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- Demand for boxes of Pokémon, sports cards sparks violence
- Both chains have suspended sales of collectible trading cards in stores
- More weird news here
When it comes to Pokémon cards, if you gotta catch ’em all you won’t be doing it anymore at Walmart and Target stores. The reason? Safety concerns. Over trading cards.
In fact, all trading cards, including sports cards, are now off the shelves at the big box stores after fights have broken out at stores around the country over the collectibles.
With trading cards selling for absurd amounts like $4.6 million for a Luka Doncic rookie card and a Pokémon Blastoise card being auctioned off for $360,000, the stakes for collectors have reached historic heights.
“To ensure the safety of our guests and team members MLB, NFL, NBA and Pokemon Trading Cards until further notice,” read a sign in the trading cards section at Target stores.
Target is no longer selling Pokémon cards in stores “to ensure the safety of our guests and team members.” pic.twitter.com/lpV0pyw8oA
— Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) May 13, 2021
“The safety of our guests and our team is our top priority,” a Target rep told BleedingCool.com. “Out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided to temporarily suspend the sale of MLB, NFL, NBA and Pokémon trading cards within our stores, effective May 14. Guests can continue to shop these cards online at Target.com.”
Meanwhile, over at Walmart, signs have now appeared that read, “Attention Trading Card(s) Vendor, The trading card categories have been removed from the sales floor and sales of these items have been suspended due to inappropriate customer behavior and increased demand. Please do not stock these items until further direction from management has been given.”
Naturally, with the terrible actions of a few negatively affecting the desires of many, a lot of people on social media were not happy with this news.
Scalpers destroy everything they touch like a walking pestilence. Good job ruining the game for kids. pic.twitter.com/6OLoGc8GnP
— Tyler James (@TJOmega) May 12, 2021
This is popping up in Targets across the country. This adds to the frustration of collectors who couldn't find product to begin with. https://t.co/UoarTJgmIg
— Sooz ⚾️ (@yanxchick) May 12, 2021
I'm beyond furious. At this rate, I personally am begging the Pokemon card market to crash hard. What was once a fun time collecting was destroyed by pretty much anyone why just want to buy packs for profit. But it's being affected on other card sets?! I'm officially retiring.
— Pokelayfe (COMMS OPEN) (@layfederp) May 8, 2021
As much as this sucks for TCG fans, I feel really bad for the kids who just want to buy cards for their favorite series and/or who want to get into these card games
— General Ramming Speed (@SpeedRamming) May 8, 2021
Not sure if the villain is capitalism or humanity https://t.co/MQH5Jbgkcs
— Sean | Recruit a Friend 💙 (@CartridgeBros) May 12, 2021