The launch of the new Steam Controller was nothing short of chaotic, with Valve’s initial stock selling out in just 30 minutes. While some lucky users managed to secure their orders, many others were met with frustrating Steam errors, leaving them empty-handed.
However, for those looking to capitalize on the scarcity, eBay resellers are turning a tidy profit on Steam Controllers by flipping confirmed orders almost immediately.
The Steam Controller Resale Market Explodes
The sudden shortage has created a massive gap between retail price and secondary market demand. While the official retail price sits at $99, confirmed orders have already begun appearing on eBay with significant markups.
Current listings show some controllers selling for as much as $300, representing a 200% markup over the original cost. While one extreme listing humorously asks for over $735,000, the real action is happening in the triple-digit range.
The surge in scalping highlights a recurring issue in tech:
- High Demand: Immediate sell-outs upon launch.
- Limited Supply: Initial stock was exhausted in half an hour.
- Market Opportunism: eBay sellers leveraging order confirmations to drive up prices.
Will Valve Restock the Steam Controller?
While order quantity limits are often used to curb scalping, they haven't been enough to stop eBay resellers from turning a tidy profit on Steam Controllers. The only definitive solution is a surplus of stock, and there is reason to be optimistic about a second wave.
Prior to today's launch, Valve indicated they were prepared to scale manufacturing to meet demand. Valve designer Lawrence Yang previously told PC Gamer that the company could "turn that knob up" at the factory level if production needs increased.
Anticipation for Steam Machine Hardware
The hunger for this hardware might be driven by more than just the controller itself. There is significant anticipation surrounding Valve's upcoming Steam Machine ecosystem, though that project has faced recent hurdles. Delays in the Steam Machine rollout are currently attributed to speculative AI investing, which has caused a spike in RAM prices.
As it stands, the community is waiting to see if Valve can stabilize the supply chain. We have reached out to Valve for more information regarding a restock date and will provide updates as soon as new details emerge.
