A group of known scalpers, previously trading in trainers and sportswear, has defended its selling of thousands of PlayStation 5 consoles at inflated prices by pinning the blame for the highly criticised practice on the economic repercussions of COVID-19.
As reported by VGC, the group called CrepChiefNotify managed to secure almost 3,500 brand-new PlayStation 5 units upon the launch of Sony's new console, thanks to a paid membership of thousands. The group identified the PS5 as an easy profit-maker, promising members that they could make over £100 on top of the RRP, if they secured a console.
The group posted notifications to its members, stating: "Looking to make another income stream? Buy these (PlayStation 5s) and flip them for an instant £100+ profit." One post, as linked via VGC, added that PlayStation 5 consoles are selling for over £550, from an RRP of £450.
With PlayStation 5s sold out pretty much worldwide, CrepChiefNotify has been heavily criticised for its very public activity of scalping consoles for a quick profit. But the group's now spoken out, defending its actions and saying that, for some of its members, flipping a PS5 is a vital money-maker right now.
Posting on Facebook, on a post titled "How Did We Get 3,500 PlayStation 5 Consoles?", the group writes:
"Lots of our community have been furloughed, made redundant, or at some form of disadvantage due the [COVID-19] pandemic. These people have managed to cover their bills, put food on the table and supply Christmas presents to their children [by reselling consoles]. It may be unfortunate that a child won't wake up to a PS5 this Christmas, but another child may have woken up to nothing."
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The statement - which also talks about when the preparation for this mass-purchasing began, how they got 2,472 consoles on launch day, and how the group doesn't use bots to secure its purchases - signs off with a simple, "We have no regrets."
Naturally, some of the comments on said Facebook post aren't exactly understanding of CrepChiefNotify's claims of the necessity to flip the PS5s. One reads, "Massive clowns. I hope you go out of business." Another, "Lying sacks of sh*t, Not a chance in hell you bagged 2,472 without bots." And another, "Scum of the earth."
And look, I'm a parent, I've been pushed for money this year, and I rarely have enough to go around. Times are hard, there's no doubt whatsoever about that. But pull the other one, people. No way did all of these scalpers do what they did so that their kids could have some presents, this Christmas. Or so the gas bill could be paid. Some, sure. I can believe that. But to not accept that this is a business operation designed to maximise profits is to wildly misunderstand the very nature of a group like CrepChiefNotify: it's all about the money.
Read our own review of the PlayStation 5, or watch the video below.
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Featured Image Credit: Facebook
Topics: PlayStation 5