20th Anniversary grey PS4s reselling for upwards of $20,000 on eBay

Hundreds of limited-edition systems fetching median markup of over 250% at auction.

Read the whole story

 

[Dilbert]

What?! I really really hope those people are rich and they didn't just blow half their life savings on a game console..... knowing the demographics I bet at least some of them did just that.

 

[daggar]

Yes mortage your house for a different paintjob on your video game machine. Good plan.

What's even more depressing is the thought that it might actually be a defendable (don't make me say "good") investment. If the value of differently-colored-consoles appreciates and you can turn around and sell it for $25K, then I might have to headdesk myself to the point of concussion.

 

[Drakkenmensch]

Who's paying this much for a grey console when there's usually so much debate of how much is too much to ask for the regular black version?

 

[blickety]

When I first saw them I felt nostalgia pulling on my wallet. Had I both remembered and been lucky enough to get one I cannot accurately explain how fast I would've sold it for 15-20k. Decent car > painted game console

 

[Ironicending]

I mean if a person has got the money to drop on a luxury item, more power to them. Far be it from me to criticize what other people do with their cash.

But damn is that hard to stomach when I'm trying to find a deal under 399 (not gonna happen), or a bundle I actually want at 399 (hasn't happened yet).

 

[Sufinsil]

daggar[/url]":3sqzvenw]Yes mortage your house for a different paintjob on your video game machine. Good plan.

What's even more depressing is the thought that it might actually be a defendable (don't make me say "good") investment. If the value of differently-colored-consoles appreciates and you can turn around and sell it for $25K, then I might have to headdesk myself to the point of concussion.

There is more than the paint job! Face buttons are imprinted on the console and touchpad. Original PSX logo.

 

[Sufinsil]

Kyle, Japan is selling theirs through a lottery system

http://store.sony.jp/Special/Game/Ps4/2 ... index.html

Applicants subject During the period, those who entered in the log in the application form in the My Sony ID
Application acceptance period December 3, 2014 (Wed) - December 10, 2014 (Wednesday) until 11:00

Lottery results announcement First-order sales: 12/16 (Tuesday)
second-order sales: January mid
※ If the cancellation occurs in the first-order sales, it is planned a second-order sales.
Purchase of second-order sales first-come, first-served basis, no longer is up to the end.

The USA sale was just who got lucky hitting F5 for 2 hours. Or who stuck around as people gave up trying.
(along with the ones sold at the PS Experience)

What a lot of people got frustrated about it was not clear this was for USA addresses only. You could not ship to EU, Canada, anywhere else.

 

[ReallyCheapGeek]

Your headline uses the term 'Markup' incorrectly. The word you want for that sentence is 'Profit'
Markup is computed from selling price and so a markup of over 100% is impossible.
Good day.

 

[Feniks]

Recession? What recession?
Man I wish I was rich.

 

[Kyle Orland]

Sufinsil[/url]":2qdynwz7]Kyle, Japan is selling theirs through a lottery system

http://store.sony.jp/Special/Game/Ps4/2 ... index.html

Applicants subject During the period, those who entered in the log in the application form in the My Sony ID
Application acceptance period December 3, 2014 (Wed) - December 10, 2014 (Wednesday) until 11:00

Lottery results announcement First-order sales: 12/16 (Tuesday)
second-order sales: January mid
※ If the cancellation occurs in the first-order sales, it is planned a second-order sales.
Purchase of second-order sales first-come, first-served basis, no longer is up to the end.

The USA sale was just who got lucky hitting F5 for 2 hours. Or who stuck around as people gave up trying.
(along with the ones sold at the PS Experience)

What a lot of people got frustrated about it was not clear this was for USA addresses only. You could not ship to EU, Canada, anywhere else.

Ah, thank you, I was misinformed on this. The piece has been updated.

 

[adipose]

Boy are they going to feel dumb when Sony decides to release some more 6 months from now.

 

[WaveRunner]

Boy are they going to feel dumb when they realize a can of spray paint is less than 10 dollars.

 

[DanNeely]

Dilbert[/url]":11q79nps]What?! I really really hope those people are rich and they didn't just blow half their life savings on a game console..... knowing the demographics I bet at least some of them did just that.

Some of the reported prices are silly enough that I suspect there's at least some troll bidding going on.

 

[bloopbloop]

Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

 

[Ulf]

Really can't say I'm surprised many of these were bought by scalpers looking to turn a quick profit.

 

[bettercitizens]

Sony celebrates the brand's 20th anniversary with a small, 12,300-system run.

I can understand if the production run was 300 units that an eBay auction may yield such stellar results; however for a production run of 12,300 units the auction pricing is absolutely fabulous!

A foole and his monie be soone at debate, which after with sorrow repents him too late. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Tusser

 

[eric123]

DanNeely[/url]":9o26xz26]

Dilbert[/url]":9o26xz26]What?! I really really hope those people are rich and they didn't just blow half their life savings on a game console..... knowing the demographics I bet at least some of them did just that.

Some of the reported prices are silly enough that I suspect there's at least some troll bidding going on.

yeah, i don't believe any will sell for 20k.

 

[Sufinsil]

For those that think it is simply a coat of paint...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTw4EL_gAc#t=88

Original Grey. PS classic logo
Etched in Button Symbols
Plate signifying which unit you have
Grey Vertical Stand
Grey DS4. Home button classic Logo. Touchpad with button etching
PS Camera. Grey. PS classic logo.



I know it is not much more than spray painting your current unit, but there is more than "just a coat of paint".

 

[bettercitizens]

ReallyCheapGeek[/url]":2gibbxra]Your headline uses the term 'Markup' incorrectly. The word you want for that sentence is 'Profit'
Markup is computed from selling price and so a markup of over 100% is impossible.
Good day.

Equations [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markup_(business) ]: Markup = Sale price − Cost; Markup (%) = (Sales Price / Cost) − 1 = Markup%

Say Cost = $5 and Sales Price = $20
Markup = $20 - $5 = $15
Markup (%) = [($20/$5) - 1]*100 = 300%

Markup can exceed 100%

 

[Kyle Orland]

bloopbloop[/url]":1tq4a449]Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

 

[secretmanofagent]

Kyle Orland[/url]":2qzjzpyt]
Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

Not sure what you mean by cultural cachet exactly, but for me it reminds me of some of the fun I had with the original Playstation. Silent Hill, Ape Escape, and Need For Speed are just a couple of the games off the top of my head that I had a bit of fun with. I think they could have done a little more with the design, but it's still neat.

 

[eric123]

Kyle Orland[/url]":vpn16mug]

bloopbloop[/url]":vpn16mug]Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

cultural cachet has nothing to do with why i like it, it simply looks nicer than the all back design.

 

[althaz]

Sufinsil[/url]":hztml7bb]For those that think it is simply a coat of paint...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTw4EL_gAc#t=88

Original Grey. PS classic logo
Etched in Button Symbols
Plate signifying which unit you have
Grey Vertical Stand
Grey DS4. Home button classic Logo. Touchpad with button etching
PS Camera. Grey. PS classic logo.



I know it is not much more than spray painting your current unit, but there is more than "just a coat of paint".

It's also a LOT uglier than the normal PS4 (which is gorgeous). The controller is probably the ugliest of its kind I've seen since the turn of the century.

 

[Superhair]

Maybe purchasing this will help a rich geek somewhere get laid. The things we do for love...

 

[bloopbloop]

Kyle Orland[/url]":1k7uptda]

bloopbloop[/url]":1k7uptda]Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

I understand that, I have dozens of fancyass collector's editions of things, many of which are far rarer than 1 in 12.3K. It just seems like $20k is outright absurdity.

 

[mousimus]

That just sounds like money laundering to me.

I was one of the lucky few that were able to get an order confirmation from Sony and I will admit that I've been very tempted to put it up on eBay.

 

[daggar]

Sufinsil[/url]":2xcwkw9k]For those that think it is simply a coat of paint...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTw4EL_gAc#t=88

Original Grey. PS classic logo
Etched in Button Symbols
Plate signifying which unit you have
Grey Vertical Stand
Grey DS4. Home button classic Logo. Touchpad with button etching
PS Camera. Grey. PS classic logo.



I know it is not much more than spray painting your current unit, but there is more than "just a coat of paint".

A handful of plastic and metal components is so trivial that calling it a coat of paint is an accurate description to anyone who doesn't make a full-time living managing items in the Sony supply chain.

 

[cheriff]

Sufinsil[/url]":39mxcyw6]

daggar[/url]":39mxcyw6]Yes mortage your house for a different paintjob on your video game machine. Good plan.

What's even more depressing is the thought that it might actually be a defendable (don't make me say "good") investment. If the value of differently-colored-consoles appreciates and you can turn around and sell it for $25K, then I might have to headdesk myself to the point of concussion.

There is more than the paint job! Face buttons are imprinted on the console and touchpad. Original PSX logo.

Well, the original Playstation logo at least.

Spoiler

 

[Feniks]

Kyle Orland[/url]":t7xby604]

bloopbloop[/url]":t7xby604]Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

Yep just look at artificial diamonds or forgeries of paintings.

 

[ataricade]

20k? bunch of nuts. Its interesting if i wanted one anyways and it was the same price.

 

[ataricade]

blickety[/url]":1ib1g1qk]When I first saw them I felt nostalgia pulling on my wallet. Had I both remembered and been lucky enough to get one I cannot accurately explain how fast I would've sold it for 15-20k. Decent car > painted game console

Shop around and 20k could buy a condo depending where you are at. People are nuts.

 

[Doc Spector]

ReallyCheapGeek[/url]":2e0z5khm]Your headline uses the term 'Markup' incorrectly. The word you want for that sentence is 'Profit'
Markup is computed from selling price and so a markup of over 100% is impossible.
Good day.

Markup and markdown are computing from list price. So if list price is $100, but I sell at $120, there's been a 20% markup. If I sell at $80, there's been a 20% markdown. If I sell at $250, there's been a 250% markup.

FTC involvement may ensue if the "list price" is one that is never charged to anyone, and products are ALWAYS "50% off"

 

[LostAlone]

Kyle Orland[/url]":2g09tvyq]

bloopbloop[/url]":2g09tvyq]Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

The thing is that at this point there is essentially no cachet left on any of the collectors items. This has been done so much with such little care that collectors items now simply read 'cash cow'. All of this kind of stuff becomes significantly less meaningful when the company making it just snaps their fingers and declares their new colour to be a piece of gaming history instead of just... Well... A different colour.

It makes me sad to see something so soulless being held up as something meaningful.

 

[Deleted member 192806]

LostAlone[/url]":30tez4rp]

Kyle Orland[/url]":30tez4rp]

bloopbloop[/url]":30tez4rp]Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

The thing is that at this point there is essentially no cachet left on any of the collectors items. This has been done so much with such little care that collectors items now simply read 'cash cow'. All of this kind of stuff becomes significantly less meaningful when the company making it just snaps their fingers and declares their new colour to be a piece of gaming history instead of just... Well... A different colour.

It makes me sad to see something so soulless being held up as something meaningful.

Anyone want to buy some beanie babies, or cabbage patch kids?

 

[Doc Spector]

Ostracus[/url]":2gmw8dgs]

LostAlone[/url]":2gmw8dgs]

Kyle Orland[/url]":2gmw8dgs]

bloopbloop[/url]":2gmw8dgs]Couldn't you just get basically the same thing with a Colorware coat for far cheaper than $20k? I mean it wouldn't have the little Playstation emblem but I will paint you a damn good one with high quality paints for the bargain price of $1000.

Don't get me wrong, the console is awesome and looks surprisingly good in ugly-90s-computer-gray, but for that much money you could buy and customize a PS4 for every color of the rainbow and still have cash left for games.

Even if it was just a coat of paint, the perceived value is in the exclusiveness/rarity and the cultural meaning, not in the color itself. Just making something that looks roughly similar wouldn't make that something one of the 12,300 systems that Sony is using to officially celebrate the anniversary.

The value isn't in the coat of paint, it's in the cultural cachet.

The thing is that at this point there is essentially no cachet left on any of the collectors items. This has been done so much with such little care that collectors items now simply read 'cash cow'. All of this kind of stuff becomes significantly less meaningful when the company making it just snaps their fingers and declares their new colour to be a piece of gaming history instead of just... Well... A different colour.

It makes me sad to see something so soulless being held up as something meaningful.

Anyone want to buy some beanie babies, or cabbage patch kids?

Or a carded original Darth Vader figure with a blue light saber?

 

[winterwatchers]

Ironicending[/url]":yj6n4mhq]I mean if a person has got the money to drop on a luxury item, more power to them. Far be it from me to criticize what other people do with their cash.

But damn is that hard to stomach when I'm trying to find a deal under 399 (not gonna happen), or a bundle I actually want at 399 (hasn't happened yet).

it was on sale at $330 during black friday at ebay

 

[thiago_pc]

Sony could release an "unlimited" classic edition. Maybe without the camera and all the etching and logos, to differentiate it from the limited edition. Just the classic color.

I'd buy it, for sure, if it didn't cost more than the common edition. The original NES, SNES ans PSX still look amazing to me. These black boxes don't hold a thing on them.

Off topic: it's a shame that Nintendo did such a poor job on the 3DS XL "NES Edition". The GBA got a MUCH better NES edition. I hope they'll release a New 3DS XL in the same lines as the GBA version.

 

[Judd Sandage]

I too was lucky enough on Saturday to snag up a pre-order and Sony was kind enough to send a confirmation email. now that I see how much money some are being asked for on eBay I am debating as to weather or not I should sell it once I get it... but of course I need to open it to see what the number is... and hey since I have it open I might as well plug it in to make sure it works... wouldn't do to try and sell it if its a dud you know. and hey whats this? I was able to get the Plants Vs Zombie game that was given away for free over the weekend by just logging in to my PlayStation store account and "buy" it... so I will have to try the game out (I don't currently own a PS4) and see how well the console works... still just testing to make sure it works fine... wouldn't do to sell a dud console you know.

though I think I might keep it if its number is like 01701/12300 or maybe 04242 or 01111 or hell 11111 or 01313 or 12345... not that I will get any of those... just wishing.

and yes, one side has an aluminum plate that shows its a 20th anniversary edition with the xxxxx of 12300 number and some pictures show the other side with what looks like another plate with all the regulatory information and model numbers. And its molded gray plastic... not just painted plastic, same goes with the other items in the box, why bother painting it when you can just specify another color plastic be used when making the outer casing.

 

[Arthur Dent]

I listed mine on eBay. Current bid is $1550, and this is after I cancelled some troll bids. I have been keeping an eye on bids on other auctions, and a lot of the bidders are new users with 0 feedback.

My guess is that some people are pissed because they were unable to buy one when it became available Saturday, so they are going after the guys that are trying to cash in... like me. Whatever, I have bills, don't make a lot of money, and there are people that obviously have a lot of money to waste on luxury items.