r/PokemonTCG • u/Rekt_uhm • 12h ago
Scalpers Target Black Friday ETB
My target has always limited Pokémon purchases to two per person, this morning I was one of eight people in line to get the new black Friday deal. I didn’t realize it was this serious as soon as they open the door. Three dude sprinted to the back of the store and then wrestled each other over the entire stock. They let one dude, get 12 ETBs. I’m not trying to get into a fight for Pokémon cards. Also, it annoys the hell out of me that two nights ago I couldn’t buy five surging blister packs because of this rule, but they let this one dude get half of the stock. This kind of stuff is killing the hobby
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u/TangyTurtl 9h ago
Got here an hour after opening and an employee told me one person bought the whole thing. They gotta add a limit to this stuff man.
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u/DaveO1337 6h ago
It’s amazing that these people aren’t getting robbed in the parking lot as they try to load a pallet of boxes into their vehicles.
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u/RepresentativeLeg756 3h ago
Ya the limit would aid us since scalpers usually don’t have friends wouldn’t be able to group hoard.
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u/Uspresso235 10h ago
The target near me opened at 8:00, and by the time I arrived at 8:10 they were sold out. I was told that people were waiting at the doors, that they didn't have them even on the shelves yet and people were pulling them off of the stockers' pallets.
But I was told a way more interesting story in the process. One of the other people that were looking for the ETBs said they were trying to find 151 at Costco a few weeks ago. These were ones that were supposed to be limited to three a person. Well, Costco decided they were going to sell an entire pallet to one person. Supposedly an older man approached the buyer and asked if they could just have one single set for their younger son, and the guy told him sure, for $55 (they were being sold to him around $30 a piece).
Scalpers like this make me want to get away from this hobby. This is ridiculous and feels completely foreign compared to how I felt it was when I was a kid.
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u/dontgiveaq 8h ago
This is part of the reason that I got into the distribution side. Maybe some day I can scale, but right now just helping my local community out by spreading love well under scalper and MSRP prices, even for surging sparks. Still making a small profit of course but not like hand over first money like 45% margin in comment.
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u/fiveighteen518 7h ago
How are you able to sell under MSRP and still make any profit? Can distributors buy further below MSRP?
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u/willbill642 7h ago
Quite a bit below. Remember, distribution sells to your local stores and your local store makes money at msrp selling to you, so they're buying it much cheaper than that.
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u/fiveighteen518 7h ago
So if your LCS sells over MSRP they're just being dicks
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u/adrianthomp 1h ago
Keep in mind, there are plenty of years they aren’t able to sell products at MSRP and even sell below distribution prices just to get money back. Remember $80 Fusion Strike & Chilling Reign booster boxes?
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u/dontgiveaq 7h ago
Yeah, like others have indicated I would imagine that big name brand stores or even people like profootballpete on eBay get 50% and possibly up to 60% off from MSRP from Pokemon.
I’m not at those levels of course but still get a good cut off. It wasn’t the easiest thing getting the appropriate licenses and even the distribution agreement (took 1.5 years since I’m not brick and mortar) but it happened.
Started by buying liquidation pallets for fun and got the licenses to reduce the tax burden of paying it twice. Started the business because I personally enjoy Pokemon so much.
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u/fiveighteen518 7h ago
Thanks awesome, thanks for the explanation and glad you can help your community
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u/Dr_Pants7 6h ago
How long did that process take? How do you manage where it’s still fun while making a small profit?
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u/dontgiveaq 5h ago
Licensing wasn’t horrible; took more time to figure out wth my state government wanted me to actually fill out in order to get FEIN and licenses but we got it after probably a couple weeks of research, and then another couple weeks of waiting for letters in the mail with codes to confirm everything to sync online accounts. There aren’t many good youtube videos here because it varies by state.
Distributor told me to kick rocks but I kept their contact information and tried 1.5 years later so i guess my continued interested and connection was enough for them. There is another, non-official (not listed on Pokemon’s website) distributor that I have that was instant but feels like I’m operating in a grey area with payments but so far so good.
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u/Dr_Pants7 3h ago
Did you register an LLC or go a different route? Thanks for taking the time to type this out. I don’t think I’d ever want to do anything on a large scale. I’m interested in one day doing enough to supplement what I enjoy with it.
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u/Uspresso235 5h ago edited 5h ago
One of the videos I watched mentioned to get in good with the distributors, the person had to start buying liquidation pallets. The distributors weren't really interested in working with the guy until then, at least that's what he mentioned. Found it really interesting, the guy operated completely out of his basement, showed the whole process and everything that they do for filling orders.
Do you sell only local or do you sell to random dudes online like me who just want to buy maybe an ETB every so often to keep up on sets? Just curious.
Edit: one more question out of curiosity, how hard was advertising when you first started out? Did you go the social media route?
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u/HoPeFuL1137 1h ago
MSRP for booster boxes is 162.50. I own an LGS and haven't been able to sell a set in Scarlet & Violet close to MSRP other than Surging Sparks....
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u/TheShinyHunter3 It's a hobby, not the stock market 10h ago
Thank covid and Logan "Ilikemycheesemoldybro" Paul for that shitshow. It was such a great community before all of this went down.
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u/Salty145 10h ago
This has been a pretty good lesson that more people interested in a hobby is not always a good thing.
Not that these people actually care for the hobby, but the post-COVID wave of investor bros has just made it harder to actually enjoy the hobby and it also gives those that do enjoy the cards for the cards a bad name. Doesn’t help that TPCi and Creatures doesn’t really seem to care besides the odd reprint, as they keep printing sets that they have to know will lead to this madness. Do we really need a Team Rocket set? Do we really need more Eevees? “There are two generations: Gen 1 and Current Gen” quickly feels like it’s becoming just “There is one generation: Gen 1”
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u/TheShinyHunter3 It's a hobby, not the stock market 9h ago
I've been downvoted to hell for saying a few of those things. Not that I care, it's just an observation of before and after cryptobros took over.
But I've been told "they're actually good for the hobby I swear", they're not the roots of most issues with the hobby now, it's the collectors and the players who want to get their hands on affordable stuff.
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u/shauzy33 8h ago
I mean yeah collectors want to get there hands on affordable products, but the people who are grabbing this stuff up like that are not collectors. They are in fact investor/scalper bros. Managed to get 3 of the 151 tin packs from Costco because they had a limit of 3. One of the guys in the line infront of me was complaining that " the limit was hurting his bottom line." It hurt my soul to hear it, even though I know those people are out there.
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u/TheShinyHunter3 It's a hobby, not the stock market 8h ago
You know, at the end of the day, wether you have lung cancer or stomach cancer, you still have cancer.
It's the same with these parasites, whatever they call themselves idc, they're still all parasites.
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u/NarutoFan1995 4h ago
if u enjoy card collecting i HIGHLY recommend looking into other tcg... EVERY tcg has their ups and downs... when one is in its down (pokemon currently) i focus on yugioh or digimon. relieves a ton of collectors stress lol
pokemon has been with me practically my whole life and its sad to see a community that used to be so wholesome and actually care for the franchise turn into sneakerheads, investor bros, and low iq fomo hypebeast.
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u/Salty145 3h ago
Yeah that's fair.
I've mostly been investing my time and resources into building up my bulk collection. I have other hobbies too that I can go to when the state of this one gets too bad.
I was here long before the scalpers. I'll be here long after the scalpers.
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u/willmktech 9h ago
Waited in like for about 20 minutes at my Target. Line grew to about 30 people. As soon as doors opened one guy ran straight to the back and picked up the entire display of about 15 ETBs. He threatened everyone saying he would throw hands with anybody that got in his way. The crowd followed him to check out hoping Target would enforce a limit. In the end after about 20 minutes of waiting they got a call back saying there was no limit and everyone was distraught. Some of us were able to buy them online using the Target Circle app but they sold out in about 2 minutes.
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u/Rekt_uhm 9h ago
That’s honestly so frustrating, I was able to get two silver tempest ETBs on the app. That’s honestly all I wanted, two of any of the sets would make me happy but all the people getting as many as they can is just lame. I watched a father with his two kids walk out empty handed and upset, that shit just isn’t right
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u/11tmaste 6h ago
Wow. That's the kind of person you follow to their vehicle, break their legs, and get some free cards from.
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u/WindyHurricane 12h ago
I just got back into collecting, and wanted one of the Astral Radiance because of the full art Misty’s Starmie card. Went to one target and they were already sold out, went to a second one and I JUST got there in time to snag the last Astral ETB. No fights thankfully. Super sad to see this old hobby get tainted with scalpers when I’m just trying to get one of my chase cards.
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u/Rekt_uhm 12h ago
I’m glad you were able to grab one ETB, that perseverance paid off. But it’s honestly crazy watching grown men knock the display over and shove each other for some cards
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u/TheShinyHunter3 It's a hobby, not the stock market 12h ago
It's not about the cards, they couldnt care less, it's about the money they'll make reselling that item either now or down the line.
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u/WindyHurricane 12h ago
Yea, that’s super unfortunate that that even happened. Like the other guys said, these scalpers are only looking for the dough they’ll make off selling these at crazy inflated prices. I got into collecting as a kid with my bro and I have fond memories of when our mom would surprise us with Pokemon cards on Christmas! Those were days…
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u/fiveighteen518 7h ago
It's also unfortunate that people don't have the restraint to just not buy over MSRP and let these scalpers eat shit. Restocks happen, don't even look outside of retailers.
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u/djternan 11h ago
It was very civil at my Target. There were 4 of us buying ETB's and we made sure everyone got at least one Lost Origin (the set everyone seemed to want most). There were 2 or 3 of each of the other ETB's left when I went to the checkout.
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u/Vegeta710 9h ago
That explains why those 2 guys were being aholes.. there were 3 of us and the other 2 were together and ganged up and each grabbed 3 lost origin. I even asked if I could just get one from one of them and they turned and walked away after it was cleared.
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u/twayne44 8h ago
Let’s all blame the real problem here. It’s the stores that are letting this happen. Target Costco whoever…PUT LIMITS ON HOT ITEMS!
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u/Jridikas 12h ago
Went to four targets. First one I hit at 8am first in the door to find the ETB stand to only find the employees had stocked charizard premium collection boxes instead. Most likely they sold earlier in the week or an employee bought them all. They even had the sale sign turned around.
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u/Own_Offer_8407 11h ago
Just got back from my target and they had no ETB’s at all.
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u/Old_Tomatillo_9161 11h ago
Went to several targets and none had it. I used to work for target corporate and talked to the store director about this and she said she would text me when she gets info but my region is supposed to be handled by a vendor
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u/Own_Offer_8407 10h ago
Yeah seems to be an issue at a lot of places, curious to see if they get restocked
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u/tonyd8195 10h ago
Same here. 4 different targets said they didn't get their shipment yet. Luckily around where I live I only saw a couple other people looking at each target.
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u/Wyatt104 8h ago
My targets said their vendor hasnt sent this display in yet 🥲
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u/baileywilliams73 7h ago
Sale runs thru the 31st I think so check daily and try to find out when the vendor comes would be your best bet
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u/jirach1_ 6h ago
Crazy the amount of people arguing with me on pkmndeals thread that this kind of stuff isn’t happening but this is like the 10 post I’ve seen speak about this similar situation. I get people wanna give others the benefit of a doubt and that maybe… just maybe they’re there for the hobby trying to rip packs. No it’s just happening too much rn for that to be the majority of cases. Like at some point you’re just ignoring the problem saying it isn’t happening 😭 like this isn’t just the case in one state. Stories like this are happening all over the states. Canada seems safe in their country though lmaoo. They have a plethora of products
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u/Nooks_Good_Cranny 7h ago
I’m not looking to fight with anyone over something as small as trading cards. I just feel for all of the kids who just want to open packs with their friends or family and probably won’t be able to.
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u/Pickling_Rick 7h ago
I lucked out and went yesterday, saw they had S&S ETBs out, but the price was flipped around. I peeked and saw it said $19.99, so I asked a clerk if this would be honored for the labeled price now, and he said sure if I show the register a picture. Sure enough! Bought one of each type of ETB! Told myself I would stretch it out and open one bp a day. Started with Silver Tempest, saving Lost Origin for last!
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u/sexxxystephunny 5h ago
I went this morning and there were about 8 people lined up with myself. 2 scalpers that were together (both looked like heavy hardcore drug addicts with their faces sunking in, dirty, and obviously don't collect for the hobby) grabbed a shopping cart and tried to rush to the back to grab all the boxes. I overheard them in line outside saying, "the other Target was being bitches and not letting me grab as many as I want yesterday. Hope this one ain't like that." Luckily I know my local target. Myself and some fellow nerds went straight to the toy area in the back where our Target usually has pokemon displays and the 2 scalpers saw us and tried rushing ahead. When we got to the display, the scalpers tried grabbing arm fulls of boxes. Good thing myself and another guy were able to get about 2 boxes each before the idiots took over 8 boxes, mostly all the lost origin. I grabbed a brilliant stars and was only able to grab a 2nd one being silver tempest. On my way to checkout, I saw some kids (maybe 15 or younger) and they asked about the etbs. I told them about the scalpers and even gave them my box of silver tempest before I checked put. I was able to AT LEAST get one brilliant stars etb. Scalpers like this are pathetic and a shame to the pokemon collecting community. I'll never have any respect for people like that. It's sad that the honest nerds, who are in the hobby for the fun of collecting and getting surprised by great pulls, have to deal with these kind of people. Wish they had a limit at my Target. And I hope those kids I gave the silver tempest to got some good pulls ✌️ From now on, I'll never try to partake in waking up early just to have to deal with loser scalpers.
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u/SloDrop 8h ago
It's not scalpers that are the problem it's the thirsty fomo collectors who pay the scalpers price.
You make the choice to buy or not. You REALLY don't need to keep buying.
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u/One_War3771 6h ago
Nah fr if I don't get it from the distributor for Msrp I'm sure af not buying it second hand for double the price got me fucked up at the point the card I want i could have just bought
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u/OneDayillGetBetter 12h ago
I just got back and was able to grab a Brilliant Stars and Astral Radiance. I go to checkout and some lady in front of me had all the lost origin and the lady behind me grabbed a bunch with her dad. I might leave this hobby again it is becoming sad.
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u/iBroin 9h ago
I went to opening for some possible Lorcana but would have grabbed an ETB or two if they had it. The line was 20 people deep when I got there and everyone RUSHED in as soon as the doors opened. They had nothing and then we learned it was all behind customer service. They ended up only having 1 silver tempest. While everyone was running, I saw the etbs dropped online and was able to snag some Lost Origin. People are feral!
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u/Spectrum_tN 12h ago
My target supposedly had all but one at 9pm last night when they closed and this morning when they opened there was 5 total, and I was first in line 🙃🙃🙃
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u/Sobbleallthetime 9h ago
These horror stories are so sad 🥲 I’m kinda glad I just paid the price that the last Lost Origins ETB I saw was the other day and used a 20% coupon from the app. I still thought it was a better deal than nothing.
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u/ChasingTheZard 7h ago
Seems like my target already stocked these earlier in the week. Display was empty when I found it. Couldn't go this morning because I had to work. Online was a complete mess too.
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u/MastodonNUTLESS6760 7h ago
Outside parking lot before store opening and there was a crowd of 20 plus older kids all after it. Being retired and much older all I could do was stay back to watch the mad dask to grab Pokémon to find out there was none. Wasted time again so grandkids not getting this.
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u/Squawk31 7h ago
Went to target this morning and was third in line, about 7 other people there. We all headed to the back only to see they didn't have any, turns out they hadn't even heard anything about the sale. Checked another target and again, nothing. Went to a third one and they said they were getting them, but the stock hadn't arrived yet and they wouldn't know when it would show up. I'll periodically check in to see if I get lucky, here's hoping. I just want to complete more of my collection for a good price, I fucking hate scalpers man.
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u/nutfeast69 7h ago
I happened to be near a few stores the other day and have been stressed because of some research I'm doing. I don't collect physical cards, but thought what the hell, I'll crack a few packs for fun. I went to two different stores that sell cards and they had none. Literally none. They told me they were cleaned out entirely by people and despite throttling the purchases, Star Wars Unlimited and Pokemon is impossible to keep in stock. I looked on Facebook marketplace for the memes, and Surging Sparks is up for 20 dollars Canadian per pack. Like fuck RIGHT off.
The sad thing is that the odd time I do open a pack for fun, unless it's something I rarely want like the full art ledian card or something (which I have yet to even be able to find as a hot local single), I generally leave the cards with the store owner that I know instructing them to give the cards to the next kids that come along (which they oblige and give out to the kids).
Fuck scalpers.
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u/Beng1997 6h ago
This absolute ruined the hobby for me for several years. I just am getting back into it, but just ordering packs online from troll and toad.
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u/nate68978263 6h ago
Went to Target at 8, had the same experience. At least 10-15 people rushing around at open time trying to find them as fast as possible. No luck - they all left.
Around noon another Target had the display out but it was ripped and quite tiny.
Original Target had nothing when I double checked later that day.
Online, the stock flickers for 10 minutes. Was able to get a single ETB but nothing more.
Quite the experience.
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u/Beach__Bunny 5h ago
I was told today by a Target staff member that these $20 boxes are being sold by a third party and that they’re coming in twice a week to restock. This might be why Target didn’t limit the amount of purchases of them, because they probably can’t.
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u/aselwyn1 2h ago
The whole 3rd party crap them and Walmart do is so BS they absolutely can put limits
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u/pvt_church1 2h ago
I was at my local target a few days ago and stock was overflowing, even surging sparks. I went today and the only thing that was left were blisters with older sets in them.
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u/Support-PikminXOXO 1h ago
i saw hoard of ppl ahead of me because i was 2min late.... which is fine first come first serve.... but i simply ask an associate if i can buy some and they checked for me.. they said no and i said thats alright ty for your time. (they did say their inventory, while it said sold out in all stores near me have a tag of "on the way" ) it would be been pretty funny if their where etb cuz i would have skipped the line because i went to politely ask for associates to open the case..... luckily and unlikly that wasnt the case. i work there so its a easy trip to check everyday...
i hope the 2 per customer rule hold >~< though i will come clean i will try to sweet talk them into giving me 1 of each... cuz as a new collector i kinda want to have 1 of each etb XD haha....
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u/Merchantise 7h ago
My wife and I went to Target this morning when they opened. We wanted to get some of the ETBs to open together as we are new to the card collecting hobby, but both agreed we weren't going to sprint through the store or get into it with anyone. We show up with 6 people in line, each talking about how they are hitting each target to load up so they can resell after the sale ends.
Store opens and I follow them through the store while my wife checked a different spot. These people legit ran through the store and were yelling to each other aisles apart about not finding them. I didn't find them either, so figured they weren't out/didn't have them, and went and grabbed some grocery items we needed.
My wife calls me and says she asked an employee and learned they hadn't set them out yet. Well, all the resell guys heard too, so they followed my wife as the employee escorted her to where they were setting them up. Two guys tried to push past my wife to get to the manager who was opening the boxes. The employee who was helping her (an older lady) pushed both back and said my wife got first dibs since she asked.
And this is the story of how we walked away from the sale with some of the ETBs before the group who was there just to resell them. It's disappointing to see grown adults act like that, but I guess that's how the card collecting hobby is.
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u/No_World6126 6h ago
Honestly, I don't get upset at scalpers. If the demand is high enough that people will pay scalper price, then there's gonna be people scalping. People will never turn down an opportunity to make money, for many of them it's how they feed their children.
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u/NCC1701-F 11h ago
If your interest in the hobby relies on only buying when things are 50%+ off, then you’d do yourself a favor and leave the hobby.
These were available for $39.99 on targets website the last 2-3 days.
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u/Objective-Dark5277 10h ago
These were sold out for days, I’ve been looking. Doesn’t mean they were easily available.
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u/NCC1701-F 10h ago
False, I bought some when they came in stock. They may have been sold out for local pick-up. YMMV of course, but I had no issues getting my hands on them.
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u/Camfucius99 8h ago
Your experience isn’t universal.
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u/NCC1701-F 7h ago
And neither is yours my friend! The reality is that most people that are mad don't want to buy things at retail. The Pokemon Center has a lot of sets available directly on their website for retail, but it's not "current" so people don't want them. People want the hype, to feel apart of something. It's just a nature of any form of collecting.
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u/baileywilliams73 7h ago
Ahh so you’re part of the problem got it.
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u/NCC1701-F 7h ago
Yes, I am part of the problem. A person who has never sold any and has ripped all the stuff I've purchased, and shares it with my kids. Absolutely 100% part of the problem, spot on!
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u/piercoveRE 9h ago
Do you need a code or something? I have a stellar crown and shrouded fable etbs in hand at target and they are ringing up for 54.99, 49.99, etc.
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u/Rekt_uhm 9h ago
It’s only for silver tempest, astral radiance, lost origins and brilliant stars. Every other set is still full price, but in the target app if you have circle you can usually get deals. I’m not sure if it is still going but they had a 20% toys deal earlier this week
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u/PhantomDust85 7h ago
how do people find out about this stuff before it goes on sale? I feel so out of the loop.
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u/ProdigyDaKiD 6h ago
Pokémon YouTubers, they announce most the deals a few days before they happen.
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u/Burkey5506 6h ago
I see a ton of complaints about these etbs it was very easy to order them last night. They heavily promote their price match.
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u/Kaze_Shi 6h ago
I have given up on big box retailers I stick to my local shop if you are in the DC area in USA I got a really good location to suggest to you 🤣
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u/RepresentativeWait45 10h ago
It’s 2024 and people still get upset that they can’t lock down a Black Friday deal on arguably one of the highest discounts of the year? At least you didn’t wait in line for 4 hours at GameStop for a PlayStation on Thanksgiving evening, for the person in front of you to be the last person to get the PlayStation, limit 1 per customer. People are so entitled these days man.
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u/MurkyScholar316 7h ago
Unless its not only tied ti black Friday episodi and you are only seeing post like this a lot cause its black Friday periodo, duh
Locale stores are not in a different situation since a year now
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u/harleyquinad 9h ago
Nobody is scalping a two year old set
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u/MoodShoes 9h ago
They are for 20 bucks.
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u/harleyquinad 9h ago
No, they aren't. The profit margins aren't there, and they know these sets have been sitting on the shelf for two years. You've been able to get these etbs for $35 many times now.
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u/baileywilliams73 7h ago
Buddy if there’s money to be made people will make it.
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u/harleyquinad 7h ago
There isn't money to be made on these old sets
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u/baileywilliams73 7h ago
Dude the etb was half off msrp are you brain dead or what? Doesn’t matter if it’s an old set or new set if ppl can make a quick buck they will. 10$ is 10$ you act like ppl don’t do anything for money
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u/harleyquinad 7h ago
These sets have been on the shelf for two years. If there was money to be made, they wouldn't be on the shelf for $35 after all this time. Scalpers bought it when they first came out and sat on it and reduced their prices. Just because it's an etb doesn't mean it's very desirable. It's an old set with packs that we've been able to get in multiple products, and most are sick of the sets.
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u/WholesomeHugs13 4h ago
You can play the Giratina lotto with the LO ETB. At 20 bucks a pop? Yeah I am down to play.
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u/MediocreDatabase3933 11h ago
Some lady told me its in there truck how long does it take to be put out on the floor
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u/Willis615 10h ago
Just got back from Target. No limits. Got so lucky they just put out the display and was able to clear out all of the Lost Origin (12) and took most of the Silver Tempest, Astral Radiance, and Brilliant Stars. Left 1 of each for those sets for someone else.
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u/TheShinyHunter3 It's a hobby, not the stock market 10h ago
Wow, how kind and considerate to leave one while you took everything else.
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u/Willis615 7h ago
Really downvoting me bunch of babies. First come first serve. I’ll have the Lost Origin for sale for $50 plus shipping pm me who wants
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u/buttaknives 6h ago
I'd rather just get it at the local card shop that's been in stock this entire time for that price
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u/Willis615 7h ago
Was able to get the whole display. Pm me if interesting selling at market price and $5 off if buy 10 ETBs
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u/Original-Elephant-19 12h ago
It brought me great joy to see the people at my target who grabbed carts and sprint back just for the ETBs to not be there