New Amazon Program Should Make Getting a PS5 and Xbox Series X a Little Easier

gamerant.com:

The Xbox Series X and thePlayStation 5 have been available since November 2020. However, while there is always a delay of a few years before next-gen consoles become considered the current gen among players, this console generation shift is being delayed even more by the scarcity of the consoles themselves. The supply problem comes as a result of the chip shortage that is hindering the manufacturing of both next-gen consoles. This Xbox and PlayStation chip shortage could last until 2024.

This problem is made worse by the scalpers and bot accounts that will buy up all available PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles as soon as they are restocked. Legitimate buyers then have to either hope to get lucky with a well-timed restock, or buy one from a scalper for an exorbitant price.

Sony Tries New Strategy to Stop Japanese PS5 Scalpers

A new invite-based ordering system from Amazon could help to bring an end to anyone other than legitimately interested customers from buying products in low supply but with high demand. The program will be launched with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles as the first products customers are able to request an invitation for. Requests do not mean customers will be guaranteed an invitation when the consoles are restocked, but these invitations will only be given out to legitimate buyers, while bot accounts and scalpers requests will be removed by Amazon.

Receiving an invitation to purchase a console will act similarly to having that product in an Amazon cart, with a time limit given for how long customers have to purchase the product before the invitation expires. As the program essentially works to separate the scalpers and bots from the legitimate customers in the lead up to a restock,