An online retailer offered a new batch of PlayStation 5 consoles. Within just 10 minutes, the coveted items were sold out again. Shortly thereafter, dozens of users reported that they were able to purchase multiple consoles via a bot. Over 2,000 consoles are said to have gone to nasty scalpers – and the bot even mocks buyers. The affected retailer is now fighting back.
What happened? At the online retailer Game from the United Kingdom, new PS5s were available for a short time on January 19. Many of these were allegedly purchased by a bot software called “Carnage”.
Several users on Twitter reported shortly after the action that they were able to buy ten or more consoles through Carnage (via VideoGamesChronicle).
The Twitter account of the bot itself also weighed in. According to it, over 2,000 consoles were bought through the software. It mocks in the end: “It just gets easier every time.” The channel has since been closed.
This is what the retailer is doing: According to VGC, the retailer wants to ensure that each buyer only receives one PS5. So far, the scalpers’ purchases have not been confirmed, only pre-orders.
The demand for consoles is significantly greater than the supply, which has led to early frustration when purchasing the PS5. Therefore, they want to continue the “One per customer” policy.
Scalpers buy thousands of PS5s – Also here?
What are scalpers? Scalpers buy limited available products at the normal price and then sell them at a higher price, sometimes for multiples when these products are no longer available anywhere else. Thus, they rake in profits from the demand, such as for the new PS5.
Already in November 2020, scalpers bought over 3,500 PS5s to sell them at a higher price later. The problem has existed for some time and also in other areas.
This practice seems to be lucrative. On eBay, PS5s are sometimes sold for over €2,500 – almost five times their actual price.
What is the situation in Germany? According to rumors, there will soon be a fourth wave in which players can buy a PS5. It could start as early as the week of January 25. So far, there is no official information on this.
Moreover, reports suggest that in the week of January 25, the stocks of various retailers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will be replenished. Most of this is supposed to go to pre-orders from customers who are still waiting for their delivery. Your pre-ordered PS5 could be delivered soon.
