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Summary
Early last year, thePokemon TCGwas struggling.
Fs in the chat for Sword & Shield.
It was a worrying time for the TCG, as I detailed inmy report for DualShockers at the time.
Prices are skyrocketing, stock is scarce, and scalpers are running riot.
The difference is staggering.
you might see the full results from our Sword & Shield card analysis below.
Based on the data, that theory is hard to argue with.
Its here where the price-gouging accusations start to make more sense.
These are two cards that have nice art but are no different to many others from Scarlet and Violet.
Marill would have been under $10, and its now more than $33.
Its all a little fishy.
Aside from a couple fewer packs at your LGS, this is a non-issue.
Something similar is definitely happening today.
The TCG has hit another peak in interest due to the recent sets and upcoming sets.
This is bringing collectors, new and old, to the hobby.
Sets that should have been more popular in the past are now gaining traction because of this.
This is causing prices to go up and products to become more scarce.
First up are the scalpers and flippers.
There have been multiple examples of this in the last two weeks alone.
Pokemon Center ExclusivePrismatic EvolutionsElite Trainer Boxes each contain an exclusive promo card featuring Eevee.
The ETB, on its own, costs $60.
The Eevee promo isalready being sold for upwards of $100.
The upcoming Journey Together expansion is facing a similar plight.
Single cards arent out of flippers reach, either.
Scalpers and flippers create product scarcity.
Its a horrible situation.
People see the game as a get-rich-quick scheme.
Then you have the investors.
These individuals will buy as much of an in-demand product as they can get their hands on.
This, once again, takes product away from the general consumer.
Credit: PokeRev via YouTube
On October 6, 2023, Bitcoin was trading at 47,166.
Today, its at 86,242, an increase of 83 percent.
Collector Jai tells me, The crypto markets are performing very well for people holding various currencies.
This is driving a whole new generation of investors to the hobby.
It’s basically turned a hobby into a gambling addiction for many.
It’s basically turned a hobby into a gambling addiction for many.
Collected by children and adults alike for more than two decades, the Pokemon TCG contains thousands of cards of your favorite Pokemon, trainers, and more.
It seems Whatnot items are usually sold at seriously inflated prices.
Deggers adds, Its predatory.
These streamers know full well starting bids for packs at 1 is going to cause chaos.
Nobody would have a problem if they were sensible and sold packs for what it actually cost them.
These streamers know full well starting bids for packs at 1 is going to cause chaos.
Thats only one way these platforms drive up the prices, though.
to sell on Whatnot, these streamers need to source their products from somewhere.
The Pokemon TCG has a problem, and its not going away anytime soon.
