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Original poster

If you've been able to buy Pokemon card packs recently, where the fuck did you buy them from?

63 replies

LockLowMan · 09/09/2025 14:54

I need to buy a shitload a good few packs of Pokemon cards - the 'booster packs' that you buy at the tills in shops.

But, apparently, there's a global shortage of Pokemon cards.

If you've managed to buy any recently, where did you get them from, please?

Completely random threat I know!

OP posts:
utterlybutterly12 · 09/09/2025 15:02

Our local Co op has them in. Always behind the till though

Kpo58 · 09/09/2025 15:04

Waterstones
ToyBahnhaus
Cosmic Comics
Other local comic shops
Small newsagents etc

shellyleppard · 09/09/2025 15:06

@LockLowMan have you tried eBay or online gaming places?? Used to get them on there

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Games
RedNine · 09/09/2025 15:06

How much are these booster packs? Asking for a friend who has a godchild's birthday coming up and thinks these might be a good bet.

Nissii · 09/09/2025 15:08

Are they back in fashion? I'll let DS2 know there's a shortage because he has a huge box of them from 20 years ago that he's been "saving"

runwithme · 09/09/2025 15:08

I have seen them in robert dyas before. Also GAME and argos

MrsToddsShortcut · 09/09/2025 15:08

My son informs me that they are being bought up by middle aged men, who are scalpers. In other words, they bulk buy them as soon as they are released and then sell them inline for a massively increased price. I feel your pain as every shop I go in, where I used to buy them, is constantly sold out.

He’s shown me some frankly embarrassing videos of groups of men fighting each other in stores in America, grabbing literal display boxes filled with cards and buying all of them. I have no idea what’s happening to trigger all this though. It’s all a bit baffling.

Original poster
LockLowMan · 09/09/2025 15:09

The local newsagent hasn't had any for months.
Neither has the Co-Op.
I'll check Waterstones when I'm next in town.

Even the official Pokemon Centre doesn't have any available.

I'm sceptical about buying them from E-bay because people open them, take out the good ones and then expertly reseal them. They are very good at doing so even for trained eyes. I know nothing so wouldn't be able to spot tampering at all.

@RedNine They're £3.99

OP posts:
Original poster
LockLowMan · 09/09/2025 15:11

MrsToddsShortcut · 09/09/2025 15:08

My son informs me that they are being bought up by middle aged men, who are scalpers. In other words, they bulk buy them as soon as they are released and then sell them inline for a massively increased price. I feel your pain as every shop I go in, where I used to buy them, is constantly sold out.

He’s shown me some frankly embarrassing videos of groups of men fighting each other in stores in America, grabbing literal display boxes filled with cards and buying all of them. I have no idea what’s happening to trigger all this though. It’s all a bit baffling.

Yep, exactly this.

What triggers is it both the immediate resale value as you describe. But also the accumulation of value over time. Unopened packs from years back can go for insane prices.

OP posts:
Middlemarch123 · 09/09/2025 15:14

MrsToddsShortcut · 09/09/2025 15:08

My son informs me that they are being bought up by middle aged men, who are scalpers. In other words, they bulk buy them as soon as they are released and then sell them inline for a massively increased price. I feel your pain as every shop I go in, where I used to buy them, is constantly sold out.

He’s shown me some frankly embarrassing videos of groups of men fighting each other in stores in America, grabbing literal display boxes filled with cards and buying all of them. I have no idea what’s happening to trigger all this though. It’s all a bit baffling.

My DS told me the same. They’re not on display in a lot of shops, and you have to ask for them, and they’re limiting them, to avoid bulk purchasing to avoid scalpers.

He’s got albums full of them, going back about twenty years. He won’t part with them.

AppropriateAdult · 09/09/2025 15:14

Our local newsagent kept them behind the counter and limited sales to two packs per customer. I used to think this was overkill, but obviously not!

Happyapplesanspears · 09/09/2025 15:15

Try any local gaming shops or online gaming shops like Chaos Cards, magic madhouse, unicorn cards.
It looks like the new set is marked up in price due to high demand.

Happyapplesanspears · 09/09/2025 15:16

Nissii · 09/09/2025 15:08

Are they back in fashion? I'll let DS2 know there's a shortage because he has a huge box of them from 20 years ago that he's been "saving"

Could be some value in the collection!

Middlemarch123 · 09/09/2025 15:17

God it’s like loo rolls in lockdown all over again.

Original poster
LockLowMan · 09/09/2025 15:17

@Happyapplesanspears I've got them from Unicorn and Chaos in the past but I've been cautioned against getting them online because people open them, remove the good ones and then re-sell.

OP posts:
Iloveeverycat · 09/09/2025 15:25

Nissii · 09/09/2025 15:08

Are they back in fashion? I'll let DS2 know there's a shortage because he has a huge box of them from 20 years ago that he's been "saving"

Never went away

Needmorelego · 09/09/2025 15:33

@LockLowMan where do you live?
I know someone in Buckinghamshire that got some from Smyths, Waterstones and TGJones (WHSmith) at the weekend.
(I can't remember if they said High Wycombe or Aylesbury).
Other places to try...
Game (inside Sports Direct)
Argos
Supermarkets (usually behind customer service/cigarette counter)
Any random newsagents
Shops that do all that Warhammer stuff, gaming cafes, Geek Retreat if you have on near you.

shellyleppard · 09/09/2025 15:34

@LockLowMan try a company called magic madhouse.... they usually have a good supply in x

Original poster
LockLowMan · 09/09/2025 15:35

Thanks for that - I'm up north.

Our local WHSmiths didn't have any, nor Argos.

I might have to try one of the gaming shops in town on the weekend.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 09/09/2025 15:36

Nissii · 09/09/2025 15:08

Are they back in fashion? I'll let DS2 know there's a shortage because he has a huge box of them from 20 years ago that he's been "saving"

Might be worth something though if he is serious about selling.
Does he know if he has any special ones.
Old ones can be worthless (ie places sell them at 20 cards for £1), some can be worth £100s.

Happyapplesanspears · 09/09/2025 15:38

LockLowMan · 09/09/2025 15:17

@Happyapplesanspears I've got them from Unicorn and Chaos in the past but I've been cautioned against getting them online because people open them, remove the good ones and then re-sell.

The risk of buying online is that some places open packs to sell singles. When they hit a valuable card then will then sell the remaining packs as single booster cards packs.

Needmorelego · 09/09/2025 15:40

MrsToddsShortcut · 09/09/2025 15:08

My son informs me that they are being bought up by middle aged men, who are scalpers. In other words, they bulk buy them as soon as they are released and then sell them inline for a massively increased price. I feel your pain as every shop I go in, where I used to buy them, is constantly sold out.

He’s shown me some frankly embarrassing videos of groups of men fighting each other in stores in America, grabbing literal display boxes filled with cards and buying all of them. I have no idea what’s happening to trigger all this though. It’s all a bit baffling.

Thankfully all the shops I go (chains and independents) restrict the amount you can buy at one time.

BellaVita · 09/09/2025 15:42

LockLowMan · 09/09/2025 15:35

Thanks for that - I'm up north.

Our local WHSmiths didn't have any, nor Argos.

I might have to try one of the gaming shops in town on the weekend.

I am up north too... we have Travelling Man - see my link above