Is the Steam Machine too expensive? Not for scalpers who have already doubled the prices

If the list price of the Steam Machine had already sparked discussions online, it seems that it does not represent a significant limit for scalpers who have put their reservations up for sale. The most curious aspect, however, is that apparently a segment of the public would be willing to pay simply insane amounts to get their hands on one of the Steam-branded cubes.

The listings show prices that are significantly higher than the official prices. The Steam Machine starts at $1,049 and goes up to $1,428, depending on the chosen storage capacity and whether the Steam Controller is included in the package. In the resale market, however, prices start at around $1,700 and, in the case of the version with 2 TB of storage, exceed even $2,900, which is more than double the list price.

To limit the phenomenon of speculative resales, Valve had introduced several measures. Reservations were managed through a random queue, access was restricted to Steam accounts with previous purchases, and a limit of one unit per household was imposed. These precautions, however, did not prevent the first online listings from appearing. The limited availability of the initial units has fostered the emergence of a parallel market where some users try to make a profit by reselling purchase priority.

Valve also reminds that purchasing a reservation through third-party sellers comes with certain risks. In the event of problems with the transaction or with the transfer of the right to purchase, the company will not be able to provide assistance or guarantees to buyers who have chosen channels other than the official ones.

In summary, Valve has warned players and is taking all possible countermeasures to dissuade both scalpers and their potential customers. It is clear that there will always be some reckless individuals, but it is important to remember that if you rely on these characters for the purchase of your Steam Machine, you do so at your own risk.