Adam is a student and a prolific reseller of any in-demand product like sneakers, collectable cards and Disney dolls, but Sony’s hard-to-get PlayStation 5 console has been his sole focus for the last three months. His highest sale was for the digital version of the PS5 in January, which went for £720. The recommended retail price is £359.
But, in an interview, Adam admitted to me that customers paying that high mark-up has baffled him. “I personally don’t understand why anyone would pay over the odds for a console that will sit on shelves in a few months but that’s me.
“People are just being children because they can’t get something they want. It’s funny because in some of these groups there are chat rooms where people post their interactions with angry customers and it’s hilarious.”
Adam is referring to cook groups, which are private communities that advise paying members on how to scalp. It’s via these groups that he gets advance information on upcoming PS5 stock drops, which he claims has earned him £1500 profit from five sales. Adam also told me that members of his cook group have received “death threats and horrible, racist, homophobic comments” from customers.
Adam isn’t the only one who doesn’t understand why people are clambering to pay marked-up prices. Another seller I spoke with called Rak, also a student making some extra cash, told me that they are “not sure why people are paying those amounts for a console that within six months I believe will be readily available.” Continuing: “I don’t understand why people are so angry about ‘scalpers’ because many people do it in all forms.”
Rak went on to explain that they bought their PS5 from Amazon but didn’t respond to a question about how many consoles they had sold. Their listing history on eBay showed at least four PlayStation 5 units – both disc and digital – and two Xbox Series X consoles sold, alongside expensive handbags and in-demand sneakers.
But PS5 buyers may be fighting back against resellers. Rak claimed that some bidders have won his auctions and then cancelled the order. “Sadly there are many jealous people around so they decided to cancel my order today,” he said.
Another eBay seller called Sean told me this has happened several times to him. “I’ve sold the item three times this weekend all to zero-feedback bidders who have bid more than the average price for a PS5 and then not paid.”
Although Sean suspects this is other scalpers trying to artificially inflate the price of the console on eBay, some Redditors I spoke with on a PS5 sub admitted to doing this as an act of revenge, whilst others praised the activity. I also went through 10 imminently-ending auctions on eBay, clicked on bids, and found three listings with either zero-feedback bidders winning or competing.
Sean says this only happens with the PS5. “So these zero bidders have also wasted my time by buying and not paying, which means if I relist it now I will have to pay eBay 10% final value fee as opposed to just £1 if I had sold it over the weekend.
“I legitimately believe there is something fishy going on. I’ve sold other music equipment and have never experienced zero feedback, no-paying buyers to this extent.”
Zero-feedback bidders are dominating some PS5 listings on eBay.
Janhoi McGregor
The tide is turning
Outside of revenge bids on eBay, the resell market appears to be cooling down. PS5 resellers might be living on borrowed time as more consoles become available according to data from secondary market site StockX.
The website, which is famed for selling sneakers, shared in-depth data with me that reveals prices are dropping from a peak just after the console launch in November.
“PS5 prices were at their highest during Cyber Weekend in November, but in the days following, we saw prices adjust back to their pre-Black Friday levels. Prices continued to fall over the next months, and today, PS5 console prices are at their lowest point to date. The average resale price of PS5s on StockX has decreased by 20% since Nov.” Jesse Einhorn, StockX senior economist, told me over email.
There’s also disparity in resell prices and popularity between disc, digital and the new Xbox Series X. Here are some key data points from StockX.
The PS5 consoles have seen a steeper resale price decline than the Xbox consoles, which have fallen between 10% and 15% since November. When they first released, the PS5 Digital Edition was reselling for nearly $100 more than the Xbox Series X, whereas today, they are reselling for roughly the same price (~$670).
Over the last month (February 8th – March 8th) the average resale price of the PS5 on StockX has decreased by $70.
The PlayStation 5 consoles are currently selling at 40-70% above retail. At their peak on Cyber Weekend, the PS5 consoles were selling at 100% – 150% above retail.
The best-selling PS5 model is the PS5 Blu-Ray edition (US Plug), and StockX has sold over 60,000 units since launch.
The overall trend suggests that resell prices will continue to fall, which could be bad news for scalpers who have failed to shift their units so far, either because of fake bidders or the impending over-supply. Adam tells me he’s not concerned about resell prices dropping – “I will keep reselling them until they are constantly available as it is just free money at this point.” Sean, however, has given up and decided to keep the PS5 he failed to shift. “I thought I would sell it due to the inflated prices and maybe pick one up again when the consoles were more readily available. As the prices are dropping, I thought I might as well keep it.”
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
