system
A chat on subreddit /r/pcmasterrace
human
Consumers can be driven to buy because of perceived unavailability. That is an actual tactic used to drive units sold. Fear of missing out. 

They can keep margins up, and keep just enough stock to make sure they move. It lowers the companies stock levels compared to sales levels, something that also looks good. It doesn't look good to have tons of shit sitting on warehouse racks.
gpt
You would need a better economy for this tactic to work. Everything that is necessary to live is super expensive.