Scalpers Hoarding PS5 Disk Drives Days Before Pro’s Launch

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Key Takeaways

  • Scalpers are now reselling the console’s external disk drive to rip off gamers who are buying a PS5 Pro.
  • Listings in the US range around $40-$50 above the normal price, with other markets going above $100.
  • Luckily, once the hype around the Pro calms down, prices and retail stocks should return to normal.

As a long-time gamer who has witnessed the highs and lows of console launches, it’s disheartening to see history repeating itself with scalpers targeting the PS5 Pro’s external disk drive. I remember the days when I waited in line for hours just to get my hands on a console, only to find out that resellers were selling them at exorbitant prices. It’s like being punched in the gut every time I see this happening.

It seems that scalpers are once more attempting to exploit opportunities. In this case, they’re aiming to capitalize on the sale of PlayStation 5 Pro by reselling not only the console itself but also the external disk drive required for playing physical games, which Pro users need to buy separately.

At the unveiling of the PS5 Pro, we discovered that despite its price tag of $699, making it more expensive than any other Sony console without considering inflation, it doesn’t come with a disc drive to play game disks. This omission is similar to what we see in consoles like the PS5 Slim and Xbox Series S.

Rather than adding $79 to the cost of the drive, Sony offers it as an additional expense. When you also factor in the cost of a separate vertical stand, a typical consumer might end up paying over $800 just for the console’s overall experience.

With the Pro console launching in just two days, it seems that the external drive is nearly impossible to find at mainstream retailers. Regrettably, some unscrupulous sellers are listing the drive on platforms such as eBay for inflated prices significantly higher than its original cost.

Upsell Prices Are At Least 50% Over The Original Cost

According to the eBay listing mentioned earlier, the typical cost for re-sold drives is approximately $40 more than the original asking price of $79.99. However, some sellers might inflate the price up to around $150 USD, and listings in regions like the UK can even reach prices above the $200 mark.

Similar to the launch of the PS5, where the price of a $500 console skyrocketed to thousands, there seems to be nearly continuous turmoil as listings fluctuate across different price ranges, reflecting scalpers’ perceptions of how eager gamers might be for a purchase.

Fortunately, in contrast to the PS5’s first release where a highly sought-after item was becoming available, the disc drive isn’t as crucial these days. This means that PS5 Pro owners can continue to enjoy their games seamlessly from their digital collection without much disruption.

The Fight Against Scalpers

You should keep in mind that Sony can definitely do something to help limit the massive amount of reselling of its products, such as implementing an online queue system like Valve did with the Steam Deck.

While Sony has previously employed methods like restricting the re-selling of exclusive PS5 Pro models in Japan, it’s notable that so far, no significant retailer aside from Valve has taken drastic steps similar to this in Western markets to tackle scalpers and scammers.

Given that the PS5’s disc drive is compatible with PS4 games, many of which can be found at prices lower than their digital counterparts in stores, it remains significant to offer physical media options. This is particularly important for newcomers to next-gen consoles who may already own a collection of previously bought titles.

Unfortunately, it appears that owners of the PS5 Pro who wish to utilize the console with their collection of discs might need to be patient and wait for a while longer until they can obtain it from a trusted supplier.

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2024-11-06 00:08