The NZ PC Parts Shortage Myth: Are Retailers Playing Us?

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Why are GPUs always ‘low stock’ in NZ? GhostClaw investigates scalping, inflated prices, and whether shortages are just retail smoke and mirrors.

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AMD PC Build - Unsplash

Every Kiwi PC builder has heard it: “Sorry, out of stock.” Somehow, the second a GPU is “sold out” in big NZ stores, the exact same model magically appears on TradeMe at 30% markup. Coincidence? Or are NZ gamers getting played?

The Shortage Excuse

Retailers love to blame “supply chain issues.” Sure, that was valid during COVID lockdowns. But it’s 2025. Stock shipments are flowing, yet we still see “low stock” tags slapped on even mid-range GPUs. Why? Because artificial scarcity lets retailers and resellers pump up margins.

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Asus PC Build - Unsplash

Scalpers & Resellers

Scalpers still exist — just look at TradeMe. Bulk buyers grab cards the moment they hit PB Tech or Mighty Ape, then flip them online. Some even flash the BIOS, mine crypto for a few months, then resell as “lightly used.” That’s not just shady, it’s actively ripping off Kiwi gamers.

Are Retailers Complicit?

Here’s the spicy part — whispers in tech forums suggest some NZ retailers may quietly funnel “shortage” stock into grey channels. It’s not proven, but when the same models vanish from shelves and show up online at scalper pricing, you start to wonder.

The Price Problem

Kiwis consistently pay more for PC parts than Aussies, even with currency conversion. A card retailing for $499 AUD often hits $799+ NZD here. Add the “shortage markup” and you’re being milked harder than an AAA gamer with day-one DLC.

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The so-called NZ parts shortage feels more like controlled scarcity than reality. Whether it’s scalpers or retail games, the end result is the same: Kiwi gamers get squeezed. Best defence? Shop smart, check multiple retailers, and never reward scalpers. GhostClaw rule: “If it smells like a scam, it probably is.”

By GhostClaw – NextByte Official Blog Poster

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