they are still going for that much, yes.
i'm really debating selling it now, or selling it when i have it in hand.

i wonder when i can maximize profit most.

So, a couple of questions, regarding selling it on eBay. One, I've sold several things on eBay, but always much lower value items (less than $100). Assuming I decided to the one I have pre-ordered, what would be the safest way to protect yourself by selling it on eBay? Assuming you're going to accept Paypal, and don't accept bids from buyers with zero feedback, what steps can you take to prevent someone from buying it, paying it, then retracting the payment? I've never had a problem with Paypal, but I've heard horror stories.

Second question, just for fun. How much (realistically) do you think these things will go for launch week on eBay?

First there is no way to prevent 0 feedback bidders. You can block someone with negative feedback, but that won't help against p.o.'d people about not getting a PS3 and creating a new account.

You can set your paypal/ebay settings to not allow bidders without a confirmed paypal address. This is highly recommended anyway, regardless of what you are selling. Even further, signed delivery confirmation and insurance is a no brainer from the P.O./UPS/FedEx.

I've decided I'm definitely waiting until I have the unit in my hand. Giving a refund wouldn't so much be a hassle but you will be out your insertion fee along with the fees associated with selling the item, which will be quite steep on $1000+ item.

As for how much they go, as long as I'm not stuck with the system(i.e. the whole thing backfires), I'll take anything as long as I break even.

Yeah, I've got my Paypal set to that anyway, and I was planning on getting delivery/signature confirmation anyway. I just wasn't sure if that was "enough" in Paypal's eyes, and what I was misssing (if anything) protecting myself.

If I decide to eBay it, I won't be doing it until I have the physical box in my hand, and can take a picture of the actual, physical box that they'll be receiving. When people start speculating that they'll go for close to a grand (or over), I tend to get a little anxious, just making sure I'm covering my bases.

I meant a real source, not a comment posted on a blog :) Has anyone seen this rule in Ebay's rule list?

Was this pre-order just for the system or will they try to force a bundle down your throats?

System only. Online will be those bad ass bundles.

Anyone thats camping out what time you plan to start your camp at? I'm thinking 1-2pm thursday, and for people that have camped out before what place would be the best as far as people not getting screwed over as far as lines go and stuff like that.

i'll probably head out around 3am to find the optimal location :)

3am thursday as in over 24 hours before they open or 3am a few hours before they open?

I assume he meant the latter. Depending on the location, that may be fine. I live in LA and am going to (apparently) the most merchandised Best Buy west of the Mississippi. It's the one I normally shop at, and since they'll have a bunch, why not?

I'm going around 3:30pm Thursday. That's when school gets out, so after that, I'm going straight there to camp. Friend too, so it's not so bad.

yup the night before. I'll be pre-scouting earlier that night, and choosing my location based on what I think works best. I think Target or Costco will win for me.

Is anyone worried that Ebay is going to be absolutely flooded with these things? I know of about a dozen friends that have plans to buy these just to sell on Ebay. And I don't know a single person that is buying one just because they want the system. I'm starting to wonder if supply will exceed demand in terms of people who 1) actually want the system to play and not merely as an investment (at least at launch), and 2) are willing or able to pay well over $600 for the thing. Sure there will be a lot of rich folk out there that will buy them up at those prices, but if there's over 100,000 of these things on Ebay there will be a saturation point. I just can't see everyone getting rich off this plan.

It worked for both the PS2 and the 360 so I don't see why it wouldn't work for this also. Although reading message boards may make you think otherwise, most people who have a preorder are going to keep it. I would imagine that the majority are parents who are buying it for a holiday gift for their kid(s). It's just that those people don't post on boards like this.

If you get one on launch day and post it on eBay that day I'm sure you could get 1000+ if you do a quick auction or a BIN. I'll be keeping the one I get.

I don't know of 1 person other than myself who actually wants a PS3 to keep and not flip.

That's true, but it just feels like the number of profiteers have increased exponentially with each of these releases. With the PS2 it was mostly the really enterprising types and people who just happened upon a system and figured "what the hell". But now it seems like everyone and their grandma is trying to get rich with the PS3.

And frankly, I'm just not getting as much of an overall "must-have it now" system vibe from the PS3 yet. I don't know if it's because the 360 has been out for a year, or if the Wii has been stealing some of its thunder, or if there are fewer must-have exclusives on the immediate horizon... but there's just generally less of that feeling of excitement in the air that I noticed when the PS2 and 360 came out.

I know what you mean. It doesn't seem like there is as much hype for this as there was for the 360 and PS2 before it. I would imagine that percentage of people who are buying them to sell them is greater than for the other consoles but it's still a very small percentage of the 400,000 (hopefully) people who will be getting them at launch.

The hype will come. Once the evening news picks up on the shortage...it's on.

I've seen a fight over the new Tickle Me Elmo. A fucking Elmo doll! All because the news said Elmo was "the thing" this year.

A lot of people thought the ps2 was too high priced and couldn't live off the name alone, and that system did great for holiday resellers. I think we'll see a similar situation. There are a lot of people that don't browse internet forums all day that will be jumping to get one for their kid.

No real draw for me to the PS3 either, except the Blu-ray DVD player. No games I am really interested in that aren't on the 360. If I can't find a decent bundle, then I'll wait until they are widely available. My 360 and HD-DVD drive will tide me over, hopefully. My Wii pre-order from Amazon will also help, if it comes through.

I think that would do more to increase the number of Ebay profiteers than to increase the number of people actually interested in owning (keeping) the system.

And a lot of those uninformed parents will have a heart attack at the idea of paying $800+ to get their hands on one. Again, I'm not saying there won't be a lot that will, but maybe not enough to cover the sheer mass of people who are dreaming of quick profit on Ebay. Not to mention the costs before profit can even come into play: $600 for a system, plus another 30+ for tax, then you factor in Ebay fees, shipping/insurance costs... You're looking at a base of at least 700 bucks before you can even start counting profit.

I sincerely hope that Ebay starts pulling PS3 listings due to that "rule" they have. Watch the bastards bitch and moan. :)

You don't think people will at least shell out a mere $100 more for that hard to find hot christmas gift?

Well, there were 4 pages of PS3 listings when I checked last night and today there was maybe 5-6 listings, at least when I checked around noon. So, ebay is doing something.