Used PS5 Pros at $1,500: GameStop Turns the Pre-Owned Market Upside Down

The console market has had a rough year, but the latest development borders on the surreal. As reported by Vida Extra, the GameStop chain has sent an internal memo to its employees warning them that pre-owned PS5 Pros will now cost more than new units. And we're not talking about a few dollars: used consoles are already being seen going for as much as $1,500.

This comes after an official price hike that already stung at the time: the PS5 Pro was set at €899.99 in Europe. When the pre-owned market, which has always been the safe haven for anyone who can't or won't pay retail, shoots above the price of the new product, the rules of the game change completely. And for a competitive community like ours, which lives and breathes hardware, this is news that can't be ignored.

What you need to know

• GameStop has told staff internally that used PS5 Pros will be more expensive than new ones.
• The move is intentional: the memo itself makes it clear this is not a mistake.
• The final price will depend on the type of unit in question.
• Pre-owned PS5 Pros have been recorded selling for up to $1,500.
• The backdrop is the recent official price increase, which put the PS5 Pro at €899.99, combined with a shortage of units.

When used is worth more than new

The logic of the pre-owned market has always been simple: a console that has already been through other hands has wear and tear, may come without a full warranty or its original box, and that's why it costs less. What GameStop is proposing explicitly breaks that rule. This isn't a private seller inflating prices on a classifieds site: it's one of the best-known specialist retailers in the industry admitting in writing that it will charge more for used hardware.

The underlying explanation is a combination of two factors mentioned by the source: on one hand, the official price increases on PS5 models; on the other, the lack of available units. When new stock is scarce, whoever has inventory, even if it's pre-owned, holds all the cards. Based on what has been published, the report points mainly to the United States market, so it remains to be seen whether this practice spreads to other regions where we also have a community.

Who does it affect?

Anyone who needs a PS5 Pro right now and can't find one new. That includes players looking to make the performance jump, teams building setups for practice, and content creators chasing the best possible image quality for their streams. For all of them, the cheaper alternative has just disappeared, at least in GameStop stores.

Our take

Here at the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we're clear on this: this is exploiting scarcity, no matter how much it's dressed up as business strategy. We understand that a company adjusts prices based on demand, but charging more for a used console than a new one sends a terrible message to consumers. It basically institutionalizes the speculative scalping we criticized so much during the PS5 launch, only now with an official retailer's logo behind it.

For competitive players, the problem is twofold. First, access: if the Pro's performance edge matters in your game, paying for it is now outright a luxury. Second, the gap: those with the budget gear up, and those without fall behind. In console esports, that kind of hardware inequality is exactly what we need least. And for creators, who often already invest in capture cards, microphones and cameras, a $1,500 console can wreck any budget.

Our advice, no beating around the bush: don't reward this practice. If your current PS5 does the job, hold on to it. If you need the Pro, wait for new stock to return or shop around carefully before paying that markup. Buying used should be a way to save money, not to pay more for less peace of mind.

What do you think?

Maybe GameStop is simply reading the market, or maybe it's crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed. What's clear is that the cost of playing in the best conditions keeps climbing. Would you pay more for a used PS5 Pro than a new one, or would you rather wait even if it means falling behind? Let us know in the team chat or drop by our Discord to discuss it.