Scalpers using ‘bots’ buy out worldwide inventory of newest Xbox and PlayStation units

Virtually everyone who figured they’d shop on Black Friday for the newest gaming consoles from Sony and Microsoft were out-hustled by bots programmed to buy from dozens to hundreds of the Xbox X series and PlayStation5 units--to re-sell the systems for double or even triple the retail price.

Both systems, which recently hit the market, were sold out online Friday from major online retailers like WalMart, Best Buy and Target. The fewer gaming consoles shipped to stores were snapped up by shoppers who waited endless hours to grab one.

Seattle’s Pink Gorilla U-District store has more classic, retro and imported video games than most gamers can even imagine playing. But on a busy Black Friday, store owner Cody Spencer told KIRO 7 he was getting the same common question from gamers far and wide.

“We got calls all day about the PlayStation 5 and the new Xbox. We tell them ‘Yeah sorry we’re out. We never even had the opportunity to get them.”’

On Friday, Xbox and PlayStation units, which retail for about $499 dollars were being offered on eBay for nearly double. One new Xbox alone had more than 30 bids at a price of $1975.

“It was just so upsetting,” said Nick Hughes, a gamer known as “Zowoki” to  thousands of followers on YouTube, who tried to buy the Xbox, only to see it “sold out in milliseconds.”

Hughes said instead of going to a brick and mortar store like every Black Friday before, buyers with bot software can strip the online market bare.

“They can literally come in and take as many as they want,” he said. “I’ve seen people on Facebook or eBay that literally have pictures of 10s if not 20, if not hundreds of Xboxes in their living room saying ‘I have some, I’m willing to sell for $1000, and it’s like, are you kidding?’”

“We were on a waiting list for it” Spencer said. “Our distributor got back to us and says ‘Hey, not only can you not get none, no one’s getting any.”’

Microsoft representatives said in an interview with CNET they’re trying to keep up with “overwhelming global demand.”

In 2013, Microsoft sold one million Xbox One units, when that system was released. A Microsoft executive said the latest release was the best-selling in the company’s history.

Spencer advises people hoping for the new systems for Christmas to be patient, when production catches up in the Spring, when industry analysts believe supply will meet market demand.

“Stay calm,” he said. “More are coming, and when you can get one there will probably be more games released.”

Cox Media Group