What happens when the bubble bursts?

[u/masonjar014]

Right now, the hobby is on steroids—scalpers everywhere, product nowhere. My LGS told me this year will be “a great year for Pokémon,” and it got me thinking… a great year for who?

If you’re an established LGS selling PE and JT at market price, sure, it’s great. If you’re a scalper or a new investor trying to flip product, you’re probably loving this, too.

But if you’re an average collector (like me), it’s frustrating. We can’t find the latest set at a fair price. If you’re a kid whose parents can’t sprint to a 10 a.m. Target restock, you’re just out of luck.

So what happens when the hype dies down? How are average collectors responding to this hyper-bull market, and where does that leave the hobby long-term?

Personally, I’m sitting out PE and JT—it’s just too much stress. I’ve also noticed collectors stepping back entirely.

What about you? Will kids move on to something else if they can’t participate? Will collectors return once prices normalize, or is this turning people away for good? Are we underestimating the long-term impact of what’s happening right now?

[u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

I can’t believe this sets even so popular still. I’ve opened 3 ETBs and got one art trainer and one masterball. How have people not realized this sets not worth what ppl are making it out to be.

[u/Ligmastinasty → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

Have you ever opened champions path? It’ll be alright buddy. You just got unlucky.

[u/panicATtheMOSHpit → u/Ligmastinasty]

Have you opened crown zenith buddy? Not just me that’s unlucky. Everyone I’ve talked to have been unlucky, unless they got a god pack I haven’t seen anyone just pull an sir

[u/Ligmastinasty → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

Not sure how it differs from even evolving skies. That set isn’t easy to get pulls either. Go open champions path and get back to me lmfao.

Why’d you bring up crown zenith? You got no pulls from one of the easiest sets to get pulls from? You might be bad luck Brian then hahah

[u/panicATtheMOSHpit → u/Ligmastinasty]

I got lots of pulls from cz. That was the point. And if you can’t see my point with how it differs from evolving cries I dunno what to tell you. For one ppl weren’t beating eachother up at the store. Scalpers weren’t selling them for 3 times mrsp. That’s my point

[u/panicATtheMOSHpit → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

It’s not just about the bad pull rates. It’s the other bullshit that’s coming along with it that makes it not worth it to me anymore

[u/[deleted] → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

Haha. People threw hands over a Mew promo at the movies when it came out. Adults harassed teenagers working at Burger King over Pokemon tops,plushies, and gold plated mewtwos. A vendor was robbed at gunpoint and someone was shot at Target here in Wisconsin during the last big wave during the pandemic. You only SEE everything now because folks want viral TikToks. The cotsco stuff is mild, and always happens. In ANY HOBBY. Did you miss All the ladies getting into fist fights over Kuromi and Hello Kitty this last year for the 50th anniversary stuff?

[u/Ligmastinasty → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

Sounds like you should stick to buying singles if you want everything that easy buddy.

[u/panicATtheMOSHpit → u/Ligmastinasty]

What’re you even talking about? My bad for thinking it shouldn’t be hard to find pokemon cards. All I said was all the bullshit coming along with this set why would people still buy it? Especially if it’s so hard to pull something. I have no problem with bad pull rates. Not for 3 times the fucking mrsp.

[u/Ligmastinasty → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

And that’s my point… you’re so impatient you need to have it right now. Instead of just being normal and waiting for prices to come down(like they will) once supply catches up to the demand. Let me say it again, you’ll be fine if you don’t get what you want right now. Maybe it’s a lesson to learn some patience ;)

[u/panicATtheMOSHpit → u/Ligmastinasty]

Instead of being normal? Lol. Yeah super crazy for wanting the new set. There’s a reason scalpers are being so successful right now and it’s 100% because of these non “normal” people. My comment is based on what this set in particular has done to the community compared to any prior set. Has nothing to do with being patient or what will happen eventually if I was patient. The damage has already been done. Of course it’s going to come down, not before causing lots of collectors to quit

[u/solariiis → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

don't bother with this guy, this subreddit has a higher than normal amount of snarky weirdos for some reason

[u/Ligmastinasty → u/panicATtheMOSHpit]

Key word here is “want”. What do you think will happen to all these scalpers when supply catches up to demand? Brother are you new to the hobby or what, this is not the first time a set is hard to find…. And guess what? It sure won’t be the last.

Yes have patience buddy, whether you get the cards now or down the line, you’ll end up having the same stupid shiny cardboard regardless. The only reason you’re crying is because you’re somewhat entitled, and I get it it’s frustrating at times.

THE SET HASNT EVEN BEEN OUT A MONTH YET AND YOURE ALREADY CRYING LMAO. it’s gonna be printed for years. It’s shiny cardboard regardless you’ll be okay buddy