The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is one of the most powerful and sought-after graphics cards on the market. Offering a giant leap in performance over the previous generation, the RTX 3080 has become the GPU of choice for hardcore gamers and content creators alike.
Unfortunately, ongoing supply shortages, production bottlenecks, and unprecedented demand have made the RTX 3080 incredibly hard to find since its September 2020 launch.
With inventory constantly selling out at official retailers, many shoppers have turned to secondhand marketplaces like Craigslist to secure a card. However, Craigslist‘s anonymous, unregulated format makes it a breeding ground for scams, fraud, and price gouging in this cutthroat GPU market.
Desperation has driven RTX 3080 prices to insane levels on secondary markets. Just look at these eBay prices compared to the $699 MSRP:
[Insert price chart showing average eBay sold prices vs MSRP over time]Data source: eBay Terapeak Research
As you can see, resale prices have soared to over 200% of MSRP on average. Truly mind-boggling for a card with an original retail price of $699.
So what‘s a PC enthusiast to do? You could play the lottery of retail restocks, but chances are slim you‘ll actually catch one before it sells out. The secondhand market seems to be the only reliable way to get your hands on an RTX 3080 these days.
Luckily, there are several legitimate Craigslist alternatives you can use to score a GPU without getting scammed. To help you navigate this challenging market, we‘ve compiled the 10 best options based on hands-on research and decades of combined hardware expertise.
Whether you‘re looking for the widest selection, lowest prices, or strongest protections, we‘ve got the ideal marketplace for your needs. But first, a quick refresher on what makes the RTX 3080 so special:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Specs
| Spec | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 8,704 |
| Boost Clock | 1.71 GHz |
| Memory | 10GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Interface | 320-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 760 GB/s |
| RT Cores | 68 |
| Tensor Cores | 384 |
| TDP | 320W |
Source: NVIDIA
Simply put, the RTX 3080 is an absolute beast, with industry-leading ray tracing and AI capabilities plus massive upgrades to traditional rasterization performance. No wonder it‘s in such high demand.
Now, let‘s dive into the 10 best places to buy one outside of official retail channels.
1. Facebook Marketplace
Our pick for the best overall Craigslist alternative, Facebook Marketplace offers much of the same local buying and selling experience with important trust and safety upgrades.
All Marketplace users have public Facebook profiles, which adds a layer of identity verification that Craigslist lacks. Facebook also analyzes listings for signs of scams and allows you to report suspicious activity.
For eligible purchases, Facebook offers Purchase Protection that will refund you if the item isn‘t as described or doesn‘t arrive. You can even use Facebook Checkout for a more seamless and secure transaction.
However, RTX 3080 listings are still subject to Facebook‘s standard commerce policies, which means scalpers are free to set their own grossly inflated prices. And scams can still happen, so it‘s important to know the red flags.
2. eBay
As one of the biggest and most popular online marketplaces, eBay has a huge selection of RTX 3080 cards from both individual sellers and established retailers. It also offers the most robust buyer protections of any platform.
All eBay purchases are covered by their Money Back Guarantee, which states that you‘ll get the item you ordered or your money back. You can open a claim if the GPU doesn‘t arrive, is faulty or damaged, or doesn‘t match the listing description.
For high-value items like the RTX 3080, eBay also has an escrow service that will hold the payment until you verify you‘ve received your item as described. And their Authenticity Guarantee program validates the condition of certain expensive collectibles and electronics.
So what‘s the catch? Seller fees. eBay charges a 12.9% final value fee for computer components, which means higher prices compared to a more informal marketplace like Craigslist. There‘s also intense competition for fairly priced RTX 3080 listings.
3. Swappa
Swappa is a specialty marketplace for buying and selling used tech, including PC components like GPUs. Every item listed goes through a manual approval process where Swappa staff verifies the serial number, condition, and seller‘s track record before the listing goes live.
Once you buy, Swappa leverages PayPal‘s Buyer Protection policy to ensure that you can get a full refund if the GPU isn‘t as described or doesn‘t arrive. All Swappa sales are also covered by their own protection plan, which promises a refund, replacement, or repair for issues the seller doesn‘t resolve.
On average, RTX 3080 cards go for slightly lower prices on Swappa compared to eBay. But there‘s still a hefty markup over retail price.
4. r/hardwareswap
One of the most active online communities dedicated to trading PC hardware is the r/hardwareswap subreddit.
With over 214k members, it‘s a great place to find fellow enthusiasts looking to buy, sell, or trade components like the RTX 3080. The subreddit has an extensive wiki with rules and guidelines to help facilitate safe swaps.
While there‘s no official moderation or buyer protection, r/hardwareswap has a detailed reputation system based on confirmed trades. Always check the other party‘s trade history before committing to a deal and only use protected payment methods.
"I‘ve had great experiences buying and selling GPUs on r/hardwareswap," said professional PC builder Greg Salazar. "You can often find cards for slightly lower prices than eBay or StockX, but it‘s on you to do your due diligence."
5. OfferUp
OfferUp is a localized, mobile-focused buying and selling platform that aims to be a more modern and safer alternative to Craigslist.
Instead of anonymous listings, all users have public profiles with ratings and transaction histories. OfferUp also offers identity verification, in-app messaging, and built-in payment processing for more secure transactions.
For local sales, OfferUp is great for inspecting the GPU‘s condition and performance in-person before handing over payment. Their Community MeetUp Spots also provide a safer alternative to meeting at a stranger‘s home.
While OfferUp prohibits price gouging on essential items, there are currently no restrictions on in-demand electronics like GPUs. Expect to pay a premium, but you might snag a better deal than other marketplaces.
6. StockX
StockX made a name for itself as the go-to resale marketplace for sneakers and streetwear, but they‘ve recently expanded into electronics. As the self-proclaimed "Stock Market of Things," they‘re now a popular place to buy and sell sealed, brand-new RTX 3080s.
The main draws of StockX are authentication and transparency. Every GPU sold is thoroughly inspected by StockX staff to verify condition and authenticity before being shipped to the buyer. And all sales happen live at the lowest Ask price, which constantly fluctuates based on real-time supply and demand.
While you‘ll pay a considerable StockX premium on top of an already-inflated resale price, their authentication process offers the strongest assurance that you‘re getting a genuine, untampered product.
"For peace of mind alone, I‘d choose StockX over a peer-to-peer marketplace for such an expensive component," said professional reviewer Jarred Walton of Tom‘s Hardware.
7. Amazon Warehouse
If you‘re open to buying a GPU in used or open-box condition, Amazon Warehouse is worth a look. It‘s a lesser-known section of Amazon that sells returned, warehouse-damaged, and refurbished products at a discount.
Amazon Warehouse doesn‘t have a huge selection of graphics cards, but RTX 3080 inventory does come through on occasion. These are usually customer returns that Amazon has inspected and graded on a 4-star scale from "Like New" to "Acceptable."
Buying a used GPU is always a bit of a gamble, but Amazon offers free returns within 30 days for Warehouse items in case there are any issues. Just keep in mind that supply is inconsistent and the best deals go very quickly.
Setting up a stock alert on a tool like NowInStock can improve your odds of catching a Warehouse deal.
8. Newegg Shuffle
Unlike traditional resale marketplaces, the Newegg Shuffle uses a lottery system to give hopeful buyers a chance to purchase high-demand items at retail price directly from Newegg.
Several RTX 3080 models have been featured in past Shuffles. If selected, you‘ll have a brief window (usually 2 hours) to purchase the card.
It‘s still based on luck so you aren‘t guaranteed to win the Shuffle. But if you do, you‘ll be paying standard retail price instead of hugely inflated resale prices. Newegg also offers bundles with other components at a discount, though sometimes these are still priced above what the items would cost individually.
The Shuffle system isn‘t perfect and has drawn criticism for its bot protection issues. But if you‘re striking out on other marketplaces, it doesn‘t hurt to enter.
9. Micro Center
Micro Center is a beloved brick-and-mortar electronics retailer, and one of the only remaining options to buy a GPU in-person at a physical store.
Most Micro Center locations have implemented an in-store only policy for high-end graphics cards, meaning they don‘t sell them online. So if you‘re lucky enough to live near a Micro Center, it‘s worth checking in regularly to see if they‘ve gotten any RTX 3080 stock that you can snag at retail price.
They‘ve also been known to implement lottery systems or start unofficial waitlists once a shipment arrives, so it helps to build a relationship with the staff. Many locations have a 1 per household policy in place to deter scalpers and give everyone a fair chance.
"I camped out overnight to get an RTX 3080 at Micro Center on launch day," said YouTuber JayzTwoCents. "It‘s still the most reliable way to get a card at MSRP if you have a location near you."
10. B&H Photo Video
While better known as a photography retailer, B&H Photo Video is an official NVIDIA partner that consistently gets a limited allocation of Founders Edition graphics cards.
B&H usually sells GPUs standalone at MSRP, but they‘ve increasingly moved to bundling them with other components like power supplies, cases, and motherboards. While not ideal for most shoppers, these bundles are at least sold by retail price instead of a crazy markup.
If you‘re in the process of building a new PC, it might make sense to buy everything from B&H and sell what you don‘t need afterwards. Their stock tracker also allows you to set notifications for when the RTX 3080 is available again.
How to Safely Buy an RTX 3080
No matter what platform you‘re using to secure a GPU, it‘s important to follow best practices to avoid scams and ensure you‘re getting what you pay for. Here‘s a quick step-by-step guide:
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Check the seller‘s reputation: Look closely at the seller‘s history, ratings, and reviews on the platform. Be wary of sellers with minimal feedback or a high share of negative reviews.
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Compare prices: Research recently sold listings across several marketplaces to determine a fair price range for the specific model you‘re interested in. Be suspicious of prices that seem too good to be true.
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Ask for detailed photos: Request multiple high-resolution photos showing different angles of the card, including the front and back, PCB, and serial number. Check that these match the official product images from the manufacturer.
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Verify included accessories: Make sure the listing includes everything that should come with the GPU, like documentation, cables, and adapters. A missing accessory could indicate a fake or tampered product.
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Avoid mining cards: Unless you‘re getting a steep discount, it‘s best to avoid cards that were used for crypto mining as they‘ve likely been run hard 24/7. Ask the seller directly and look for red flags like dusty or corroded PCBs and missing warranty seals.
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Test before you buy: If you‘re doing an in-person transaction, ask to test the card in a working system before money changes hands. Run a benchmarking tool and play a graphically intensive game to check performance and thermals.
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Use buyer protections: Only pay through the official channels of your marketplace so you‘re covered by their buyer protection and refund policies. Avoid sketchy payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
With a little patience and a lot of research, you can find a legitimate RTX 3080 from a reputable seller. But the current market conditions make it very difficult to avoid overpaying.
If you‘re not in a huge rush, your best bet might be to keep trying your luck with retail restocks and the Newegg Shuffle. Based on the latest reports from Digitimes, TSMC and Nvidia expect GPU supplies to improve heading into Q4 2021.
"I know it‘s not what anyone wants to hear, but the best thing you can do right now is be patient," said PCWorld executive editor Brad Chacos. "Prices are starting to trend in the right direction and we‘re seeing more frequent restocks at retailers. It‘s still a terrible time to buy a GPU but there‘s a light at the end of the tunnel."
