Why You’re Still Not Able to Buy a PlayStation 5

Have you been able to buy a PlayStation 5? For most people, the answer is no. The console’s stock is minimal, and it isn’t easy to get for any price that a reseller hasn’t significantly marked up.

In fact, Sony reported 4.5 million sales on the unit within their third-quarter report, proving the atrocious demand for the console just months after the release. 

If you’ve been monitoring your local release dates, the speed at which the PlayStation 5 sells out has likely become apparent. In many cases, they’ll be gone within minutes. Because of some behind-the-scenes production issues involving semiconductor shortages, Sony hasn’t been able to produce the console at a rate that keeps up with demand. 

On top of that, resellers are running wild, as VGChartz analysts have claimed that up to 15% of PlayStation 5 consoles end up being resold on popular marketplaces like eBay. Unfortunately, the market is subjected to shopping bots that overload retailers with mass order forms, allowing a user to buy (and later resell) the console in bulk. 

During one of Walmart’s discount runs, a whopping 20 million bot orders were intercepted within the first 30 minutes of release, leading to the cancellation of over 1,000 bot-led orders. For some, this process of buying and reselling can lead to 5 figure profits. Although Imperva companies are working to make the botting less prominent, the programs still pose a serious issue. 

Obviously, battling bots and shortages makes the process of getting your hands on one of these units difficult. Interestingly enough, however, the shortage has made consumers more interested in Sony’s product and will promote trigger-finger purchases on the PlayStation 5 whenever production is optimized. 

For those looking to purchase a PlayStation 5, the best thing to do is hope. As Sony continues to produce them, more opportunities to buy one will arise. 

Similarly, adding more consoles to the market will dilute resellers. If people continue to resell the consoles, having a wider inventory to choose from will inevitably lead to lower prices. For that reason, it’s not going to get any worse.