Nintendo Fans Flood eBay with Fake Switch 2 Auctions to Combat Scalpers

Nintendo fans are taking a stand against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2. This clever strategy aims to bury the scalpers' inflated listings, making it more challenging for buyers to come across them. Across platforms like eBay, pre-orders for the console have been spotted, with prices ranging wildly from $500 to a staggering $2,000.

Frustration among U.S. Nintendo enthusiasts has been palpable due to the pre-order delay and the rampant overpriced pre-orders on eBay. With the launch of the Switch 2 set for June 5, scalpers have been quick to capitalize, listing their pre-orders with the assurance that they will ship within 40 business days of purchase. In response, Nintendo fans are posting fake listings at or below retail prices to push these scalper auctions further down the search results.

A prime example is a listing titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER" priced at $450. At first glance, it seems like a reasonable deal, but the description clarifies: "PRE-ORDER SCREENSHOT Please note: You are ordering a picture of the Nintendo Switch 2. This listing is to combat bots and scalpers. No refunds. No cancels. > You will receive an png image of a switch 2. No console." These fan-made listings often include "read description" in their headings to differentiate them from genuine scalper auctions.

Another listing, priced at $550, humorously warns: "Do not, I repeat DO NOT BUY this unless you are a bot or just wish to donate $550 to me. I will be shipping a laser-printed image of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle and that will be all you get. NO REFUNDS. NO. REFUNDS. NO REFUNDS. You will NOT BE REFUNDED you will be receiving the picture whether you like it or not. I'm just gonna make sure to state this again, there will be NO REFUNDS, and you will be getting a laser printed image of a Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle. That is all you will be getting. Oh, one last thing. Did I mention NO REFUNDS? Ok but actually though, it will ship after you order instead of after it releases so you should be getting it before Switch 2 release date."

A third listing, at $499.99, states: "This listing is for a printed picture of my Nintendo Switch 2 console confirmed preorder. You will receive a printed picture, folded, and sent in a standard letter envelope. This is NOT for the console itself. No refunds, No returns. F the bots."

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The Nintendo Switch 2 was originally slated for a June 5, 2025 release, with a starting price of $449.99. However, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order dates were delayed in the United States due to import tariffs imposed by President Trump, which caused financial market turbulence. Pre-orders eventually went live on April 24, maintaining the $449.99 price point, and the response was as chaotic as anticipated. For detailed information, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

This week, Nintendo addressed concerns about compatibility with its newly released GameCube controller, confirming potential "issues" when using it with current Nintendo Switch games.