Friday, June 26th 2026
Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+
Following a brief reservation period, prospective buyers of the Valve Steam Machine started reporting on June 26 that they had begun to receive reservation confirmation emails for the new hybrid console. However, on the same day, and almost predictably, apparent scalpers listed Steam Machine units on sites like eBay, with prices for the 512 GB version of the console without the Steam Controller starting at a whopping $1,700, which is a 61% increase over the already high launch price. One particular eBay listing for the Steam Machine has a 512 GB version of the console with a Steam Controller listed at $3,200—a 160% premium over the retail price, likely an attempt to capitalize on the added scarcity of the Steam Controller.
Given recent conversations about the value of the Steam Machine and Valve's own admission that the $1,049.99 launch pricing is significantly higher than it should have been, it goes without saying that a 70%+ increase over that launch price is bad value. It seems unlikely that anyone would pay that much for the Steam Machine, which offers mid-range PC performance at best, but scalpers previously also attempted, and apparently succeeded, to sell the Steam Deck in the same fashion for highly inflated prices, likely banking on the hype of the gaming handheld. The combination of limited supply and Valve's lottery system for the Steam Machine almost seems to encourage scalping, since it results in scarcity. Despite the price, the Machine also already sold out in Japan within 48 hours of launch. While Valve has provided an estimated June 29 shipping date, but there's no telling when the second batch of production units will start shipping.
Source:
eBay
Given recent conversations about the value of the Steam Machine and Valve's own admission that the $1,049.99 launch pricing is significantly higher than it should have been, it goes without saying that a 70%+ increase over that launch price is bad value. It seems unlikely that anyone would pay that much for the Steam Machine, which offers mid-range PC performance at best, but scalpers previously also attempted, and apparently succeeded, to sell the Steam Deck in the same fashion for highly inflated prices, likely banking on the hype of the gaming handheld. The combination of limited supply and Valve's lottery system for the Steam Machine almost seems to encourage scalping, since it results in scarcity. Despite the price, the Machine also already sold out in Japan within 48 hours of launch. While Valve has provided an estimated June 29 shipping date, but there's no telling when the second batch of production units will start shipping.
93 Comments on Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+
Suddenly finding out their particular account is no longer eligible for Steam Sales or Steam HW preorders, would be hilarious.
And yet, the waiting list—which resembles a lottery—makes it possible. After all, having an eligible account does not automatically result in a successful purchase.
Regards,
Fred.
The lottery rounds off the forced "hype."
Regards,
Fred.
So instead of throwing random insults, how about answering the question? ;)