Nvidia RTX 5090 eBay Price Soars to $9,000 as Users Revolt With Framed Photo Listings to Trick Bots and Scalpers

The highly anticipated RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs have launched, creating a frenzy in the market. High demand and limited supply have resulted in immediate sellouts across most retailers, leaving many potential buyers disappointed.

Consequently, both GPUs, particularly the RTX 5090, are experiencing significant price gouging on secondary marketplaces like eBay. Shortly after release, RTX 5090s were fetching over $6,000, a price that has since escalated to a staggering $9,000 – a 350% markup from its $1,999 MSRP.

This exorbitant pricing stems from the RTX 5090's appeal beyond gaming. Its capabilities are highly sought after for AI workloads, making it a desirable asset for AI startups and businesses needing local model processing power. With Nvidia's datacenter GPUs often inaccessible to many, the RTX 5090 emerges as the next best alternative, regardless of its inflated resale value.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Images

5 ImagesThe gaming community's response to the scarcity and price manipulation is notable. eBay is now flooded with fraudulent listings designed to deceive buyers. These listings offer a photograph of the RTX 5090 instead of the actual product.

One such listing explicitly states: "Bots and scalpers welcome, do not buy if you are a human, you will be getting a framed photo of the 5090, you will not receive the 5090. The photo detentions is 8 inches by 8 inches, I got the frame from Target. DO NOT BUY IF YOU’RE A HUMAN.”

Another completed listing, sold for $2,457, clearly indicates: “Geforce RTX 5090 (read description) Picture Only - Not the Actual Item,” with a similar disclaimer regarding non-refundable image purchases.

The underlying problem is the lack of competition in the high-end consumer GPU market. With AMD's RX 9070 series unlikely to challenge Nvidia's dominance and Intel trailing behind, Nvidia holds a monopoly. The current GPU shortage and exorbitant prices paint a bleak outlook for high-end PC builders and enthusiasts.