🔗 Share this article Walmart Implements Purchase Limits on Pokémon Trading Cards In a significant move, Walmart has begun enforcing purchase restrictions on how many Pokémon trading card items customers can buy during a single visit. This new rule officially takes effect starting November 5th, according to an internal announcement distributed to employees. Addressing Scalper Activity While not officially confirmed by Walmart, numerous sources suggest this decision was prompted by a viral TikTok video that showed a customer purchasing a massive amount of Pokémon card products at a checkout counter. The employee seen in the video received significant criticism for allowing the large-scale transaction to go through. Rule Specifics and Possible Weaknesses The updated guideline specifies that shoppers may only buy up to five trading card packs or boxes per store visit. Yet, the language has sparked debate due to its vagueness. What exactly counts as a "box" is not defined, and whether someone could still purchase five premium Elite Trainer Boxes is uncertain. Moreover, because the restriction is tied to individual trips, theoretically a determined scalper could return repeatedly—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 common behavior. In recent years, scalpers have greatly contributed to widespread shortages of Pokémon cards, driven by the TCG's growing fame. Some resellers seek to resell sealed items for a profit, whereas some search for rare cards that can command sky-high values. As an example, a specific Mega Evolution card in recent releases is currently selling for over $800 on various platforms. Upcoming Releases The new rule aligns with the imminent release of the latest Pokémon expansion, scheduled for November 14th. Pre-release sales already show premium cards like the Charizard mega evolution being offered for around fifteen hundred dollars, highlighting the persistent interest and likely scalper target. Hopefully, the retail limits will help reduce mass buying and increase access for genuine collectors and everyday enthusiasts alike.