit like a fish out of water.

In the UK, some individuals are excessively pricing resale items like optical drives compatible with the PlayStation 5 Pro, capitalizing on its anticipated release. Although the advanced features of the upcoming PS5 Pro have generated excitement, potential buyers have expressed reservations and concerns about its launch on November 7. A significant issue raised is the absence of an integrated physical disc drive in the new model, which might make some gamers hesitant, particularly those who favor physical media or possess a substantial collection of PS4 and PS5 games on disc.

Fortunately, Sony offers an accessible option for gamers wanting to play disc games on their latest PS5 Pro consoles: the detachable PS5 Slim Disc Drive, released in late 2023. Demand for these disc drives surged after the announcement of the PlayStation 5 Pro in September, leading to their rapid sell-out at online stores. Nevertheless, it’s not a flawless solution since many have commented that the drives bump up the PS5 Pro’s cost by approximately $80.

In the UK, it’s challenging to find new PS5 Disc Drives, as they aren’t readily available for purchase from official retailers. Instead, you may encounter them on secondhand resellers like eBay, where scalpers are selling them at exorbitant prices, up to £400 (around $521.22). In contrast, the PlayStation store only charges £99.99 ($130.29) for the same item. Prices ranging from £151.00 ($196.76) to £200.00 ($260.61) are also being advertised, with additional shipping fees in some cases. Keep in mind that this doesn’t account for the cost of the PlayStation 5 Pro, which will sell for £699.99 in the UK and $699.99 in the US.

UK Scalpers Are Making The PS5 Pro Even More Pricey

As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to admit, the hefty price tag for the PlayStation 5 Pro hasn’t deterred its phenomenal success. It’s flying off the shelves at retail giants like Amazon in the US, making it the hottest-selling console currently. Interestingly, Sony has acknowledged the absence of a physical disc drive in the PS5 Pro’s packaging, which seems to be fueling the scalping issue in the UK. However, for those players who prefer using discs, this omission might come as a bit of a conundrum, as it’s being presented as an advantageous feature.

Mentioned previously, the PlayStation 5 Pro is a significant purchase for even the most devoted Sony fans, especially those seeking to make up for the console’s lack of physical media compatibility by purchasing a PS5 Slim Disc Drive as well. Regrettably, this useful accessory isn’t widely available currently, giving scalpers an opportunity to exploit the scarcity much like they did when the original PS5 debuted during the 2020 pandemic.

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2024-11-05 21:53