PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles launched back in November, but getting hold of a next-gen machine has been far from straightforward.
Perhaps surprisingly given the state of the economy, demand for PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles have far outweighed the supply.
Whenever the consoles have come back in stock, eager fans have snapped them up immediately.
Unfortunately, however, it’s not just gaming fans that have been hunting for next-gen devices. Scalpers have been stockpiling consoles in a bid to sell them on at massively inflated prices.
The issue has become so severe that UK politicians are looking at introducing new laws to deter scalpers and bots.
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As spotted by VGC, members of the Scottish National Party have tabled an early day motion to prohibit the re-selling of video game consoles at greatly inflated prices, and to make the re-sale of goods purchased using automated bots an illegal activity.
Early day motions are issues that are submitted for debate in the House of Commons. This particular motion has attracted over 25 signatures, so fingers crossed we see some progress.
The SNP Members of Parliament liken the potential legal ramifications to those introduced for the secondary selling of tickets.
Here’s the full wording of the early day motion: “This House believes that new releases of gaming consoles and computer components should be available to all customers at no more than the Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price, and not be bought in bulk by the use of automated bots which often circumvent maximum purchase quantities imposed by the retailer.
“[The motion] calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals similar to those introduced for the secondary selling of tickets, thereby prohibiting the resale of gaming consoles and computer components at prices greatly above Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price and furthermore this House; and further calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals making the resale of goods purchased using an automated bot an illegal activity, thereby denying unscrupulous vendors the chance to make themselves vast profits at the expense of genuine gamers and computer users, while also deterring fraudulent cybercriminal activity.”
While the proposals are a step in the right direction, the timings make it unlikely to make much difference for Christmas 2020.
After one or two major resupplies in recent weeks, UK stock appears to have dried up for the PS5.
Customers are now urged to check in store for local re-stocks at retailers such as GAME and Smyths.
Alternatively, it’s worth bookmarking the Stock Informer website, and following stock trackers on social media.
Express Online will also continue to post about any potential re-stocks in the UK and the US. Good luck.