GameStop Cranks Up Prices on Used PS5 Pros to $1,400 Amid GTA 6 Frenzy

In a move that underscores how difficult it has become to simply buy a video game console in the current market, GameStop is now listing used PlayStation 5 Pro consoles for as much as $1,400. The price surge arrives as the sought-after machine grows increasingly scarce ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6’s launch, with former employees suggesting the retailer is exploiting consumer demand to maximize profits on pre-owned hardware.

The revelation surfaced Monday when someone leaked someone leaked on Reddit what appears to be an internal message GameStop sent to its stores, alerting staff that prices for several pre-owned variants of Sony’s more powerful PS5 Pro were being raised. The memo reportedly instructed locations to charge anywhere from $1,400 to $1,500 across different versions of the console—sums that far exceed the machine’s suggested retail price of $900 and even surpass what a brand-new unit costs. According to the alleged internal communication, the inflated pricing on used consoles was “intentional.”

A Price Tag That Defies Logic

The leaked memo appears to have been accurate. On October 6, GameStop updated standard edition pre-owned PS5 Pro on its website to $1,400, seemingly confirming the validity of the internal message that had circulated among employees. As of 9:30 a.m. EST Tuesday, however, the pre-owned PS5 Pro listed on GameStop’s site was already out of stock—mirroring the broader availability crisis affecting the console across retailers.

The shortage is not limited to used units. A new PS5 Pro remains $900 on GameStop’s site. It is also out of stock, reinforcing that even at its standard suggested retail price, buyers have good luck finding a store with the hardware in hand. The console currently carries a suggested retail price of $900, though that figure has become somewhat theoretical for consumers trying to purchase one outright.

“GameStop is increasing prices on pre-owned PS5 Pro consoles because they’re struggling to source new units like everyone else—but used consoles can be sold at whatever price the store decides, so we’re prioritizing those over stocking new machines.”

[Former GameStop employee]

Why Used Consoles Are Suddenly So Expensive

Several former GameStop employees have offered an explanation for the dramatic price jump. According to these sources, the retailer—like virtually everyone else in the electronics industry—is struggling more expensive and annoying to acquire new PS5 Pros at wholesale. New consoles are costly to stock and must be sold near the $900 mark or bundled with other items to remain profitable, which compresses margins significantly.

Used consoles, by contrast, offer far greater flexibility. GameStop can acquire trade-ins for well below their actual market value—taking advantage of sellers who may not realize how difficult it has become to obtain a PS5 Pro right now—and then resell them at whatever price the market will bear. Former employees believe this dynamic is driving the chain’s decision to prioritize used hardware over restocking new units, essentially monetizing the panic buying surrounding GTA 6.

The timing could not be worse for casual sellers or bargain hunters. As people rush out to upgrade their consoles before Grand Theft Auto 6’s launch in November, demand has pushed resale values into uncharted territory. The chain can afford to hold firm on pricing because used units carry minimal acquisition costs, allowing it to capture the full premium that desperate buyers are willing to pay.

Notably, Sony itself appears unconcerned about supply. Don’t worry, Sony says it has all the RAM it needs to make more PS5 consoles, suggesting the shortage stems from distribution and demand pressures rather than a genuine manufacturing bottleneck—though that reassurance offers little comfort to consumers facing four-figure price tags at their local game store.

Looking Ahead

Kotaku has contacted GameStop for more information about the pricing change and what lies behind it. As of publication, no official comment had been received from the retailer regarding its decision to charge a premium on pre-owned hardware.

The situation highlights a broader pattern in the current gaming landscape, where limited console supply and anticipation around major titles can drive resale prices far beyond their intrinsic value. With GTA 6’s November launch still on the horizon and stock remaining thin across most channels, consumers hoping to pick up a PS5 Pro—new or used—at any reasonable price may need to keep watching shelves closely.

The irony is not lost on the community: when Sony first announced the PS5 Pro at $700 last year, many gamers balked at what seemed like an extravagant price point. Now that pre-owned units are more expensive than ever, that original $700 tag seems almost modest by comparison—a reminder of how quickly console economics can shift when demand outpaces supply.