This is why Pokemon TCG is sold out

Pokemon is the most profitable media fanchis in the world, not in any small part thanks to the popularity of the Pokemon Trading Card game. It is the best-selling trading card game in the world by a significant margin, but collectors have noticed a disturbing trend: you cannot find Pokemon cards anywhere.

Family

“It's just cardboard”: Gamestop -employees are tired of Pokemon TCG Scalpers

TCG apparently produced the worst in humans.

Big-box dealers such as Walmart and Target have empty shelves, or use baseball cards to fill space that is usually dedicated to Pokemon packages. Even online dealers have them for double or triple MSRP. The problem is not that stores do not carry them: it is that Pokemon cards are sold everywhere.

Why are Pokemon cards sold out?

Three team rocket members threaten the viewer in an alley.
Team Rocket's crafts, by Hitoshi Ariga

Pokemon cards are a hot item, and it's not just children who collect them. Some adults who grew up with Pokémon remain collectorsNow with enough disposable income to buy as many packages as they want.

While collectors can buy up many cards, Big question that affects stock right now is scalpers To buy out as much product as they can find to turn it around for a win. This happens from time to time, but buying frenzies is triggered by desirable art treatments and short pressure.

The latest wave of scaling began in November 2024, when growing Sparks introduced Tera Crown Pikachu Special Illustration Rare (SIR). That card increased to over $ 400 and sent collectors to a habit.

Pikachu ex from the growing sparks in Pokemon TCG.

The tension only grew with the prismatic development, when Umbreon ex Special Illustration Rare (SIR) reminded collectors how desirable Umbreon VMAX Special Art Card wasand immediately shot up to over $ 1,000 market price.

Krack package hopes of finding your grail card is exciting, but it is also risky: You can buy multiple boxes before you find the card you wantpays more than the requested price for a single collector's item. But resale packages for desperate collectors are considerably safer.

Scalpers knows that they probably won't earn back their money by opening dozens of packaging, but If they can buy all available packages they will be able to set their own price to sell them To collectors, make a nice profit for little risk, but a huge investment.

Umbreon ex from the prismatic development set in Pokemon TCG.

To hear the market, Scalpers has taken loans, skipped work, used bots to circumvent queues online and recruit their family members to bypass purchasing limits introduced by the stores.

How to find Pokemon card

A Pokemon collector in front of his collection points to a main ball in his right hand.
Pokemon Collector, by Masakazu Fukuda

Scalpers tend to meet big box dealers such as Walmart, Target and Best Buy First, then smaller specialty stores like Gamestop. These stores usually have significant warehouses and a regular damping schedule, often run by an entrepreneur rather than an employee.

While these stores are often out of stock, There are some ways to get new packaging or other productsEspecially if you are not picky.

Look for older packs

Pokemon TCG Booster Box temporal forces.

The most desirable sets for Scalps are growing sparks, prismatic developments and 151But adjacent sets, like the trip together, are also goals. Older sets, on the other hand, are less desirable, as they have already been on the market for a while.

They may not be new, but Early Scarlet & Violet sets as temporary forces are more likely to be on shelves than the newer sets, especially in local gaming stores.

Check your local gaming store

1-Pokemon TCG Best Prismatic-Ten

A local gaming store (LGS) usually gets its warehouse directly from a distributor and has more freedom to set their own prices and boundaries. It is not uncommon for an LGS to limit purchases To a few packages per person, allocate some for ordinary customers or cancel known Scalpers.

Local gaming stores are also more likely to wear older or special stores than big box dealers. If you just want to buy cards for your children or scrape the desire to open packs, Ask for Sword & Shield or Early Scarlet & Violet-Eer Booster Packages.

Visit your local pharmacy

A CVS pharmacy case charged with Ampharos ex and Lucario ex Battle Decks for Pokemon TCG.

Sometimes stores like CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens and Safeway Stock Pokemon Boosters. These layers are inconsistent, as well as the sites: They may be in the process, at the checkout or behind the customer service counter.

Gas stations and convenience stores like 7-Eleven follow the same patternAnd while Scalpers usually don't care about camping on these product stores, it tends to fly off the shelves, so take it if you see it.

Buy forbid

Content in Bulbasaur & Pikachu My first battle kit.

Most of the hype surround booster packages, but they are not the only Pokemon TCG products on the shelves. Battle Academy, pre -instructed tires and startup products that my first battle rates often overlook Because they do not contain large ticket articles such as Umbreon ex.

While these products do not offer the voltage with opening packages, Young collectors who are interested in learning to play the game or older players returning to it will appreciate being able to jump right in With combat -ready tires and clear instructions.

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