This Will Affect Everything

Computer graphics cards are a recent product to be impacted by scalpers using bots to purchase products at retail cost only to turn around and sell them on eBay for twice the cost. They're not the first products to be impacted by this. Bots have been used to scalp other items, such as the latest basketball shoes. Think of those high dollar shoes that always have limited supply and all the cool kids must have them. As sad as it is, not being able to buy the item makes some people want it even more, so they can show off that they were one of the few able to get it.

By buying all the stock of these items, scalpers ensure that customers can't get the product from the typical source and potentially tempt them to purchase the item from a scalper for more money.

The example is graphics cards because it's happening now and computer graphics are a huge industry with only two main competitors. Nvidia (a graphics card company) is a corporate giant and yet, they have proven unwilling to do anything about this new trend.

If you think this is just a fad, I think you'd be sourly mistaken. And I think it will continue to grow and we'll be seeing a much wider range of products going for twice the cost.

Soon it may not just be the latest and greatest products that everyone wants. Soon it could be things that people need, such as medicine.

I don't think the companies selling these products care (no shit really?). But, here's why. The companies are still making the same amount of money, but they're making it quicker. Stock is being completely sold out in record timing. And when third party retailers are selling their products off to scalpers, they're distancing themselves from taking responsibility of these products. Meaning they no longer have to be concerned with returns or faulty products. Think Best Buy as it is now exclusively selling a specific edition of these computer graphics cards; if all of their stock is bought up by scalpers, and scalpers sell all their stock, the end customer can't speak to Best Buy regarding damage in shipping. Hell, the manufacturers warranty may also be in jeopardy. How often do you have to show your proof of purchase when speaking with the manufacturer?

So two trends here actually. Scalping which leads to severe price gouging. And companies discovering they have a newfound way of taking no responsibility in dealing with customers.

If we don't do anything about this, it will get out of hand, FAST.

DO NOT feed into the trend. Don't buy from scalpers. If there's no stock at a trusted retailer, pretend like the product hasn't released yet.

If you read this and decide to buy from them anyway, one day you'll wake up in a cardboard box, realizing that you just paid double for everything. You know what we call that? Yeah, I think you know what we call that.