Zotac has regular queues and Newegg has its "Newegg Shuffle". But as an example a 3060 TI on either site isn't going to be $400.
I managed to get a 3060 TI in one of the Zotac queues, and after shipping it was $650. Newegg's Shuffle prices are in that range as well (scale higher for 3070/3080/3090). Still cheaper than what people are trying to sell that stuff for locally though (scalpers in my area are charging $800-900 for that same card).
I've also been trying to get an Xbox Series X, but so far one has eluded me. So like Serengeti said, some of it's just down to luck.
I've found that alerts for Amazon stock alerts are basically useless. Amazon has zero functionality to discourage bots, so those items are gone within seconds. Even if you can get it in the cart, checking out is more bad odds. Whereas Walmart's "click this button" system is annoying but you at least have a chance.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Best Buy and regular retailers raise prices more as well going forward.
Only way to get one for sure at this point is to buy an OEM PC from Origin or Alienware that has one inside.
Otherwise ya just gotta be lucky.
MSRP also isn't necessarily retail price anymore. And may never really be anytime soon, looking at the next year's continued shortage.
There are Discords and sites to monitor stock drops like:
https://twitter.com/fixitfixitfixit
https://twitter.com/stock_drops
Zotac has regular queues and Newegg has its "Newegg Shuffle". But as an example a 3060 TI on either site isn't going to be $400.
I managed to get a 3060 TI in one of the Zotac queues, and after shipping it was $650. Newegg's Shuffle prices are in that range as well (scale higher for 3070/3080/3090). Still cheaper than what people are trying to sell that stuff for locally though (scalpers in my area are charging $800-900 for that same card).
I've also been trying to get an Xbox Series X, but so far one has eluded me. So like Serengeti said, some of it's just down to luck.
I've found that alerts for Amazon stock alerts are basically useless. Amazon has zero functionality to discourage bots, so those items are gone within seconds. Even if you can get it in the cart, checking out is more bad odds. Whereas Walmart's "click this button" system is annoying but you at least have a chance.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Best Buy and regular retailers raise prices more as well going forward.
"YOU SPOIL, YOU GET SPOILED! AAAAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Your best bet is probably making that drive, if you can order and have the item held.
Otherwise, your options are buying an entire prebuilt PC, or chasing every stock alert to hope you get lucky and beat the bots to one.
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"The golden shower threw me off." -- garion333
Finally got one from Best Buy and didn't have to go to a store. Used Nowinstock and Telegram app since their email notifications were 10 min behind.