A new method will now require customers to prove they are not scalpers by brandishing their current TCG deck or by answering a Pokemon quiz.
No one likes scalpers because they unnecessarily raise prices and hoard items keeping them out of reach for many true fans.
Such are the woes of many trading card game (TCG) players and enthusiasts.
Through the years, Japanese stores have tried different methods of stopping scalpers from ruining the experience for Pokemon TCG fans, but to no avail.
Some countermeasures include making the customer partly open the shrink wrap upon purchase or by opening the product in-store.
A new method will now require customers to prove they are not scalpers by brandishing their current TCG deck or by answering a Pokemon quiz.
For true fans, the quiz should be easy. The store staff will show four random Pokemon TCG cards, but with their names covered, and the customer must correctly name 2 of the four.
Furthermore, different stores will have a different set of Pokemon cards and, in certain cases, the staff can ask customers to fulfill both anti-scalper measures.
Of course, standard anti-scalper measures such as one box per customer and shrink wrap removal will still apply whether or not they pass the quiz.
Online, the new precautions were met with total support while some even suggests harder questions and asks more stores to implement the new measures.
Although there is still a chance that highly motivated resellers could find ways to go around the new requirements, it gives a chance for store staff to weed them out and make sure they’re transacting with genuine clients.
Will you be able to name a Pokemon on the fly?
Tags: #videogames, #resellers, #scalping, #Pokemon, #Nintendo