Argos, a UK retailer, worked tirelessly to restock their shelves with PlayStation 5 consoles for would-be customers. Several players looking to purchase a PS5 mostly received disappointment due to lack of stocks. Fans and players suspected scalpers to be the cause of the supply shortfall. A few whistleblowers exposed one potential method of these shady people.
The PS5 Problem
In a report by IGN, multiple sources confirmed individuals actively working to corner the supplies of PS5's from Argos. The retailer replenished their stock today for prospective PS5 owners. Argos's website and app allegedly ran into numerous bugs. Rumors circulated that the restock of consoles accounted for fewer new console boxes than initially expected.
The scalpers ordered PlayStation 5 consoles a full day before the official restock announcement from the retailer. The anonymous sources point towards a loophole discovered by the scalping group “Express Notify.” Express Notify operated a paid-for Discord server that shared links allowing users to buy the consoles ahead of several honest customers.
Express Notify proudly took credit for the heinous act of the unfair purchases. The exploiters' blatant disregard of the rules undermines the efforts of players. Argos responded quickly to the links as soon as they discovered them. Unfortunately, the scalpers secured their targets. The retailer offered no official number regarding the consoles purchased through the exploit but it's a worrying trend.
Mobile troubles
The Argos app wasn't any better in terms of security. Customers found themselves unable to purchase from the retailer's app properly given inventory status delays. The app showed available stock early this morning, raising the hopes of players in the process. Few users reported successful purchases from the app but a larger number of players ended in failure.
Many expect that the PS5 stock deficit will continue in the foreseeable future. Scalpers continue to scour the internet in search of retailers to empty out. Players looking to get their hands on the next-gen console will have to be a little more patient.
Argos has yet to comment regarding the issue. Sony has also been largely silent regarding the ravaging demand for the PS5. The anonymous informants deserve praise for exposing this issue. However, scalping continues to be a massive problem for gamers everywhere. Regardless of the ongoing global pandemic, nefarious people still find ways to gain unfair advantages.
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