This was an extremely costly mistake.

One thing I learned and have done where possible since the PlayStation 3 was released was that you always buy as many of these consoles as you can on launch day. The expected value is huge.

I can't recall a single time where a new console has been released and has not been in extreme short supply for at least several months afterward. GeForce cards are another example of this.

The current value right now of these Switch 2 consoles is $750 on eBay, 200% above list price. There aren't many other investments that would earn an approximately 80% net profit (after 20% eBay fees, 2% shipping, 6% sales tax to purchase, 44% income tax.)

@SteveSokolowski If you look at the prices of Switch 2's sold (as opposed to listed) on ebay, they are closer to $600-$650. If your fee structure is correct, you're actually making a loss if you sell the switch on the low end of that range, and only making $17 in profit if you sell on the higher end.
With more liberal assumptions, (13.5% ebay fee, passing the shipping fee onto the consumer, evading the income tax) you're looking at ~$70 profit per unit. Not bad, but not something to cry over either. If you're at a 44% marginal income tax, I'm guessing you have more lucrative side-hustles at your disposal.

@GG I don't - intentionally. The only reason I have such a high tax rate year after year is because the defendants in my case, and the other cryptocurrency scammers, forced me to take massive gains in these few years, rather than spending a reasonable amount of money every year for the rest of my life, as most people would in retirement. Financial planners always advise people to save in tax-deferred 401(k) accounts and then spend down a reasonable amount yearly, which I couldn't do because they stole my money.

One of the reasons I don't have a "normal job" and won't for a few years is because it doesn't make sense for me to have one. Why would I move to a city and take an AI job paying $200,000/yr and work 60 hours a week like those companies require when I end up with a net profit of less than $80,000 after everything the government takes?

You've hit upon a key issue here - pundits on TV ask "why is there a labor shortage?" and then they don't look at how the United States has the most extreme progressive tax code in the world. Because of capital gains taxes, the first dollar is taxed at the highest possible rate. If you want people to work, let them keep a reasonable amount of the money they earn.

Before these scams, I was quite stupid. They taught me a lot about how the law and taxes work. I'd rather live frugally, as I always have.

I want to say that this market very much worked as intended (but will not resolve until I actually have it in physical possession, as specified!)

I got the email, but I already got a NS2 from elsewhere. I'll let you sign into my Nintendo Account and use this if you want

@ZviMowshowitz

@Robincvgr When did you sign up for the list?

@Robincvgr Looks like it's about to expire! Since Zvi hasn't responded, can I use your login? I'll bribe you 5k mana. [Edit: Request redacted, let Zvi have it.]

@Robincvgr Yep just realized this is here, DMed Robin details, no blame if you take the bribe instead of course, but would be happy to use it.

@ZviMowshowitz Nope! Zvi is a public hero and I would never dream of taking joy from a man who has reduced our p(doom) as much as him.

@GG I signed up on April 2nd

@GG Thanks, sent info to Zvi

In stock if you're a Costco member

https://www.costco.com/nintendo-switch-2--mario-kart-world-bundle.product.4000369992.html

@GG I saw this 6 hours later, and by the time I got to it this was no longer in stock.

@ZviMowshowitz did you really make a "will the gamer game?" market and expect people to bet against?

@JaySocrates I mean it is sold out and logistics are a thing...

What country are you in?

@retr0id Zvi is USA. Or at least, that's my understanding.

@asmith Yes, NYC.