For the Third Time, TPCi Reiterates More Pokemon TCG Product On the Way

[Vertemes]

Please, just actually go and ask someone who runs a local game store, or even a distributor if you have contact with them (you don't), about how much product they are getting from each set.

+1, I've been in contact with the seller that helped me, and they've said they haven't had much product to get (a case of jt blister packs, a few booster boxes and a few etb's). Of course you have to factor in that they're a newer store, so allocation of product is restricted because of that, but it's been much lower than usual even with that factor applied. Demand is much higher than supply already, so holding it back to generate more is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. While they share some data about card, most of us are never gonna know the EXACT number that each set is getting printed at. Pokemon Company and Printers -> Distributors -> Online stores/ Retail -> Scalpers (sometimes or not at all) -> You. Thats the pokemon TCG version of farm to table

Sorry if I got some stuff wrong while typing this.

 

[stray-snorlax]

Yes, TPC shares some data about how many cards they print. For the entire year, from all the sets in that year. You're thinking they're printing every set equally?
Please, just actually go and ask someone who runs a local game store, or even a distributor if you have contact with them (you don't), about how much product they are getting from each set. There's a bunch of people in this thread who know nothing about this topic, talk reddit-level economics, and for what? To make yourself look stupid? To defend a multi-million-dollar company? Or maybe these 2-comment accounts are just here to defend their scalped positio

 

[stray-snorlax]

Lol, literally picked up JT from my local shop this morning and talk to them about this kinda stuff all the time. You just couldn't be making it more apparent that you don't know what you're talking about

Either give evidence of this grand conspiracy other than "just look, bro! its hard to get hot sets, what other evidence do you need?" or stop wasting my time.

 

[Vertemes]

Lol, literally picked up JT from my local shop this morning and talk to them about this kinda stuff all the time. You just couldn't be making it more apparent that you don't know what you're talking about

Either give evidence of this grand conspiracy other than "just look, bro! its hard to get hot sets, what other evidence do you need?" or stop wasting my time.

I mean they can adjust how much they're allocating for printing, just not in the extreme way others are saying there are. We're getting ample printing for all the sets, worse case scinario is dwindling the sets that will be going out of print (which wouldn't be until very close to oop I'm guessing)

 

[Bionicleforever12]

This is a perfect example of someone passionately talking out of their rear.

Pokemon Company is printing at capacity in the US and has been for the past several years. In fact, Jon just mentioned on the last Poke Beach pod that when last reported, something like 20% of all Pokemon cards were printed in the year 2023. They be printin cards, son.

This conspiracy of holding back stock to create demand is always from people who have absolutely zero business sense and live on social media.

Exactly, I wonder what they'll say when the card production meets the demand for the modern product. Their narrative will completely fall apart, if the pokemon company was that good at being able to purposely hold back supply they would've been doing so for the last 20 years of existence in perpetuity. But thats not how business works, I'm sure the items selling fast on the shelves gives some publicity but having no stock like 85% of the time on purpose makes no sense.

 

[Yaginku]

Lol, literally picked up JT from my local shop this morning and talk to them about this kinda stuff all the time. You just couldn't be making it more apparent that you don't know what you're talking about

I'm glad a random conversation in some random store is enough to contradict dozens of different stores and suppliers. Glad we have it on the books.

conspiracy other than "just look, bro! its hard to get hot sets, what other evidence do you need?" or stop wasting my time.

Why do obvious scalpers insist that it's some kind of "grand conspiracy", when it's literally the basics of TCG investing? TPCi has previously absolutely destroyed positions of scalpers with a random reprint of Roaring Skies, suddenly them having a control of the supply is some kind of conspiracy.

 

[GoldGarchomp]

It’s not hard, make a pre order an actual pre order. Limit to one (like they did) and then let anyone order it who wants to. Close the pre order and take however long you need to print. Everyone wins. I will wait a year for msrp if need be

 

[stray-snorlax]

Exactly, I wonder what they'll say when the card production meets the demand for the modern product. Their narrative will completely fall apart, if the pokemon company was that good at being able to purposely hold back supply they would've been doing so for the last 20 years of existence in perpetuity. But thats not how business works, I'm sure the items selling fast on the shelves gives some publicity but having no stock like 85% of the time on purpose makes no sense.

It switches to "trash set, why does Pokémon always print the garbage into the ground?" Whatever they can say to justify their heavy bags.

 

[stray-snorlax]

I'm glad a random conversation in some random store is enough to contradict dozens of different stores and suppliers. Glad we have it on the books.

Why do obvious scalpers insist that it's some kind of "grand conspiracy", when it's literally the basics of TCG investing? TPCi has previously absolutely destroyed positions of scalpers with a random reprint of Roaring Skies, suddenly them having a control of the supply is some kind of conspiracy.

The fact that you framed your example as "Pokémon destroyed scalpers positions" tells me you're projecting motivations that are in no way reflective of reality.

Also, claiming I'm a scalper while using all the terminology that's used by people who view shiny cardboard as a performative asset is real rich.

Have fun securing your "position" in this lucrative "investment." I'm sure your closet full of sealed product hasn't contributed to any previous hype cycles that leaves store shelves bare. Nah, it's the grand conspiracy by one of the world's largest intellectual properties to make money by *not* selling product. You cracked it. Indeed, good to have on the books.

Or maybe it takes time to print shit.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Bionicleforever12]

I'm glad a random conversation in some random store is enough to contradict dozens of different stores and suppliers. Glad we have it on the books.

Why do obvious scalpers insist that it's some kind of "grand conspiracy", when it's literally the basics of TCG investing? TPCi has previously absolutely destroyed positions of scalpers with a random reprint of Roaring Skies, suddenly them having a control of the supply is some kind of conspiracy.

Nice straw man, no one said tpci doesnt have control of production of the product. Your conspiracy is they are purposely bottlenecking supply to push the market up to increase demand or something? Which makes no sense considering pokemon makes no more money from these resold products. To use the roaring skies as the example the pokemon company announced reprints of that set prior to reprinting it, tpci is literally doing this same exact thing for the prismatic items and even literally the pc etb for dr. The only difference here is the grand scale of the reprints have to magnitudes larger as to appeal to not just players but many short cited collectors as well as grifters who'll keep buying cards to flip until its not worth their time. 6 months is nothing logistically and over the 20 year span of the tcg. You gotta relax instead of calling everyone who disagrees with your baseless claims as scalpers, it doesnt support your argument.

 

[Seven Nation Army]

This, coming from  you of all people, is my new favourite thing on this website. You just needed me to explain basic economics to you. Thank you for never failing to make me laugh with your complete lack of self-awareness buddy

Agreed. I don't like him at all. He's needlessly smug and snarky about every little thing.

 

[The Binder Guy]

It seems that market value for Journey Together seems to be dropping a fair amount, one reseller that was trying to hock off a $1,100-$1,200 valued JTE bundle at $2,500 and changed the price to $1,900 after 24 hours.

As to why scalpers seem to be dropping this set for a quick sale I can only assume that they're scared of JTE's pull rates, I'm seeing people SIRs like it's SVI base set again. If this isn't an aberration then TPCi may have actually paid attention to people's complaints and changed them back.

If these pull rates are the new norm for the TCG then neither scalpers nor investors won't last long, they'll have to heck off back to their sneakers and other collectibles to get their Biblical greed on.

 

[jewminati]

I truly do not believe it matters how much products they create as long as they keep selling it the scalpers and the stores that are ripping us off ...then it really doesn't matter how much the make bc I don't wanna pay the prices I have to...nor really support the company anymore!!!

 

[rek2k]

I'm glad a random conversation in some random store is enough to contradict dozens of different stores and suppliers. Glad we have it on the books.

Why do obvious scalpers insist that it's some kind of "grand conspiracy", when it's literally the basics of TCG investing? TPCi has previously absolutely destroyed positions of scalpers with a random reprint of Roaring Skies, suddenly them having a control of the supply is some kind of conspiracy.

I run a store, we sell Pokemon in addition to other games.

You're absolutely clueless and just regurgitating talking points from influencers, who themselves are equally as clueless. Stick to collecting cardboard and leave the economic side to people who are actually in the business.

Spoiler alert, they won't share the real info online, because only unserious clout chasing influencers would do such a thing. Business owners don't need to prove a point.

 

[Yaginku]

You're absolutely clueless and just regurgitating talking points from influencers, who themselves are equally as clueless. Stick to collecting cardboard and leave the economic side to people who are actually in the business.

I thought you'll actually be quoting something about access to supply, trying to argue that your store has got enough of it - completely unverifiable data that goes against reports of not just "influencers", but regular store owners, but at least something of value, even if it's dubious.
Instead you're getting angry at... facts? That TPCi has the sole control of the supply and they used that control previously to manipulate the market to help the players?
If this is really your first post here, you could've workshopped it a bit more.

 

[rek2k]

I thought you'll actually be quoting something about access to supply, trying to argue that your store has got enough of it - completely unverifiable data that goes along reports of not just "influencers", but regular store owners, but at least something of value, even if it's dubious.
Instead you're getting angry at... facts? That TPCi has the sole control of the supply and they used that control previously to manipulate the market to help the players?
If this is really your first post here, you could've workshopped it a bit more.

I'll do you a favor and link a video that actually knows what they're talking about, what he says matches up with what other stores and distributor reps I talk to say as well. It is also consistent with what we see on supply levels at distribution.

Don't bother trying to "verify" information, you're not in the know and you never will be, since you're not in this business. And no, I will not share private business information online, because only a clout chasing influencer would do that.

TL;DR: There is no supply issue, Pokemon has been printing at the same levels since SV5, which was when they cut print runs due to oversupply during the SV1-4 era. It is simply middlemen taking advantage of the sudden hype from Pokemon pocket and the holiday season to create more scarity, which in turn drives up the prices further, creating even more demand.

 

[Yaginku]

Don't bother trying to "verify" information, you're not in the know and you never will be, since you're not in this business.

The cope is hilarious.

TL;DR: There is no supply issue, Pokemon has been printing at the same levels since SV5, which was when they cut print runs due to oversupply during the SV1-4 era. It is simply middlemen taking advantage of the sudden hype from Pokemon pocket and the holiday season to create more scarity, which in turn drives up the prices further, creating even more demand.

I agree with this video, especially when he says "I don't blame anyone here, it is Pokemon that are a disaster right now". Did you actually watch it?
Obviously distributors and middlemen are going to do shady stuff when the supply is low and the demand is sky-high. But the video brings up a good point, in that Pokemon Center is also sold out (in fact probably sold out first). They are not affected by middlemen, so what's happening? Even if you believe Pokemon are printing product at max capacity, then they should take extra time to produce extra product (especially since Japan has the same issue, so it's not regional at all). If a scalper tries to max on Pokemon Center, but the "Buy" button keeps being active or gets new waves instantly, it'd drop prices immediately.
Which is something TPC really wouldn't like to see, since they enjoy the hype and the buyouts.

 

[ramenbasil123]

If a scalper tries to max on Pokemon Center, but the "Buy" button keeps being active or gets new waves instantly, it'd drop prices immediately.
Which is something TPC really wouldn't like to see, since they enjoy the hype and the buyouts.

None of what you said makes remote sense.
Why would TPC benefit from scalpers selling their product at 2x market price? The money THEY make is the product THEY sell.
So explain- why would they sell less if that means less money?
The hype is fueled by the sets themselves- not the fact that nobody can get them.
TPC makes their product MONTHS in advance. We saw it with the Kangaskhan IR leak- they have product 1 or 2 sets in advance (JTG hadn't even released at the time of the leak, although I think Battle Partners had)
You are literally blaming TPC for not being able to see 9 months into the future and somehow know that there is going to be crazy demand. By the way, 6-9 months ago was around the time of Shrouded Fable- a set nobody wanted much. Perhaps they didn't think Prismatic was going to boom this much.
TPC only has so much control over how much they print in a certain timeframe.
Also, I don't think you understand how a "buy" button works.

 

[Yaginku]

None of what you said makes remote sense.
Why would TPC benefit from scalpers selling their product at 2x market price? The money THEY make is the product THEY sell.
So explain- why would they sell less if that means less money?

I understand the confusion, because it's not in the interest of the customers at all.
Even if scalpers sell the product at twice the price, they first need to get if from somewhere. If there's an expectation from the market that the product is going to sell out, it will sell out. But if the market learns that there is ample product in stock that meets the actual demand, then suddenly there's no pressure to sell out anymore. The demand gets verified and the bubble - if there is one - pops. It's not just TCGs that operate this way, many other collectibles moved to this "short print" format. Magic tried printing to demand and they got absolutely hosed, went back to limited print runs.

You are literally blaming TPC for not being able to see 9 months into the future and somehow know that there is going to be crazy demand.

Yes? I do not assume TPC/TPCi are stupid, don't have marketing teams and don't know how much their product will sell. TPC is essentially a marketing company at this point.

TPC only has so much control over how much they print in a certain timeframe.

They have quite a lot of control over that, but again, even if you believe they can't print more cards, they still have control of the timeframe. Release sets slower, print more cards in advance.
I mean objectively that's a terrible business strategy, because Pokemon enjoys having the same consumer that crypto has. But if it's for actual players/collectors, that would be the thing to do.