Nintendo Fans Post Fake Switch 2 Auctions to Flood eBay and Drown Out Scalper Listings

Nintendo fans are taking a creative stand against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the Nintendo Switch 2. As pre-orders for the eagerly awaited console appear on sites like eBay, with prices ranging from $500 to $2,000, fans are striking back. Frustrated by the pre-order delay and the flood of overpriced listings, U.S. Nintendo enthusiasts have banded together to combat these scalpers, especially as we approach the Switch 2's launch date of June 5.

Scalpers are now able to list their pre-orders with a promise to ship within 40 business days of purchase. However, to counteract these listings and make them harder to find, Nintendo fans are posting fake listings at or below retail price. This tactic pushes the scalpers' overpriced auctions further down the page, making them less visible to potential buyers.

Take this listing, for example. Titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER," it's priced at $450, which might seem reasonable at first glance. But the description reveals the truth: "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 a png image of a switch 2. No console." These listings are easy to identify as they often include "read description" in the heading to warn potential buyers.

Another $550 listing is equally candid: "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 $499.99 auction is even more direct: "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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Originally slated for a June 5, 2025 release, the Nintendo Switch 2 was set to start at $449.99. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced a delay in the United States due to import tariffs implemented by President Trump, which caused financial markets to spiral. Consequently, pre-orders began on April 24, maintaining the $449.99 price point. For more detailed information, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

This week, Nintendo also addressed compatibility concerns with its new GameCube controller, acknowledging potential "issues" when using it to play modern Nintendo Switch games.