Is it worth buying PS3 just to sell on eBay for a hefty profit?

[icecubedx5]

Morally I could become the "scum" that I detest the most, those that will take away a system from a potential "Christmas gift" to a kid. Us CAG will take advantage of something like the $8.96 CC sale to increase our own game collection, yet there are those that buy 3-5 copies of each just to turn around and sell on eBay.

Then I considered buying a PS3 to sell from my topic here:

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105789

Where someone stated they would buy/sell a PS3 to give them the money to get a Nintendo Wii.

Is it worth it? I can easily take the $1200 hit to buy 2 PS3's just to sell back for hopefully $1000 each and make a tidy $800 profit. But is it worth it and is it considered "selfish" by CAG standards?

I remember when PS2 launched, people were going nuts for it on eBay. But you have to realize that the reason is this: The people that were paying $1000 for a PS2 were the "Upper Class / Rich People" that could afford it. And the reason why they were going for $1000 on eBay is because of the fact that since PS2 was a reasonable $300, just about everyone could afford one and bought it up, hence the reason why none were available and why rich people went to eBay.

But the PS3 is $500 - $600. This leads me to believe that there will be enough in stock to go around simply because the average gamer cannot afford one. Supply & demand. The reason why PS2 went for so much was because everyone could buy one, and did. I'm afraid my plan may backfire on me for PS3, that is if I decide to go through with it.

[6669]

too early to tell

[nyprimus4]

Yes yes and yes. This will be the 360 situation x1000. Don't be fooled by the 500-600 dollar price tag because only expect at the most 2 million units by X-mas which isn't even close to enough.

[dastly75]

Yes.

[nyprimus4]

I would do it but I really don't feel like going through Ebay that bad.

[sonderiaom]

If your able to, I say, whatever, go ahead and do it. Capitalize on Sony's shortages. However, again, if anyone deems to do this to the Wii, I will hunt them down.

As well, one word of advice would be to not tell anyone in person at the stores that you're putting it on ebay, as you will be gangraped.

[alongx]

It may be worth it, but it is, as you mentioned, a dick maneuver.

Suppy will be tight, but, unlike last year where the 360 was the only new hotness on store shelves, the PS3's demand may be significantly offset by the abundance of Xbox 360 and possible abundance of Wii. While there are some gamer-types who buy $1000+ consoles on eBay at launch, most of those outlandish sales go to parents looking to get the next big thing for their kids for the holidays. If there's something that's just as good - at least that's what the sales people will say when they're out of PS3s to sell - parents may opt to avoid eBay and hope that their little bastard can make due with what was in the store.

[Dr Mario Kart]

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/117/airrrrrj4.png

[DeathDealer]

nice diagram...

[dastly75]

the ps3 is just barely able to fit thru that tube

[kjauburn]

Karma may bite you in the ass. Every new release console has some lemons and what if you get one of the lemons and sell it on ebay. Wouldn't be worth the fucking hassle...

[lionheart4life]

If you don't, someone else almost certainly will.

[Roufuss]

I'm thinking of doing it to offset the cost of the PS3 I'm going to keep.

Buy 2 for $1,200, sell one for 1,000 +, and it's a PS3 for myself for $200 or less.

It's hard to say if you're going to get double what you paid like with the 360, though... too many other factors involved this time.

If you buy them though, and they aren't getting a huge profit, nothing stops you from just taking it back to the store and getting a refund. You have nothing to lose.

[btw1217]

Worse case scenario: You return the PS3 for a full refund.

[spmahn]

People don't want to pay 600 for PS3, something tells me they aren't going to want to pay 1000.

[munch]

People don't want to pay 600 for PS3, something tells me they aren't going to want to pay 1000.

Some people wouldn't pay $400 for a 360, but some were willing to pay $1,000. It's all relative.

[botticus]

Some people wouldn't pay $400 for a 360, but some were willing to pay $1,000. It's all relative.
And all of the people who are willing to pay top dollar will be there on day 1, and that's where eBay comes in. There were really only about 50k 360s sold on eBay during launch, small in the scheme of things, but a good fraction of launch units.

[Scorch]

NO!

For god's sake, people are bitching about the $600 price point, why would they pay more? If they won't buy it for $600 from EB, they won't buy it for $1200 from ebay.

[chodax]

You can always try. Cuz if all else fails, return it

[kipz]

NO!

For god's sake, people are bitching about the $600 price point, why would they pay more? If they won't buy it for $600 from EB, they won't buy it for $1200 from ebay. Becuase thier kids are spoiled brats that will whine if they don't get the ps3, and they don't wanna hear the kids whine and they can't find one in-store.

[SpikeSpiegel]

I'm going to do that. Mostly, to cover the cost of my own. I don't feel like scum if people are dumb/willing to pay double the MSRP.

People around here have money I could probably sell it for cash right at the door.

[pinebarrens]

It looks as if there is going to be a huuuge shortage, so if you can get your hands on one you should sell it for a huuuge profit.

[Apossum]

Internet gamers post that they don't want to pay 600 for PS3, something tells me everyone else will


fixed.


OP-- Sure, why not? Despite what gamers and the Penny-arcade guys say, they are in the minority. The PS3 won't fail just because they wish for it and try to minimize the impact it'll have.

The PS3 launch will be like 10 360 launches combined...not even funny.

[slidecage]

major problem is the people who say it never came. you can only insure the item for cost .... so i f you find these people get ready to lose money

[botticus]

major problem is the people who say it never came. you can only insure the item for cost .... so i f you find these people get ready to lose money
Just pay the extra money to send it registered mail then.

[horrido]

major problem is the people who say it never came. you can only insure the item for cost .... so i f you find these people get ready to lose money


???? - Who ships anything w/o getting paid FIRST?

[Ecofreak]

You've already made up your mind based on the way you worded the title of this thread. So why are you asking us?

[Pookymeister]

I plan on doing that if its possible.
And about being selfish - from the sound of it , a ton of CAGs won't be rushing out to buy one on launch because of said price anyway so they shouldn't care ;p

[Ricochet]

I'm going to do it. Thing is though, so are a bunch of other people - in fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that ebay will be flooded with ps3s, and everyone won't make the profit they're hoping for due to the increase of supply.

[Bagel Fuzzynuts]

I'm going to do it. Thing is though, so are a bunch of other people - in fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that ebay will be flooded with ps3s, and everyone won't make the profit they're hoping for due to the increase of supply.

Start your auction off at $800, take it back if no one bids. That's what I might do.

If I'm able to do this and make a little money, I'm buying a 360 and a Wii.

[IAmTheCheapestGamer]

I thought about doing this this generation of consoles, but eh, too much of a flippin hassle and too much time to waste on something that is not guaranteed to at least DOUBLE my money.

[doubledown]

I plan on getting one if GameRush stays around long enough for me to use my credit. I want to sell it and pay off bills. This would be ideal for me.

I would say that people will pay $1000 for the Ps3 if supply is at least as limited as the 360 was. People may pay more.

[Quintox]

But the PS3 is $500 - $600. This leads me to believe that there will be enough in stock to go around simply because the average gamer cannot afford one.

Exactly what I was thinking, and even though the 360 was $400, it was the first next gen system and people were dying for one (next gen console). Sony may not even have a shortage I've heard

[diablofreak]

i'm planning on doing it, but i don't want to sleep with hardcore sony fanboys out in the street the night before

oh the dilemma

maybe i can get my friend in quiet NH to get me one

[Terabyte7]

OK, the PS3 is getting a near-simultaneous worldwide launch, which means that stores that got 20 XB360's for it's launch will probably get 6-8 PS3's for launch day. At least half of them will probably be purchased with the intent on reselling, which will make the system that much more scarce for anyone who actually wants to play one. So for everyone else with enough disposable income to afford one, their only option will be eBay. And the high price will probably only attract die-hard gamers at first...the only parents that will be buying them for Christmas will be the very wealthy ones. Most kids who want a PS3 for Christmas will get a Wii or XB360. Got it?

[Pookymeister]

OK, the PS3 is getting a near-simultaneous worldwide launch, which means that stores that got 20 XB360's for it's launch will probably get 6-8 PS3's for launch day. At least half of them will probably be purchased with the intent on reselling, which will make the system that much more scarce for anyone who actually wants to play one. So for everyone else with enough disposable income to afford one, their only option will be eBay. And the high price will probably only attract die-hard gamers at first...the only parents that will be buying them for Christmas will be the very wealthy ones. Most kids who want a PS3 for Christmas will get a Wii or XB360. Got it?

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4474/3192ut9.png

[yashiroae86]

I dunno i think it would be easier to make a small profit.....like sell it for $800....but then again there are little brats that are spoiled....and stupid people that wait til the last minute....so yea its a dick move but its not your fault some people waited til the last minute.

[Walt Jay]

If you can actually find one at launch, go for it. I'd be surprised if they went for less than $1,000 on eBay around Xmas time. Take that money and go buy a 360, Wii, and some games! 8-)

[Sulik2]

I will be camping out to get a few of these. I think $1000 on ebay is conservative. With how few of these there are going to be I would think $1500 - $2000 is more likely. I will hopefully be able to build up my savings with a few PS3. And I don't feel bad doing it, honestly there are going to be thousands of people willing to pay this much. Sony should be selling them in that price range in the first place.

[radjago]

I'd say it depends on how much you value your time. You'll probably spend a lot of time waiting in line or searching high and low for available units.

[schuerm26]

Morally I could become the "scum" that I detest the most, those that will take away a system from a potential "Christmas gift" to a kid.


Think of it this way. You may be taking a potential "christmas gift" away from someone at the store, but you might be "giving" a christmas gift to someone who couldn't find one at the store. :)

Now your concept of being able to get multiple PS3's might be a little difficult since a lot of people might not even be able to get 1. If you want to do it, pre-order at multiple gamestops (or multiple stores) on the very first day so you are at the top of the list. Not sure if they are doing pre-orders but this could also allow you some extra time to gradually pay them down.

I don't see to much risk in it as others have said. Worst case scenario, you don't like the amount you get on ebay and you return it for a refund.

[spamfree2]

I'd do it if there was a more reliable way to protect me as a seller. I bet a few people will get fucked by Paypal/Ebay by chargebacks. Its not worth the risk and hassle to me.

[cjclifford]

For god's sake, people are bitching about the $600 price point, why would they pay more? If they won't buy it for $600 from EB, they won't buy it for $1200 from ebay.
Someone's a little naive. Yeah, a lot of people are complaining about the price, but a whole other set of people will more than willingly pay twice the retail just to have it first. It happened with the 360, it'll happen with the PS3.

[Quackzilla]

I am tempted, but I wouldn't want to be "that jackass".

Think of little johnny, waiting to get his brand new Playstation 3 for Christmas!
But wait, some guy bought all of them to sel on ebay. Sorry little johnny, you get a gamecube this Christmas.

hehe, the thought of little children crying always makes me laugh... serves you right, bitch! You would have just used it to play GTA and Madden!

[Legolas813]

I can't believe so many of you would do something like this. It's hard enough to get a console on launch day in the first place, and now you are taking it away from honest paying people. There should be a law against video game scalpers (or is there?).

[Purkeynator]

I can't believe so many of you would do something like this. It's hard enough to get a console on launch day in the first place, and now you are taking it away from honest paying people. There should be a law against video game scalpers (or is there?).

The law of supply and demand.

[SithFran]

Sorry little johnny, you get a gamecube this Christmas.

What's wrong with a gamecube?

You can get a new system and about 10 games for the same price! I think the kid would be better off.

[jhaymond1]

Someone early in the post said this was a "dick maneuver."

This person is stupid. What about people who cannot afford to sit and wait in line at Wal-Mart or Best Buy through the nights? What about people who didn't preorder before the release cutoff dates? Fortunately, for most CAGs, they know to preorder if they want a system, but for others who don't spend their time on websites doing what you and I are doing, eBay is the only way they will get a system close to launch.

I myself was lucky enough to get a 360 from WalMart, but all they had was core. I didn't want a core. I sold it on eBay to an older woman who was buying it for her grandson for Christmas. She noted there was no way she could sit in line for the hours I did.

Before you make stupid comments like the one above, think about those NOT like you.

Preorder a PS3 if you have the money, and if you don't want it, then sell it to someone who does.

[icruise]

I suppose there's no chance of getting a PS3 online without some ridiculous bundle for $1000+? I really don't want to wait in line for hours, especially since there's no guarantee you'd even get one.

[happy]

There's nothing wrong with doing this.

If you manage to get 2 systems at launch then good for you. That means you either got on the reserve line very early in two places or you've waited on line for a long time at a store (I doubt any store would sell you two though)... Time is money, and the people paying big ebay bucks are those who value their morning line waiting hours more than a few hundred extra $s

[Michaellvortega]

I Plan to hang out at Bestbuy over night to pick one up and get a extra1 for a purpose undetermined at this time. I don't know If I will ebay it or maybe sell it at cost plus shipping and handling here for CAGers who cant afford to miss work or don't have vacation time saved up to get one. I hope atleast Nintendo allows preorders for Wii, I need to buy one for me and one for my contest winner.

[Legolas813]

Before you make stupid comments like the one above, think about those NOT like you.

That's BS. All you people care about is helping yourself. Don't try to tell me you are doing some kind of service or good deed by taking advantage and charging way over retail.

[89]

If I can get the money, I will buy two just to sell one to make up for the money spent for the first one. So, I'll end up getting a PS3 for free :)

[icecubedx5]

Well this certainly changes things. USA and Japan PS3 shipments cut by 75% with 400,000 allocated to USA and 100,000 for Japan. Europe launch is delayed till March 2007.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/730/730814p1.html

[icruise]

Wow, 400,000 isn't much. Good luck getting even one.

[Dijital]

My wife will be coming with me and we talked it over *if* I can sell one for $1200 on ebay she will let me keep one of the two so it's like getting it for free, so here's hoping and I already have both Nov 16 and 17 off.

[crazytalkx]

If you like money ;)