The Nintendo Switch game console is one of the hottest available tech products right now, and there are some tools that could help consumers find available stock.
A few websites have cropped up that promise to help consumers find out when Nintendo (NTDOY) Switch units are in stock. One of the sites, called NowInStock, updates its check on available stock at several retailers—including GameStop (GME), Best Buy (BBY), Walmart (WMT), and Target (TGT)—every five minutes. It also tells users when the companies last had Nintendo Switch available.
Another site, called Stock Informer, offers a similar option, listing all the different Nintendo Switch colors and game bundles and informing users whether a respective retailer has it in stock. In addition to Amazon’s (AMZN) own listings, Stock Informer, which automatically refreshes with new stock every few minutes, also lists small third-party retailers that sell products through Amazon.
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Like NowInStock, Zoolert lists the many retailers and the last time they had available stock. Zoolert’s tool automatically updates each minute.
The tools have come online following what is reportedly the biggest Nintendo console launch in history.
Nintendo released its Switch console on Friday. The console, which is on sale for $300, offers users the ability to play games both at home and on the go. The console has earned rave reviews and some of the games that launched with it, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, have only boosted its appeal.
Those who preordered the Switch were among those lucky enough to get their hands on the console over the weekend. By the afternoon on Friday, nearly all retailers reported that their stock had been depleted.
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On Monday, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed to The New York Times that Switch sales during its first two days of availability eclipsed the first two days of sales for all previous Nintendo consoles.
While Nintendo is working to get more units to store shelves, whenever new units are made available, they’re quickly bought up by consumers. Those who aren’t quick enough when stock is available are left to wait for additional units or go to eBay (EBAY), where enterprising Switch owners are selling their consoles for a hefty profit.
In fact, all of the Switch stock trackers list eBay as the sole retailer offering units to customers. A quick look at eBay listings shows Switch units selling for hundreds of dollars more than its $300 list price.
So, what’s the best strategy for using the trackers and finding a Switch? All three trackers recommend would-be Switch owners keep their pages open in the browser and continually monitor when retailers list available units. Users can then click on the individual unit’s link on the tracker pages and quickly make a purchase.
Good luck.
