Walmart Enforces Purchase Limits on Pokémon TCG Products
As a notable development, Walmart has begun enforcing purchase restrictions on how many Pokémon trading card items customers can buy during one shopping trip. This new rule officially takes effect starting November 5th, according to an internal announcement shared with employees.
Addressing Scalper Activity
While not officially confirmed by Walmart, numerous sources suggest this decision was prompted by a viral TikTok video that showed a customer purchasing a massive amount of Pokémon card items at a checkout counter. The store manager featured in the video faced significant criticism for permitting the bulk transaction to proceed.
Policy Details and Potential Loopholes
The new restriction specifies that shoppers may only buy up to five trading card packs or boxes per store visit. However, the language has raised questions due to its vagueness. What exactly counts as a "box" remains unclear, and if someone could buy five high-value Elite Trainer Boxes is uncertain.
Additionally, since the limit is tied to each visit, theoretically an eager reseller could make multiple trips—purchasing the maximum each time—to accumulate large quantities throughout the day.
The Reseller Crisis
For the average collector, this approach might seem over the top, but for scalpers, it's standard practice. In recent years, scalpers have greatly contributed to frequent stockouts of Pokémon cards, driven by the game's rising popularity.
Some resellers seek to sell unopened products at a markup, while others hunt for valuable pulls that can fetch sky-high values. As an example, the Mega Lucario ex card in recent releases has been listed at prices exceeding eight hundred dollars on various platforms.
Looking Ahead
The new rule aligns with the imminent release of the latest Pokémon expansion, coming on November 14th. Early listings indicate chase cards like the Mega Charizard X Ex listed for around fifteen hundred dollars, emphasizing the persistent interest and likely scalper target.
Hopefully, the retail limits will curb mass buying and improve availability for true fans and casual players alike.
