A variation of the 'bait and switch'

There are people out there doing something called 'bitcoin mining'. They have found some sort of way to use specific graphics cards to make this easier.

Because of them, just about all computer stores that have these cards have deliberately jacked up the prices of what the have in stock to increase their profits.  I'm not saying higher prices on new stock because the manufacturers/suppliers are pushing up their prices, but on already in house stock.

I had one company try that bullshit with me.

The card was, with shipping and 3% PayPal surchage, $311.  They had 5 in stock. Order one, and when I checked back, their counter said 4 in stock, meaning I had successfully purchased one.

I get email this morning from the store. "Unfortunately, the cards you are after are not currently in stock and there is a major shortage Aust wide as everyone is after these cards for bit coin mining. We expect a shipment in this morning"

Anyone surprised that they're charging $90 more? 

I have said it before, and I will say it again... next time you try to screw me, kiss me first.

Found the same card on ebay for $30 less than what they were charging, NO paypal surcharge, AND free shipping

This was funny

I periodically check bookmarks/links to see if they are still 'live'.  One of the sites I visited had MalWareBytes web protection block it. I have it, on occasion, wrongly block a site, so I 'whitelisted' the site, and reloaded it.

What I got was a rather official looking Microsoft page with an audible and text warning about my computer being infected, and to PLEASE call this toll free number to speak to someone on how to step by step, remove the infection.

I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday, but I can see how someone not computer savvy could be duped by it.

Removed the site from MWB's whitelist, and from my bookmarks list.