Gaming Scalpers: Why They Do What They Do and How to Act Upon It

Imagine eagerly anticipating the release of a brand-new gaming console or saving up enough money to upgrade your graphics card, only to find out that it's sold out everywhere. Frustrating, right? 

So what’s the deal? You may have encountered the wrath of scalpers—opportunistic individuals who turn gaming supply shortages into profitable ventures, often at the expense of genuine gamers.

Scalpers, not sculptors! They aren’t people who take a game concept and create magnificent pieces of art from it. Instead, they’re modern-day pirates who snatch up popular items in bulk, exploit their limited supply, and then resell them at ridiculous prices, leaving many gamers feeling cheated.

If you’re unfamiliar with scalping, stick around because we'll be diving into who they are and how you can navigate this issue. 

From 60 Second Docs Official GIPHY

Consider the recent launches of the PS5 or the latest GPUs. These items are in high demand and scalpers capitalize on them like crazy. Imagine an innocent gamer wanting to bring life to his gaming experience by creating a new and modern setup. They prepare their budget, do their research, and just wait for the parts to be released. And then what happens? They don’t get the parts they want. There are two clear outcomes to this. One, the gamer delays their build because of the lack of stock. And two, the gamer pays a ridiculous price so that they can complete their build and game. 

This happens because these pirates employ bots or band together to snatch up multiple units within seconds, leaving real buyers empty-handed. 

What can you do about it? 

Stay informed: Businesses will most likely update the public about possible restocks so make sure to keep your eyes and ears open. 

Pre-order: Secure your purchase by pre-ordering items you anticipate needing upon release. 

Report the scalpers: Platforms may have anti-scalping policies. Report inflated listings to maintain an ethical market.

Have a backup plan: If you can’t get your hands on what you want, be mindful and prepare other alternatives. If you are patient enough and your gaming rig can still hold out, try to wait things out. 

From Yellowstone Official GIPHY

Money can drive people to distasteful actions. Scalpers disrupt the ecosystem, inflating prices and leaving genuine enthusiasts with a bad taste in their mouths. By understanding their tactics and taking collective action, we can right these people's wrongs.