Memory pricing has taken a turn for the worse, with the best RAM now the most expensive on the market. One user report indicates that at least one Micro Center location has reportedly removed price tags from its memory kits and advised customers to consult a sales associate for pricing information. Tom's Hardware has contacted Micro Center for further comment.
Reddit user CassTexas shared an image captured at the local Micro Center, displaying a big sticker on the memory display that states, "Due to market volatility, we ask that you please see a Sales Associate for pricing. Thank you." Although multiple memory kits remained available, none of them bore stickers indicating their prices.
Micro Center's decision is unlikely to be well-received by customers, as the U.S. retailer has traditionally maintained a reputation for offering hardware products at lower prices than its competitors. This development may create the perception that Micro Center is exploiting the memory shortage to jack up prices. However, this situation is understandable, given that other U.S. retailers such as Newegg, Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart have also adjusted their pricing on memory products in response to market volatility.
Memory pricing has historically been subject to volatility. The recent surge in AI demands for memory in data centers has further exacerbated this instability. Nevertheless, this should not influence the pricing of memory products that retailers currently hold in inventory, as these have already been paid for. When the next batch of stock arrives at a higher cost, it is logical for retailers to adjust their prices accordingly. However, increasing the prices of stock already in possession appears to be a strategy to capitalize on the prevailing market conditions.
For instance, a DDR5-6400 C30 2x32GB memory kit currently available on the market has experienced a threefold increase in price over the past few months. It is remarkable that a 64GB memory kit exceeds the cost of a PlayStation 5, which has temporarily decreased to $449 during this Black Friday promotion.
The Vengeance RGB DDR5-8800 C42 2x24GB, one of the featured memory kits, is currently listed on Micro Center's website at $615.99, down from the standard price of $699.99. It has been noted in discussions on the Reddit thread that Micro Center occasionally advertises higher prices to deter scalpers, and at times, the actual price may be lower when scanned. The removal of price tags could be a similar strategic move, or it might indicate that a particular Micro Center is updating its pricing. In any case, we have contacted Micro Center for further clarification and will provide updates should the retailer respond.
While it's generally not the best time to buy memory right now, if you really need to upgrade, we've put together a handy Best Black Friday RAM deals hub showcasing the best discounts on DDR5 and DDR4 to help you find the best prices.
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