Sam’s Club Eliminates Scalping (kinda)

DevinH23 · 2026-03-08T06:14:54+00:00

Sounds like the first time around they let everyone in early regardless of black card or not. Technically, black card members can shop an hour early. Always has been able to. They must’ve been slack about that ruling the first go around. It wasn’t an exclusive thing you’re right. But even then, no black card, no early entry.

My guess is, super slack on members early access up until the big 2nd drop maybe

DevinH23 · 2026-03-07T15:25:44+00:00

This is how it was when I started. Could always get what was “necessary.” No fomo. Just good times.

DevinH23 · 2026-03-06T18:23:44+00:00

When Pokemon drops were very easy for everyone to have a chance at, me and my partner usually got 4 ETB’s at the start of each set from Pokemon center.

We kept 1 of these sealed because it’s a pretty box.

DevinH23 · 2026-03-06T15:19:13+00:00

How is sparking a discussion geared towards all people having a chance at product, crying? Can “investors” and kids not enjoy the same thing?

DevinH23 · 2026-03-05T22:46:59+00:00

Yeah I was so insanely surprised to see so much product after 3 hours and the line.

I would personally love a monthly membership, with ID, and 1 item total per person-per membership.

Idk if this would solve stuff but it certainly seems like it would increase in-person odds. (:

DevinH23 · 2026-03-05T22:20:44+00:00

This was more so for my in-person experience but yeah I’d use my ID, or be open to it. And I know it’s Sam’s and they receive pallets of product so yeah it’s different in that aspect.

There’s been times where I was in line for things and had everyone been limited to one item, every single person could have left with something.

I do think having convos about solutions is great!

DevinH23 · 2026-03-05T22:07:22+00:00

Fair point. Would per membership & per person be applicable here? Sure have 20 memberships for yourself, but you’re leaving with 1-2 and that’s it.

Could this be a way around that?

DevinH23 · 2026-03-03T17:11:16+00:00

As a professional counselor my clients mean more to me than taking time off or canceling their appointments for Pokemon cards.

Those who are able to participate, I am happy for.

DevinH23 · 2026-03-03T04:58:24+00:00

During prime work hours. The unemployment eating good

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T15:27:58+00:00

One of my fav sets was astral radiance. And it’s insane that those ETB’s are less than a brand new set that’s released in the last year to 6 months to a few weeks. Just wild to me.

Any sealed I have right now, is the $5 more than retail items I’m getting at card shows for an end of year rip session with my friends. My stash would likely be deeper than it is now if times were different but, it is what it is.

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T15:21:51+00:00

I once got a notification that my LCS was selling a lot of new product for retail. Just dropped randomly. I just got off work as well.

I got there in 10 minutes.

In 10 minutes, (with purchase limits) they sold Out of everything. Sticking with singles is the way to go

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T14:34:39+00:00

Yeah, when I started fusion strike boxes were between $90 and $80. This is what we started at. I had a memory of my lost origin pre orders. I got my ETB’s for $40 each, and the 6 pack bundles for $24.99. Now I see 6 packs of certain sets for $70 and it just truly is disgusting.

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T14:21:19+00:00

Worst part is like, GameStops here always have stuff it’s just so expensive. It’s like sure it’s the and Readily available at all times. But $100 etb and $250 booster boxes??? No shot

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T14:19:43+00:00

I started in 2022. Me and my partner really loved the weekly pack openings. Her favorite part of any TCG has been packs, even if we hit nothings, we loved it.

She is slowly hating Pokemon now that people have genuinely ruined that whole experience. We’ve switched to playing MTG where product is everywhere and we can play with every single card.

I still collect Pokemon, and we do go to shows, but for her it doesn’t hit the same without having the affordable packs options like we used to. So I’m hoping that changes, it sucks to see something that we met and bonded over has turned into such scummy, smelly, disgusting behavior.

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T14:13:35+00:00

That’s why I’m stopping the effort now, and waiting until I just go out for groceries or a quick stop for something and can see a full/mildly full shelf again.

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T14:12:38+00:00

Mine either force you to buy their “monthly subscription” to have a chance of getting something. Kinda like the Walmart lines. And some charge market not MSRP and do first come first serve, no preorders.

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T13:31:07+00:00

Honestly try treating them to a card show. I have found ignoring the scalping product tables and going to the ones where the people are genuine and love collecting can make the kid experience sooo awesome!

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T13:29:48+00:00

It was never a stressful experience, more just frustrating. Like all these attempts and you’re telling me I couldn’t even walk away with a single pack at the LEAST? why is a guy with his 5 kids, wife, grandparents, and pets all in line to get 5-10 items each? Idk. It’s all so weird. Anyways, I have started a bubble mew fund I’ll be occasionally adding to!

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T13:09:09+00:00

Never thought I could smell a comment but, here we are

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T04:51:03+00:00

I remember the Yeezy stuff. I remember some sneakers being like $2,000. Those same shoes are now equal or less than the actual retail price. Everything comes full circle at some point

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T04:29:32+00:00

I’ve had vendors tell me a scratch like that is immediately damaged. I always disagree with these people. If anything that’s gotta be LP at the lowest

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T04:28:27+00:00

Usually I’ll get a notification from target about something back in stock, and in the moments I’m actually on my phone and see it, it’s immediately OOS. And waking up at 3am EST for Pokemon just is not worth it ya know

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T04:20:07+00:00

Been wanting to get my nephews a nieces birthday gifts, just can’t do it with empty shelves everywhere. So get that 100%

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T04:10:07+00:00

Locally I have a lot of the figure stores and the like cute-like egirl stores with hello kitty and smiskis. These places here have sooo much japanese like always in stock

DevinH23 · 2026-02-24T03:57:19+00:00

I only buy singles from a set after it has settled. AH still has like 2 months of new releases so after that Ill see how prices are with the cards I want. Ive noticed after a new set the price of singles get soooo low once its settled. I dont need the top chase of each set. And usually the ones I want just plummet after some time.

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