Featured Image Credit: Sony/Aftermarket Arbitrage via Instagram
Topics: PlayStation 5, Sony
A controversial PlayStation 5 "reseller" has once again insisted he doesn't believe owning a new-gen console is a necessity - while literally sat in front of piles and piles of them.
Aftermarket Arbitrage owner Jack Bayliss recently spoke with BBC News, where he once again reaffirmed his belief that there's nothing wrong with what they're doing.
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles have now been out for coming up to a year and a half, but they remain frustraingly elusive. The well-documented semiconductor shortage, born from the pandemic, has stopped Sony and Microsoft from being able to make as many consoles as they want to sell.
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This scarcity has been further exacerbated and exploited by scalpers who spied an opportunity to charge desperate people more money for the product.
Bayliss started his business by reselling in-demand sneakers, but soon branched out to all sorts of products. The PlayStation 5 is just one of the many things he offers for an inflated price.
The young reseller claims to have received a number of death threats following a Sky News article late last year. In December, and clearly filled with the Christmas spirit, Bayliss defended his position and said that "owning a PS5 is a luxury".
Despite the backlash, Bayliss has once again come forward to speak, this time with BBC News.
"If you look at any marketplace, if there is an arbitrage opportunity, people are going to capitalise on it," Bayliss said in the recently released interview. "Why would you leave the money on the table?"
He added: "I wouldn't class not having a PS5 as suffering. There are people out there that want to do more than their nine-to-five. They want a side hustle. If you see friction between supply and demand, you're going to see someone taking advantage of it."
I certainly agree that there are worse things in the world than not having the latest toy! But if you're going to tell people that they shouldn't be so bothered about whether or not they can get a PS5, maybe don't do it sat in front of several boxes of them that you've horded like some kind of dragon. It's not the best look.