If you've tried buying a graphics card in the last few years, you’ve likely come across sky-high prices or “out of stock” notices. What used to be a straightforward purchase has turned into a frustrating scavenger hunt—and GPU scalping is largely to blame.
So, What Is GPU Scalping Exactly?
Basically, it’s when someone buys up graphics cards the second they hit the shelves—usually online—and then resells them at way higher prices. These aren’t just people grabbing an extra one for a friend. A lot of them use bots to buy in bulk before regular shoppers even get a chance.
Once they’ve snagged a bunch of cards, they throw them up on places like eBay or Marketplace and charge a premium. If a card normally sells for $500, a scalper might list it for $900 or more. And somehow, people still end up buying them.
Why It’s Become a Thing
This really blew up during the pandemic. More people were stuck at home and getting into gaming, streaming, or even building PCs for work. At the same time, cryptocurrency mining made certain GPUs super valuable. Add in chip shortages and supply chain issues, and it became the perfect storm for scalpers to move in.
They saw the demand, saw the short supply, and took advantage.
It’s Not Just a Gamer Problem
Gamers were hit hard, but it didn’t stop there. Video editors, 3D designers, even students trying to get decent performance for school projects all felt the pinch. For a while, it felt like unless you were willing to pay double or triple the retail price, you were out of luck.
Don’t Feed the Scalpers
Scalping has made buying a GPU way harder than it should be. It’s frustrating, unfair, and shows no signs of disappearing overnight. While there’s not much an individual can do to stop it, the best move is to avoid supporting it.
If fewer people buy from scalpers, the demand drops—and eventually, so does their grip on the market. Until then, patience, alerts from legit retailers, and a bit of luck are your best tools.