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 investigated the current landscape of the popular trading cards, only to find a number of issues.
Related
GameStop is the last company that should be criticizing another buisness.
In one instance, the Journey Together expansion had its preorders scalped for up to $500. In another, specific promo cards were being sold for ludicrous amounts without having been released. Elsewhere, card shops can’t keep up with the increasing demand as prices continue to skyrocket.
Now, seemingly in an effort to stop scalpers in their tracks and return some normalcy to the hobby, GameStop is gearing up for some major changes.
Will These Changes Be Enough?
As first spotted in the GameStop subreddit, a place for employees to discuss all things related to the retailer, a leaked flier showcases some of the impending changes that will be coming to stores.
Among the listed number of updated policies is that customers will no longer be able to preorder 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 account 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 to 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 seen. However, they appear to be a much-needed step for a hobby desperately in need of regulation.
