🔗 Share this article Walmart Enforces Purchase Limits on Pokémon Trading Cards In a significant move, Walmart has started implementing purchase restrictions on how many Pokémon trading card items customers can acquire during one shopping trip. This new rule was activated as of early November, based on an internal announcement shared with employees. Addressing Scalper Activity While not officially confirmed by Walmart, numerous sources suggest this decision was prompted by a viral TikTok video that depicted a customer buying a massive amount of Pokémon card products at a checkout counter. The store manager seen in the video faced significant criticism for permitting the bulk transaction to proceed. Policy Details and Potential Loopholes The new restriction states that shoppers may only buy up to five trading card boxes or packs per store visit. However, the wording has raised questions due to its lack of clarity. Precisely what counts as a "box" is not defined, and whether someone could buy five premium Elite Trainer Boxes is uncertain. Additionally, because the restriction is based on individual trips, theoretically a determined scalper could return repeatedly—buying five items each time—to accumulate significant stocks throughout the day. The Reseller Crisis To most players, this approach might seem excessive, yet for resellers, it's standard practice. In recent years, scalpers have significantly added to widespread shortages of Pokémon cards, driven by the TCG's growing fame. Certain buyers seek to resell sealed items at a markup, while others hunt for rare cards that can command sky-high values. As an example, the Mega Lucario ex card in recent releases has been listed for over $800 on various platforms. Upcoming Releases The new rule coincides with the approaching launch of the latest Pokémon expansion, scheduled for November 14th. Pre-release sales already show premium cards like the Charizard mega evolution listed for around fifteen hundred dollars, highlighting the ongoing demand and likely reseller attention. With any luck, Walmart's restrictions will help reduce mass buying and improve availability for genuine collectors and everyday enthusiasts as well.