🔗 Share this article The retail giant Implements Buying Restrictions on Pokémon TCG Products As a notable development, Walmart has started enforcing purchase restrictions on how many Pokémon trading card products customers can buy during a single visit. This policy was activated as of early November, according to an internal announcement distributed to employees. Tackling Reseller Problems While not officially confirmed by Walmart, numerous sources suggest this decision was influenced by a widely shared social media clip that depicted a customer purchasing an enormous quantity of Pokémon card products at a checkout counter. The employee seen in the video faced significant criticism for allowing the bulk transaction to proceed. Policy Details and Potential Loopholes The new restriction specifies that shoppers may only buy a maximum of five trading card boxes or packs each time they enter. However, the language has sparked debate due to its vagueness. Precisely what qualifies as a "box" is not defined, and whether someone could still purchase five high-value Elite Trainer Boxes is uncertain. Moreover, because the restriction is based on each visit, theoretically a determined scalper could return repeatedly—buying five items each time—to gather significant stocks over several hours. The Reseller Crisis To most players, this approach might seem excessive, but for scalpers, it's common behavior. Over the past few seasons, speculators have greatly contributed to widespread shortages of Pokémon cards, driven by the game's rising popularity. Certain buyers seek to sell unopened products at a markup, while others hunt for valuable pulls that can command extraordinary prices. As an example, the Mega Lucario ex card from the latest set is currently selling at prices exceeding eight hundred dollars on various platforms. Looking Ahead The new rule coincides with the approaching launch of the latest Pokémon expansion, scheduled for November 14th. Pre-release sales indicate chase cards like the Charizard mega evolution being offered for around fifteen hundred dollars, emphasizing the ongoing demand and potential scalper target. With any luck, the retail limits will curb mass buying and improve availability for genuine collectors and casual players alike.