Ebay'ing an Xbox 360

Archgarth

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As most of us remember it happening back when the PS2 came out, a lot of people are probably planning on trying to make a profit by selling the Xbox 360 over ebay during the initial shortages.

Personally, working at a retailer, I could pick some up before we open, sell them, and with the profit buy myself an Xbox 360, but I'm still wondering it it would be worth the ebay hassle.

Is anybody else thinking about doing this?
 
it might not be thought of as a good thing to do around here, being considered "hoarding", but why not, i work at sears, and im gonna buy all 10 units we get in and ebay em.
 
Of course people are thinking of doing this. If I can get to Best Buy or Walmart on the 22nd and buy two systems, sell them both and make enough profit to cover the cost of one for myself, that's what I'm going to do. I'm pretty lazy though so I doubt I'll actually get around to it...
 
I don't have a credit card(too much temptation in college), but I might just open an account before launch. There's bound to be some desperate parent who wants to get one for their spoiled little accident.
 
[quote name='imamario02']it might not be thought of as a good thing to do around here, being considered "hoarding", but why not, i work at sears, and im gonna buy all 10 units we get in and ebay em.[/QUOTE]

I always attributed "hoarding" to picking up ton's of cheap games at a clearance that people want and then selling them for twice the price paid. With the 360, we're paying full price for them ;)
 
[quote name='Archgarth']I always attributed "hoarding" to picking up ton's of cheap games at a clearance that people want and then selling them for twice the price paid. With the 360, we're paying full price for them ;)[/QUOTE]


...you're paying full price for them but then eBay'ing them for inflated prices. That's the OPs point - he buys 3 at retail, sells 2 on eBay at 50% mark-up, and keeps the 3rd for, essentially, free.
 
Well I've been checking to see how much the consoles were going for already and they're selling for around $500 - 800, and thats just for preorders of the X360.

I'm guessing if you have an actual picture and start selling it probably the monday after the launch (let the kids play it at their friends house for the weekend), you're probably looking on the higher end of $800+ for the thing, making you get almost double the amount you paid for.
 
[quote name='Archgarth']I always attributed "hoarding" to picking up ton's of cheap games at a clearance that people want and then selling them for twice the price paid...[/QUOTE]

Only twice the price paid?! I've seen multiple geniuses around here asking 4-6 times the clearance price asking price for certain games. While there may not be enough 360 systems to go around this holiday season, CAG has more than enough greed to last the whole year through. :D
 
I hope all you guys hoarding (especially the guy buying all 10 at Sears) get screwed. Hopefully there will be a sufficient amount once they launch and you will have to sell them for cost (minus fees of course) and lose/break even :)
 
I'm putting mine on eBay if I can make at least a $100

I can live without a 360 until after Christmas; I have finals to keep me busy!
 
It looks like the price is between 200 - 500 right now. Not worth it right now. Make a whole $50 after taxes.
 
[quote name='Staind204']I hope all you guys hoarding (especially the guy buying all 10 at Sears) get screwed. Hopefully there will be a sufficient amount once they launch and you will have to sell them for cost (minus fees of course) and lose/break even :)[/QUOTE]

You've never been on the internet for a console launch at Christmas have you? Halo Xbox, which weren't even launched during the Holidays were clearing $350 which was double the retail. The 360 is going to clear at least double.
 
i get my 10% off at sears, have 30 days to return, start bidding at 400$ and i make 40$ instantly, and what the worst that happens i have to pay ebay fees because they don't sell, not a big loss to me even if i sell one....
 
[quote name='maddfrog']Well I've been checking to see how much the consoles were going for already and they're selling for around $500 - 800, and thats just for preorders of the X360.

I'm guessing if you have an actual picture and start selling it probably the monday after the launch (let the kids play it at their friends house for the weekend), you're probably looking on the higher end of $800+ for the thing, making you get almost double the amount you paid for.[/QUOTE]

I disagree. If it is anything like the PS2 shortage, you need to get your auction in there the same day as the 360 launches at the latest. Put a BIN of around $800 and just see what happens. I put two PS2s on eBay on launch day and made over $500 on each. If I would have put that auction in a couple days earlier, I would have made over a thousand on each. BTW, I had no retail connection, I just got up at 5:00 am and hit BB and CC and scored one at each (after waiting all night at Wal-Mart to get one at midnight).

eBay is going to be flooded with 360s after the launch so you need to get an auction on there as soon as possible to make it worth your while.
 
[quote name='imamario02']i get my 10% off at sears, have 30 days to return, start bidding at 400$ and i make 40$ instantly, and what the worst that happens i have to pay ebay fees because they don't sell, not a big loss to me even if i sell one....[/QUOTE]


Yeah well you're an asshole for doing that, certain people (like myself) would like to get one at launch to play. I sure as hell ain't paying some hoarding asshole an extra $100 on ebay to get one.
 
[quote name='Staind204']Yeah well you're an asshole for doing that, certain people (like myself) would like to get one at launch to play. I sure as hell ain't paying some hoarding asshole an extra $100 on ebay to get one.[/QUOTE]

funny thing is i could give a rat's ass what you think, im gonna make a $1000 bucks for my holiday shopping, just like that.... and who knows you just might be buying a 360 off an asshole like me cause you can't pick one up at the store b/c of assholes like me :lol:
 
Yeah well I think theres a difference in being a cheap ass gamer (looking for deals, finding bargains,etc) and just being a fucking prick.. you are the latter.
 
I'm getting one for free from one of those referral sites, and I think I am probably going to sell it if the prices are sufficiently high enough. I'm afraid that ebay might get saturated with people trying to sell theirs and that they will only go for $500 or so. A $100 profit to me is not worth it (I will eventually be buying one down the road, but I can wait) but if I can make $400 selling the console and then just wait a month or two and pick up another I will definitely sell.
 
like i said, don't care :) have fun shopping, oh yea, and i do have mine preordered at gamerush paid in full, because i was smart and didn't wait like the rest of the people that are going to pay exhuberant prices...
 
[quote name='lebowsky']I disagree. If it is anything like the PS2 shortage, you need to get your auction in there the same day as the 360 launches at the latest. Put a BIN of around $800 and just see what happens. I put two PS2s on eBay on launch day and made over $500 on each. If I would have put that auction in a couple days earlier, I would have made over a thousand on each. BTW, I had no retail connection, I just got up at 5:00 am and hit BB and CC and scored one at each (after waiting all night at Wal-Mart to get one at midnight).

eBay is going to be flooded with 360s after the launch so you need to get an auction on there as soon as possible to make it worth your while.[/QUOTE]

Well, I stand corrected :lol: But you probably are right, since people are going to be bumbed out by not getting one that day at a b&m, so they'll turn to ebay.
 
I may be in the vast minority here, but doesn't this look a lot like the PSP launch? Million Consoles shipped, rumored shortages, high price tag, large launch lineup. I guess it does make a difference being close to Christmas, but I'd be a little leary about buying 10 extra for the sole intent to make a killing on eBay. As with the PSP, you couldn't find one to buy for OVER $250. It was definately a buyer's market....
 
Seriously, if you were a true cheap ass you would wait for a price drop and not care what everyone else is selling their console for. When you stand at making $200 a pop, I'm sure nobody is going to blame you.
 
Thought about doing this....
But I just can't get the past the fact of being lower than a shit nut, and karma is a real bitch.

*Added*

Congratulations on whatever profit you make, but I hope you get stuck with your stack of 360s selling for $399 + shipping. (PSP anyone?)
Then again, in doing so, you are also the same type of worthless asshole who charges 15 bucks to ship a PS2 game media mail, so you should come out good.

There will be plenty guys, the shortage will last maybe a week, just like any launch. And yes, I pulled that guess from straight out of my ass.
 
[quote name='encendido5']Seriously, if you were a true cheap ass you would wait for a price drop and not care what everyone else is selling their console for. When you stand at making $200 a pop, I'm sure nobody is going to blame you.[/QUOTE]

Only a lot of people are going to try...
 
Supply and demand people. Noone is evil for wanting to make money to help pay for the gaming habit. If I have an Xbox 360 and the market is getting $800 for it then I will sell it. If I have an Xbox 360 and they are selling for $450 on ebay it won't be worth it. It is my decision and the going price is going off demand and supply. If you think that much money is too much to spend on an Xbox 360 then don't buy it. Life isn't fair. Grow up and get used to it and quit bitching on these boards about hoarders.
 
[quote name='bskeillor']I may be in the vast minority here, but doesn't this look a lot like the PSP launch? Million Consoles shipped, rumored shortages, high price tag, large launch lineup. I guess it does make a difference being close to Christmas, but I'd be a little leary about buying 10 extra for the sole intent to make a killing on eBay. As with the PSP, you couldn't find one to buy for OVER $250. It was definately a buyer's market....[/QUOTE]
I think there were more PSP's to go around, though. I know I picked up two, and put one up on eBay. I pretty much broke even on that one. On one hand, I was disappointed that I didn't make a profit, and on the other Sony-hating hand, I was excited that the thing wasn't selling well. A couple months later, I wish I'd sold the other one too, because this system is the biggest waste of money I've ever bought (not just including video games and systems).
 
[quote name='Purkeynator']Supply and demand people. Noone is evil for wanting to make money to help pay for the gaming habit. If I have an Xbox 360 and the market is getting $800 for it then I will sell it. If I have an Xbox 360 and they are selling for $450 on ebay it won't be worth it. It is my decision and the going price is going off demand and supply. If you think that much money is too much to spend on an Xbox 360 then don't buy it. Life isn't fair. Grow up and get used to it and quit bitching on these boards about hoarders.[/QUOTE]

You are correct, supply and demand. Noone is evil for making money to help pay for their gaming habit, correct again.
The problem isn't with somebody getting an extra one or maybe even two. Hey, if they want to fight that crowd or pre-ordered, more power to them. The problem is there is a limit of self control. There's a thin line where it becomes supporting your habit, and simply hoarding being greedy.

Hey, Microsoft and oil companies are simply trying to pay for their habits too. :) And that hurts noone.
 
[quote name='Purkeynator']Supply and demand people. Noone is evil for wanting to make money to help pay for the gaming habit. If I have an Xbox 360 and the market is getting $800 for it then I will sell it. If I have an Xbox 360 and they are selling for $450 on ebay it won't be worth it. It is my decision and the going price is going off demand and supply. If you think that much money is too much to spend on an Xbox 360 then don't buy it. Life isn't fair. Grow up and get used to it and quit bitching on these boards about hoarders.[/QUOTE]

Seriously. If you want one bad enough you can buy one at launch no matter what. Just get your ass to a store not taking pre-orders. It's not that tough.
 
Why do people have to have this on launch day, unless of course you are a fan or hardcore gamer? There will be more available after the launch day. People are acting like it will only be for sale on launch day and if you don't get one that day, you are SOL.

I am not going to buy one, but out of curiosity, I will go check out the local retailers and see if the lines have started when it come closer to launch.

If anyone wants me to stand in line for them and pick up an Xbox I'll do it for exact cost + shipping + a little something (game or money).
 
I'd say if your smart about it and are working for it, why not. If you are willing to stay up in a line for hours just to do this, so that some rich ass person who is to lazy or too important to do it themselves later pays 2x or whatever more for it, I'd say go for it. If people who wanted the system didnt preorder in time and actually wanted it, thats all on them.
 
It's just easier to go when you know everybody has them in stock. Otherwise you'll be checking back frequently and making the rounds only to be shut out. Or worse, "Yeah, we just got a bunch more in and I just sold the last one 10 minutes ago." I remember looking for a slim PS2 and nobody had em, but on a whim I went into Meijers and they had a stack of them.
 
i might try and buy one on launch to sell for the profit, since i don't have a job this semester. i have a cool $500 in the bank account that i wouldn't mind at all turning into $700.
 
Unless you're insane, just wait. History has proven this system will price drop at LEAST 50 bucks within 6 months. Why does someone need it NOW anyway? There are no must-have games right out of the gate (and this is coming from someone who wants to see the system succeed). If you wait a few months, not only will there be more (and better) games out, but the price will be lower and there's a good chance the hardware itself will be touched up a bit from the first batch.

Take it from someone who got an XBox at midnight launch, with its high price tag, no extras, and crappy Thompson DVD drive: wait.

As for the person who is buying six dozen and plans on ebaying all of them...good luck. I have a feeling this "shortage" (wink, wink) is being a bit overhyped.
 
i've heard Kameo is a must have. it sounds really good to me. and it's about time MS's console line had a killer platformer type game.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']Unless you're insane, just wait. History has proven this system will price drop at LEAST 50 bucks within 6 months. Why does someone need it NOW anyway? There are no must-have games right out of the gate (and this is coming from someone who wants to see the system succeed). If you wait a few months, not only will there be more (and better) games out, but the price will be lower and there's a good chance the hardware itself will be touched up a bit from the first batch.

Take it from someone who got an XBox at midnight launch, with its high price tag, no extras, and crappy Thompson DVD drive: wait.

As for the person who is buying six dozen and plans on ebaying all of them...good luck. I have a feeling this "shortage" (wink, wink) is being a bit overhyped.[/QUOTE]


Because we don't know how long would the Limited edition bundle be avaiable since I need to use that HDD, Component Cable, and the Live Mic out of the box. Buy now or pay much much more for later ;)
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']Why does someone need it NOW anyway?[/QUOTE]

I understand that the initial batch of systems will include DVD or media center remote that later systems will not. If you don't buy the system now, you may have to wait a while, and even after the eventual price drop, you won't get the remote, making your savlings from the price drop that much less. :cry:
 
comparing this to the PSP launch is poor judgment for several reasons.

1) The PSP is a portable system, I only know one person who actually bought one. While virtually all my friends have a PS2 or Xbox, once you reach a certain age it is generally considered "uncool" to play video games in public areas (and why else would you need a portable system). The last gameboy I purchased was the GBC. But apparently there is nothing wrong with having a console system to play on your television.

2) Furthermore, it is the christmas season, the PSP was launched in like february or march as I recall, after kids have already spent their christmas money. In addition, there is always something that becomes the "it" toy of the holiday. Xbox could very well be that, if the shortages are actually true (I have speculated that Microsoft is just trying to make it appear that there is a shortage immediately to drive up demand).

And to people who say they hope you lose money, it is virtually impossible. You will have thirty days to return them to the store. This is basically a riskless investment. If I actually believe that there is going to be a large shortage, I will have no qualms about maxing out my credit cards by filling them with xbox 360s. I did not preorder this time since I ordered several PSPs and ended up cancelling them when I walked into Wal-Mart a few days after launch and saw 30+ stacked in a case and a worker told me that they had only sold three since release.
 
[quote name='Sulmona']While virtually all my friends have a PS2 or Xbox, once you reach a certain age it is generally considered "uncool" to play video games in public areas (and why else would you need a portable system). [/QUOTE]

Hahaha people actually do things based on what's "cool" - what a sad way to live. I play my PSP and GBA in public every single day for about 3 hours on my way to and from work. So you mean people might think I'm not "cool" or something? Oh no!!! I think I'm going to have to go home early, sit in my bedroom, put on some Linkin Park or Good Charlotte and contemplate killing myself...
 
[quote name='imamario02']i get my 10% off at sears, have 30 days to return, start bidding at 400$ and i make 40$ instantly, and what the worst that happens i have to pay ebay fees because they don't sell, not a big loss to me even if i sell one....[/QUOTE]

Here's some advice: don't get caught!

Good luck!
 
Preorder one on BestBuy.com last week and called and cancelled the rest of the games bundled with it. So, I didn't have to worry about the 600.00 price they were asking for. That should ship on launch and I will may or may not put it on ebay just yet. I sold 10 PS2 slims and 10 NDSs last year and made 1000.00 PROFIT between Dec 15-16. People were so desperate that I had people messaging me on ebay to meet me at my local malls and to accept cash. This is when I want to sell the 360s. I guess Ill wait in line at Wal-Mart next monday night with some friends to pick up as many as I can. I love the Christmas season.
 
[quote name='imamario02']it might not be thought of as a good thing to do around here, being considered "hoarding", but why not, i work at sears, and im gonna buy all 10 units we get in and ebay em.[/QUOTE]

I'm not one to judge, do what you want I say, but you don't think any managers at Sears or higher ups than you might have something to say about this plan of yours? It's a pretty big ticket item that a lot of people want and you are going to buy all of them the store receives? I don't think the managers will look kindly on that when customers start the bitching when they come in as soon as you open on the 22nd and all the 360s are already sold, to an employee. Good luck explaining it to your supervisors as you walk out of the store with all of the units they received.
 
[quote name='scsg75']I'm not one to judge, do what you want I say, but you don't think any managers at Sears or higher ups than you might have something to say about this plan of yours? It's a pretty big ticket item that a lot of people want and you are going to buy all of them the store receives? I don't think the managers will look kindly on that when customers start the bitching when they come in as soon as you open on the 22nd and all the 360s are already sold, to an employee. Good luck explaining it to your supervisors as you walk out of the store with all of the units they received.[/QUOTE]

Ditto. If the OP has been wanting to look for a new job, this is the perfect way to get that wish.
 
I was lucky enough to win one during the MD contest, and if all goes well will have that one next Saturday. I will use that one for picture taking purposes and make my listings right then for the two I have pre-ordered that I will pick up first thing Tuesday morning. I hope I will sell the 2 I list with a "Buy it Now" option of around $750.00 plus shipping and then take them right to the post office and ship them right out, to the auction winners.

p.s.
I might get rid of the one I won also, the 360 just is not making me think that I need to have one right now, if you know what I mean.
 
regardless of what u may think, many people feel this way (i see far more young kids with gameboys than teens or adult, and quite frankly I don't see anyone with a PSP), i was making a broad generalization as i myself do not really give a shit what someone does with his or her time, apparently u seem to view my statement as an attack on your lifestyle.


[quote name='javeryh']Hahaha people actually do things based on what's "cool" - what a sad way to live. I play my PSP and GBA in public every single day for about 3 hours on my way to and from work. So you mean people might think I'm not "cool" or something? Oh no!!! I think I'm going to have to go home early, sit in my bedroom, put on some Linkin Park or Good Charlotte and contemplate killing myself...[/QUOTE]
 
[quote name='Sulmona']regardless of what u may think, many people feel this way (i see far more young kids with gameboys than teens or adult, and quite frankly I don't see anyone with a PSP), i was making a broad generalization as i myself do not really give a shit what someone does with his or her time, apparently u seem to view my statement as an attack on your lifestyle.[/QUOTE]

I didn't view it as an attack on anything. I just can't believe that you actually know people like this (I know they exist - probably 90% of all teenagers base every action on what's perceived as cool by the people around them). I haven't been in high school in a long time so I tend to forget that people are actually caught up in this sort of thing. I think it's hilarious that people would base their actions on what someone they won't see more than 3 times in their life after graduation may think about it. Also, from my personal experience, I see a lot more PSPs lately in the commuter realm than GBAs (but I see quite a bit of each, actually). I really don't think there is a perception of cool or uncool regarding portable gaming anywhere except school.
 
[quote name='MaxBiaggi3']I understand that the initial batch of systems will include DVD or media center remote that later systems will not. If you don't buy the system now, you may have to wait a while, and even after the eventual price drop, you won't get the remote, making your savlings from the price drop that much less. :cry:[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind this is a "mini" remote and not the actual $30 full size remote. I don't remember what is missing but it might have been the media center buttons such as "pause" live tv and things of that nature.
 
What bothers me about this is the risk of chargebacks. You buy a $300 or $400 system, what happens if the buyer does a Paypal chargeback or credit card chargeback, then you are out all your profit plus the cost of the system. I hear that kind of stuff happening with electronics on EBay all the time. I was considering buying an extra system to EBay and make a quick $200 or $250 but I don't want to take the chance of dealing with a scammer who will do a chargeback.
 
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