Scalpers have struck again, this time targeting Sony’s PlayStation Portal handheld, which launched on Wednesday only to quickly sell out.
Sony was selling the product via its PlayStation Direct website and through retailers like Newegg, Best Buy, and Target. But all of them currently list the product as unavailable, which has given scalpers the opportunity to pounce.
Hundreds of units are now available on eBay. The only catch? Prices are about $100 to $150 over the product’s original $199 cost. One ballsy reseller is even offering it for $1,500.
(Credit: eBay)Despite the higher price and mixed reviews, some eager consumers appear to be paying up. According to eBay’s Terapeak tool, scalpers have sold close to 1,000 units since the PlayStation Portal launched on Wednesday. Many of the resold units also went for about $300.
(Credit: eBay/Terapeak)The scalping also began before Wednesday’s launch since some resellers snagged confirmed pre-orders when those began on Sept. 30.
The news doesn’t bode well for consumers hoping to snag the device during the holiday season at normal prices. Some retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart, are actually selling it, but through third-party listings that want an ungodly $479 or $499 for the handheld.
We reached out to Sony for comment on when more inventory will arrive and will update the story if we hear back. Currently, the PlayStation Direct website suggests more units will appear in “early December.”