All articles tagged with #scalpers
Valve plans a reservation-based purchase system for the Steam Machine (likely four configurations including 512GB/2TB SSD options and Steam Frame VR variants), requiring an active Steam account with prior purchases and potentially bundling with a Steam Controller to curb botting. Launch date and price aren’t announced, and storage can be expanded via microSD.
Valve has introduced a reservation system to reduce the “incredibly frustrating” stockouts of its Steam Controller. The reservation queue starts May 8 at 10am PT, saving your place in line for when stock returns. There’s no guaranteed restock date and replenishment varies by region. Limits include one controller per user, ineligibility for those who already bought a Steam Controller, and a three‑day (72-hour) window to purchase after receiving the order email. An account must be in good standing and have bought something on Steam before April 27, 2026. Reservations will be fulfilled first in the US and Canada, with the UK, Europe, and Australia following in subsequent weeks. Valve notes the controller is a solid upgrade with rechargeable power, more input options, and a refined touchpad.
Valve is launching a reservations queue on Friday at 1 PM ET for customers who want to buy the Steam Controller after it sold out, with reservations saving your place in line and emails sent in sale order. Once you receive an order email you’ll have 72 hours to complete the purchase, and you can buy only one controller; a Steam account must be in good standing and have made a Steam purchase before April 27, and, for now, you can’t reserve another if you’ve already bought the Steam Controller. Valve says reservations will start fulfilling next week in the US and Canada, with the UK, EU, and Australia to follow in coming weeks, in an effort to improve checkout and limit reseller activity.
Scalpers bought limited-edition Pokemon-themed Pop-Tarts from Target and are listing them on eBay for up to $50, turning a $3 box into a hot resale item during the franchise's 30th anniversary.
Valve's new $100 Steam Controller sold out in under an hour amid high demand and occasional purchase errors, while scalpers on eBay are listing new units for roughly $300–$400. Valve hasn't announced restocks and may be holding inventory for a Steam Machine launch, leaving buyers to wait or pay inflated reseller prices. The controller is praised for its trackpad haptics and locator feature, but it notably lacks RAM, a quirk enthusiasts point to as part of its quirky appeal.
Kotaku reports that Target's Pokémon promo has triggered a scalping spree: Pokémon Pop-Tarts are selling on eBay for up to eight times their $2.89 price, while other promo items like jackets, bags, and pins are fetching hundreds. Some thieves have even targeted promotional standees. A second merch drop is planned for June 6.
A man hid inside a Pasadena Best Buy overnight to be first in line for a new Pokémon card drop; store opening led to his arrest, and no injuries were reported. The stunt highlights ongoing scalper issues in the Pokémon hobby, though some view the odd scheme as comic relief rather than a serious threat.
A Costco restock of the Prismatic Evolution Pokémon TCG erupts into chaos as about 30–40 shoppers battle for packs, with drinks hurled and cards damaged; a car drove into shopping carts, prompting police intervention and underscoring ongoing scalper-driven demand and stock shortages.
Ticketmaster announced it will limit users to one account to combat scalping and defend its practices amid an FTC lawsuit, citing technological measures and policy changes to prevent abuse, while denying allegations of facilitating scalper activities.
Ticketmaster claims to have implemented new measures to combat scalpers and bots, such as ID verification and account restrictions, in response to FTC lawsuits accusing it of working with resellers to inflate prices. The company denies these allegations and states it is doing more than anyone to ensure tickets go to genuine fans, but industry groups criticize these efforts as insufficient and accuse Ticketmaster of collusion with scalpers. The situation remains under scrutiny as more developments are expected.
Ticketmaster announced it will ban users from having multiple accounts and will shut down its TradeDesk platform following a lawsuit by the FTC accusing the company of colluding with scalpers and violating the BOTS Act. The company claims these practices are standard industry behavior and denies the allegations, but acknowledges that the use of multiple accounts has been abused. The policy change aims to address concerns about scalping and protect the integrity of ticket sales.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is in high demand, leading scalpers to sell it at inflated prices, sometimes over $2,000, despite its $999.99 retail price. Microsoft has limited initial stock to create a sense of scarcity, but more units are expected to arrive soon, so consumers are advised not to pay inflated prices. The console is set to launch on October 16, with more stock anticipated to meet demand.
Scalpers quickly sold out of limited edition Ghost of Yotei PS5 Pro covers, reselling them on eBay at significantly higher prices, highlighting ongoing issues with scalping in the gaming industry and raising questions about how to protect consumers.
Nintendo plans to combat scalpers for the upcoming Switch 2 by producing an abundance of consoles, ensuring they remain in stock and eliminating resale opportunities. This strategy is feasible now that the semiconductor shortage, which previously hindered production, has been resolved. Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, assured shareholders that component shortages will not impact the new console's production, with the Switch 2 expected to be revealed by March 2025.
The PlayStation 5 Pro is widely available at retail, reducing the impact of scalpers who are now forced to sell at or below retail prices. Unlike the original PS5 launch, the Pro's higher price, mild improvements, and lack of exclusive titles, combined with a cost of living crisis, have led to less demand. Some scalpers are now focusing on selling the high-demand external disc drive separately.