GameStop raises used PS5 Pro price to $1,400, above new console's MSRP

GameStop has listed pre-owned PlayStation 5 Pro consoles on its website at $1,399.99, up from $800, a price above the $899 manufacturer's suggested retail price for a new console. Tom's Hardware reported the used price is about 55% more than the list price for new units, while Polygon described it as roughly 50% more expensive and IGN put the markup at $500 over Sony's suggested retail price. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

The change was first reported through a leaked memo to GameStop employees. Tom's Hardware reported that a Reddit user who works at the retailer leaked the memo, and that a moderator of the r/GameStop subreddit confirmed the post was valid and said the poster had been vetted; the memo said the higher price of used consoles versus new ones is intentional. Polygon reported the memo stated pre-owned PS5 Pros would sell for $1,399.99 or $1,499.99 depending on the edition, and that owners were being offered $800 to $850 for trade-ins, enough to trade in for a new console at nearly no cost. GameSpot reported that GameStop Pro members pay $1,330 for a pre-owned unit. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]

New consoles are in short supply. Tom's Hardware reported that Sony, GameStop and Target, which list the PS5 Pro at $899.99, were out of stock, while Best Buy and Walmart listings were priced at $1,496.01 and $1,554.99. IGN and GameSpot reported that third-party resellers on Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart had raised used prices to similar amounts, with GameSpot noting those are third-party sellers rather than GameStop itself. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]

The outlets give different explanations for the increase. Tom's Hardware linked the shortage to demand for memory chips from AI data centres, saying DRAM manufacturers have shifted most capacity to that market and that RAM prices have risen 500% in 12 months, with the shortage spilling into other industries. IGN attributed the price rise to overwhelming demand and ongoing component shortages, with demand expected to be high because of Grand Theft Auto 6's release. Polygon said it is unclear what the reason is, and noted online speculation that a PS5 jailbreak exploit and Sony's firmware 14.00, released on September 16, could be behind it. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Sony raised PS5 Pro pricing earlier this year. The console went from $749.99 to $899.00 according to Tom's Hardware; IGN and GameSpot said it went from $750 to $900. GameSpot noted the PS5 Pro launched in November 2024 at $700. IGN and GameSpot wrote that this is the first console generation in which hardware prices have risen significantly instead of falling, and IGN said it raises questions about pricing for the next generation. Tom's Hardware noted it is unclear whether Sony requires retailers to sell brand-new PS5 units at or close to the MSRP, but that retailers generally have more freedom in setting prices for pre-owned devices. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]