And when that wait becomes weeks or even months due to scalpers, the frustration only gets worse!

Scalpers buy massive numbers of products to sell online for astronomical prices to make insane profits.

This hugely negatively affects both the consumer and the gaming industry.

PlayStation 5 money drop

What Does Console Scalping Mean?

Scalpers can infiltrate any industry, not just gaming.

However, it is particularly bad in the gaming industry, especially when it comes to hardware.

A picture of someone holding an Xbox One controller

The PlayStation 5 already suffered from limited numbers upon launch due to real-world circumstances and component shortages.

These devices are even being sold twice or thrice the amount Sony was charging.

This forces gamers to buy their consoles from scalpers for inflated prices as a last resort.

PS5 console beside two DualSense controllers

How Does Console Scalping Affect You?

Giving in to scalpers and purchasing a console at inflated prices from them is damaging in many ways.

It can also be damaging to you as a consumer.

PlayStation

How Can You Avoid Console Scalpers?

The easiest way to combat scalpers is to boycott them.

Buying a console from a scalper only adds fuel to the fire and encourages them to perpetuate their cycle.