this post was submitted on 28 Jun 2026

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298

Scalpers are already selling the Steam Machine for over $3000 on eBay despite Valve's efforts (www.tweaktown.com)

submitted 1 week ago by sanitation@lemmy.today to c/technology@lemmy.world

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[–] kamen@lemmy.world 24 points 6 days ago (1 children)

If you buy from scalpers, you're part of the problem.

[+] dustyData@lemmy.world -16 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (4 children)

“If you pirate games, you're part of the problem.”

Scalpers exists because Valve's supply chains is weak and their commerce channel is poor. If you can buy from a scalper and get the machine on launch day, or pay Valve and get it in 9 months, then the value proposition is clear and obvious. I won't defend scalpers, just like I won't defend scene pirates like FitGirl. I'm sure most of them are scammers, but scalping is a service problem as well. People are paying for convenience and access*. Similarly to stuff like ticket scalping, they are all scumbags, but they exist as a failure of marketing, not because of the moral failure of the buyers. They are just using their only means of access and convenience left, once the real seller abandoned them as customers.

EDIT: I know a lot of people will downvote due to the piracy comparison. But remember that Valve ships hardware to only 10% of the world. Specifically the global North and the westernized world. Everyone else can't even get to the lottery. On the other hand, there's no problem for most of the planet on acquiring any current console or pre-build PC. While at the same time they have publicly said they have issues acquiring their necessary OEM parts to manufacture their hardware. Valve has a supply chain problem, and scalpers are abusing that. These scalpers are not artificially creating scarcity by buying all existing stock to charge higher prices, they are abusing the already existing scarcity and extremely high demand. Scalping is a service problem, get to terms with that.

*: even if they are rich fucks with FOMO and more money than sense. They are still buying convenience that Valve can't offer right now.

[–] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 13 points 6 days ago (2 children)

“If you pirate games, you're part of the problem.”

False equivalent.

Nobody is giving Pirates money.

[–] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 5 points 6 days ago

Pirates are also not taking physical items away from people who want them.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world -2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Usenet server's subscriptions cost money and many torrent trackers rely on donations to keep up the game piracy scene. People are in fact giving pirates money.

[–] Nikelui@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Absolutely not. Scalpers thrive on scarcity (artificial or otherwise) which is why they make sure to hoard everything they can so that no one else can buy it from official channels. They bring no convenience, they are just parasites who make everything worse.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world -4 points 6 days ago

Scalpers thrive on scarcity

That is exactly my point. Valve's hands are tied, as long as they have a scarcity problem, there will be scalpers. Lottery is helping, but it is not the long term solution. Case in point, Steam Deck and Steam Controller are still the only way 90% of the planet can ever hope to acquire that hardware. I want to give my money to Valve, but they won't take it, they won't serve me as a customer. eBay sellers will.

[–] Ismay@programming.dev 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

That's a really shitty take my friend. Scalpers are people with money and time that are creating scarcity.

They're basically building a temporary monopole to impose stupid price. It should be illegal just like concert ticket reselling is being blocked in a lot of country.

They are shitty people who don't give a flying fuck about anyone else and who would sell their mother's if they could. Soulless husk

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world -1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I agree in like 99% of the times there's no scarcity and scalpers cause the scarcity artificially via wholesale of the entire stock. But this is not what is afflicting Valve. They have a supply chain issue, high problems with scarcity and scalpers are exploiting that. Blaming the buyers is akin to blaming individual torrenters for piracy. It is a service problem.

[–] Ismay@programming.dev 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Just like for any product... Give me one awaited product that didn't get recked by scalpers.

Ps5, switch 2, ... Hell even ram...

When you have enough money, scarcity is easily created. What would you want ? To have businesses to have production lines that can handle release volume? What do you do with them after, when the demand is slowing, it's faaaaaaarrrr from free.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Agreed, the point is that this applies to launch windows specially, but afterwards it is a supply and demand problem. Scum scalpers manufacturing scarcity by buying stock. It affected the PS5 launch. 6 years later, the PS5 is everywhere in brick and mortar shops. I can go buy one right now, no problem, even online if I wanted. At official prices and through legitimate channels. The Switch 2 was available in my country on launch day, Nintendo has that kind of supply chain today. Valve's Steam Deck, 4 years later, I cannot buy it, nowhere. Valve won't sell it to me. If I go to eBay, any reseller will ship it to my doorstep right away. This is an indication that Valve's problem with hardware goes beyond typical scumbag scalping. They have a supply chain problem. It is because of OEM cartels and a lack of reputation as a hardware manufacturer, perhaps. But it is there. I have never seen Valve's hardware in person, and probably never will, unless I go to the resell market.

[–] Ismay@programming.dev 1 points 5 days ago

I see your point. It's evident valve don't have the production power of a Sony (even if they got absolutely destroyed for months for each release) or Nintendo.

I don't know if it's really a "problem" per se. They're a lot smaller as a hardware builder so they can't have the same infrastructures,I don't think the demand would be strong enough. But that certainly makes them an easier target for scalpers

[–] kamen@lemmy.world -3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

You're part of the problem.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I literally cannot be part of the problem, because: first, I don't buy from scalpers, never have, never will. And secondly, Valve doesn't recognize me as a customer. For Valve I don't exist. So, no, I'm not part of the problem. I'm just pointing out the big elephant in the room. Valve's hardware supply and commerce chain sucks ass. And they will keep being abused by scumbag scalpers if they don't fix it.

[–] melfie@lemmy.zip 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

For $2000, there are pre-built mini PCs with AMD iGPUs that will run circles around the Steam Machine. Just buy one of those and install Bazzite.

[–] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 8 points 6 days ago

Or install Steam OS if you want the closest approximation of a steam machine.

(Like them or not) LTT already showed how to do that last week.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Why would anyone spend 3x the already too much for a steam machine?

Its not like they locked the os or even think the price is good. Who needs one of these this bad?

[–] explodicle@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Rich FOMO gamers

[–] Someone8765210932@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

But there is nothing you are missing out on? It's not like this is a switch, or even a steam deck. It's a small form factor PC with SteamOS preinstalled.

The only reason I could think of for buying from a scalper is if you are a journalist (or similar) and need one or multiple to review/test.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 2 points 6 days ago

Linux FOMO is finally here?

[–] DupaCycki@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Ain't nobody buying it for the official price, let alone twice that lol

[–] Eezyville@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 days ago

It will be sold out in hours.

[–] vane@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Hmm maybe I should start selling SteamOS usb sticks with auto install.

[–] Hxrmit@thelemmy.club 3 points 6 days ago

Hot take: You don't have to buy an overpriced cube, just get a used laptop that's 5 years old atmost, it can handle most of the games and you can play them on the go

[–] echodot@feddit.uk 3 points 6 days ago

Why? They can only have one unit, just don't buy it off of them. End of problem.

[–] roserose56@lemmy.zip 2 points 6 days ago

I have to say, some of these may be scam too.

[–] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 110 points 1 week ago (6 children)

You can build or buy a lot more computer than the Steam Machine for $3000, even at today's absurd component prices. I'm not quite sure which is more moronic, trying to scalp a Steam Machine for that price or somebody actually paying it.

[–] DaddleDew@lemmy.world 58 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Scalpers are low lifes who don't necessarily know much about the products they scalp. They must have thought it was going to be the same as the last few generations of gaming console releases.

I also believe that the typical potential customer for a Steam Machine will know better.

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[–] NateNate60@lemmy.world 45 points 1 week ago (4 children)

If you spend US$3,000 on the Steam Machine your brain must be made of tofu.

[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

For some people, there is no difference between $1000 and $3000. Both are amounts they won’t miss, and availability of the SteamBox is low right now so they’re happy to pay it to get faster access. Tell them they can get a more powerful gaming PC for $3000 and they don’t care. They want to try the Steambox and money is no object.

Basically, don’t necessarily attribute to stupidity what can also be explained by wealth.

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[–] bridgeburner@lemmy.world 36 points 1 week ago

Apparently you can get those listings easily removed by reporting them that the seller sells an "intangible item". Which is true, since a reservation is indeed not a tangible item.

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