For the English word “Scalper”, there are only unpleasant translations in German like Wucherer, Absahner, or Abzocker. In any case, this is not a group of people that evokes much sympathy. After the Wucherer made high profits with the PS5 and made a killing, they have now lost out with the PS5 Pro and have to take losses.
What are scalpers? Scalpers are speculators, especially in the context of consoles, classic editions, or collectibles.
They buy a product at its release date, where they anticipate scarcity and an increase in value. Then they withdraw it from the market, hoard the product, and contribute to a shortage.
Finally, they sell the product at a hefty markup and for a high profit when they believe that the scarcity has peaked.
Wucherer became rich with the PS5
How was it with the PS5? With Sony’s PlayStation 5, there was a much higher demand than could be supplied. Especially because production was delayed due to supply chain issues.
As a result, there were few PS5s on the market overall, and scalpers who had hoarded consoles in bulk at an early stage caused an additional artificial shortage. Therefore, scalpers who bought new PS5s as soon as they became available made a killing by selling their consoles at a substantial markup to desperate buyers.
According to reports from 2022, the PS5 was so profitable for scalpers that they could live off it and finance a better life for their families.
Only those who missed the timing to sell their PS5 in time were left with their hoarded stocks and had to suffer the consequences.
With the PS5 Pro, Absahner are stuck with their stocks
This is how it is now with the PS5 Pro: Scalpers also seemed to speculate on a shortage of consoles with the PS5 Pro and stocked up on supplies. However, this shortage is now absent. Essentially, the PS5 Pro can be purchased freely in stores – probably because the console is expensive (around 800 €) and offers only a relatively small update compared to the standard PS5.
As a result, scalpers are now forced to offer their PS5 Pro at significantly reduced prices on sites like eBay. On German eBay, the cheapest PS5 Pro is currently priced at 580 €. A similar situation is also emerging in Spain, as 3DJuegos reports, where scalpers are facing a loss of 30 to 50 € per console.
However, this time again, Wucherer can make a good deal if they speculated on the CD drive. Because it only costs 120 €, is sold out everywhere, and is being traded at significantly higher prices on eBay. We have already warned about this phenomenon on MeinMMO back in September 2024. Anyone wanting to buy a complete PS5 Pro will soon have to pay more than 1,000 euros.
