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

Nintendo fans are cleverly fighting back against scalpers by flooding auction sites with fake listings for the Nintendo Switch 2. These deceptive listings make it harder for buyers to spot the scalpers' overpriced offers. With the highly anticipated console's pre-orders appearing on sites like eBay at prices ranging from $500 to $2,000, the frustration among fans has been palpable.

After a pre-order delay in the United States due to import tariffs, U.S. Nintendo fans have united to combat the issue. As the Switch 2's launch date approaches on June 5, scalpers can now list their consoles with a promise to ship within 40 business days of purchase. In response, Nintendo fans are posting fake listings at or below retail prices, pushing the scalpers' auctions down the page and out of sight.

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 $499.99 auction further illustrates the tactic: "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."

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

View 91 Images

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 delays in the United States due to import tariffs introduced by President Trump, which caused financial market instability.

Pre-orders eventually went live on April 24, maintaining the $449.99 price point, and the response was as expected. For more details, check out IGN's comprehensive Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

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