One user report claims a Micro Centre shop has pulled price tags from its memory kits and moved to spot pricing. One Reddit reader, CassTexas, posted a photo showing a giant sign saying “Due to market volatility, we ask that you please see a Sales Associate for pricing. Thank you.”

The shelves still had plenty of kits, though none showed their prices, which naturally rubbed customers the wrong way, given the US retailer’s long-standing rep for keeping prices lower than rivals'.

Some shoppers now reckon Micro Centre is milking the memory crunch to hike prices, although the outfit is hardly alone, as Newegg, Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart have all nudged their tags upward thanks to the same market swings.

Tom's Hardware points out that memory prices have always been a bit wobbly, and fresh AI-hungry data centres have only made the situation shakier. But this rise should not affect sticks sitting in a retailer’s stockroom, since those were already paid for. However, new batches will land at higher prices, so fresh tags are expected. Charging more for goods already on hand looks a little cheeky and suggests retailers fancy cashing in on the current madness.

A DDR5-6400 C30 2x32GB kit has tripled in price in recent months and now costs more than a PlayStation 5, which is down to $449 during the Black Friday window.

One highlighted kit, the Vengeance RGB DDR5-8800 C42 2x24GB, is listed on Micro Centre’s site at $615.99, down from $699.99. Redditors pointed out that the shop sometimes lists higher prices online to scare off scalpers and that scans at the till can show lower figures. The lack of stickers might be another crack at the same tactic or simply a sign the store is rejigging its tags.