Scalpers cause Xbox Series X mini fridge to sell out in minutes, prices now reaching $300

[zakislam]

Bottom line: Not content with huge profits they're earning from the Xbox Series X, scalpers are now pouncing on the console's mini fridge counterpart. Prices for the novelty item have approached levels equal to the console's digital model.

The Xbox Series X mini fridge became available to pre-order earlier this week at a reasonable price point of $99. As expected, scalpers capitalized on the opportunity to profit from a sizable markup, causing the gaming-themed appliance to sell out in mere minutes.

US retailer Target saw their stock levels depleted immediately. It's a similar state of affairs over in the UK where retailer GAME, the exclusive supplier of the mini fridge in the region, set pre-orders to go live at 2 p.m. Just 10 minutes later, customers took to Twitter to express their annoyance that they were already sold out.

On marketplaces like eBay, those who managed to grab a pre-order were listing them between $250 and $300. Similarly, on eBay UK, prices are approaching the £300 mark.

Fridge for scale. #PowerYourDreams pic.twitter.com/2n4OEUKXUz

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 16, 2020

Xbox social marketing manager Josh Stein confirmed that additional stock would arrive upon the launch of the mini fridge sometime in December.

Xbox Games marketing head Aaron Greenberg echoed that statement, reassuring those who missed the Target drop that most units for this launch will be sold in store in December. Furthermore, Microsoft said it will continue to expand regional availability during 2022.

In what was originally a viral meme making fun of the rather large size of the console, the Xbox Series X mini fridge became a reality when Microsoft announced a partnership with Ukonic to create the replica.

The tower holds up to 12 cans, joined by two shelves situated in the door for snacks. It also features a USB port to charge devices, while a DC power adapter allows the mini fridge to offer portability.

As for availability of the console itself, supply chain constraints will see Xbox Series X production affected through 2022.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/91860-scalpers-cause-xbox-series-x-mini-fridge-sell.html

 

[seeprime]

At least it's not something that people actually really-really want and can't wait for it.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

That's an awful lot to spend on storage for one case of soda.

 

[elementalSG]

I hope no one is actually dumb enough to pay scalper rates for this fridge. Unlike actual Xboxes, there’s no shortage of fridge components, which means by the laws of supply and demand, the fridge will crash back to its original price of $99 as Microsoft just makes some more and supply is replenished.

 

[m4a4]

Considering I can get at least 3x the space for that price, no thanks.

 

[bviktor]

Here's to all the clowns who still actually believe that GPU shortages are caused by miners.

 

[RudyBob]

This is a great success story

 

[Uncle Al]

But despite what they say, companies love it because they quickly unload inventory and make themselves look good on paper. Now, if nobody bought the stuff the scalpers are stuck and won't buy in quantity again after getting stung a few more times but the chances of that happening? ..... zero!

 

[Rdmetz]

That's an awful lot to spend on storage for one case of soda.

Right I put a rather decent size mini fridge in my game room for about the same and it's holds 12 cans in the door alone not to mention it has a freezer and can roughly hold a couple days worth of left overs with ease.

I like the idea of them making a fridge but they should have went all in but we know with markup for stuff like this that would have made it an actual $300 product being scalped for close to a $1000 lol.

 

[Rdmetz]

Here's to all the clowns who still actually believe that GPU shortages are caused by miners.

Well if you think it's scalpers only I can promise you it's not.

The value of the effort to scale a gpu today is barley worth it and to most of them they rather go to something like this where you can double or triple your money.

On ebay going prices have scalpers making a couple hundred bucks at best with today's pricing.

Now when gpu's were selling fro 3x then sure it certainly was worth the effort but scalpers care about money not products and these are way more profitable right now than a gpu.

I just wish they'd all go back to shoes and baseball cards but that door has long closed and this will be the future of all tech launches moving forward.

This all started when the switch was so hard to get and the botters decided to take advantage of their tools and turned them towards it now they realize why fight the anti bitting shoe markets when there so many other hot products no one was trying to protect and they'll just keep hunting anything they can scalp.

 

[VaRmeNsI]

Scalpers make products available 24/7 where there would otherwise be empty shelves, it's helpful for those that need the cards regardless of the prices.

Unfortunately many here don't understand why MSRP's are a lie...because of rampant government money printing causing inflation.

 

[captaincranky]

Strangely enough, I think I can live without one of these, even if it goes on sale Black Friday at half price,

 

[Blahagain]

That's an awful lot to spend on storage for one case of soda.

Yeah the 100$ is already triple the cost of a generic one. Doubt it's that much better.

 

[captaincranky]

Yeah the 100$ is already triple the cost of a generic one. Doubt it's that much better.

Well, maybe not quite triple. But here's a reputable brand, (Frigidaire), that can be had for less than $50.00

Amazon.com

sorry about the extra long URL, and couldn't post the picture.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I was actually GIVEN a wine cooler/mini fridge by a Chinese company to advertise on my Youtube. $300 value. I have it in my House's Florida Room.

Right I put a rather decent size mini fridge in my game room for about the same and it's holds 12 cans in the door alone not to mention it has a freezer and can roughly hold a couple days worth of left overs with ease.

I like the idea of them making a fridge but they should have went all in but we know with markup for stuff like this that would have made it an actual $300 product being scalped for close to a $1000 lol