This is how you can get your hands on a sold-out PlayStation PS5 in Sheffield

An auction house says it is being inundated with demand for new games consoles that have sold out during lockdown – with bidders prepared to pay above the asking price to secure refurbished machines.
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The sought-after PlayStation 5 is currently unavailable at major UK retailers including Amazon, Currys PC World and GAME.

However, John Pye Auctions, which has centres around the country, is selling the rare consoles on behalf of regular outlets, for whom the business manages surplus and refurbished consumer tech stock.

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The firm says its registered bidders have grown ‘exponentially’ in number during the third national lockdown to top 510,000, with some of the biggest spikes in the last two weeks.

A customer walks away after purchasing the new Sony PlayStation PS5. (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)A customer walks away after purchasing the new Sony PlayStation PS5. (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
A customer walks away after purchasing the new Sony PlayStation PS5. (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

Business development director Sheldon Miller said: “We saw laptops commanding retail prices in the first lockdown as everyone migrated to working and studying from home. However, the demand for PS5s has been unprecedented in this third lockdown, and throughout the whole pandemic, with PS5s making up to £150 over the recommended retail price of £449.

“The scarcity and sheer mass market interest of the new model is driving such inflationary market movement as children, teenagers, parents, and ‘big kid’ adults scour the market for any available units.”

John Pye’s latest online tech warranty auction included a number of hard-to-find items. Apart from seven PlayStation 5s there were Xbox Series Xs, Sonos Generation 3 sub-woofers, Lenovo Think Pads and Nintendo Switch Lites.

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The company says it is the first auctioneer to offer warrantied product auctions to the mass market. All items are inspected and repaired by engineers to determine the length of the warranty – usually between two and 12 months. UK-wide home delivery is offered on all items in the sales, which run weekly.

A gamer plays on the new Sony PlayStation PS5. (Photo by YELIM LEE/AFP via Getty Images)A gamer plays on the new Sony PlayStation PS5. (Photo by YELIM LEE/AFP via Getty Images)
A gamer plays on the new Sony PlayStation PS5. (Photo by YELIM LEE/AFP via Getty Images)

David Harper, head of the technical division department at John Pye Auctions, said: “If you’re considering buying tech at auction then always look to see if it has a warranty. Buying tech and gadgets at auction usually offers the chance to get a great deal and save quite a bit of money. However, the scarcity of the PS5 is really driving the price up.”

The firm holds more than 1,300 general online auctions a year for over 400 clients. Its sites closest to Sheffield are in Chesterfield and Nottingham.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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