Vigilante eBay Users Strike Back Against Nintendo Switch 2 Scalpers
Nintendo enthusiasts discover innovative approach to combat pre-order scalpers for Switch 2
Frustrated gamers have devised a novel tactic to combat Nintendo Switch 2 scalpers recently as pre-orders in the US have finally opened.
Even with Nintendo’s attempts to thwart Nintendo Switch 2 scalping, reminiscent listings began cropping up on eBay shortly after the US pre-orders went live. This mirrors similar scenarios in the UK and other regions, following the two-week delay caused by Donald Trump's tariffs.
Faced with the overwhelming scalping issue, disgruntled Nintendo enthusiasts have resorted to an unusual strategy: inundating the eBay market with bogus Switch 2 listings.
A casual US eBay scan will reveal an array of Switch 2 listings, with some exceeding Nintendo’s $449.99 price tag and others matching or underselling the console. Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that many of these listings offer screenshots rather than actual pre-orders, as evident by the 'read the description' heading on several listings.
As pointed out by Nintendeals on Bluesky, these misleading listings are not designed to extort money but to disrupt the market. This aims to make it more challenging to find genuine Switch 2 listings, effectively thwarting scalpers' attempts to sell their pre-orders.
Although it's simple enough to distinguish the fakes from reality, their lower pricing might lead them to hold prime positions on eBay's search results, pushing legitimate listings down the rankings. Furthermore, this tactic should deter any automated bots programmed to scour eBay for potential stock in order to hoard and resell later.
The demand for the Switch 2 is sky-high, leading experts to suggest it might be the biggest console launch in history despite widespread criticisms concerning the high cost of its games. Unfortunately, the situation isn't rosy in Japan either, with Nintendo already apologizing for inadequate stock levels.
Today's Spotlight:
- The Unraveling of Donald Trump’s Popularity: The Exact Moment
- Gamers Chatter: Is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Overrated?
- Sony Breathes New Life into Classic PlayStation Console Themes for PS5
- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Boasts Upgrades and Welcome Tour UK Pricing
While eBay's policies technically permit scalping if the seller ships within a certain timeframe, the moral and ethical implications of artificially hiking prices remain a contentious topic.
Email [email protected]*, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our newsletter**.
To effortlessly submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features, skip emailing and use our Submit Stuff page instead.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming section.
MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades and Welcome Tour UK pricing
MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 ducks US price hike but accessory costs surge
MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 ad resurrects Paul Rudd in a 90s revival
- A creative group of gamers, frustrated with Nintendo Switch 2 scalpers, have been inundating eBay with bogus Switch 2 listings in an attempt to mitigate the scalping issue.
- Despite the moral and ethical implications of scalping and the permissibility of the practice on eBay, disgruntled Nintendo enthusiasts resorted to this unusual strategy to potentially find genuine Switch 2 listings and thwart scalpers' attempts.
- This tactic, while aiming to disrupt the market and deter scalpers, could potentially lead to lower-priced, misleading listings holding prime positions on eBay's search results, making it more difficult to find genuine Switch 2 listings.
