Nexus 5 Release Date Coming: Device Pre-Orders Surface On eBay

As we wait for the Nexus 5 to be announced, possibly on Thursday, the upcoming handset has already made its way to eBay.

A recent leak of the Nexus 5 on the Google Play Store has confirmed its price at $349 for the 16GB model; many expect the 32GB model will be priced at $399. However, several eBay sellers are offering the device for pre-order for as much as $700, a price rivaling those of Apple and Samsung smartphones.

One listing in particular has ended since being discovered; however it notes that two Nexus 5 handsets were pre-ordered, while it is listed that three more are available. A total of 13 people bid on the $650 32GB Nexus 5 before the listing ended.

Pundits note that prospective Nexus 5 customers should be careful with purchasing from such listings on eBay. If they are not complete scams, the transaction may be the seller offering to attempt to get a Nexus 5 handset on its release day and ship it out to the customer. Several sellers have already tried to cover themselves by listing that they reserve the right to cancel the transaction in the event that they are not able to obtain a Nexus 5 handset. Some also note that sellers may cancel transactions if the eBay price for the Nexus 5 significantly increases once it is released, likely to relist their offer at a higher price.

Many have taken the appearance of Nexus 5 pre-orders on eBay as a sign that we are officially in Nexus 5 season. Notably, when the Nexus 4 released last year, prices on eBay skyrocketed up to $1,000 as the device quickly sold out and many customers experienced technical issues with the Google Play Store.

Upon its November 2012 release the Nexus 4 was backordered for several months, which made it difficult for customers to get their hands on the device, even through alternative means like eBay. There is no telling if the Nexus 5 will experience the same availability issues, but we do know the device is highly anticipated, and many people will want to take advantage of that.

Several other Nexus 5 listings have been discovered; one listing offers the 16GB Nexus 5 for $300.00, while another listing offers it for $645.00. As said, the listing which has now ended, offered the 32GB Nexus 5 for $650; while another listing offered the 32GB Nexus 5 for just $202.50. Below are some more pre-order listings for the Nexus 5.

Listing offers the 16GB Nexus 5 for $599.00.

Listing offers the 16GB Nexus 5 for $645.00.

Listing offers the 16GB Nexus 5 for $645.99.

Listing offers the 16GB Nexus 5 for $700.00.

Possible tell-tale signs of scams are that many of the Nexus 5 pre-order listings describe the Nexus 4 under Item specifics, while product reviews on some pages are for the Nexus 4. Additionally, some listings show an image of the Nexus 4 as opposed to an image of the Nexus 5, which is now available since the Google Play Store leak.

Currently, fans and pundits alike are looking forward to Google’s press event, which will take place Thursday evening. There is little indication as to whether or not the Nexus 5 will be unveiled at this event, which is advertised as a Google Play event. It will be interesting to see how things unfold.

Would you purchase an item on pre-order from eBay? Let us know in the comments below.

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