When attempting to profit from reselling a product, especially in large quantities, it's crucial to ensure the item is scarce and highly sought-after. Some PS5 Pro resellers have overlooked this principle, forcing them to list the console below its retail price. During 2020 and 2021, finding a PlayStation 5 at its recommended price was nearly impossible. Scalpers and reselling groups shamelessly purchased thousands of consoles, selling them at inflated prices and making it extremely difficult for consumers to buy from retailers at the suggested retail price.
Sony released the mid-generation PlayStation 5 Pro upgrade this week. Boasting 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory, over 50 games now utilize the console's improved hardware.
These upgrades haven't impressed everyone – the differences aren't always obvious – and the Pro's $699 price tag raised concerns. This likely explains the subdued response to its launch this week, but it didn't deter scalpers from anticipating profits from desperate buyers.
What resellers didn't anticipate was PS5 Pro supply meeting or exceeding demand. The console is currently available from most retailers, including Newegg.
As a result, eBay listings for the console are (mostly) far from the absurdly high prices typically seen from scalpers. One auction listing is currently at $640. Several others are priced slightly above MSRP, while more auctions are currently under $699.
Despite widespread availability, some listings still reach nearly $1,000 or higher. The priciest one I found was $2,300, excluding the limited edition 30th Anniversary Edition Bundles, which one seller ambitiously listed for $10,000.
UK scalpers are likely also regretting their decision to purchase PS5 Pros. The console retails for £700 in the country, but many eBay listings have Buy it Now prices of £680 to £700, with numerous auctions currently ranging from £510 to £670.
Japan, Sony's home country, faces a unique situation with PS5 Pro availability. While some stores sold the console without pre-orders on launch day, it's not as scarce as expected. Resellers on Mercari, a local platform, are barely breaking even or losing money due to fees and shipping costs, despite marking up prices by $65 to $130.
Interestingly, the PS5 Pro's external disc drive is in short supply. Priced at $79.99 in the US, it's hard to find for less than $130 on eBay.
Another product facing scarcity is AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU. This processor, normally priced at $480, is out of stock in most places. As a result, some eBay sellers are asking up to $1,500 for this sought-after chip.
