Even the PS5 DualSense Charging Station Has Been Hit by Scalpers

Fantastic, just great!

I just want to tell the people buying this that you can charge a controller using any other USB outlet. It doesn't have to be plugged into the console itself. Use your PC, laptop, TV, USB ports on an extension cable, whatever.

I still not got mine from ShopTo :-/ I am sure I pre-ordered it because it said they will deliver it on day one(but after they said they can't) Oh well. I can wait I got my 3 extra pads(for Sackboy not resale) to and the Remote tho from other places so that was cool Right back to the PS5

Is it just me that doesn't care about this and sees this as perfectly fine? This is how everything in shops is sold. Product made for a fraction of the cost of what wholesalers pay. Wholesalers sell to shops for a profit. Shops sell to the common man for a further profit. This is just an opportunity to make money that people have took advantage of.

Thankgod there's a ton of controllers out there or they would be scalped also.

I walked into our local electronics retailer and bought one from them. No pre-order or nothing.
They had about 15 hanging on the displayshelf minus the one I took. I guess it all depends where you live.
Scalping should be illegal to be honest. PS5s or concerttickets, I don't care. Just ban scalping once and for all.

When I pre-ordered, I bought the console, the headset, miles Morales and the charging station. My local retailer delivered everything on the 19th (was already setting up the console at 10 AM) except the charging station, which is sold out pretty much everywhere in my country (like the rest of the world).

Haven't really seen scalpers for that yet, though. Seems a bit much

That's crazy. I would like one as well as an extra controller but as they aren't available from the usual retail channels then I'll just wait. I saw on a few places like smyths they are saying restock date is December so that's not too far away. It's a shame that these people get away with doing this but unfortunately it is people buying things off of them for stupid money that fuels them in the first place.

@OMGitsLiamT it is potentially ok, similar situations happens often with several products, and is simply taking advantage of an opportunity.
However, scalping may be considered illegal in some places, and right now they actually have a monopoly when it comes to a certain product, so they're probably walking a fine line there within a grey area

@OMGitsLiamT
I don’t think anyone is questioning the legality of scalping, just the morality of it. While no one is forcing you to pay absurd prices for products you don’t “need”, still it stands to reason, that such tactics are ***** and prey on people with low self-control.

$400.00 for a $30 item... That's a 1300% markup. Nope, don't see anything wrong with that. Supply and demand, it's just capitalism, yadda yadda. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

It’s crazy. I’ll get one when they become available in stock again. No rush for me. This and the Pulse Headset I can wait for

Just use your smartphone or ipad usb-c to charge, I charged my dualshock 4 using samsung micro-usb charger for 3+ years and the gamepad is still fine.

@UnlimitedSevens
Maybe I took your comment the wrong way, but blaming human nature on capitalism - which imo is still the relatively “fairest” economic system - is also not constructive.

@wiiware @Matroska people just don't seem to understand this fact.

They act like they absolutely have to charge from either the console or these overpriced (even at RRP) 'charging stations'

The one thing I could t get but really wanted sadly , the cable option is fine for now but as soon as I can get one I will . Thought I’d have a look to see if restocks had taken place yesterday and was shocked at these prices, the only good thing I can take from this is if Sony gets stock out there quick these guys will be left having to sell at lower than they bought it for - ala halo 2 steel book

Yes I am after one and have noticed that they have been scalped. Seems silly though as the profit margin isn't as good and it's so much more of a luxury than the PS5.

I will happily wait for them to come back in stock, as no chance I am paying over RRP.

@MemSec

Nah, not at all - I was being a bit snarky about the go-to defense scalpers use when confronted about their bad behavior. They always say something along the lines of, "It's just capitalism".

Even if we could accept saying it's just capitalism somehow made this practice ethical, the whole argument misapplies the principles of supply and demand. Scalpers are independent actors who contribute absolutely nothing to the product they are profiting from. They are not traditional resellers, i.e. Wal-Mart. Resellers charge a mark-up, it's true, but they have the right to do that because they pay rent on floor space, pay for employees, and generally offer accessibility to a product. That's a tangible service you can put a price on.

Scalpers are not "resellers" in a traditional sense. They offer nothing to the value chain for end consumers. Not convenience or accessibility like a normal retailer. They contributed absolutely nothing to the product, and yet expect the right to profit from it. That's plain wrong. They are selfish people who use vague economic terms to justify something that is obviously reprehensible.

I'd go so far as to just stop short of calling it theft. And it is illegal... in some places. The law just hasn't caught up in most areas yet. It's getting worse every year in a variety of industries so I expect they will eventually go too far and trigger some legislation.

I've been wanting and trying to get this charging station and I just can't get it.

@Matroska that is why I have USB hubs to charge things like this, those disgusting scalpers really do leave a bad taste in my mouth tho

The scalpers should be considered as criminals.
The things that bought in massive units then being priced tag with insane prices is a crime.
Police department should arrest those scalpers for ruining the business of video games.

@UnlimitedSevens
On principle I agree with everything you wrote. There needs to be regulation for such cases, but the implementation seems difficult for me. Where do you draw the line? Do you only allow for everybody to only order one piece of every product? Or 5? Where does it not potentially impact your basic rights of ownership?
I think it should be the responsibility of retailers to provide safeguards against bulk purchases as well as against the use of bots and other shady methods. Sadly they are not motivated financially in doing so. A regulatory imposition to compel retailers for this may be a good solution.

@Anti-Matter The problem is that would criminalise loads of things like pretty much most commercial activity where things are sold for a lot more than they cost to make. I agree these guys are ***** but you can't really legislate against it without basically criminalising the free market and supply and demand.

Although, I don't agree with it, I understand why someone might be in a position where they would pay an absurd premium to get a next-gen console.

If you pay £99 for a £30 charging station you either have so much money you don't care about it or are terribly stupid.

I mean, it isn't even remotely needed to enjoy the console. It is just a convenience accessory.

@MemSec

Agreed. I think this scalping situation is the result of a power imbalance between the manufacturer (Sony) and the retailers (Wal-Mart).

Wal-Mart does not need Sony's products - they sell thousands of different products and their bottom line wouldn't even dent if Sony pulled their stock. Sony on the other hand needs Wal-Mart badly, because they are a huge chain in the US and that's a primary market. Not having consoles on shelves there would hurt their revenue. Huge power imbalance. Sony is in no position to hold Wal-Mart accountable on any level or require safeguards at checkout to prevent scalping. Wal-Mart and other big retailers simply couldnt care less if scalpers get all the stock as long as it sells. This has been a legacy issue for years with other luxury products, particularly with Wal-Mart due to their atrocious online ordering systems and sloppy re-stocks. They just have no incentive to change.

Regarding the other point about not infringing upon legitimate buyers and seller's ability to buy/sell these things, I couldn't agree more. A new system to mitigate these bots would need to be carefully implemented for sure.

If retailers don't step up, it will be legislated... eventually. But probably not for awhile yet. Interestingly, it kind of warms my heart to see these scalping groups brazenly publicize what they are doing. In the past, they were quiet about it. It only hastens the inevitable regulation, and I look forward to a day when scalpers are completely cut out and never darken our doorsteps again. If they want a cut of the action, they need to go through proper channels and put in the work.

Capitalism isn't something for nothing, it's a give and take system. Scalpers are not playing by the rules.

This is nothing ,there's quite a few cheeky scamps selling photos of the ps5 on ebay for the same price as the console and some short sighted gamers are bidding on them,one thoughtful soul even stated in the description that he would print off the photo same day and post first class ,what a champ.

@vapidwolf

I think those eBay listings are trolling the actual scalpers. There's a lot of guerilla warfare going on on eBay right now between scalpers and well, let's call them "anti-scalpers". There was even an article about how one guy made a bot program to bid up all scalped console listings to insane prices, tens of thousands of dollars, of course with the intention being to never to actually pay the amount and force it to be relisted.

There are Facebook groups dedicated to meeting with scalpers selling consoles through Craislist/Facebook Marketplace and standing them up. The goal is to make them drive as far away as possible with the intention of wasting the maximum amount of time possible.

I don't know if it's right or mature to do these things to annoy scalpers, it's kind of sinking to their level in a way. I have mixed feelings about it.

@UnlimitedSevens
I don’t think that Sony (or other console manufacturers) are unhappy with the current situation. Sure, bad publicity hurts their image, but they can easily distance themselves from it by blaming retailers. They have sold through all their consoles, and I don’t imagine there will be too many unused ones in scalpers hands for long, with missing digital game and service sales. Nintendo is even famous for using artificial scarcity to boost demand for it’s products in a similar matter, playing into the hands of scalpers.
While it would be nice to see this problem solved, I am more pessimistic about this outcome...

@MemSec

Yes, the wheels of change move slowly unfortunately. I can say two things with relative certainty:

1.) Scalpers will become more and more bold, and continue to increasingly scalp luxury items (shoes, action figures, concert tickets, electronics) each passing year. This will get much worse before it gets better.

2.) There will be a critical mass breaking point where it corrupts the buy/sell process so much, regulation will be introduced. I don't know if that will be new laws, or just new retailer policies, or both.

I think these things are givens, but I have no idea of the timeline. I'm guessing many, many years down the road.

Just buy another cable to charge a second controller.....

@Killerlightning I have better things to do than that. Seems you have sourgrapes about it though. Those trainers you wear, cost a tiny amount to make compared to what you paid. What's the difference? People have identified a money making opportunity that's legal. No issue there in my eyes, though I wouldn't do it personally.

As much as I hate these scalpers, I can't but also hate these morons who are paying these prices in the first place. Why?! Just wait and feel better about not giving your money to a scumbag. Especially for something as superflous as a controller charger!!

@UnlimitedSevens
Another important thing would be to boost awareness for the problem and convince as many people as possible to not give in to purchasing from scalpers. Patience is virtue, everyone! Let the stock rot on them, so they bankrupt themselves... 😎

@MemSec @Gilvin if it's illegal in their residence, 100% shouldn't be happening. And yes the morality of it is borderline. I'm just offering an alternative view to things and how it's no different to everything around us. Where there is supply and demand, money is there to be made.

I really hate Scalpers with a passion.But like @tomassi says,the idiots paying the ridiculous prices are partly to blame.If no one paid them then we wouldn't have this problem.

So glad I got mine with Base in bundle with Ps5.

@OMGitsLiamT
Your reasoning is faulty because scalpers are (partially) responsible for the demand, by bulk purchasing of products, and scamming legitimate costumers by cutting the lines with bots and DDOS in online orders.

@OMGitsLiamT

I get it's inevitable for a small percentage of people to be scumbags. And it's not illegal in most places. Can we agree that doesn't make it right? Sometimes the law and ethics don't line up 100%.

Food for thought: In my home state of Washington, it's not illegal to have sex with animals. Say I were really attracted to horses. I probably still wouldn't go to town on one because of the ethical part of that equation, even though nothing is technically preventing me. I'd feel bad for the horse.

My point is... scalping is like bestiality lol.

Well... you get what I was trying to say anyways.

@MemSec 100% agree with you. There were never enough consoles produced to meet demand. The issue lies solely with the people buying them though.

@UnlimitedSevens LMAO I'm lost on what to say to that. It isn't right (scalping and beastiality) though. I'm just offering alternative views to this and by no means am I sticking up for them.

@MPaulson @wiiware @Matroska Shhhhh. You're stopping scalpers making money from people with more money than sense.

I was blessed to actually get the PS5 console, extra controller and charging station from Play Station Direct. I have not seen any new PS5 accessories in stores here in the US at all. As for the high prices, I can't believe people would actually buy something that high prices. Eventually the items will be back in stores. Why spend hundreds of dollars like that? I guess they are rich people

I managed to get one from stockinformer.co.uk
Stay away from eBay scalpers.
It's really not worth it.
Good luck.

@OMGitsLiamT @MemSec For me, I'm not so much worried about the people with no self control... The problem is more about how this robs the people who won't/can't pay this amount of the opportunity to buy a product they want. Seems like anyone who doesn't care about these practices are the ones who had no interest in the product to begin with, or already have it.

TLDR: Scalping takes capitalism's penchant for catering to those with the most money and really cranks it to 11.

Scalping is going to destroy your chances of getting any well made collector's edition. The moment anything really popular or made with high quality gets released, scalpers are going to grab them all. They'll release numbered editions that only have 2,000 and every single one is going to be sold on eBay. At this point, there is probably full scale scalping "companies" that sit in a room all day figuring out what items to "invest" in for resale. At one point does their efforts qualify them as a business and become subject to taxes and regulations?

Would love Sony to flood the market with the charging dock and console and leave all these scalpers with stock they can’t sell and of course Microsoft as well.

@zupertramp I have the PS5 but would still see this the same way. Ive missed out on stuff before, most recently the switch during lockdown when supply couldn't keep up with demand. I didn't pay the extortionate prices on eBay etc, but other people still did. Again, where there is supply there is demand. I know this isn't the same but it's a very close example.

@dezzy70 if that was possible, it would be sweet TBF

Scalpers will stop or sell at retail prices when people stop buying from them. Easier said than done with our frenzied consumerism and need for the newest things.

@OMGitsLiamT Yeah but again, I'm not talking about the people willing to pay the high prices, it's the people who can't I sympathize with. Sure no one said life was gonna be fair but it's a little annoying to see something like a new gaming system that's initially only available to the rich and the lucky.

@JoshuaTChandler This. It's like every time something nice comes out, all the people with regular day jobs gotta worry if buying it is even possible. All because these middle man companies are inserting themselves into the equation. I wasn't even trying to get a PS5 but I understand it's probably only gonna get worse and it's going to make other stuff harder to come by.

@zupertramp I remember my rich/lucky uncle in the 90s buying a DVD player when they first came out. Cost a fortune. We didn't have one. 6 months later, every shop is full of them at half the price, half the size etc etc. Without scalpers, there would still be the overall majority of people without the PS5. So many whine and moan. Yet remove the issues placed in front of them, their 'anger' would be aimed elsewhere instead.

@OMGitsLiamT I take your point but, to be clear, if Sony was selling a $1000 console I'd really have no problem. I mean I'm not upset that I can afford a Corolla but not a Bugatti. That's life. But this artificial inflation is bothersome.

The PS5 doesn't actually need to cost 2k. And in my view, when you take something that's basically affordable but then price almost everyone out of the market, you're bypassing the good faith arrangement that's supposed to exist between consumer and merchant.

In any case, I do see where you are coming from and don't begrudge anyone with a more chill attitude toward scalping, but I did want to clarify exactly why it makes me uncomfortable, for what it's worth.

I don't know who I hate more. The Scalpers or the people that buy from them. Screw it, they can both go to hell.

USB C charger with 3 slots is €14,99.🤪

Spent a lovely evening going down all the scalpers listings reporting them. Might not do anything but I felt better. lol

Back in stock in Amazon.es. But remember you'll also need to get a UK Fig8 3 pin plug.

https://www.amazon.es/Estaci%C3%B3n-recarga-DualSense-PlayStation-5/dp/B08H97WTBL/ref=sr_1_2?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=dualsense&qid=1606408181&sr=8-2&th=1

EDIT: And in the space of 5mins they are now gone again! Crazy!