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Scalpers are already selling the Steam Machine for over $3000 on eBay despite Valve's efforts
(www.tweaktown.com)
this post was submitted on 28 Jun 2026
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If you buy from scalpers, you're part of the problem.
“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.
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.
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.