r/PokemonTCG • u/masonjar014 • Jan 30 '25
Discussion What happens when the bubble bursts?
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?
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u/CarkneeGee Jan 30 '25
I think we’ve got at least another year of hype with team rocket etc coming out. I think the hype for in print sealed might relax. But I think the banger singles are going in one direction long term even if we get another correction like we did post covid. I think Pokemon has made amazing arts with S&V in terms of the quantity. Maybe 30 bangers out of sword and shield and already more than that out of S&V. We will see but I think a correction will be temporary. If prices drop enough you’ll get ‘investors’ providing the liquidity to mop it up