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

Nintendo fans are taking a stand against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. This clever tactic is designed to bury scalper listings, making it harder for buyers to stumble upon overpriced pre-orders that range from $500 to $2,000 on platforms like eBay.

The frustration among U.S. Nintendo fans has been palpable, particularly due to the pre-order delay and the flood of exorbitant pre-orders on eBay. As the launch date of June 5 approaches, scalpers have started to list their overpriced consoles with the caveat that the pre-order will ship within 40 business days of purchase. However, in a bid to counteract these listings, Nintendo fans are posting fake listings at or below retail prices, pushing the scalpers' auctions further down the search results.

Take this listing, for example. Titled "Nintendo Switch v2 video games console PREORDER," it's listed at a seemingly reasonable $450. However, 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 an png image of a switch 2. No console." These listings often include "read description" in the heading, helping to differentiate them from genuine scalper auctions.

Another $550 listing makes its intentions even clearer: "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."

Similarly, a $499.99 auction 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 initially slated for release on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced a delay in the United States due to import tariffs enacted by President Trump, which caused financial market fluctuations.

Despite this, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 went live on April 24, maintaining the $449.99 price point. The demand was predictably high. For more details, you can refer to IGN's comprehensive Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

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