NVIDIA has just launched its Founders Edition GeForce RTX 40 series graphics cards in China and as scalpers hijack some models they are replaced online with much higher prices. At a time when scalping has largely decreased around the world for the RTX 40 series, it appears as scalpers hijack models at MSRP in this market, that there’s no end to the much-loathed practice. VideoCardz reports (via IT Home) that the GeForce RTX 4070 has already been seen at up to 45% higher than MSRP following last week’s launch.
Per IT Home (machine translated):
“As shown in the picture above, the RTX 4070 graphics card, which is currently out of stock at an official price of 4799 yuan, can be bought at a third-party store for 6999 yuan.”
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Founders edition was available via NVIDIA’s store page for 4,799 RMB (~$668.40) but quickly disappeared only to resurface at a popular etailer site for 6,999 RMB (~$974.80). Additionally, the GeForce RTX 4090 is also listed as out of stock on the NVIDIA store but it was not originally said if scalpers had posted their own but a recent check of JD.com shows that they have. For the low price of 16,499 RMB (~2,297.95), those interested can purchase the flagship card which had been originally listed at NVIDIA’s store for 12,999 RMB (~$1810.47) before its inventory had been snatched up. It’s only about a $490 markup, ouch!
IT Home notes that some Founders Edition models are still available overseas at MSRP, ironically most likely meaning North America and Europe where they had previously seen similarly, and even higher, scalping prices at launch last fall.
“Overseas, except for the RTX 4090 graphics card, other models can be purchased at the original price.”
It is unfortunate that scalping still manages to hurt so many consumers around the globe.
Discussion (6 replies)
Join Discussion →Its really simple. Don't buy from scalpers.
Wait scalpers highjacked? They stole them or did they just buy them... now I'm confused.
I admit I took some liberty there but basically, they were prepared and waiting to pounce. IT Home didn't provide timeline specifics but it sounds like it was near-instantaneous before NV's stock was wiped out and then resurfaced on JD.com.
4070s are not all that. Consumers should just let the scalpers have them.
Yep, I finally caught on around the time of the 970s. That was the last gen of great SLI. After that, for me, it was mostly top-tier or nothing. I did take a chance on a pair of 1080s but the many great stories of 1080 Ti s paints a more definitive picture. Heck, I even put a huge amount of hours into my 2080 Ti to the point that I felt guilty about even trying to sell it.
That being said I feel the only complaint against the 4090 is its price but beyond that, there's not much-arguing performance. The downside is tat this card too was one that pirates snatched up in regard to the FEs with this launch in China.
I have owned a 970, and a 1070, back when the 70 series out performed the previous generations 80 series cards. That's when NVIDIA had a ok cake for their new cards. Maybe that will come back with the 5000 series.