GameStop is reportedly preparing to raise the prices of pre-owned PlayStation 5 Pro consoles far above their original retail prices. According to leaked internal guidance, the retailer could begin selling trade-in systems for as much as $1,499.99 from October 16.
The reported prices would be $1,399.99 for a used PS5 Pro Digital Edition and $1,499.99 for a pre-owned PS5 Pro with a disc drive. Those prices represent a $500 increase over the listed new prices of $899.99 and $999.99, respectively. The reported pricing is especially surprising because pre-owned consoles are typically expected to provide a cheaper alternative to buying new hardware. In this case, customers could pay significantly more for a used system than they would for a brand-new PS5 Pro at its original recommended price.
The information comes from an alleged internal GameStop memo shared online. The company has not officially confirmed the pricing changes, so the details should be treated as a report rather than a final nationwide policy. GameStop would not necessarily be alone in charging premium prices for the PS5 Pro. Listings from retailers including Best Buy and Walmart have reportedly shown new consoles priced at or above $1,500. The key difference is that those listings concern new hardware, while GameStop’s reported prices apply to pre-owned or refurbished units.
Demand surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6 may be contributing to the price increases. Sony has promoted the game’s PlayStation version, while reports claim that pre-orders on PlayStation are outpacing Xbox by a significant margin. With the game expected to launch next month, retailers may be attempting to capitalize on players upgrading their hardware before release. Sony has also introduced additional purchase requirements for the PS5 Pro in some regions. In Japan, prospective buyers have reportedly faced a lottery system, highlighting the continued demand for the premium console. Rising component costs are placing further pressure on gaming hardware prices. Increased demand for materials such as RAM has contributed to higher manufacturing expenses, which could eventually affect console pricing more broadly.
Even so, paying $1,399.99 or $1,499.99 for a used PS5 Pro would be difficult to justify when compared with the system’s original new price. Players who are not planning to play GTA 6 immediately may be better served by waiting for demand to settle and checking prices again after the game’s launch.
