ZOTAC has found itself at the center of a major hardware industry controversy after reports emerged that the company canceled a large number of GeForce RTX 5090 orders without prior notice, citing a system-related issue. What fueled even greater outrage among consumers was the discovery that the same graphics cards were later re-listed on ZOTAC’s official store at significantly higher prices.
The issue gained traction after multiple users on Reddit shared screenshots and emails showing that their late-night RTX 5090 purchases had been abruptly canceled. According to the notifications, the cancellations were attributed to a system error or processing delay, with assurances that full refunds would be issued.
Prices Jump by More Than 20 Percent After Re-Listing
Shortly after the store resumed normal operation, customers noticed that RTX 5090 listings had returned with dramatically increased prices. Reports indicate price hikes of approximately 20 to 22 percent, translating to nearly 500 USD more than the original listings.
Notable examples include the RTX 5090 SOLID OC and RTX 5090 AMP Extreme Infinity, which reportedly jumped from around 2,299 USD to 2,799 USD, with some variants climbing close to 2,999 USD. For a flagship GPU already positioned at the premium end of the market, the sudden increase was viewed as especially aggressive.
Community Backlash and Ethical Concerns
The situation has led many in the PC hardware community to compare the incident to a previous controversy involving Corsair, with some users labeling the episode as “Corsair 2.0.” While rising component costs, including DRAM, have been cited as contributing factors to higher electronics prices industry-wide, critics argue that canceling confirmed orders only to relist the same products at higher prices crosses an ethical line.
From the consumer perspective, the move appears less like a technical mishap and more like an intentional attempt to reset pricing in favor of higher margins, eroding trust in the brand.
No Official Response Yet from ZOTAC
As of now, portions of the ZOTAC Store remain under maintenance, and the company has yet to release an official statement addressing the controversy. There has also been no confirmation regarding potential compensation for affected customers, such as discount vouchers or priority purchase options, which other brands have offered in similar situations.
Until clearer communication is provided, consumer confidence in ZOTAC has taken a noticeable hit.
What Buyers Should Do Next
For gamers and PC builders currently considering a high-end GPU purchase, the safest course of action may be to hold off on purchasing directly from ZOTAC until the situation stabilizes and transparent clarification is provided. Paying several hundred dollars more for the same product without added value is a difficult proposition, especially amid growing concerns about fairness and customer treatment in the premium hardware market.
Source: Wccftech
