Imp the Dimp
Member
No, that's their business model. You and I could literally type "market value economics" into google right now and figure out which one of us is correct. The market value isn't set by one entity. The market value of a product post-release is determined by its ebay price or scalper price, which is one and the same. Would you acknowledge that both consoles and games typically depreciate in price even if their MSRP stays constant for much longer than that? If you had to describe it in your own words, what do you think is happening there? Why can I find a PS4 Pro for $350 on ebay 18 months or so after release even though the MSRP hasn't changed? What would you name that $350 price tag if not the market value?Both Xbox and PlayStation stated that they sell consoles at a loss on purpose to get customers into their ecosystem. That’s how the market value of consoles are governed. That is a fact.
I think "desperate" is a loaded term that I reject. You're desperate for food, medicine and shelter but if your decision making is so impaired by your desperation to get a luxury cutting edge video game console, that you make financially unwise decision you later regret, I think we're not dealing with a rational actor at that point. What really happens is that customers value these products at higher price points than what the manufacturer demands. Scalpers do determine the market value. They're not extorting anyone, they don't force you to pull the trigger. They merely sell to the highest bidder who evidently valued the product at the scalper price (= market value). If you want to play games so badly, just get a PS4 on ebay. You'll be okay.You’re right that scalpers can’t demand more than what people are willing to pay, but you’re wrong about pricing. People will chalk over $2000 for a PS5 if they’re desperate enough. Scalpers do not determine market value, they only exploit the desperate.
No, I reject the framing. They make it accessible to those with little time but enough money. You know this is true which is why you're using loaded language to make their service seem exploitative.Without scalpers, the product still wouldn’t be readily available on store shelves because of the high demand. They only make the product available for the desperate. They do not help customers find a product.
By the way, at anyone following this thread: Do you notice how everyone is on their backfoot when trying to defend the anti-scalper position? I can be as aggressive as I want, because I know their position has no merit.
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