Summary
- New GameStop policies are aiming to stop scalpers and mass purchasers of Pokémon TCG collectibles in their tracks.
- Preorders will no longer be accepted online or in-store, and purchase limits will be applied to the various SKUs.
- GameStop affirmed that it is trying to "ensure more fans have the opportunity to experience these exciting releases."
While immensely popular with no signs of slowing down, the TCG element of Pokémon is largely in disarray. Over the past month, both TheGamer's Josh Coulson and Sam Woods have investig♏ated the current landscape of the popular trading cards, only to fin🅷d a number of issues.
GameStop Telling Costco To෴ "Do Better" Over Pokemon Violence🦋 Is The Right Message From The Wrong People
GameStop is the last company that shoul♍d be criticizing another buisness.
In one instance, the Journey Together expansi🌜on had its preorders scalped for up to $500. In another, specific promo cards were ♕being sold for ludicrous a﷽mounts without having been released. Elsewhere, card shops can't keep up with the increasing demand as prices continue t🍨o skyrocket.
N🌜ow, seemingly in an effort to stop scalpers in their tracks and return some normalcy to the hobby, GameStop is gearing up for some majoꦗr changes.
Will These Changes Be Enough?
, a place for employees to discuss all things related to the retailer, a leaked flier showcases some of the impending changes that will be comingꦿ🅠 to stores.
Among the listed number of updated policies is that customers will no longer be able to preorde🌜r products, either online or in-store. Rather, beginning with the Surging Sparks Booster Bundle, it'll be on a first-come, first-served basis. Doing so will eliminate customers who preorder an entire store's allocation prior to release.
That said, in an effort to further curb scalpers, each SKU will have its own purchase limits enforced at the register. Customers will also need to provide a membership account, though a free a🦂ccount will seemingly suffice. Beyond that, employees can no longer any stock for future purchases, thus eliminating any "connections" or "hook-ups" that a scalper may have.
These changes were later confirmed by GameStop in an official post on Instagram. "Our goal is tꦅo ensure more fans have the opportunity to experience these exciting releases, rather than limiting access to early buyers and resellers," the post read.
Whether these changes will ultimately work remains to be se♉en. However, they appear to be a much-needed step for a hobby desperately in need of regulation.
