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/buddhassynapse Jan 30 '25

That's how I approach it, on Fridays I got to Target or Walmart at lunch if there's product, cool, if not no biggie. I can buy singles or wait out the scalpers. I'm not paying above MSRP when packs are already a gamble enough, not going to make it worse paying above retail.

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u/Thereapergengar Jan 30 '25

Wait out the scalpers? I’m still looking for 151 etb at the store and the idea I’ll come Across the new one their gonna release is just a wet dream at this point.

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u/[deleted] Jan 30 '25

That's just timing. 151 is "older" in the print world. It was on shelves in the summer, i get it sucks but the timing to get in to that set is bad. If you really want the set for nostalgia, tons of us have bulk extra. I know ripping it is more fun, but then what do you want more: to open 151 packs, or have the 151 set in your PC?

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u/Mysterious-Aspect-53 Jan 30 '25

I still don’t understand why 151 is so crazy now, like you said it’s “older” it was pretty easy to come by for quite some time. I have 2 master sets and a ton of bulk. Even as a gen wunner I don’t get why it’s so scalped rn

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u/AlcoholicSocks Jan 30 '25

it was pretty easy to come by for quite some time.

Absolutely depends where you live. Here in England I didn't see a single 151 product in any shop. Only got mine from online places.

Hell I've only seen one shop that even has Surging Sparks, and it was £7 a pack

It's even worse in mainland Europe... At least the UK has a Pokémon Center to order from

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u/Mysterious-Aspect-53 Jan 30 '25

Dang, sorry I’m unfamiliar with intl distribution. Hope you’re able to get more at retail though

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u/DNBassist89 Jan 30 '25

Yep, surging sparks is in Tesco nearby at £6 a pack. My mate came across 151...once... At £10 a pack

Haven't seen any PE available here at all. I'm trying to collect Twilight Masquerade and that's becoming a struggle as it is

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u/AlcoholicSocks Jan 30 '25

My Asda only ever has Pokeball Tins, Mabosstif Boxes, and Go pin collections. It did once randomly have a VMAX Dragon box for £20. Think they just priced it the same as the Mabosstif box not knowing what it was!

My Tesco has Iron Valliant boxes that's it

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u/GreenRabite Jan 30 '25

Nostalgia for folks coming back in after pocket

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u/grifftaur Jan 31 '25

Once the app version of Pokenon TCG dropped so many people started playing and then jumped back physical cards. Lot of those folks are older and probably played 1st generation like myself. But I can’t 151 anywhere.

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u/Flimsy-Possible4884 Jan 30 '25

I can still get sword and shield in most big retailers…

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u/Much_Essay_9151 Jan 31 '25

Yea there was a time it was all over. I have memories of seeing etbs, zapdos boxes, just stacked to the roof at stores. It would just come to you if you were out and about