A PlayStation 5 shortage is forcing parents to use resale sites where they may have to pay up to £1,000 for the new must-have Sony console- which normally retails for £450.
A global shortage in microchips is currently affecting gaming console stocks. This has seen desperate Brits rush to find them, sometimes resorting to resale websites.
People who previously bought the consoles can sell their equipment through resale websites such as Gumtree and eBay.
Scalpers, also called dealers online stock brokers, purchase large quantities of stocks online and place them on resale websites. This allows for a huge profit.
The current shortage of microchips in the world has forced desperate Brits to scramble for gaming equipment. Many resort to resale websites (stock photo).
In some cases, consoles have been selling for 50 per cent more than the RRP of £450 as desperate shoppers scramble to get a PlayStation 5 before Christmas, according to the Mirror.
Stocks in the Xbox Series X rival to Microsoft, Sony have been also affected by a lack of microchips.
To prevent duplicate purchases, retailers limit the number of consoles that can be ordered.
In an effort to deter scalpers or enforce high resale values, retailers conduct payment checks.
To prevent duplicate purchases (stock image), some retailers limit the number of consoles they order.
More than 1 million PS5s were sold in the UK since November last year.
PS5s returned to stock last week at Argos Curry’s, Smyths Toys and Smyths Toys. Other retailers sold out of PS5s however.
Andy Robertson (editor of askaboutgames) has advised gamers not to be panicked about buying the new consoles.
Mr Robertson said: ‘I appreciate it’s the ‘must have’ gift. It’s not an authorized retailer so you have to be careful when buying from an auction site.
I suggest that parents choose the more affordable PS4 or simply wait.