Potential UK console scalping ban is gaining momentum

Politicians are stepping up plans to ask the UK government to consider a ban on scalping consoles (or introduce other protective legislation) to prevent the high levels of resale seen for PS5 and Xbox Series X / S in late 2020, a group of British MPs tabled. an Early Day Motion to discuss the ban on scalping and the use of automated robots for “game consoles and computer components”. The motion, led by MP Douglas Chapman, has now garnered 32 signatures from MPs from multiple parties.

In a statement to IGN, Chapman said he now intends to dig deeper into the matter: “As cyber industry experts now predict that the scalping problem will grow over the years this year. other important goods and services, we plan to introduce a bill in Parliament so that we can further explore legislative options to protect consumers from this unfair practice. “

Motions at the start of the day are regularly used to highlight topical issues, but seldom result in meaningful debate in the House of Commons. Introducing a bill, as Chapman currently sees it, would be seen as an escalation of the process and an attempt to pressure the government to consider formal legislation.

Have you played the Xbox Series S?

YESNO

When asked why Chapman started this process, he explained that the impetus to start debate in parliament came directly from his constituents in Dunfermline and West Fife:

“The issue of scalping was first raised by voters who contacted me to explain their frustration at not being able to get some game consoles or computer components before Christmas. During the investigation, we uncovered more details of the unscrupulous practice of “scalping” by automated robots to buy these goods in bulk and resell them at inflated prices. “

The issue of scalping has reached new levels of recognition after the release of PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, as well as new graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD. In the United States, at least 10% of PS5s are said to have been resold, on average about double the recommended retailer price on eBay. Part of that phenomenon has been the use of robots to secure units before regular consumers can, a tactic popularized by sneaker culture.

The UK has seen huge demand for next-gen consoles, and scalping has become a recurring story amidst this demand. Scalping chains have claimed a slew of consoles, even using loopholes to buy shares before they are officially available. Along with supply shortages, this is a trend that has led to repeated disappointments for normal consumers, and even potentially criminal activity.

Joe Skrebels is IGN’s News Editor. Follow him on Twitter. Any advice to give us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].