Valve’s answer to Steam Controller scalping is to slow the sale down. After the May 4 launch created an “incredibly frustrating” buying experience for many customers, Valve said it would keep replenishing stock while changing orders to improve the purchase experience and limit reseller activity [2][
8].
The new buying process
Beginning May 8 at 10 AM PT, buyers could join a Steam Controller reservation queue rather than trying to beat everyone through checkout at the same moment [2]. Valve’s system sends order invitations as inventory becomes available, in the same order reservations were received [
1][
12]. Once the invite arrives, the buyer has 72 hours to complete the purchase .






