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Resellers Worsen Nintendo Switch Shortage By Using Auto-Buying Bots | Culture of Gaming

Nintendo Switch shortages are set to take a blow as auto-buying bots make reselling units easier. Scalpers now can buy consoles instantly.

As with many products affected by COVID-19, the Nintendo Switch has seen severe unit shortages across the board. Retailers all over are struggling to keep a consistent supply in stock. Of course, some have taken advantage of this by purchasing and reselling the console for a premium. With that said, it seems some resellers gone further by using auto-buying bots to instantly purchase new units when available.

In an investigation conducted by Motherboard, it was discovered that some scalpers have begun using an open source tool called Bird Bot, which can target online stores and automatically purchase products that receive more stock, to obtain large amounts of Switch consoles. This means that system can become unavailable for average shoppers within seconds thanks to this bot.

According to Motherboard, eBay listings reach up to $500 per Switch, with the Animal Crossing: New Horizons version reaching $750. This, along with various users of Bird Bot claiming to buy units in bulk on the tool’s Discord Channel, heavily contributed to the Switch shortage.

 width=Source: [nintendo.co.uk]Speaking to Motherboard, the creator of Bird Bot explained the origins of the tool: “Me and my friends were talking about reselling Nintendo Switches, and at one point my friend, nicknamed Bird, told me I should make a bot. And here we are today.” He then mentions that he originally made Bird Bot as a joke, but then realized the impact the tool could have.

Nintendo states that it plans on restocking, but with options like Bird Bot existing, the shortage doesn’t seem close to ending. This could potentially hurt availability of other consoles as well, such as the upcoming PS5, that will already see a limited stock in its first year.

Have you tried getting a Switch lately? Will you try to use auto-buying bots? Let us know in the comments! While you’re here, check out the craziest Final Fantasy VII Remake theories. Otherwise, keep it on Culture of Gaming for all things gaming!

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