Report: eBay Tightens Next-Gen Console Pre-Orders

According to online reports, auction website eBay has imposed stricter new regulations on the sales of next generation console pre-orders, while removing existing listings for the PlayStation 3 until the new procedures are in place. A user posting in the eBay Trust & Safety forum includes a statement from the company’s customer support department which indicates that: “Due to the high demand and limited supply of this item we are taking stronger measures to protect both buyers and sellers in the eBay community. Currently, eBay is not permitting ‘Pre-Sale’ of this item, and sellers who list it on eBay must have physical possession of the products at time of listing.” In order for subsequent PlayStation 3 pre-order listings to be allowed, sellers will be required to fax eBay additional confirmation of their identity, including driver’s license or similar ID, credit card statements and a receipt for the console. However, a search for PlayStation 3 pre-sales on eBay as of early Monday morning U.S. time shows around 10-15 PS3 pre-order auctions still going on, indicating that any eBay crackdown has not yet been entirely successful. Following the start of pre-orders for the PlayStation 3 last week, which were quickly ended the same day as allocations were used up, listings immediately began to appear on eBay offering the console for anything up to $1,500 – with no more than a pre-order receipt as proof that the console would be supplied.