With Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) shortages still frustrating fans, The Pokémon Company is taking new steps to combat scalping. A recent report from PokeBeach highlights two key measures that could make it harder for resellers to buy up stock and flip it for profit.
New Strategies to Curb Scalping
1. Removing Plastic Wrap from Purchased Products
At Pokémon Center Singapore, staff will now remove the plastic wrap from TCG products after purchase. This policy, previously seen in Japan, is being implemented for English-language sets for the first time.
- Why? Collectors and players will still buy these products since they intend to open them anyway. However, resellers will struggle to resell unsealed items, as buyers on platforms like eBay may be wary of tampered goods.
2. Purchase Limits & Stock Rotation for Vending Machines
Pokémon TCG vending machines, which have been a scalping hotspot, will now have:
- Stock release intervals – preventing buyers from clearing out all products in one go.
- Purchase limits – reducing the number of items a single person can buy.
- Signage discouraging loitering – to deter scalpers from waiting to buy restocked products.
Will This Fix Pokémon TCG’s Scalping Issues?
These efforts won’t eliminate reselling entirely, but they show that The Pokémon Company is actively working on the problem. Scalpers have hurt Pokémon TCG’s availability, and if left unchecked, it could push fans toward competing games like Lorcana or Magic: The Gathering.
To truly solve this issue, more product availability is needed. Fortunately, The Pokémon Company appears to be prioritizing increased stock, so fans may soon have an easier time finding cards at retail prices.
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