Steam Machine Scalpers List Reservations at $1,700+
▼ Summary
– Scalpers are selling the Steam Machine at nearly double MSRP, but commenters believe few will pay that price.
– One commenter suggests scalpers may strip the RAM and SSD to sell separately for profit, though others note the components’ retail prices may not yield significant profit.
– The early Japan release is seen as a mistake that enabled scalping, as it bypassed Valve’s account-based lottery system used elsewhere.
– Commenters propose Valve deter scalpers by locking devices to accounts or denying warranty to non-original buyers, though warranty laws may prevent this.
– Some users argue the Steam Machine’s MSRP is justified due to its performance in a small form factor and large Steam library, while others call it overpriced.
Scalpers have already begun listing reservations for the Steam Machine at prices exceeding $1,700, more than double the suggested retail price. The move has sparked outrage among gamers, many of whom are calling for Valve to take action against those attempting to profit from the limited supply.
Forum users were quick to point out the irony of the situation. As one commenter noted, the MSRP now looks like a genuine bargain compared to the inflated resale prices. Others suggested that scalpers may be forced to strip the hardware, selling the RAM and SSD separately just to recoup their investment. A single 16GB SO-DIMM stick can cost around $250 new, while a compatible SSD runs about $120, leaving little room for profit on the remaining unit.
Many believe Valve’s decision to launch the device earlier in Japan created a loophole for scalpers. Listings on eBay appear to originate from Japanese buyers who snapped up stock within 48 hours of release. This early sale window, critics argue, undermined the company’s own lottery system designed to curb reselling.
Several forum members expressed hope that Valve would deploy its Account Recovery Team to investigate and penalize scalpers. Suggestions included revoking access to Steam Sales or future hardware preorders, or even banning accounts outright. One user proposed locking each Steam Machine to the original purchaser’s account for six months after delivery, making it far harder to resell.
Others remain skeptical that these high-priced listings will actually sell. Some speculated that the listings are simply scalpers trying to create a false impression of demand, hoping to lure in buyers driven by FOMO (fear of missing out). If no one takes the bait, the scalpers could be stuck with units they cannot unload.
There is also debate over whether Valve bears any responsibility. While the company still makes a sale regardless of who buys the device, too much scalping can damage its reputation. That is precisely why the lottery system was introduced in the first place, yet the early Japan launch effectively bypassed those protections.
Some users defended the original MSRP, arguing that the Steam Machine offers far more performance than similarly priced mini PCs, while being significantly smaller than a DIY desktop or gaming laptop. For those with extensive Steam libraries, the price feels justified. But at $1,700 or more, even supporters agree the device becomes a hard sell.
Warranty concerns add another layer of complexity. While some suggested denying warranty claims to anyone other than the original buyer, others pointed out that product warranties typically follow the device, not the purchaser, making such a restriction illegal in many countries.
For now, the scalper listings remain a source of frustration and dark humor for the gaming community. As one user put it, hopefully every scalper loses money on the deal. Whether that hope becomes reality depends on how many buyers are willing to pay a premium for early access.
(Source: Techpowerup.com)