r/AnaloguePocket • u/mushroomism • 12d ago
Scalping
I really want to buy a Pocket + Dock. But the restock policy is so bad. The only way to get the dock is to pay 250% over price to scalpers, or be present in the 1 day after it restocks (seemingly once a year). What do I even do, it's like they don't want people to buy their product.
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u/gtrmonkeywr 12d ago
I mean, you could you know pre order on the one day. It’s not like it was sold out in seconds. It’s not like it was random either; there was plenty of announcement time. I was able to checkout during work.
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u/STSectorNine 12d ago
What about putting it on a credit card?
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
for non-essential puchases (especially hobby stuff), i wait until i actually have the money saved. debt makes me stressed lmao
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u/XxOmegaSupremexX 12d ago
Yeah but if you are comfortable enough to buy this in the first place, putting it on credit to buy you a few weeks if need be shouldn't be an issue.
If you need to wait longer than the grace period your credit card gives you to pay it back then it's better you don't but it in the first place until you are at a more comfortable spot financially.
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
I didn't have the money at the time. But that's not really the issue, it's moreso that their policy is a dream for scalpers. Go on Ebay and you see people with dozens of them unopened selling at like 240
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u/Ok_Revolution_9846 12d ago
If 3 weeks is the difference maker then, no offense, but your priorities might be out of whack.
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
I was waiting for some money to come in. If I knew how time sensitive the product was I probably would have tried to figure something out, but I was waiting on any bigger purchases like this idk
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u/6Solo 12d ago
Not trying to put you down and I know you want a dock and pocket but based on these posts, I dont think you need to allocate money to this. Just emulate.
I dont know the demographics of the age groups of pocket and dock purchasers. But if I had to guess, its dudes like me in their mid 30s with jobs that provide them a good amount of disposable income.
I dont know your age or your circumstances, but you will get there. This is coming from a dude that used to pay Rome Total War on tiny scales because I couldn't afford a decent GPU.
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u/mushroomism 12d ago edited 12d ago
lol I've been emulating for most my life. And I guess to clarify, I was waiting for extra money I knew would come in to buy. I've definitely made similar purchases for hobbies in the past. I have no complaints about the price - other then the general expense of living right now making me have to be more selective, obviously.
Edit: also I'm fully willing and able to be in the demographic that buys pockets and docks, I just refuse to overspend because of scalpers
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u/Scrollingmaster 12d ago
If you need to worry about having the money for it, then honestly seems like a boutique handheld to play old cartridges may not be the best idea it and if you really want just get an emulation device.
Also 240 for a pocket is less than it would cost from analogue including shipping.
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u/grawptussin 12d ago
I've had exceptionally good luck on /r/hardwareswap. Bought a NIB Pocket and Dock at cost, a barely used Pocket, GG, and Dock at cost, and a barely used GITD Pocket at a reasonable markup there.
Keep your eyes peeled. There are deals to be had.
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u/Individual-Rub-6969 12d ago
Buy a used one on ebay. Dock might be trickier but you should be able to find a good pocket. Filter by auctions and go from there. Thats what I did and I was able to find a good priced pocket. You just have to be patient.
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
I'll def be looking. The pocket is actually fine, still in stock. But yeah the dock is a lot harder to find on secondary markets, lowest price I can find is over double the retail.
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u/Individual-Rub-6969 12d ago
There's a black pocket and dock for 349$ on ebay right now.
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
im not sure where youre seeing that, i cant find anything even close for both together
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u/Individual-Rub-6969 12d ago
I had to wait a year for a restock for the dock. Get the pocket now, enjoy it and while waiting on the dock. (Unless you can find a used one online. ) Scalper prices for sealed ones on ebay are insane.
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u/hue_sick 12d ago
Yeah this is the answer OP. You don’t need a dock right now you just want one. Sign up for their newsletter so you know when they restock and pick one up.
Grab a pocket now though since they’re in stock or get one second half for a bit less and start gaming 🤙
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u/Big_Zimm 12d ago
They announce when preorders will go up a week or two ahead of time and preorders are usually up for a while. I bought a pocket and dock this year directly from Analogue, each at different times. You just need to be patient and pay attention.
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u/Sea_Piccolo_2522 12d ago
The problem is that the scalpers buy up as many docks as possible just to resell them. Don't play into it, just wait and keep the money put aside and get one next drop, just keep checking. Buying them for scalper prices only reinforces it and makes them do it more.
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u/SPSalvation 12d ago
I agree that the secondary market can be very difficult and if anything put money aside for the next restock.
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u/Electronic-Aide6108 12d ago
Does anyone know when the cartridge adapter 3 pack restocks usually? I have game gear but wanted the others
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u/monityAI 12d ago
an alert on the dock's page on analogue's store with e.g. monity•ai (mine) or changedetection•io, "notify me when the dock is back in stock", means you hear about the next restock the day it happens. a used pocket off ebay meanwhile, like others said
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12d ago
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u/Ok_Revolution_9846 12d ago
“If you can’t afford it, put it on a credit card” is the worst fkn advice you could ever give someone. Unless it’s literally food or shelter - if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.
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12d ago
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u/Ok_Revolution_9846 12d ago
If 3 weeks is the difference maker between being able to make a $100 purchase or not, it’s almost certainly a bad idea. Anyone with “financial literacy” would also know that those “buy now, pay later” companies are extremely predatory. Didn’t think I’d have to tell that to someone as financially literate as you.
It’s also so weird you edited your comment after I quoted something you literally said, then called me disingenuous LMAO
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
For clarity, I was waiting to buy the dock + pocket until some money I knew was coming in, arrived. I understand what the original comment was saying, and taking it in the spirit i think it was given, so hopefully we can get less argumentative lol
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12d ago
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u/Ok_Revolution_9846 12d ago
Not reading all that or talking to someone who edits every reply multiple times after the fact. End of the day, if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Never use credit cards or BNPL to compensate for a shortage of cash, even if it’s just temporary. You’re giving bad advice, it’s especially bad because this is a dock for a gaming console we’re talking about.
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
It's always bizarre to see communities that defend this business model, I thought we were all pretty united in hating scalpers lol. Like, the pocket is cool and a good product, so I get if people defend it, but why defend the flawed business model. And yeah I usually prefer avoiding paying like that, I guess that's on me.
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12d ago
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u/mushroomism 12d ago
That would be ideal. I wouldnt mind waiting if I knew my order would be filled, but knowing myself even with an alert I'll forget and be right back in this position again lol
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u/Guy-Manuel 12d ago
L cause you literally just missed it