Steam Machine Preorders Are About To Begin, So Of Course They’re Already On eBay
Valve’s Steam Machine, launching June 29, is experiencing confusion around its preorder process even before the device becomes available. The company sent emails to interested parties about preorder status using inconsistent terminology—referring to customers as being in a “queue” or on a “waitlist”—creating uncertainty about their actual eligibility to purchase.
Adding to the confusion, these initial emails are not purchase authorizations but status notifications from a randomized drawing Valve held previously. Customers selected from the drawing will receive a second email later that actually permits them to place an order, while others must wait for additional supply to become available. This staggered, two-email system was designed to manage inventory distribution but resulted in unclear messaging about what each notification meant and when purchasing would actually occur.
The limited early availability hasn’t prevented opportunistic resellers from capitalizing on scarcity. Multiple listings have already appeared on eBay offering Steam Machine preorder reservations, with sellers attempting to profit from the restricted launch inventory before the product is even available to consumers. This reselling activity reflects broader trends seen during hardware launches with constrained supply.
The situation demonstrates Valve’s communication challenges as it manages customer expectations for new hardware. Clearer messaging about the preorder process and timeline may help reduce confusion and limit the secondary market activity surrounding the Steam Machine’s limited launch inventory.