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

Nintendo enthusiasts are fighting back against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. As pre-orders for the console appear on platforms like eBay, ranging from $500 to $2,000, fans are taking action to make it harder for scalpers to profit from the pre-order delay and the upcoming June 5 launch date. With only 40 days left until the release, scalpers can now list their overpriced consoles with the promise of shipping within 40 business days of purchase.

In response, Nintendo fans are posting fake listings at or below retail prices to push the scalpers' auctions down the page. For instance, a listing titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER" for $450 seems reasonable at first glance. However, the description reveals it's a pre-order for a screenshot of the console, aimed at combating bots and scalpers with no refunds or cancellations. These listings often include "read description" in the heading to differentiate them from genuine offers.

Another example is a $550 listing that humorously warns buyers not to purchase unless they are bots or wish to donate, promising only a laser-printed image of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle with no refunds. Similarly, a $499.99 auction offers a printed picture of a confirmed pre-order, folded and sent in a standard envelope, explicitly stating it's not for the console itself and reiterating no refunds or returns.

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Originally set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced delays in the U.S. due to import tariffs introduced by President Trump, which caused financial market instability. Pre-orders eventually went live on April 24 at the same price, and the response was as expected. For more details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

This week, Nintendo addressed concerns about compatibility with its new GameCube controller, noting potential "issues" when using it with modern Nintendo Switch games.