Zotac, a smaller graphics card manufacturer, has implemented a novel scheme to combat scalping during the recent launch of its RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs. The company’s US Discord channel is running a “priority access campaign” exclusively for active community members, offering them a chance to purchase these sought-after cards via a raffle system.
Active community members can enter the raffle by participating in discussions, challenges, and other engaging activities on Zotac’s Discord channel. To ensure fairness, the company has set conditions for participation, including a ban on “manipulation” or “cheating.” Moreover, serial numbers of GPUs bought through this program will be recorded, and resellers will face public exposure.
Since its announcement, Zotac’s Discord channel has seen an influx of new sign-ups, with many users eager to participate in the raffle. While it remains unclear how effective this scheme will be in policing the entire market, it is a welcome move by the company against scalpers and bots that often create chaos during hardware launches.
Zotac’s approach may not be feasible for larger manufacturers, but its efforts demonstrate a commitment to protecting genuine buyers from being outbid by scalpers. As the tech industry continues to grapple with supply chain issues and high demand, this initiative serves as a reminder of the importance of fair practices in the market.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/computing/gpu/zotac-has-a-plan-to-keep-rtx-5090-and-5080-gpus-away-from-the-clutches-of-scalpers-and-it-sounds-like-it-might-be-working