Some shoppers are going to great lengths, as retailers report significant shortages of the RTX 50 series. A Reddit post from Micro Center reveals a number of tents set up outside its store in Tustin, California. Micro Center is a go-to place for PC builders in the U.S., known for keeping the most sought-after components in stock. Now, it has turned into a hotspot for eager buyers ahead of the January 30th launch of the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090.
Cold Weather and Campers
With the expectation of limited stock, Micro Center released a YouTube video addressing the situation. They advised customers against waiting outside in the cold winter weather, yet that hasn’t deterred some determined individuals at the Tustin location. While the climate isn’t exactly warm, Tustin’s weather is milder compared to the colder regions of the east and north in the U.S. There’s some debate on whether tents are allowed on the property, but previous customers have shared stories of similar scenes before other big product releases.
A Plan for Launch Day
To avoid chaos on January 30th, Micro Center is implementing a voucher system. On launch day, customers will be able to buy either the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 GPUs, but the store will not stock the Founders Edition cards. MSI is expected to be the main supplier, although it has already dampened hopes for availability. The company cites Nvidia’s failure to provide enough chips for third-party manufacturers to produce their custom graphics cards. Consequently, scalpers are likely to attempt to grab any RTX 50 series inventory again and sell it at higher prices.
Dedication or Desperation?
Whenever customers turn a retail location into a camping site, it tends to spark mixed reactions. One camper at the Tustin Micro Center even took to Reddit to clarify that they had no plans to scalp. Facing the cold days before the RTX 5090’s launch, it’s tough not to appreciate such commitment.
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