Retail theft isn’t new, but the targets have changed. For years, graphics cards dominated the black market, their high resale value and limited stock making them prime marks for opportunistic thieves. Now, a new commodity has taken their place: high-end RAM.
Prices for modules like the 32GB DDR4-3600 or 64GB DDR4-3200 kits have surged by nearly 50% in the past year, driven by a combination of supply chain bottlenecks, factory closures, and speculative buying. Where a 32GB DDR4-3200 kit once retailed for around $120, it now commands $180 or more in some regions. For tech enthusiasts and businesses alike, that’s a steep premium—and for those without patience, it’s an open invitation to take what they can.
Costco, a retailer known for its bulk offerings and low theft rates, has become the latest casualty. Sources indicate the company has quietly removed all RAM from display PCs in its stores, a move that signals how seriously the issue is being taken. While the chain has not publicly confirmed the policy shift, employees and customers report that memory modules are now locked away or placed behind counters, accessible only by staff or with special requests.
The problem isn’t just about lost revenue. It’s about the ripple effect: when stock vanishes overnight, restocks take weeks, and frustrated customers—both legitimate and otherwise—face empty shelves. For businesses relying on workstations with 128GB DDR4 or higher, the delays can be crippling. Even gaming setups, once a niche concern, now find themselves in the crosshairs, as 32GB DDR4 kits become the new must-have for high-refresh-rate monitors and next-gen consoles.
So what’s driving this? Part of it is the same old story: supply can’t keep up with demand. Micron and Samsung, two of the largest RAM manufacturers, have faced production slowdowns due to COVID-19 disruptions, chip shortages, and geopolitical tensions. Add to that the rise of AI workloads, which devour memory like no other application, and the squeeze tightens further. Analysts estimate that global DRAM prices could remain elevated through 2024, with no immediate relief in sight.
Costco’s response is a pragmatic one. By restricting access, the retailer isn’t just protecting inventory—it’s acknowledging that the market has shifted. What was once a fringe issue is now mainstream, and the tools retailers once used to deter theft (open displays, easy access) no longer work. The question now is whether other major chains will follow suit. If they don’t, the next wave of tech theft might not be limited to RAM at all.
For now, buyers are left with two options: wait, or find alternative sources. Neither is ideal. But for those willing to gamble, the shelves—what’s left of them—are still there. Just not as easy to reach.
