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| Zotac RTX 50-series GPUs. |
The scramble to get next-generation graphics cards is rarely a smooth experience, but PC builders are accusing Zotac of adding a cruel new twist: canceling confirmed orders only to repost the same GPUs at dramatically higher prices just hours later. The situation is sparking outrage and drawing direct comparisons to a similar controversy involving Corsair just weeks ago.
According to numerous reports from customers, the issue began when Zotac's online store listed its highly anticipated GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards for sale. Buyers successfully placed orders, receiving confirmations without any indication of problems. The relief was short-lived.
The Sudden Cancellation: A "System Error" or Something Else?
Several customers took to online forums, including a detailed thread on Reddit's r/pcgaming, to share nearly identical stories. They reported receiving follow-up emails from Zotac stating their orders had been canceled due to a vague "system error." The emails promised a full refund to their original payment method and suggested they could simply place the order again once the issue was resolved.
One of the main discussion threads gathering user reports and evidence can be found here on Reddit.
The frustration turned to anger when eagle-eyed customers noticed the cards reappearing on Zotac's store. The GPUs were back, but not at the prices people had originally paid. They were now hundreds of dollars more expensive.
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| RTX 50 series GPUs on Zotac's website. |
Sticker Shock: The Reported Price Jumps
The alleged price increases are substantial, moving from already high MSRPs to what many are calling blatant price gouging. Based on customer reports and screenshots:
- RTX 5090 models saw some of the steepest hikes, with reported jumps from approximately $2,299 to $2,799, $2,399 to $2,899, and $2,449 to nearly $2,999.
- The RTX 5080 also increased by a significant margin, around $250 over its initial listed price.
For customers who thought they had secured a card at the first price, the cancellations followed by massive price hikes feel like a bait-and-switch tactic, leveraging their excitement to test the market's upper limits.
Echoes of Corsair: A Troubling Pattern?
The situation feels eerily familiar to the PC community. Just weeks ago, memory and component giant Corsair faced nearly identical backlash. Customers reported their orders for high-speed DDR5 RAM were canceled, only for the same kits to reappear on Corsair's site at higher prices.
Corsair later responded to the criticism by issuing 40% discount coupons to affected customers as a form of apology and compensation. This precedent has now set expectations for how Zotac might—or should—handle the fallout.
Radio Silence and a Dark Storefront
As of now, Zotac has not issued any official statement regarding the order cancellations or price adjustments. Adding to the confusion, the official Zotac store website is currently under maintenance and inaccessible, leaving customers in the dark.
The combination of canceled orders, massive relisting price increases, and a complete lack of communication has created a perfect storm of bad PR for the graphics card manufacturer. Potential buyers are left wondering if they can trust the listed prices or the checkout process at all.
The big question now is whether Zotac will follow Corsair's lead and offer meaningful redress to the customers whose orders were abruptly canceled, or if the company will remain silent and absorb the community's wrath. With the storefront down, all the gaming community can do is wait and see how—or if—Zotac chooses to respond to this self-inflicted crisis.
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| Email sent to customers by Zotac. |