All articles tagged with #scalping
CBC reports, via StubHub’s IPO filings, that CEO Eric Baker is a major stakeholder in Andro Capital, a hedge fund funding large-scale ticket purchases and providing seller financing through Colloquy LLC, effectively intertwining StubHub with scalping operations and raising concerns about price inflation and consumer harm; StubHub says it’s merely a tech platform, but the disclosures suggest closer ties to scalpers and warrant scrutiny.
Kotaku reports that EB Games Australia (GameStop) attracted backlash by listing vastly inflated pre-order prices for the Pokémon TCG 30th Anniversary set to deter scalpers, then rolling prices back for legitimate pre-orders. Critics say the final price still gouges fans since official prices for the set hadn’t been announced and the reduced ETB price of about $120 AUD remains well above MSRP, with Ultra Premium Collection prices even higher. EB Games defended the move as protecting fans, but the gaming community and outlet blasted it as a bait-and-switch that hurts customers.
After Valve began reservations for the Steam Machine, scalpers flooded eBay with inflated listings—512 GB units with the Steam Controller priced at about $1,700, with some as high as $3,200—well above Valve's $1,049.99 launch price. The scalping mirrors past hype around the Steam Deck, aided by limited supply and Valve’s lottery-style preorder. The Steam Machine sold out in Japan within 48 hours; Valve has a June 29 shipping estimate for the first batch, with no clear date for subsequent batches.
Xbox says it will implement anti-scalping measures for the limited-edition Series X25 preorder, drawing on industry precedents and potentially requiring buyer verification to ensure genuine fans secure the console rather than resellers.
Pokemon TCG printed 10 billion cards worldwide from March 2025 to March 2026 as demand outpaced production for a third straight year; to meet demand, The Pokemon Company announced a 1.27-million-square-foot printing facility to open by 2027 and acquired Excell Brands to tighten distribution, while Japan introduced government ID requirements to curb scalping—full supply stabilization is expected only after the new capacity comes online in 2027–2028.
Starting August 2026, Japan's Pokémon Company plans to require government ID authentication (My Number Card) to buy select TCG products online and to enter tournaments, using a third‑party service that scans the card's chip on a smartphone—without storing the number—in a bid to curb scalpers, a move critics call dystopian and logistically problematic.
The Pokémon Company says it is exploring a system that would scan government-issued IDs (Japan’s My Number Card) to gate purchases of priority lottery items, certain Pokémon Centre Online products, and event registrations in Japan. The ID would be scanned via smartphones using an external service, with no ID number stored, and the plan is set to roll out in August 2026. The My Number Card isn’t mandatory, and it may take 1–2 months to receive after registration.
Valve has revamped the Steam Controller restock with a one-per-user reservation system and eligibility rules (one controller per user; accounts must have at least one prior purchase before April 27, 2026) to curb scalpers and bots. Reservations open May 8 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific, are processed in a transparent queue, and include a 72-hour purchase window once your reservation is secured. If you don’t complete the purchase in time, the reservation moves to the next person in line. A phased rollout will start in the U.S. and Canada before expanding to the UK, Europe and Australia, aiming for fair stock distribution and a smoother buying experience. Valve’s approach could become a blueprint for future high-demand hardware launches.
Scalpers are inflating prices on a Target-exclusive Pokémon Pop-Tarts collab, with boxes selling for well over retail on eBay, while other Target merchandise from the same drop is also priced far above in-store value, highlighting ongoing resale issues around limited-edition Pokémon items.
A Bic Camera store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo is using an anti-scalper policy for Ninja Spinner Mega Expansion Pokémon card packs: buyers must pass a quiz identifying Pokémon species, use a Bic Camera point card/app, and can purchase at most one box (30 packs); staff may refuse sales to suspected scalpers and will remove packaging to deter resale.
New York state Senator James Skoufis plans amendments to cap resale prices at the original ticket price (including fees and taxes), set fee limits, and outlaw speculative ticketing, with enforcement details still undetermined. The move mirrors California’s recent actions and signals potential upheaval for the live‑music industry, pitting fans’ access against market dynamics and major players like Live Nation/Ticketmaster who are watching for guardrails if the bill passes.
The article discusses the high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting FIFA's pricing strategy, the impact of the unregulated secondary market, and the lack of affordable options for loyal fans, which together create a perception of exclusion and criticize FIFA's approach to revenue and fan engagement.
The article warns that the focus on short-term profits through limited releases and scarcity in Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering is harming regular players and risking long-term decline, especially among new generations who are unable to access or afford the cards needed to play, potentially damaging the future of these beloved games.
The latest Pokémon TCG set, Mega Evolution, features extremely rare gold cards with odds of 1 in 1,260 packs, leading to a new gold rush and high prices for these cards, which has worsened supply issues and impacted the hobby negatively.
GameStop's limited giveaway of shiny legendary Pokémon for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet was marred by scalpers who quickly bought and resold the codes, leading to shortages and frustration among fans, highlighting issues with limited physical distribution of digital content.