Scalpers Are Trying to Sell Valve’s Steam Frame for Up to $2,000, but the Community Is Fighting Back
Valve has begun distributing reservation confirmations for the Steam Frame, its new VR headset, revealing a significant disparity between demand and availability. Out of over 35,000 people who signed up for a reservation, less than half received confirmations for the first batch, with the rest placed on waitlists. The 256GB model priced at $1,059 appears to be the most popular, while the 1TB variant costs $1,299.
However, scalpers have already begun exploiting the limited availability, listing Steam Frame reservations on eBay at significantly inflated prices. The 256GB model is being resold for approximately $1,700, while the 1TB edition commands around $2,000—representing markups of 60% and 54% above retail prices respectively. This practice is particularly problematic given that the Steam Frame is already expensive due to ongoing RAM shortage constraints affecting the hardware’s cost.
In response to the scalping, the gaming community has mobilized to combat these exploitative listings. A community-run website has emerged allowing users to report their reservation status, helping the community understand the actual odds of securing a unit. This grassroots effort demonstrates community determination to raise awareness about scalping and support legitimate buyers.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between high demand for new gaming hardware and limited supply, with bad actors attempting to profit at consumers’ expense.