Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+ - TechPowerUp

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Following a brief reservation period, prospective buyers of the Valve Steam Machine started reporting on June 26 that they had begun to receive reservation confirmation emails for the new hybrid console. However, on the same day, and almost predictably, appar…

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Saturday, June 27th 2026

Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+ by Cpt.Jank Saturday, 09:37 Discuss (76 Comments) Following a brief reservation period, prospective buyers of the Valve Steam Machine started reporting on June 26 that they had begun to receive reservation confirmation emails for the new hybrid console. However, on the same day, and almost predictably, apparent scalpers listed Steam Machine units on sites like eBay, with prices for the 512 GB version of the console without the Steam Controller starting at a whopping $1,700, which is a 61% increase over the already high launch price. One particular eBay listing for the Steam Machine has a 512 GB version of the console with a Steam Controller listed at $3,200—a 160% premium over the retail price, likely an attempt to capitalize on the added scarcity of the Steam Controller.

Given recent conversations about the value of the Steam Machine and Valve's own admission that the $1,049.99 launch pricing is significantly higher than it should have been, it goes without saying that a 70%+ increase over that launch price is bad value. It seems unlikely that anyone would pay that much for the Steam Machine, which offers mid-range PC performance at best, but scalpers previously also attempted, and apparently succeeded, to sell the Steam Deck in the same fashion for highly inflated prices, likely banking on the hype of the gaming handheld. The combination of limited supply and Valve's lottery system for the Steam Machine almost seems to encourage scalping, since it results in scarcity. Despite the price, the Machine also already sold out in Japan within 48 hours of launch. While Valve has provided an estimated June 29 shipping date, but there's no telling when the second batch of production units will start shipping.

Source: eBay

76 Comments on Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+

#1 See, MSRP is a bargain after all. #2 Ha ha jokes on the scalpers, not buying that for $1,700. I wonder if they will resort to stripping the RAM and SSD and sell it off separately for profit (even a bit below retail prices) then sell off the unit a bit below MSRP for easy $$$. #3 It looks to me Valve's mistake was to have it for sale earlier in Japan. Presumably the ones for sale on eBay are from Japan. #4 Gonna laugh if Valve aims the Account Recovery Team at the scalpers.

Suddenly finding out their particular account is no longer eligible for Steam Sales or Steam HW preorders, would be hilarious. #5 Scalpers deserve to have their Steam accounts banned, nobody is going to buy these at nearly double the MSRP. #6

A Computer GuyHa ha jokes on the scalpers, not buying that for $1,700. I wonder if they will resort to stripping the RAM and SSD and sell it off separately for profit (even a bit below retail prices) then sell off the unit a bit below MSRP for easy $$$.

Single 16GB stick of SO-DIMMs sells brand new for around $250 and SSD should be around $120 so not sure if they will even any profits off those 2 components anyway. #7

A Computer GuyHa ha jokes on the scalpers, not buying that for $1,700. I wonder if they will resort to stripping the RAM and SSD and sell it off separately for profit (even a bit below retail prices) then sell off the unit a bit below MSRP for easy $$$.

Honestly, depending on how much below MSRP they sold it, it might not be a bad deal. A lot of us have excess RAM and SSDs or can source them separately for slightly lower prices. #8 Scalpers scum of the earth #9 Could the nepo kids please stop feeding the scalper craze? #10 Very risky strategy by scalpers, this is not a limited edition item. #11 @Fourstaff
And yet, the waiting list—which resembles a lottery—makes it possible. After all, having an eligible account does not automatically result in a successful purchase.

Regards,
Fred. #12

FR3D1@Fourstaff
And yet, the waiting list—which resembles a lottery—makes it possible. After all, having an eligible account does not automatically result in a successful purchase.

Regards,
Fred.

Those with time pressures (review websites, influencers showing the latest and greatest) will likely pay extra to the scalpers. The rest of us will have options to wait (or just buy a normal off-the shelf computer with equivalent specs). #13

Cpt.JankDespite the price, the Machine also already sold out in Japan within 48 hours of launch.

Chinese and Taiwanese scalpers took everything. #14 Im choosing to believe these are other scalpers helping each other out. Trying to make it look like others are actually purchasing them in order to trap a gullible/FOMO person enough to actually take the bait. I read someone suggest that Valve should lock the Steam Machine to the purchasers specific steam account for 6 months post date when delivered as a further deterrent. Make them sit on them as long as possible. Nothing will perfectly stop scalpers they will find a way around, but make their jobs more difficult. #15 I'm assuming the Japan sales weren't tied to any account at all. #16 Hopefully each and every scalper looses money on the deal. #17 Is anybody even buying these scalped units? I keep underestimating how stupid people can be. #18

user556It looks to me Valve's mistake was to have it for sale earlier in Japan. Presumably the ones for sale on eBay are from Japan.

Why was it a mistake? Valve gets the sale either way, if it is from a scaler or a legit buyer. #19

Kinsa83Im choosing to believe these are other scalpers helping each other out. Trying to make it look like others are actually purchasing them in order to trap a gullible/FOMO person enough to actually take the bait. I read someone suggest that Valve should lock the Steam Machine to the purchasers specific steam account for 6 months post date when delivered as a further deterrent. Make them sit on them as long as possible. Nothing will perfectly stop scalpers they will find a way around, but make their jobs more difficult.

Either this, or they could just deny warranty requests from anyone but the actual buyer.

Blue4130Why was it a mistake? Valve gets the sale either way, if it is from a scaler or a legit buyer.

While that's true, too much scalping hurts their reputation. That's why they made the lottery system in the first place instead of just selling to whoever. #20

AusWolfEither this, or they could just deny warranty requests from anyone but the actual buyer.

It will actually be illegal in a lot of countries; the product warranty as its name implies follow the product not the buyer. #21

AusWolf... That's why they made the lottery system in the first place instead of just selling to whoever.

Ya, the mistake is failing to cover all bases at the same time. The attempt to limit scalping by controlling who buys is defeated if they allowed early sales to anyone buying in Japan. #22

user556Ya, the mistake is failing to cover all bases at the same time. The attempt to limit scalping by controlling who buys is defeated if they allowed early sales to anyone buying in Japan.

Speaking of, does anybody know why Valve doesn't sell directly to Japan? #23

AusWolfSpeaking of, does anybody know why Valve doesn't sell directly to Japan?

The AI slop response is interesting.

#24

AusWolfIs anybody even buying these scalped units?

Apparently (judging by various forums and the opinions expressed there!), there are enough clueless users who consider the Steam Machine’s asking price to be justified. The Steam Machine—aka the "doorstop"—is not only economically unsound, but it has also been priced unrealistically by the scalper (Valve).

The lottery rounds off the forced "hype."

Regards,
Fred. #25

FR3D1Apparently (judging by various forums and the opinions expressed there!), there are enough clueless users who consider the Steam Machine’s asking price to be justified. The Steam Machine—aka the "doorstop"—is not only economically unsound, but it has also been priced unrealistically by the scalper (Valve).

Regards,
Fred.

I'm one of those "clueless users". I've given my reasons why I don't consider the original asking price bad (way more performance than in similarly priced mini PCs, way smaller than DIY desktop or laptop, and me personally owning way more games on Steam than on any console).

So instead of throwing random insults, how about answering the question? ;) Add your own comment

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원문 게시일: 2026-06-27T00:37:14Z

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Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+ - TechPowerUp

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76 Comments on Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+