Still Can’t A Buy A Ps5 Or Xbox Series X? Read This

The bad news is that the Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X will be difficult to buy until 2022 thanks to supply issues, huge demand, worrying scams and the ever present threat of resellers. But all is not lost if you still can’t buy a next-gen console. I spoke with restock experts, successful buyers and even scalpers to get some tips. Here is your guide to buying a PS5 or Xbox Series X before 2022.

Setup your own restock alerts

If you have some technical ability you can setup your own restock alert system using StreetMerchant, which restock accounts on Twitter use. Web security and performance consultant Edward Spencer explained to me how StreetMerchant works. “Street Merchant opens up an ‘automated’ version of the Chrome browser which will then simulate a human going to specific, pre-defined, pages for a number of items. It will then scrape the contents of the page to see if the product is in stock or not”. It can also be setup to notify users via email or SMS should it find some in-stock items.

Alternatively, another PS5 reseller told me about a system they use called Add To Cart request, which makes a request to UK retailer Argos’ non-public basket API to check stock for certain products. This gives you instant stock updates and adds the product directly to your cart.

Be completely prepared

A reseller I spoke with, who only wants to be referred to by his first name, Adam, said it’s important to use autofil in Chrome (or any other browser) so your payment details and address information is already stored. You don’t want to waste time filling that in, especially when you’re battling bots that can checkout in under 3 seconds. There are auto-refresh Google Chrome extensions you can install, too.

Is it worth joining a restock community?

Twitter restock account, PS5 UK Stock Alerts, says that restock accounts often have associated communities on Telegram, Facebook and Discord. Console hunters share information on trends and drops here. This is also where you’ll find site specific knowledge and tips and tricks for certain websites to speed up the buying process. For example: having the right link that goes directly to a bundle page, or instantly adding the console to your cart. Knowing your way around a retailer’s website can save you valuable seconds, which you’ll need to beat the competition.

How much time do I need to dedicate to this?

Likely a lot. You’ll need to follow several restock accounts, have your notification volume turned up and be ready to click links. That means interrupting whatever you’re doing to act instantly, which isn’t possible for everyone. But restock accounts tell me they have helped thousands buy consoles – if you spend any time in a restock community this is clear. You might also have to stay up late, PS5 UK Stock Alerts says sites like Argos in the UK typically drop between 2am and 4am.

Shall I buy a bot?

You can do, but it might be hard to come by them and how much they cost varies – not to mention the moral issue of gaming retailer sites. The cost could run into the hundreds or thousands for the best bots, so a scalped PS5 on Ebay is cheaper. The fact is bots will increase your chances dramatically by checking out products in under 3 seconds. But you will spend more on a bot then you’ll pay in mark-up for a resold console.