The recent launch of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards has been marred by reports of scalper bots dominating sales in Europe. These automated programs have reportedly purchased the majority of available stock, leaving many consumers frustrated and empty-handed. The situation has raised concerns about the effectiveness of retailer policies and NVIDIA’s response to scalping practices.
Key Takeaways
- Scalper bots have bought up nearly all GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 cards in Europe.
- The German retailer Proshop broke the sales embargo, allowing early purchases.
- Retailers are reportedly inflating prices significantly above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
Scalper Bots Take Center Stage
The launch of NVIDIA’s latest graphics cards was highly anticipated, but the excitement quickly turned to disappointment for many consumers. Reports indicate that scalper bots, specifically one named “NVIDIA KSB Test v1.1,” were responsible for purchasing nearly all available units before the official launch date. This bot was distributed through German-speaking Discord channels, allowing users to configure it for early access to the cards.
We now have confirmation that the entire European supply of RTX 50 FE cards was scalped by bots before the official launch. @PCGH_Redaktion tracked down the creator of the bot and his discord server. IMHO, all orders need to be canceled and @NVIDIAGeForce should look for a new…
— High Yield (@highyieldYT) January 31, 2025
Retailer Controversy
Proshop, the exclusive retailer for NVIDIA’s Founders Edition cards in Europe, has come under fire for breaking the sales embargo. The retailer allowed sales to commence before the official launch time, leading to widespread complaints from consumers who were unable to secure a card. Many users took to social media to share their frustrations, with some even boasting about their successful purchases through the bot.
Price Inflation Issues
In addition to the scalping issue, some retailers have been observed selling the RTX 5090 and 5080 cards at prices significantly higher than NVIDIA’s MSRP. For instance, certain listings for custom models have reached prices upwards of €4,999, far exceeding the expected retail price of around $1,999. This practice has led to accusations that retailers are acting as scalpers themselves, taking advantage of the high demand and limited supply.
I have to correct myself: GeForce RTX 5090 is indeed available at the German/Austrian market.
And in case anyone thinks this is a joke:https://t.co/OnCLch51vHhttps://t.co/wXw3xpYMMh pic.twitter.com/VbjzKnhWY7
— 3DCenter.org (@3DCenter_org) January 30, 2025
NVIDIA’s Response
As of now, NVIDIA has not publicly addressed the scalping issue or the retailer’s breach of the sales embargo. The lack of action has left many consumers feeling abandoned and frustrated. With the upcoming launch of the RTX 5070 Ti, there are concerns that similar issues may arise if no measures are taken to prevent scalping and ensure fair access to products.
Conclusion
The dominance of scalper bots in the sales of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 cards highlights a significant problem in the gaming hardware market. As consumers continue to face challenges in obtaining these high-demand products, it remains to be seen how NVIDIA and retailers will respond to the growing outcry for fairer sales practices. Without intervention, the cycle of scalping and inflated prices may continue, leaving genuine gamers at a disadvantage.
Via PCGamesHardware
