Launch Day Chaos
The global launch of the Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 was nothing short of a spectacle, but not all was smooth sailing. While day one stock vanished in the blink of an eye, many customers found themselves in less than ideal buying circumstances. Despite prior assurances from a prominent UK retailer about ample supply, online chatter quickly painted a different picture, revealing that RDNA 4 cards were more elusive than anticipated across European regions.
Price Inflation Frenzy
To make matters worse, whispers of an impending price increase sparked an unexpected frenzy at retail. Shoppers eager to snag one of these coveted graphics cards faced increased competition, which inevitably led to rapid stock depletion. Reports suggest a notable upward shift in pricing for the lower-end Radeon RX 9070 series, leaving many enthusiasts scratching their heads.
Customer Discontent
The situation escalated when disgruntled customers took to forums to vent their frustrations. A Reddit user shared their plight with eBuyer UK, having successfully purchased a Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT at launch price (£569.99, including VAT) only to see their order canceled. Their screenshot details the heartbreak: “I was ready at launch, paid with no issues, but eBuyer canceled my order, and now it’s £150 more!” EBuyer later issued apologies amidst a barrage of online criticism.
While the expected normal price for that Sapphire card is now hovering around £664.98, uncertainty reigns as UK retailers like Scan and CCL have followed suit with price hikes across all tiers. AMD’s Frank Azor chimed in on the discussion, reassuring customers that the MSRP of $549/$599 isn’t merely a launch gimmick. He asserted that further stock is on the way. Whether this promise holds true remains to be seen, as many await the next chapter in the RX 9070 saga.
