PS5: Sony has found the perfect technique to counter scalpers – Hitek.fr

Available from November 2020, the Sony PlayStation 5 is available for sale. In turn case on paper. Because you know that this first year of the ninth generation of consoles is not easy, and succeeding in getting your hands on the beast is not easy. A finding also valid for the Xbox Series X and S because of the shortage of components. But with its phenomenal success (which Microsoft recognizes), it is especially the PS5 which is difficult to find, the few available stocks always running out in just a few minutes. Obviously, we find on the one hand the fierce and well-informed players ready to throw themselves on any console available. On the other, there is the scourge of scalpers. But Sony could finally have found the solution to fight against these individuals

Scalpers, the fear of players

If you are unfamiliar with the term “scalper”, it literally means “reseller” and refers to people who mass buy inventory of a particular product, in order to subsequently resell them on various sites at very often exorbitant prices. Obviously, most of the time these people have no interest in the product concerned and are just looking to get rich thanks to the law of supply and demand.

When, on sites like eBay or Leboncoin, there are PS5s at 800, 1000, or even 1500 euros instead of the 500 euros claimed by Sony, we say to ourselves that this has no chance of working. Still, it only takes a few desperate or impatient gamers to make these consoles go like hot cakes despite their price gouging.

For a year now, Sony has therefore been trying to fight as best it can against this morally dubious practice, with mixed success. But the rumors of the players continue to rise and the end of the year holiday season is approaching, the Japanese firm is currently implementing a new solution on a European scale to try to meet demand while fighting against scalpers.

PlayStation Direct, an online sales service without intermediaries

Yesterday, Sony therefore announced the launch in Europe of the PlayStation Direct site. It is already available in Germany, and will soon be accessible from many other European countries including Belgium, the United Kingdom, but also here in France. It is directly inspired by the American model already in place for a long time and takes up the main characteristics.

From this site, you will therefore be able to provide you with PlayStation games and accessories without having to go through a third party, both individual and retailer. If this will allow for example to buy controllers – particularly highlighted – without fear of being ripped off, this is also supposed to be the case for the PS5 itself. “Supposed”, because it is not a miracle solution: the shortage of micro-processors should continue to persist for many more months. If this PlayStation Direct therefore has the advantage of allowing pre-registration in order to be notified when consoles stocks are put online, there is no guarantee that replenishment will be commonplace.

On the other hand, it is undoubtedly an effective method of combating scalpers. Whether this method is respectful of the players is another story. The German version of the site thus indicates that home delivery of PS5 can be done free of charge, provided the buyer is already subscribed to PlayStation Plus.

A decision consistent with the choice made by the American version of the site, which only accepts reservations for consoles if you already have a history with the brand. If this is not precise, it should be understood that this free only applies to players subscribed to a PlayStation service, or already active online, or owners of an old console from the manufacturer, etc.

As a result, scalpers who have never touched the brand’s consoles (if not to resell them) will be at a disadvantage compared to a loyal player. From there to know if this approach will discourage them … We hope in any case that the stocks will be sufficient to satisfy a maximum of players at Christmas, even if nothing is less certain.