One of the most popular devices for 2020 is the PS5, but getting one of the consoles is nearly impossible. In fact, there are not enough consoles to meet the demand, and bots don't seem to have solved the problem.

At least one UK-based group of duffers has already managed to purchase 3,500 PS5 consoles using bots. And since these groups are not limited to the UK, they will also bear some of the blame if they fail to obtain PS5s.

The report comes from Business Insider, which spoke to members of the UK-based CrepChiefNotify via the Discord group. One manager claimed to have 2,472 consoles available at launch, in addition to the 1,000 pre-order consoles obtained in September.

Stories like this are becoming increasingly familiar with popular products, with scalpers using bots to purchase goods faster than the average person can manage. This gives them a huge advantage in situations where a few seconds can literally be the difference between success and failure. They then sell their ill-gotten gains at huge markups on aftermarket sites like eBay.

It has long been suspected that bots are being used to buy up PS5 inventory, not only in the UK but around the world. While the public could get the console for themselves, the incredible demand has made the console a prime target for duffers looking to make a quick profit. [And it's not just the PS5. Scalpers have been accused of using bots to purchase all sorts of popular items, including the latest flagship graphics cards, limited edition sneakers, and even Nintendo Switch. Anyone who tried to get their hands on Nintendo's hybrid console this year will know how little stock is available at retailers.

Retailers have taken steps to prevent this sort of thing, but it's not a perfect solution, and scalpers can circumvent the measures with relative ease. After all, if there is a community, it is in their best interest to work together to increase their chances of success.

However, joining the community is not free, and access to the CrepChiefNotify community costs £30 ($40) per month, or £300 ($400) for lifetime access. However, given that the PS5 is currently selling on eBay for almost double the suggested retail price of $500, some might consider it a fairly safe investment.

Managers credit the group's success with the PS5 to the fact that retailers announced their stock availability ahead of time. This makes it easier for customers to purchase the console for their own use, while making it easier for duffers to target bots.

The launch of the PS5 has been plagued with problems, especially in the UK. Retail sites have been overloaded with traffic, with some customers receiving random items instead of the console they were expecting. However, one cannot underestimate the fact that bots are playing a role in inventory shortages. If it becomes unprofitable to use bots in this manner, it is the only way bots will be eradicated.

So my advice: don't buy a PS5 on eBay or Craigslist for nearly $1,000; if you want a PS5, the best solution is to be patient and get it from a retailer. Or wait for supply to catch up with demand and get it.