eBay, please help prevent the greedy scalping

[Anonymous]

So I know about the PS5, Xbox Series X, GeForce RTX 30 Series, and Radeon RX 6000 Series scalping. Everyone, if you are a scalper, please stop. There are much better ways to make money than scalping. It is immoral, and I don't know if you agree with me but it should be illegal.

Some of you may say, "In businesses, the company pays to manufacture things and resell them for profit." I am completely aware that is true, and I have no problem with that. But scalpers buy items that have already been assembled, and sell them at blown up prices. And the problem is, the items they scalp are ones people want most(see the top line).

"Oh, but you don't need those things. Be grateful for what you have. They are needs, not wants." Please, this is not a reason not to get mad. PS5s, Xbox Series Xs, and gaming PCs are meant for entertainment. And video games are probably one of the best ways for entertainment.

You may ask, "Why not just buy it from the retailers? That way you won't spend more money than you need to." Well the scalpers make the retailers go out of stock everywhere. Especially considering how they use bots, so as soon as stock comes in they get bought up immediately. We can't buy it in person either, as the pandemic makes console selling online-only.

Everyone, if you are a scalper, please stop. And if you are a person who is considering buying from a scalper... DON'T. Buying from scalpers only encourages them to continue.

[annadryl]

I don't understand all the fuss over this. There are probably about a thousand identical threads. It really says something about our culture in general.

Man, we like to complain.

If I wanted a new game system, I'd wait until they become more available and at a better price, because they WILL soon. I'd also rather buy it from a legitimate authorized dealer, not a "scalper", and not a whiner, and get that manufacturer's warranty and a valid receipt.

[acrc3113]

Big businesses with deep pockets do it all the time. They corner the market' inventory and sell the items for a stupidly high profit. Does anyone call that scalping, or is it simply supply and demand ? If I had a bunch of sought over video cards, it would be smart to sell them at the top of the market to make the highest profit. Next year they may be worth only half. Entertainment is not a necessity for survival. I think the OP would be better served by making do until prices come down instead of suggesting that someone ought to regulate the prices of items. Schemes such as that have always been met with abject failure.

[alcoforever]

If the sellers on ebay were selling those game consoles at MSRP, then the flippers would be buying them and reselling for a huge profit.

There is no way to get  those game console prices down other than time.

[buyselljack2016]

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@annadryl wrote:

I don't understand all the fuss over this. There are probably about a thousand identical threads. It really says something about our culture in general.

Man, we like to complain.

If I wanted a new game system, I'd wait until they become more available and at a better price, because they WILL soon. I'd also rather buy it from a legitimate authorized dealer, not a "scalper", and not a whiner, and get that manufacturer's warranty and a valid receipt.

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There in lies the rub.   Some "NEED" it now,and if they can not have it "NOW", then someone else is despicable.

Like you, I can wait for something that I want, .................  or do without😊

[Anonymous]

Didn't we just say how the scalpers are preventing us from buying from authorized retailers because they make them go out of stock?

[Anonymous]

The way I see it, while entertainment may not seem like a necessity, it is very important for your mind.

[bonjourami]

LOL...

[terrycece62]

All I have to say after reading many posts regarding these so called new gaming systems complaining excessively about the the high asking prices for this new popular tech item is get a job and start a fund or wait and the prices will go down.

And I disagree with you 'scalping' we still have free market in this country and it is unfortunate that you can afford a wanted entertainment item but that's life

[buyselljack2016]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Didn't we just say how the scalpers are preventing us from buying from authorized retailers because they make them go out of stock?

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And therein lies another questionable practice. That of the manufactured keeping the supply lower than expected demand, to keep the prices up.

Maybe a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer is in order (insert sarcasm emoji here)

[powell-memorabilia]

 Not only is scalping not immoral, preventing free trade, even in essentials, is absolutely immoral.  Price gouging is how we clear up supply shortages.  Ever wonder why it takes years to clear out demand issues after a large hurricane?  It is because we don’t allow the market to run free.

[terrycece62]

My two cents but:

So is reading books and newspapers and attending / participating ' on line" college courses good for your mind.

i agree entertainment has its advantages  relieves stress is important if you have a lot of stressors everyone needs a break

Are you sure you are not narrowing your opinions ?

[acrc3113]

So is fresh air and exercise, and that is free. So is volunteering.  Whining about what you can't have just irritates others.

[coder_slynk]

Anyone saying these things are not needed really do not understand how these items are used.

Professionals need graphics cards. Indie game devs need them to develop with the latest card features in mind. Machine learning engineers need them to train life saving artificial intelligence. Scientists need them for Cuda core crunching power.

But even denying gamers their toys have unwanted effects. If gamers are not buying the systems, then game developers are not being paid for their work due to no one buying their games. New pc games that are coming out will have lower market presence because their are those with underpowered computers unable to upgrade. There are new gamers entering the market at all times as people naturally age that physically cannot build a gaming rig because of this, which is lost revenue for developers. 

But if the logical argument does not sway you, how about the emotional. The only reason that scalpers can charge double or triple the price for things is because they had the financial means to buy up ALL stock from the market. They have the financial means to own all units on the market and they use their financial power to prevent the poor/fiscally responsible from purchasing goods at a reasonable price, while instead selling only to the rich who has an extra grand to blow.

I find this morally reprehensible. And anyone defending scalpers could care less about how it affects others. 

[bonjourami]

if somebody unable to purchase their gaming device is all you have to feel morally reprehensible about in this crazy world..then consider yourself lucky.

[coder_slynk]

Ah, yes, finding something morally reprehensible means that's the *only* thing I find morally reprehensible. Yup, makes total sense.

I think using your financial means to manipulate prices is an awful thing to do, whether you're an individual or a mega corporation. And, no, it's not the only thing in the world that outrages me.

I'm a machine learning engineer in health care. I've had patients personally shake my hand and thank me for my work that has saved their lives. And what do I use to train this life saving technology? Graphics cards.