Sources claim that GameStop will no longer allow pre-orders forPokémon Trading Card Gameproducts, as they are hoping to bring in more foot traffic to physical locations. It’s no secret that over the past few years especially, getting your hands onPokémon TCGproducts has become harder and harder, with scalpers running rampant. GameStop seems to be attempting to combat these issues, but fans are concerned about the hobby as a whole, with several new companies changing their policies onPokémon TCGproducts.
According to a post onPokebeach, userWater Pokémon Masterstates that an internal e-mail was allegedly sent out to GameStop store employees announcing that stores will no longer allow pre-orders forPokémon TCGproducts.This change involves both the physical locations and the online store no longer accepting pre-orders,butPokémonfans are theorizing there is a bigger reason behind this change of policy.
GameStop Makes Changes To Pokémon TCG Pre-Orders
Fans Are Worried About The Future Of The Hobby
According to the Pokebeach thread, the original email sent out states,
“Moving forward, all Pokemon TCG products will be shipped directly to stores to encourage more foot traffic. We encourage you to use this opportunity to engage your community through in-store events and introduce them to our services.”
The OG poster mentions they spoke to a longtime store manager who claims that no other TCG has these restrictions at GameStop, which has led the manager to believe that GameStop cannot get enough allocation ofPokémon TCGproducts to keep up with demand.The manager claims the decision to limit pre-orders was made to capitalize on walk-inswhilemaintaining what little stockthey have of the product.
The manager also states that GameStop previously set limitations on the number ofPokémon TCGproducts allowed to be purchased by a single customer. The limitation was set attwoPokémon TCGproductsper customer, except for booster packs, which have a limit of five per customer.The company also allegedly hiked the MSRP ofPokémon TCGproducts up, leading the manager to believe that GameStop is purchasing stock of the product from “other sources beyond Pokémon itself.”
Pokémon TCG Products Seem To Be Getting Limited Everywhere
Target Has Also Allegedly Changed Their Policies On Pokémon TCG Products
Another Reddit post bySnowboarding612surfaced showcasing an image fromPoeknotifyon Instagram that states not only arePokémon TCGproduct policies changing at GameStop, but Target as well.This is not the first time Target has put its foot down when it came toPokémon TCGproducts, as back in May 2021, they stopped selling them entirely due to afight breaking outover the cards in their parking lot in Wisconsin.
“Truly Eye Opening”: Pokémon TCG English And Japanese Card Comparison Reveals Shocking Difference In Quality
Some Pokémon Trading Card Game fans have put side by side comparisons of English and Japanese cards and the difference in quality is astounding.
Fans seem to be impartial to Target’s possible decision, as they claim the shelves are usually bare anyway, but the GameStop choice has fans worried about the hobby. Pokebeach userEfwolverinestates,“It feels like this hobby is under assault on multiple fronts right now.“Others believe thatPokémonneeds to allocate the most products to hobby shops and restructure their distribution processes. While the future ofPokémon TCGproduct policy changes is currently unknown, this is an interesting move by GameStop, and only time will tell if more big-box stores follow suit.
