The annual mad consumerism holiday shopping rush is here once more, and perhaps the hottest items in-demand right now during this season are the new next-generation video game devices. The Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5 have been notoriously difficult to find in stores or online since their launch a few weeks ago. The PS5 has especially been difficult to obtain, given its less than stellar pre-order rollout and the fact that all PS5’s must be pre-ordered online to be purchased by a retailer like GameStop or Wal-Mart. Scalpers have been taking advantage of this situation, and now one PS5 scalper group has stated that they have amassed 3,500 consoles that they are looking to sell.

As reported by GameInformer, PS5 scalper groups have been assembling online through platforms like Discord to organize their efforts to obtain the highly sought devices and sell them at inflated prices. One particular scalper group,  CrepChiefNotify, offers a multi-faceted subscription service that provides numerous tips and access to in-demand items like the PS5. According to the group’s manager, the group and its members have obtained 3,500 PlayStation 5 units since the pre-orders went live for the console months ago.

PS5 scalper groups such as CrepChiefNotify have been able to snag all of these PlayStation 5 consoles due to these organized online plans, as well as the utilization of technologies like bots that quickly go through the process of purchasing items on online retailers. Since sales of the PlayStation 5 have been primarily online, these groups have had the advantage over customers going through the same online process manually. Monthly subscriptions for the CrepChiefNotify group range from $40 to $530 monthly fees, meaning that someone seeking a scalped PS5 could end up spending as much as $2,000 in their quest to find the console.

While one could applaud the hustle, even disregarding these stressful times, scalping any device that much seems quite absurd and beyond reasonable. Hopefully more measures are taken to curtail groups such as these. If the PS5 controller’s triggers can give resistance, surely these online retailers can as well.

Are you guys upset that this PS5 scalper group has 3,500 consoles in their possession? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stay tuned for the latest PlayStation 5 news, such as the PS5 simulator that allows players to imagine what it’s like to unbox a PS5, here on Don’t Feed the Gamers! Follow us on Twitter to see our updates the minute they go live!