Scalpers Flip Steam Machine Preorders for $3,000 on eBay, Up to 167% Above MSRP

Scalpers are already flipping Steam Machine preorder reservations on eBay for as much as $3,000, more than double the $1,199.99 retail price of the 2TB model. The listings appear just weeks after Valve opened preorders for its long-awaited living room console, signaling intense demand and limited supply.

According to Tom's Hardware, several eBay sellers are offering reservation slots for the Steam Machine at prices ranging from $2,800 to $3,000. That represents a markup of 140% to 167% above the official MSRP. The 2TB model is the highest tier Valve offers, but scalpers are also listing lower-capacity versions at similar inflated prices.

Scalpers Target Preorder Queues, Not Physical Stock

Unlike traditional console launches where scalpers buy physical units, these eBay listings are for preorder reservations. Sellers are essentially selling their place in Valve's queue, transferring the right to purchase a Steam Machine at a later date. This practice, known as "queue flipping," has been seen with other high-demand hardware launches, including graphics cards and game consoles.

• Listed prices on eBay range from $2,800 to $3,000 for the 2TB model, compared to its $1,199.99 MSRP.
• Some sellers are offering the 1TB model for around $2,500, a 150% markup over its $999.99 retail price.
• Valve has not commented on the scalping activity, but the company has previously taken steps to limit resellers, such as requiring a Steam account with purchase history for preorders.

Supply Constraints and 4K Performance Questions

The scalping surge comes as early reviews note that the Steam Machine struggles to maintain 4K resolution in demanding titles, despite its custom AMD APU and RDNA 3.5 graphics. TechSpot reported that the console is "sold out, overpriced, and can't quite do 4K," adding to the frustration of buyers who now face both performance limitations and inflated secondary market prices.

Valve has not disclosed production volumes, but the rapid sellout of preorder windows suggests supply is tight. The company has not announced a second wave of preorders or a general retail release date. Scalpers appear to be betting that demand will remain high through the holiday season, especially if Valve's SteamOS ecosystem gains traction among PC gamers seeking a console-like experience.

What Comes Next for Buyers and Valve

For consumers, the choice is between paying scalper prices or waiting for Valve to restock. Given the company's history with the Steam Deck, which saw months-long waitlists, a similar pattern may emerge for the Steam Machine. Valve could also implement additional anti-scalping measures, such as tying purchases to Steam accounts with verified purchase history or limiting one unit per household.

Scalping of the Steam Machine underscores a broader trend in hardware launches, where limited supply and high demand create a lucrative secondary market. Until Valve ramps up production or introduces stricter purchasing controls, buyers may continue to face inflated prices for the privilege of skipping the queue.