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As a notable development, Walmart has begun implementing purchase restrictions on how many Pokémon trading card items customers can acquire during one shopping trip. This policy officially takes effect as of early November, according to an internal announcement shared with employees.

Addressing Scalper Activity

While not officially confirmed by Walmart, many believe this decision was influenced by a viral TikTok video that showed a customer buying a massive amount of Pokémon card items at a checkout counter. The store manager featured in the video received significant criticism for allowing the large-scale transaction to proceed.

Policy Details and Potential Loopholes

The updated guideline specifies that shoppers may only buy up to five trading card packs or boxes per store visit. However, the wording has sparked debate due to its lack of clarity. Precisely what counts as a "box" remains unclear, and if someone could still purchase five high-value Elite Trainer Boxes remains ambiguous.

Additionally, since the limit is based on individual trips, in theory an eager reseller could make multiple trips—buying five items each time—to gather significant stocks throughout the day.

The Reseller Crisis

For the average collector, this approach might seem excessive, but for scalpers, it's standard practice. In recent years, scalpers have greatly contributed to widespread shortages of Pokémon cards, driven by the game's rising popularity.

Certain buyers aim to resell sealed items for a profit, whereas some hunt for rare cards that can fetch sky-high values. For instance, a specific Mega Evolution card from the latest set is currently selling at prices exceeding eight hundred dollars in online marketplaces.

Upcoming Releases

This policy change coincides with the imminent release of the latest Pokémon expansion, coming on November 14th. Pre-release sales already show premium cards like the Mega Charizard X Ex being offered for nearly $1,500, emphasizing the ongoing demand and likely scalper target.

Hopefully, the retail limits will help reduce bulk purchases and increase access for genuine collectors and casual players alike.