Walmart Imposes Pokémon Card Buying Limit to Curb Scalping
In a bid to prevent scalpers from buying up large quantities of Pokémon Trading Cards, Walmart has introduced a new policy limiting the number of cards customers can purchase at one time. As of November 5, customers can buy a maximum of five packs and/or boxes of trading cards in stores.
The announcement was made on OneWalmart, an online portal for employees, and was subsequently shared on a ResetEra thread. While the company has not officially confirmed the reason behind this policy, many speculate that it is a direct response to a viral TikTok video showing a customer purchasing an exorbitant amount of Pokémon cards at a Walmart checkout.
The video, which sparked widespread outrage, featured a manager allowing the transaction to take place despite the customer’s massive purchase. The backlash against the manager was swift, with many calling for Walmart to take action to prevent such large-scale buying.
The new Pokémon Card Buying Limit is seen as a step in the right direction, but its lack of specificity has raised questions. The phrase “five packs and/or boxes” is vague, leaving customers wondering what constitutes a box. Can a customer still buy five Elite Trainer Boxes, for example? Additionally, the limit is “per visit,” which means scalpers could potentially exploit the system by making multiple trips to the store.
While this may seem tedious to the average player, scalpers are known to be relentless in their pursuit of Pokémon cards. As the game’s popularity has grown in recent years, scalpers have contributed to shortages by buying up large quantities of cards, often with the intention of reselling them unopened or seeking specific rare cards that can fetch high prices.
The Mega Lucario ex card from the recent Mega Evolution set, for instance, is currently selling for over $800. With the upcoming Phantasmal Flames set due to release on November 14, it’s likely that scalpers will be targeting this new set as well. Some players who got their hands on early releases are already selling the Mega Charizard X Ex card for nearly $1,500.
In light of this, Walmart’s Pokémon Card Buying Limit is a welcome move. By limiting the number of cards customers can buy, the company is attempting to curb massive purchases and prevent scalpers from dominating the market. While the policy may not be perfect, it’s a step towards making the Pokémon Trading Card Game more accessible to genuine players.
As the Pokémon Card Buying Limit takes effect, customers can expect a more level playing field when it comes to buying Pokémon cards. Whether this will be enough to stem the tide of scalping remains to be seen, but it’s a positive move towards maintaining a fair and enjoyable experience for all players. With the Pokémon Card Buying Limit in place, Walmart is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate excessive buying, and is committed to providing a better experience for its customers. The Pokémon Card Buying Limit is a crucial step in this direction.
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