Is it safe to buy a PS5 console from eBay (Image: GETTY)
The PlayStation 5’s recent stock refresh was a case of blink and you’ll miss it.
The highly sought after next-gen device appeared online at Smyths, where units were snapped up in less than a minute.
It’s been a similar story every other time the PS5 has been re-stocked, which has led to some pretty dissatisfied customers.
Things have been made worse by scalpers buying up countless units and re-selling them for a profit.
Needless to say, most of these consoles appear on eBay, where prices range from the expensive to the exorbitant.
Of course, not every eBay seller is a greedy (insert rude word here). Some may need the money, others may be offloading unwanted gifts, and a few may have simply changed their minds.
While I would advise against paying over the odds on eBay, if you are thinking about caving in and buying a used PlayStation 5, then you’ll at least want to know if it’s safe.
The first thing to look out for when picking up anything from eBay is the description of the item you’re thinking of buying.
Sometimes sellers post misleading listings aimed to trick people into handing over lots of cash.
A report on Eurogamer in 2020 highlighted one scam where users were selling photographs of the PS5, and not the console itself.
eBay has been tackling these kind of scams since the PS5 went on sale, so hopefully you shouldn’t come across too many in your hunt for a brand new console.
“We are in the process of removing all listings for photos of PS5s from our marketplace and will be taking appropriate action against the sellers,” an eBay spokesperson previously told Eurogamer.
“For any purchase, but especially highly priced or in-demand items, buyers should exercise caution and thoroughly read the listing description.
“Buyers who receive an item which is not as described are entitled to a refund via our eBay Money Back Guarantee, provided they completed the transaction on the eBay platform.”
Needless to say, if you do suspect foul play, then contact eBay immediately to report the seller in question.
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If you’re satisfied with the listing, then the next thing to do is check out the seller’s profile to see their selling history, as well as other details like where it ships from, the condition it claims to be in, what’s shown in the photo and what they’ve sold in the past.
If they’ve already sold lots of PS5 consoles for profit, then you can make your own judgements about their character and whether you want to buy from them and reward their greed.
If they have a high score and have received lots of ratings, then you’re less likely to get scammed – even if you do end up paying over the odds.
You can also message the seller directly to ask questions about the product, why they are selling and for proof that it works.
If you purchase the product and don’t receive your console, or it’s not what was advertised, then you can apply for a refund from the seller and/or eBay.
According to eBay’s Money Back Guarantee, these are the steps you should follow if there’s a problem with your order.
1. Contact your seller
• If an item hasn’t arrived or isn’t as described, go to My eBay, select the item in your purchase history and reach out to your seller within 30 days of the actual delivery date, or the estimated delivery date if an item hasn’t arrived.
2. Not resolved? Let us know
• If you’ve talked to your seller and can’t come to an agreement after three business days, contact us.
3. We’ll get your money back. Fast.
• You can count on hearing from us within 48 hours.
PS5 is in stock at CEX, but the prices are extremely high (Image: CEX)
If you are desperate and are willing to pay more, then CEX is another option.
The UK retailer continues to operate online, which means you can order a PS5 for home delivery.
At the time of writing, PlayStation 5 consoles are selling for as much as £815 at CEX. While it’s a frankly ridiculous asking price, you can at least be sure that the listings are legit and that the consoles have been tested.
Of course, there are rumours of additional PS5 stock being released this week, so perhaps wait and see if you can score a console without paying inflated prices.
In the meantime, customers are encouraged to bookmark the Stock Informer website, and follow social media channels such as Digital Foundry Deals.
Some retailers allow customers to register their interest in the PS5, which should result in alerts when the consoles become available.
Good luck, and check back for more PS5 stock updates throughout the week, where Express Online will do its best to ensure you get hold of a PlayStation 5.
