Microsoft sidesteps Xbox Series X scalpers by emailing customers directly
You’ll be paying extra, though
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With theXbox Series Xstill difficult to get hold of,Microsofthas begun emailing Microsoft Store customers with offers to buy a console bundle.
According toThe Verge, these emails appear to so far be limited to customers within the US, with the bundles in limited supply as well.
As such, they’ll only be available on a first-come, first-served basis so clicking on the link in the email doesn’t guarantee that there is stock.
Microsoft is also limiting bundles to one per pre-order, no doubt to help combat against scalpers. Aside from theglobal chip shortage, scalpers (those that buy console stock en masse to sell at marked-up prices) are a contributing reason why many have struggled to get the new Xbox.
The downside
While this is fortunate news for some people, the caveat is that you have to pay a little extra.
These bundles include the Xbox Series X console, a second controller, and a digital game. The controllers are priced at their usual $59.99, but the selection of games all appear to be full priced despite them being cheaper if you were to buy them separately.Far Cry 6, for example, is an extra $59.99, but it’s currentlyon sale in the Microsoft Storefor $35.99.
The extra cost and limited stock isn’t entirely ideal, but given stock scarcity in the market generally, this will likely be many’s best chance to get an Xbox Series X for themselves without paying an even more ludicrous amount on eBay.
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At the time of writing, some eBay listings have the console going upwards of several thousand dollars. There are cheaper alternatives – but they require bidding, which is done to artificially inflate their price even more.
Michael is a freelance writer with bylines at the Metro, TechRaptor, and Game Rant. A Computer Games Design and Creative Writing graduate, he’s been passionate about video games since the Game Boy Color, particularly Nintendo games, with Xenoblade Chronicles being his favorite game ever. Despite everything, he’s still a Sonic the Hedgehog fan.
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