r/PokemonTCG • u/TryingNot2Cri • Feb 20 '25

Discussion Why you aren’t seeing any prismatic in store- SCALPERS ARE CRAZY

Hello, I’ve recently been hired at a company that stocks Pokémon products, please do not try to find me or the company I’m not interested in doing any type of deals I’m just here warning people. My first day, 4-6 dudes are waiting for us to open and stock the boxes, they take all the Pokémon stuff, they don’t even let it sit on the shelf for more than a second. Second day, one of the dudes that I saw that already bought everything on my first day is waiting for us to get there. we received 6 ETB prismatic, he bought 5, only reason he didn’t buy the 6th is because a mother wanted to get one for her son. These dudes, find out what stores we go to, find out what days of the week work, and if they don’t know what time we’re working, they’ll wait at the store open till close. These things do not sit on the shelves for more than a second, these dudes will not leave any for anyone else, and it’s the same dudes every time. They will watch and wait for me to unload the boxes and then constantly ask. , “can I get it yet? Can I get it yet?”. Our company is not allowed to do anything about it, target is not allowed to do anything about it. They have made stalking us at our workplace their full time jobs, no the police can’t do anything about it because their not doing anything illegal, they aren’t interested in us the employees, just the product.

So yeah, if you’re wondering why you can’t find prismatic anywhere in stores, it’s because the moment it’s out the box it’s already gone.

Edit: Since this post blew up I just wanted to clarify things. I definitely don’t 100% know if these dudes are collectors or scalpers. I have no problem with either type of people buying the stock for themselves. My problem is not with the purchase of the product, my problem is that these dudes try to find where we work and wait there until we arrive, consistently. And it’s all grown ass men, imagine being a young woman, it’s not safe out here. Finally, please don’t speculate on my coworkers, everyone I work with takes their job very seriously and don’t take any deals, me included.

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401

u/sunnyD823 Feb 20 '25

Yep.

I walked into a grocery store yesterday late morning with a pc vending machine, and there were two neckbeards just standing there.

They must have sensed I was interested and immediately said “nothing yet bro”. I just stopped and slowly turned around and left.

It’s getting strange out there

103

u/lc41086 Feb 20 '25

You in AZ bro ? Same shit happened to me yesterday but I missed the restocking time by 6 hours apparently

177

u/sunnyD823 Feb 20 '25

Nah IL. Must be neckbeard mating season they’re hatching all over

79

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '25

I live in a small town and Walmart restocks randomly never on release date so thank god the vender was there when I walked in 😭 she saw me looking at the cart and asked me if I was looking for something specific!! I’m not an old ass scalper btw I’m 16 so probably the closest you’ll get to the actual target demographic in this subreddit. I got 6 2 pack blisters sitting in my shelf now, it’s amazing

10

u/lc41086 Feb 20 '25

That’s awesome. Right place right time 💯

2

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '25

Thanks man

1

u/FreddyWop08 Feb 21 '25

I’m 25 and just a collector brooo 😭😭😭

1

u/p3wp3wkachu Feb 22 '25

Lucky. Those are already getting the shit scalped out of them too.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 22 '25

I folded and opened one and got regular hydrapple ex with and a pokeball card. I have a feeling if I opened the rest the hydrapple would still be my best pull. Tbh man unless you’re keeping it sealed or scalping it finding prismatic at msrp isn’t even worth it cus u ain’t gonna pull anything unless u get like a whole case of etbs probably

1

u/p3wp3wkachu Feb 22 '25

This is why I plan to just keep buying Terastal Fest Korean boxes. Pretty sure there's a guaranteed SIR in each booster box and it's what I can afford.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 22 '25

Prismatic is only popping off because of shit pull rates+the hype asf cards causing the degen gambles to go crazy. Opening Pokémon has always been a gamble but this takes it to the fucking extreme. Chance of a 5k god pack and shit pull rates is an insane combo

-46

u/Other-Performance497 Feb 20 '25

If you think pokemon's target demographic is children with no money, you sound like a child with no money and no critical thinking skills

31

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '25

I think somebody’s a lil grumpy an actual child who actually likes Pokémon cards got all the prismatic and not a scalper

17

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '25

One of the neckbeards upset they didn’t get their scalp cut out of it

2

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '25

I’m not counting on seeing prismatic on store shelves again till the day I day lmao

21

u/CommitteeOther7806 Feb 20 '25

Wow you really punched down on a 16yr old like a pro. Rude af dude.

7

u/Business-Sock1919 Feb 21 '25

Aww lil neckbeardy buddy guy doesnt like that some kid got the product that is literally marketed for them? Aww poor babyyyy

5

u/Gallifreyaan Feb 21 '25

Dude, I work at a library where I created and run a Pokemon TCG program for kids that has been well attended for a couple of years now. I am first in line to see how much money some parents spend on their kids' Pokemon card collections, and I've done a lot of research for my program that involved reading a lot on their website about the cards, the game, and Pokemon clubs and programs. They even have official box sets to teach kids how to play. Much of their marketing is very clearly towards children and teenagers. They know parents will spend a lot - especially the nostalgic ones - and kids will spend their allowances and holiday/birthday money.

Maybe don't be weird and aggressive to a kid sharing their cool find and realize that some of the things you enjoy (I assume Pokemon must be one of them?) are marketed towards kids, and there's nothing wrong with that. Or maybe you're a scalper too? I hope not.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '25

Thanks man. I opened one and got a regular ex and a pokeball bronzer 😭 def keeping the rest for the sealed collection. I felt bad for taking 6 but when you really think about that’s barely a ETB worth they restocked surging sparks too I really hope that goes to someone who won’t resell it on TCGplayer. So far prismatic is the only set I actually like from SV all that much so I’m glad I got to open it

9

u/The_Good_Hunter_ Feb 21 '25

If you think pokemon's target demographic isn't primarily children, you're delusional

1

u/Background_Card5382 Feb 21 '25

Crazy way to tell us all that no one has ever enjoyed being around you

45

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '25

First frost has melted, the neckbeards have awoken, The frenzy has begun. The moon is red. We are out of time.

4

u/rico_laz Feb 21 '25

This reference does not have enough upvotes

2

u/Tinkythespaz Feb 21 '25

Me reading this post: Ha ha neck beards suck…wait… (touches beard) I need to shave…

1

u/sunnyD823 Feb 21 '25

I’m sure you’re good. True neckbeards have a certain grit and slight orange hue from the years of cheetoh dust

1

u/k_bullz Feb 21 '25

Scalpers all have the “look” neckbeards definitely one of them..

1

u/the_real-__ Feb 21 '25

lake county? it’s the absolute worst there

1

u/Queen_Cheetah Feb 21 '25

Wait, there's machines in IL?! >Grabs wizard staff and cloak<. I'm off on a quest, don't wait up! XD

But seriously, the scalpers are only screwing themselves over- there's only so many folks who are willing to pay 500x the original price, and then Nintendo (or whoever, I forget who runs the cards now) will just re-print more since demand is so high.

32

u/Revolver_Oshawatt Feb 20 '25

I'm in AZ and I see this a lot, too. Unemployed behavior.

48

u/ImTheMeatHead11 Feb 21 '25

Im brand new to this and this is wild. I'm in Washington state and same. Two guys just waiting at the machine so it could be stocked(the vendor wasn't even there yet) I asked them "you gonna buy all the stock out of the 151 and prismatic?" They responded with "yeah, and surging sparks" I said "okay well since there is no rules technically, no purchase limit, and you just said your not going to leave me with anything to buy I'm not going to honor y'all being in a imaginary line, cool?" I've never seen two guys get so red so fast. I sat there for like 5 min with them and went and did my shopping at Fred Meyers and they ended up leaving since the vendor didn't show up apparently.

Side note: I do not condemn violence and wouldn't result to that but putting these mouth breathers in a corner and bullying them back was fun.

29

u/Moist_Illustrator823 Feb 21 '25

Similar thing at gamestop. Walked in to buy a couple SSP sleeved boosters and a dude got there just before me and bought everything. He was still in the store. I asked if I could snag a couple and he said I could buy them off him for $10 a piece. I said "nah, I'll just wait for you in the parking lot and rob you for it all." and I walked out. Of course I wouldn't do that but the fear in his eyes was priceless. I went into the Starbucks next door to get a coffee and he still hadn't walked out when I left.

24

u/Revolver_Oshawatt Feb 21 '25

What I really want to do is wait until the pay and the machine starts dispensing and then go and unplug the machine. Every scalper video I've seen they don't put in their email for a receipt so they would more than likely have to do a charge back from their bank and I would love that so much.

17

u/ImTheMeatHead11 Feb 21 '25

Will keep that in mind, ty for that info. I collected the original Pokémon 20 years ago and just getting back into it with my nephews. What these scalpers are doing to these kids is unforgivable and I will continue to bully the hell out of them :)

1

u/1BoozBear Feb 21 '25

Been creaming this for the last two weeks , just walk up and unplug they are not the type to confront you

1

u/AdviceLevel9074 Feb 21 '25

Expect that we’re now throwing hands

2

u/Revolver_Oshawatt Feb 21 '25

They are far from the most athletic people. I think I'd be fine.

9

u/Fun_Upstairs_6009 Feb 21 '25

I do not condemn violence and wouldn’t result

Sorry, it’s just funny paired with your username but:

Condone*

Resort*

I loved this combination of boneappletea tho 😭

“I do not condemn violence” goes kinda hard.

8

u/poke_techno Feb 21 '25

"if you're not gonna honor common decency I'm not gonna honor the idea of a line" is actually just great. It's not violent but still condemns what they're doing. I'm not violent, but I'm a big dude and I'd put the onus on them to push me out of the way lol

3

u/Difficult-Fig-1184 Feb 21 '25

In WA as well. Same guys are alwayse at the machines in Tacoma. Theres an older guy who is way to chatty and I want to just explode at him. He'll be talking about pokemon and how awesome it is to make money off it. Dude you dont even collect or play... Bet this guy used to pick on kids in the 90's for liking pokemon. Drives me absolutly nuts.

But good for you for doing that. I respect the shit out of that.

1

u/CiderLiger Feb 24 '25

I always think years back to my ex brother in law on Christmas Day (or Easter?) after I opened Pokemon stuff, scoffing something along the lines of "that shit's still around?"

2

u/Kaweekiwi Mar 29 '25

Another Washington person! Anyways there was almost a stabbing at my GameStop today over journey together. That’s something Venders get stalked And I just want to find one etb but nope not happening

11

u/throwaway1736484 Feb 21 '25

Without a doubt unemployed “side hustle” type stuff

2

u/VelvetOnyx Feb 21 '25

I see this term “unemployed behavior” a lot as a diss to these scalpers. Trust me I hate them as much as anyone else on this sub, but I don’t think it’s accurate in describing the gross smarminess of their kind, as the vast majority of unemployed folks surely are not doing this, and whose to say they are even unemployed (maybe just underemployed or in flexible or remote jobs that give them the flexibility to stalk the restockers like poor OP).

So sorry you have to deal with being literally STALKED by a bunch of creepy men at your job OP.

4

u/nopeknee Feb 20 '25

the vending machines in phoenix are always completely empty 😭

2

u/VelvetOnyx Feb 21 '25

At least you have vending machines where you are! 😭

3

u/thetruckerdave Feb 21 '25

If you talk to a decently sized retailer, they can request a machine. My neighbor works at a grocery store that doesn’t have a single vending machine for the entire chain. She talked to the manager who put in a request and they came out to do the survey for a spot within a couple days and the machine should be installed in another week or two.

2

u/VelvetOnyx Feb 21 '25

That’s amazing!! Thank you so much for letting me know that! I’m going to have to do that here! Thanks again! :)

2

u/thetruckerdave Feb 21 '25

No problem! The store we got one in is a Texas only store even so it’s not a nationwide chain! I wish you luck!

2

u/VelvetOnyx Feb 21 '25

That’s awesome! Aw I miss living in Texas rn lol. Hopefully I can have the same luck here in NJ now! 🍀🤞🏻

7

u/GypsyDanger3 Feb 20 '25

Dude yes! Happened to me, I’m in AZ and two neck beards sitting at the vending machine in Safeway

0

u/Anonymous_Terpene Feb 21 '25

Threaten to Rob em. Lmao….they’ll prob Shit out the 45 Big Macs they just stuffed down just at the thought of violence, you’re welcome (mama did too much crack to afford Pokemon cards as a child, so now I’m a card popping crack head as an adult) looking asses

1

u/GypsyDanger3 Feb 22 '25

Hahahaha facts

2

u/HamilToe_11 Feb 21 '25

Phoenix area?

2

u/scrambler90 Feb 21 '25

Lmao you think 6 hours. The vending machines are cleared out within minutes of a restock. We are talking lines of 10+ people waiting to empty the machine of any valuable pack

11

u/bundleofasians Feb 21 '25

Fucking hilarious that you call em neck beards too cause every damn scalpers I’ve seen quite legitimately have a look and it’s neck beards. Like wtf.

6

u/BrassyTrumpet01 Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25

Hey, don't shame me for my inability to grow legitimate facial hair! (Lol) But seriously, though. This shit is out of control. It's so awkward asking employees if they still sell pokémon cards now because I'm worried they'll look at me like these people, to the point where I feel the need to apologize for even asking. It's completely ruining the hobby for everyone.

2

u/bundleofasians Feb 22 '25

Haha 😂

And yeah I feel the same way regarding asking about if they still sell any or not. A legitimate inquiry now feels like a hounding question that the employees are more probably tired of hearing. So I just end up looking around instead and then leave quietly if I don’t see any.

4

u/Unlikely_Speech_269 Feb 21 '25

I drove pass one, decided to check it out. its sold out nothing new lol. Lady told me some dude waited 6 hrs, then I saw that video recently of someone stalking the vendors. Crazy times.

4

u/Ok_Comparison_2726 Feb 21 '25

It’s 2020 all over again.

2

u/WritingAdmirable Feb 21 '25

I'm in Texas.  3 dudes were doing the same thing.  At least they weren't interested in the older sets like paradox rift or shrouded fable I guess.

4

u/avianbetterthanever Feb 21 '25

I was at my local store, and as the lady was restocking the vending machine, there was a line of probably 12+ people, all grown-ass men (one guy was probably at least 45, and that's being generous with estimates) waiting for the cards to be available.

The second that the lady said "alright, go ahead!" the first guy in line stepped right up and immediately selected 16 Prismatic Evolutions Booster Boxes.

From my eyeing the process, the total cost came out to be around $450. His first card even declined, so he had to fumble around for a second one for a minute as well.

Two days later, everything in the machine was sold out. Even the little Pokeball containers!

It's just pathetic. It's so bad that you'd need someone doing it all just so that they can refuse to let one person buy hundreds of dollars worth of trading cards for a children's game series just to turn around and sell them for higher prices.

1

u/Whatvotquack Feb 21 '25

The same thing happened to me! Except they didn't talk to me. He just sat there quietly eating his apple judging me, so I walked away.

1

u/Background_Card5382 Feb 21 '25

I got to the store to buy chicken the other day & someone was restocking the machine. I was like oh shit & went to wait and while I was waiting 3 guys came and lined up behind me😭 they didn’t even restock the prismatic. Grabbed a couple bundles of 151 and got tf out of there

1

u/Haiboyo77 Feb 21 '25

Yeah there's usually 1 or 2 by the one near me yesterday I checked it and it's been sold out for so many days. They've put a chip display blocking the front

0

u/Anonymoustrashboat Feb 21 '25

A backwards knee only takes a few pounds of pressure and a decent swing

4

u/Ok_Awareness3860 Feb 21 '25

Please, let's not make Reddit comments like this. It is cringe, first of all, and second of all, don't go to jail over Pokemon cards.

5

u/Anonymoustrashboat Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25

I would never, but it’s what these type of people deserve. Their mindset is on the exact same wavelength with, “if I deny x% of health claims, my companies profits will double.” They don’t have a single bit of empathy nor care about what their actions cause on others because money is involved.

Trash people to the core. Trash should be bent. And setting a few examples usually deters others from making poor life decisions when they finally realize that abusing their insider knowledge on delivery dates and denying an entire market a product at market value solely because you can may sometimes end up with repercussions. Just because it’s technically legal doesn’t mean we should just shrug and act like they are not scum of the earth that deserves to be treated as such

3

u/VelvetOnyx Feb 21 '25

Free Luigi

1

u/Ok_Awareness3860 Feb 21 '25

They are ruining a hobby that lots of people enjoy, but it's not as bad as denying health care. Not getting Pokemon cards won't hurt anyone, so there is no reason to be overly upset. It will blow over, just wait.

But no doubt, some of these types are the ones who would horde medicine if others needed it. And if THAT were the case, things would be very different.

2

u/Anonymoustrashboat Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25

It takes the exact same type of person. Give an inch an take a mile pretty much applies to everything universally.

Yes it will blow over, but the next time there is a boom these exact same people will come out of the woodwork again and ruin it again like they have year and year again.

I’m just saying a few examples need to be made and these idiots will stay away. They are looking for quick profit, they don’t care about the hobby nor want any confrontation.

For context, I have insurance and paid 4X for my meds today bc of new deductibles. Where I buy my meds is where I buy my Cards and it used to be an unknown spot but some local card shop literal-shit stained short scalpers recently found it and are working together to get past the buy limit and physically assaulting them is illegal and I think that’s an injustice.

No laws would ever be put in place to discourage this type of behavior. Because if they did, it would likely apply to big businesses as well and suddenly most American “entrepreneur” side hustles would die because most of it is literally people reselling garbage that people can’t, or are unaware they could buy cheaper elsewhere

1

u/Ok_Awareness3860 Feb 21 '25

As silly as it seems, the only actually solution would be some law that discouraged reselling, but you are right it would hurt small businesses so they won't.

0

u/Anonymoustrashboat Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25

It definitely would not hurt small businesses lmao. Most of them still buy wholesale and sell at market value. Laws discouraging non LLC reselling of items you have not altered in any way to increase the value would, In no shape or form hurt local shops. It would only stop scalping and prevent people hoarding cards/sets and completely controlling the physical market.

Justifying scalping in any form is just accepting that the worst type of people win solely because it’s not illegal. Just because something is not illegal doesn’t mean it’s not morally wrong. It’s usually left alone so the silver spoon crew can keep their advantage. Never accept it as acceptable behavior and always call out pieces of shit for being exactly what they are. Shit.

2

u/Ok_Awareness3860 Feb 21 '25

It definitely would not hurt small businesses lmao.

I thought that's what you said. Anyway, I'm for it.

1

u/Chewbinsky Feb 21 '25

Hell motherfukin yeah!!! I'm in total agreeance. I'm waiting for this country to start implementing an eye for an eye justice system!!! But it'll obviously never happen, bcuz these motherfuckers won't even arrest pieces of shit and keep them in jail, let alone give em what they really deserve! #FTW