Walmart Enforces Buying Restrictions on Pokémon Trading Cards
As a notable development, Walmart has started enforcing purchase restrictions on how many Pokémon trading card products customers can buy during one shopping trip. This new rule was activated starting November 5th, based on an internal announcement distributed to employees.
Addressing Scalper Activity
Although not formally announced by Walmart, numerous sources suggest this decision was prompted by a widely shared social media clip that depicted a customer purchasing a massive amount of Pokémon card items at a checkout counter. The store manager featured in the video faced widespread backlash for allowing the bulk transaction to go through.
Policy Details and Potential Loopholes
The new restriction states that shoppers may only buy up to five trading card boxes or packs per store visit. However, the wording has sparked debate due to its vagueness. Precisely what counts as a "box" is not defined, and whether someone could buy five high-value Elite Trainer Boxes remains ambiguous.
Moreover, because the restriction is tied to individual trips, in theory a determined scalper could make multiple trips—purchasing the maximum each time—to accumulate large quantities over several hours.
The Reseller Crisis
For the average collector, this approach might seem over the top, yet for resellers, it's common behavior. Over the past few seasons, scalpers have greatly contributed to frequent stockouts of Pokémon cards, driven by the TCG's growing fame.
Some resellers seek to resell sealed items for a profit, whereas some hunt for rare cards that can command extraordinary prices. For instance, the Mega Lucario ex card in recent releases has been listed at prices exceeding eight hundred dollars on various platforms.
Upcoming Releases
This policy change aligns with the approaching launch of the latest Pokémon expansion, coming on November 14th. Pre-release sales already show chase cards like the Charizard mega evolution listed for around fifteen hundred dollars, emphasizing the ongoing demand and likely reseller attention.
Hopefully, the retail limits will help reduce mass buying and increase access for true fans and everyday enthusiasts alike.
