Scalping
Ongoing coverage on Scalping.
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The Pokémon Company Announces Facial Recognition System to Help Kill Scalping at Japanese Card Stores, Mandatory From Elementary School Age
The Pokémon Company is implementing a mandatory facial recognition system in some Japanese stores to combat scalping of its trading cards. The system will apply to all adult customers and children aged elementary school age and older.
Japan: Pokemon Card Stores require facial recognition for entry and purchases
The Pokemon Company is implementing facial recognition technology in its stores in Japan to combat scalpers of the Pokemon Trading Card Game. This measure aims to control entry and purchases, addressing the ongoing popularity and demand for the cards.
Disney Store Closes 'Until Further Notice' After Scalpers Get 'Aggressive' Waiting for Lorcana Drop
A Disney store in London has temporarily closed its sales of the trading card game Lorcana due to aggressive behavior from scalpers and fans. The store cited the overwhelming and aggressive crowds as the reason for the closure until further notice.
Nintendo addresses Pokemon TCG scalping
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has acknowledged the significant issue of scalping within the Pokemon Trading Card Game. The practice involves bulk purchases of new cards which are then resold at inflated prices on online auction sites.
People are putting their Steam Machine reservations on eBay, and one has already been sold with a $235 markup
Players are listing their Steam Machine reservation spots on eBay for markups, with some already sold at a profit. Despite Valve's efforts to prevent scalping through a queue system, individuals are selling email confirmations as proof of their place in line. One 512GB model with a controller sold for a $235 markup, while others are listed with significantly higher price increases.
Steam Machine reservations are already being resold on Ebay for up to $2900
Valve's Steam Machine is experiencing scalping, with reservations being resold on eBay for up to $2900, significantly higher than the device's official price. This follows a similar trend seen with the Steam Controller, though the higher cost of the Steam Machine makes these resold prices less accessible to consumers. Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, faces uncertainty regarding demand due to existing competition.
GTA 6 is being sold on eBay at a crazy price and people are actually buying it
Scalpers are reselling Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders on eBay at significantly inflated prices, despite regular pre-orders being widely available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Listings show prices ranging from £83.99 to over £156.70, with some digital codes already sold for $120. This practice is occurring despite the game's standard and ultimate editions having reasonable prices and the physical copies containing only download codes.
Retailers Are Issuing Console Shortage Warnings Ahead of GTA 6, and Now I'm Worried Scalpers Are Going to Have a Field Day This Christmas
A major retailer has issued warnings about potential console shortages ahead of the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch in November. This has raised concerns that scalpers may exploit the demand for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles this Christmas season.
Nintendo implements restrictions to multi-language Switch 2 in Japan to combat scalpers
Nintendo has implemented purchase restrictions on its multi-language Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan, limiting sales to one console per account and requiring at least 50 hours of playtime by May 2026 to combat scalpers exploiting the weaker yen. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Matthew Ball sees hardware price increases as an opportunity for game streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, noting increased usage amidst console supply shortages.
Nintendo Combats Scalpers With New Switch 2 Purchase Requirements In Japan
Nintendo's Japanese branch has implemented new purchase requirements for the Nintendo Switch 2 to combat scalping. Customers must have accumulated at least 50 hours of playtime on the original Nintendo Switch by May 31, 2026, to be eligible to purchase the new console. Sales are limited to one unit per Nintendo account, excluding demo and free software playtime.
Nintendo introduces new Switch 2 purchase requirements in Japan amid scalping concerns
Nintendo has implemented new purchase requirements for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan to combat scalping and price gouging. These measures include a gameplay time requirement and a limit of one console per Nintendo Account. The company also confirmed a $50 price increase for the console in the United States.
Nintendo fights Switch 2 scalpers in Japan with new restrictions – only fans with over 50 hours on premium Switch 1 games can buy multi-language consoles
Nintendo is implementing new restrictions in Japan to combat scalpers of its consoles, particularly the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Buyers must have at least 50 hours of playtime on premium Nintendo Switch games and can only purchase one console per account. These measures aim to ensure consoles reach genuine fans rather than resellers, especially as the Switch 2 is set to increase in price by $50 later this year.
Japan: Nintendo finds fraudulent orders of Switch 2 leading to playtime requirements and 1 unit for each account to prevent scalping
Nintendo has temporarily suspended sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 on its online store due to fraudulent orders suspected of bulk purchasing and reselling. To combat scalping, the company is implementing new purchase requirements, including playtime history and a limit of one unit per account.
Some Target stores start to limit Pokemon merch and TCG sales to stop scalpers
Target stores are implementing purchase limits on Pokemon merchandise and Trading Card Game products to combat scalpers. This move aims to prevent bulk buying for resale at inflated prices on online marketplaces. The retailer hopes this measure will help ensure wider availability of Pokemon items for genuine fans.
The Pokemon Company says 10 billion Pokemon cards were printed in the last year
The Pokemon Company announced that 10 billion Pokemon cards were printed in the last year, accounting for 11.7% of all cards ever produced. The company is also exploring measures like government ID checks in Japan to combat the widespread issue of scalping.
Catch the scalpers who get rich flipping Pokémon TCG cards in this very vindictive shop management game
You're A Scalper, Aren't You? is a new shop management simulation game that focuses on punishing players who engage in scalping collectible cards, particularly those from the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The game allows players to manage their own card shop, identify and interrogate potential scalpers, and decide whether to ban them or do business with them to stay afloat.
Pokémon TCG '30th Celebration' Range Features A Base Set Returner And A Bunch Of Pikachus
The Pokémon Company has revealed details for its upcoming '30th Celebration' expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, set to launch globally on September 16, 2026. The expansion will feature new Futuristic rare cards with Mew and Mewtwo, 30 different foil Pikachu cards in every pack, and callbacks to classic cards like Base Set Charizard. The company is also exploring measures to combat scalping for this highly anticipated release.
10 Billion Pokémon Cards Were Printed Last Year — and It Still Wasn't Enough to Stop Shortages and Scalping
The Pokémon Company produced over 10 billion trading cards last year, bringing the total to 85 billion cards printed to date. Despite this massive output, shortages and scalping continue to affect the market.
The Pokémon Company Is Considering Using My Number Cards for TCG Purchases in Japan To Combat Scalping
The Pokémon Company is considering implementing an identification system in Japan using My Number Cards to combat scalping of its Trading Card Game products and event entries. This measure aims to restrict purchases to Japanese residents and prevent bulk buying for resale. The company is exploring this solution to address widespread scalping issues affecting the TCG market.
Pokemon might soon require government ID in Japan to prevent TCG scalping
The Pokemon Company is considering implementing government ID verification, specifically Japan's My Number Card, to combat scalping of its Trading Card Game products. This measure aims to ensure fair access to certain items, official events, and store purchases, starting in August 2026. The initiative is a response to the increasing prevalence of speculative purchasing and reselling, exacerbated by online personalities and limited edition releases.
