Millennials' Love Affair with Pokémon Cards Becomes a Lucrative Stock Market for Scammers
The nostalgia-tinged world of Pokémon has always been a haven for kids to unleash their creativity and passion. However, the rise of reselling and scalping among millennials has transformed this beloved franchise into a lucrative stock market, making it increasingly difficult for children to get their hands on newly released cards.
The frenzy surrounding rare Pokémon cards has led to an unsustainable demand that has pushed prices sky-high. In fact, some rare cards are now valued at hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds before they've even been released to the public. For example, a special illustration of Charizard in the latest set, Phantasmal Flames, was being touted as worth more than £600, making it almost impossible for anyone other than seasoned collectors or resellers to afford.
Online retailers such as Amazon have become battlegrounds where buyers compete against each other in an opaque raffle system, with only those willing to wait hours outside shops or scour online marketplaces for deals emerging victorious. Meanwhile, resellers will stop at nothing to get their hands on the latest sets, often queuing up for hours and buying boxes before anyone else can even see them.
The phenomenon has been attributed in part to social media influencers and YouTubers who create buzz around rare cards by opening packs and showcasing the contents at breakneck speed. While this may have created a sense of excitement among young fans, it has also created unrealistic expectations about making money from collecting or playing Pokémon.
One shop owner, Ben Thyer, describes the current situation as "unpleasant" and warns that it's become too intense for customers to handle. He shares stories of customers threatening violence, robbery, or simply becoming aggressive when they can't get their hands on a rare card. In some cases, people are even selling sealed boxes before unboxing them, making it harder for genuine collectors to access the cards.
Another shop owner, Pete Sessions, worries about the impact this has on children who genuinely want to collect or play Pokémon. His son Alfie had recently started collecting the cards but became disillusioned with the market when he realized that making a profit was more important than enjoying the hobby. As a result, many families are now hesitant to buy booster packs due to concerns about the increasing prices.
The Pokémon Company has acknowledged the issue and is working to increase production of certain products as quickly as possible. However, it's clear that the company still struggles to keep up with demand. Meanwhile, independent organizations offering card grading services have emerged, further fueling speculation about rare cards' value.
While prices may begin to stabilize in the short term, some experts predict a new surge in sales and prices around Pokémon's 30th anniversary next year. The bubble, as it were, seems to be inevitable, leaving shop owners like Ben Thyer with an uncomfortable dilemma: sacrifice profits or protect their customers from scalpers.
In the end, this is a cautionary tale about the dangers of speculation and greed in online communities. While Pokémon cards will always hold a special place in many hearts, the current frenzy surrounding rare cards has transformed it into a stock market that prioritizes profit over passion – leaving children and genuine collectors at the mercy of resellers and speculators.
The nostalgia-tinged world of Pokémon has always been a haven for kids to unleash their creativity and passion. However, the rise of reselling and scalping among millennials has transformed this beloved franchise into a lucrative stock market, making it increasingly difficult for children to get their hands on newly released cards.
The frenzy surrounding rare Pokémon cards has led to an unsustainable demand that has pushed prices sky-high. In fact, some rare cards are now valued at hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds before they've even been released to the public. For example, a special illustration of Charizard in the latest set, Phantasmal Flames, was being touted as worth more than £600, making it almost impossible for anyone other than seasoned collectors or resellers to afford.
Online retailers such as Amazon have become battlegrounds where buyers compete against each other in an opaque raffle system, with only those willing to wait hours outside shops or scour online marketplaces for deals emerging victorious. Meanwhile, resellers will stop at nothing to get their hands on the latest sets, often queuing up for hours and buying boxes before anyone else can even see them.
The phenomenon has been attributed in part to social media influencers and YouTubers who create buzz around rare cards by opening packs and showcasing the contents at breakneck speed. While this may have created a sense of excitement among young fans, it has also created unrealistic expectations about making money from collecting or playing Pokémon.
One shop owner, Ben Thyer, describes the current situation as "unpleasant" and warns that it's become too intense for customers to handle. He shares stories of customers threatening violence, robbery, or simply becoming aggressive when they can't get their hands on a rare card. In some cases, people are even selling sealed boxes before unboxing them, making it harder for genuine collectors to access the cards.
Another shop owner, Pete Sessions, worries about the impact this has on children who genuinely want to collect or play Pokémon. His son Alfie had recently started collecting the cards but became disillusioned with the market when he realized that making a profit was more important than enjoying the hobby. As a result, many families are now hesitant to buy booster packs due to concerns about the increasing prices.
The Pokémon Company has acknowledged the issue and is working to increase production of certain products as quickly as possible. However, it's clear that the company still struggles to keep up with demand. Meanwhile, independent organizations offering card grading services have emerged, further fueling speculation about rare cards' value.
While prices may begin to stabilize in the short term, some experts predict a new surge in sales and prices around Pokémon's 30th anniversary next year. The bubble, as it were, seems to be inevitable, leaving shop owners like Ben Thyer with an uncomfortable dilemma: sacrifice profits or protect their customers from scalpers.
In the end, this is a cautionary tale about the dangers of speculation and greed in online communities. While Pokémon cards will always hold a special place in many hearts, the current frenzy surrounding rare cards has transformed it into a stock market that prioritizes profit over passion – leaving children and genuine collectors at the mercy of resellers and speculators.
I'm kinda worried about this whole Pokémon card thing but also kinda impressed how much people are willing to spend 
like, £600 for a single card is wild 
I think social media influencers have definitely created this frenzy though 
their speed-unboxing vids are so mesmerizing 
it's no wonder ppl are buying boxes and waiting in lines just to get in on the action 
but at what cost? Like, customers getting all aggressive when they can't get a rare card is just crazy 
poor shop owners like Ben Thyer have to deal with this stress 
maybe the Pokémon Company should consider a 'buy one, gift one' scheme or something for genuine collectors 
that way everyone gets to enjoy the hobby without the scalpers getting in the way 
. Meanwhile, shop owners are caught in the middle, trying to make ends meet while also keeping their customers safe 
. This whole thing is just a reminder that there's gotta be some balance between making money and having fun 
. Let this serve as a warning to us all: don't get caught up in the hype, stay grounded 
!
. The whole thing just feels so toxic 
.
?
. It's like they're creating this artificial hype just to get people to buy into it. And now, independent organizations are popping up just to grade those cards and make even more money 
️. It's like they're trying to outbid each other or something.
. They're making kids think that collecting these cards is going to make them rich or famous, when in reality, it's just a bunch of people trying to make a quick buck 
. That's just not cool. And what about all the kids who genuinely want to collect Pokémon cards but can't afford it because prices are so high? It's like the whole thing has become a big scam 
.
. But until then, I think we're just going to see this bubble continue to grow and eventually burst 
I mean, can't we just appreciate Pokémon for what it is – a fun game that brings people together? 
Instead of making a profit off of it, let's focus on sharing our passion with others and having a good time. And to all you resellers out there who are willing to wait in line for hours or buy boxes before anyone else can get them, like what even is the point of that? 
. imagine having to deal with aggressive shoppers and people who are more interested in making a quick buck than enjoying the hobby... not cool 
.
. THE POKEMON COMPANY SHOULD REALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF CONTROL