GameStop issued a viral warning on social media that stated it would ban any Pokemon Trading Card Game scalpers from its stores for life if they bring in a scale to weigh card packs. In response to the ultimatum from GameStop, some Pokemon TCG fans supported the retailer for taking some measures to deter scalping, though others questioned GameStop’s own prices on Pokemon TCG products.
It’s no secret that the Pokemon TCG has been a primary target for scalpers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in empty store shelves and ridiculous mark-ups on resale sites. Additionally, the Pokemon TCG has proven to be a lucrative target for thieves looking to steal rare and valuable cards. Victims of Pokemon TCG card theft include former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who had nearly $10,000 worth of valuable Pokemon and baseball cards stolen from his CardVault shop in New York City. The theft happened just weeks after CardVault opened its doors in Lower Manhattan, and remained an active NYPD investigation at the time of writing.
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GameStop Calls Out Pokemon TCG Scalpers
Although retailers like Walmart have imposed limits on Pokemon TCG products as a way to deter scalpers, GameStop’s latest social media post raised some eyebrows. In a November 17 X post, GameStop said it would ban scalpers who bring a scale to GameStop stores to weigh Pokemon TCG card packs, and claimed that it would “ban you for life for your own good” as a punishment. GameStop reposted a video of a scalper that was caught on camera using a scale to weigh various One Piece card packs as a way to predict which packs could have the most valuable cards contained within. In response, some GameStop shoppers stated that, since retailers are imposing their own limits on Pokemon TCG packs, GameStop’s policy is an unfortunate but necessary measure.
Another user claimed that each GameStop store would have to have some security on hand to enforce said bans. However, some customers called out GameStop’s viral stance by posting pictures of Pokemon TCG booster box prices from different stores, with some prices still above the original MSRP. Despite an ongoing Black Friday sale at GameStop locations throughout the US, Pokemon TCG products are not part of the retailer’s listed offers this time.
However, Pokemon TCG players looking to see what their collection is worth will have a major opportunity soon, as GameStop will host an unusual trade-in event on December 6. Only time will tell how effective GameStop’s latest effort to deter card scalpers will be.
