The Pokemon Company Addresses Prismatic Evolutions and TCG Shortage as Scalpers’ Feast: “We’re Actively Working to Print More”

On January 17, 2025By Littum

The latest Pokemon Trading Card Game set, Prismatic Evolutions, officially launches on January 17th, but the status of pre-orders and early sales suggest that this release will be a special feast for scalpers. The Pokemon Company is already warning of shortages and promising to print more products.

“We are aware that some fans may experience difficulty purchasing certain Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet-Prismatic Evolutions products at launch due to high demand affecting availability,” according to a post from the official Pokémon TCG account on Twitter.

“We understand that this inconvenience may be disappointing for fans, and we are actively working to reprint more of the affected Pokémon TCG products as quickly as possible and at maximum capacity to recognize this. Reprinted products are expected to be available at participating retailers , as soon as possible to help ensure more fans have access to Scarlet & Violet-Prismatic Evolutions.”

Official Elite Trainer Box and booster bundles are already sold out at official Pokemon Center storeand eBay listings for these items are already selling well above their retail price. Elite Trainer Boxes, which have an MSRP of $60 USD, are now being bought for well over $200 on eBay. Booster bundles similarly normally sell for $27 and are now around $70 each.

Pokemon TCG fansite PokeBeach has polled local dealers to report that many of these stores expect to receive much less Prismatic Evolutions products than they have attempted to order from distributors. Players have reported on social media that many local retailers are taking extra measures against scalpers for this release, implementation of ticketing systems, limit sales per customerand cut open boxes at the point of sale to devalue the items to scalpers.

We won’t know exactly how these flaws play out until the set actually launches, but if The Pokemon Company is already warning buyers about it, it certainly seems likely that this release will be a bit of a nightmare. We hope the reprints lighten the burden.

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