A Reddit user on the PC Master Race subreddit claims to have picked up an RTX 5080 in-store at Walmart for a mere $562.49. That’s a fantastic price for an RTX 5080, particularly given that the cheapest options online now exceed $1,300.

Assuming this story holds water, how could someone named Rinascimentale have scored such a deal? The price drop is attributed to a CVP (Customer Value Program) sticker, typically used to mark perishable goods nearing expiration.

Online discussions suggest that these discounts might also be used for in-store returns of items not frequently stocked. Reports indicate that some discounts could even be auto-generated by algorithms, meant to clear out overstocked items.

Some Walmart employees are said to use these discounts strategically, hiding bargains in-store until they can purchase them themselves after a waiting period.

The implication here is that Rinascimentale might have stumbled upon an RTX 5080 that an employee was waiting to buy. However, it’s also possible that the Redditor may be an employee themselves. What’s clear is the murky waters of pricing strategy behind these transactions and the risks of buying discounted products.

“Did I get scammed? Just bought an RTX 5080 off of Amazon.” from r/buildapc

Additionally, there have been reports of customers receiving a different product than expected, such as receiving an RTX 5060 Ti instead of the RTX 5080 ordered from Amazon. This adds further caution to potential buyers in the market for discounted GPUs at retail shops.

In conclusion, while Rinascimentale’s find seems extraordinary, prospective GPU buyers should exercise diligence in verifying product authenticity when encountering steep discounts.