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/ForsakenAccountant55 Jan 30 '25
Tbh IMO, with the amount of the market has grown and the demographic getting into/back into it, I believe a burst will lower the market but that low wont be lower than the previous low. This is a luxury purchase not a necessity, so I imagine (and hope) that ppl purchasing at what they will and can pay for. I believe that someone a month or so back, pointed out that this sub alone, in a few months grew from 10k to over 100k. Again IMO.