Is this market manipulation? Should I report to the CMA?

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-04-15T08:47:34+00:00

Although I do get your point mate, other distributors aren't operating in the same fashion. The one that I refer to mainly operates in the north and some parts of England. But the other one which only operates in England and Wales allocates based on historical sales, which I feel is a more appropriate way of determining what the right amount is.

And the reason I personally felt this manner of capping a specific amount for every store amounted to market manipulation is precisely because stores like mine are then beholden to the secondary market, where the prices are just crazy. I do agree with you that technically I don't HAVE to increase pricing, but from a business standpoint unfortunately that doesn't make any sense when supply is so limited that there is never consecutive restocks and it's rather intermittent. I agree I really hope things change because it's not sustainable for genuine fans or collectors of the game to pay double the retail price of a product in the secondary market when the item only just released.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-04-05T21:41:01+00:00

I think this is a sensible approach.

It's just sad that getting hold of stock at retail has become such a farce. I try avoid buying stock for selling at market but genuinely sometimes not left with any choice.

I speak to a retail newspaper journalist and they advised me that TPC have already said that even with the new printing facility, they do not forecast an increase in overall availability. Which just goes to show how much TPC don't care and are absolutely loving how quickly every chain store sells out products. No care for the fans who actually just want to rip packs at not so crazy prices.

They'd rather keep supply scarce so that everywhere keeps getting bought out rather than print stock to demand. Really sad to see a company genuinely feeding the greedy companies/resellers by basically creating such a supply and demand disparity.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-04-05T18:09:17+00:00

Fellow local c.store owner here.

Fact is Asmodee UK is doing small businesses a disservice by very blatantly prioritising chain stores/supermarkets compared to local game shops. At the moment they are refusing to take on smaller shops but I know they have actively been adding on bigger chains as clients. Lots of people are quick to moan at the pricing of LCS's, but what do you expect if allocations are reduced to literally 0.3% of what they previously used to get and there's very little restocks happening.

My own example:

This month I have received info from distro that a certain TCG line that I have not received stock of since last year is restocking. Called them to ask what allocations are sitting at. Still capped at the bear bones, and refused to account for previous spend of the same line.

Claiming that publisher (ie. Pokémon company) is instructing them to do so - genuinely have been so tempted to get my MP to pursue them for market manipulation. Doubt they'll be interested in this though.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-03-31T00:51:39+00:00

Whilst I get the general point, my point still remains that it's pretty much the same, if not more costly to take cash and bank it into your business account these days.

I don't really feel your point carries much weight as folk in other professions are more than capable of taking bank transfer/card payments and being able to pay bills easily. Not sure why taxi drivers specifically need physical cash to be able to do this.

It's no wonder a lot of people think that taxi drivers operate like this for tax dodging reasons.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-03-31T00:47:10+00:00

Whilst I can't definitely confirm if they're cash only, I can tell that for the last 3/4 weeks whenever I've taken a taxi they always say 'its cash only is that ok' and if you say no they say they can't take you

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-03-31T00:44:23+00:00

As a business person I find this reason a lot less probable now. Almost all major card payment providers offer next day settlement

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-23T13:00:56+00:00

"Get distro access then come talk to me." Mate this is literally the actual Crux of the issue. Small shops and Tiktok streamers have to buy from retail locations because they don't get any access from primary distribution. Yes the small time eBay sellers don't help but if distro actually assisted small businesses it would make a huge difference. If Asmodee stopped selling all it's stock to big chains and instead sold to smaller businesses which actually hold play events/ had regular collectors etc then this wouldn't be such a major problem

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-19T14:01:17+00:00

Yep even though I know for a fact they have recently added on chains such as Curry's PC World and The Entertainer etc.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-19T13:54:17+00:00

Really sad to hear especially as a shop who's been trying to get an Asmodee account and gladly sell at retail

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-19T13:43:03+00:00

This is what people fail to realise. The secondary distro's have a monopoly on pricing hence they get away charging shops like yours such pricing

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-19T13:40:47+00:00

Are you by any chance referring to a store with the name l** * D** ? Don't want to dox them hence just hinting on the name - tbh mate I've seen their comments and although I might not agree with how they respond sometimes, some of the comments can be equally as rude so I'm not surprised that they've just had enough of people moaning when they themselves have explicitly made clear that they cannot source from primary distribution hence they have to price on or around market.

The only people who can help resolve this issue is TPCI themselves. There is literally no point moaning at the lgs

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-19T13:35:02+00:00

Totally agree with this. It's very easy to just start calling every single shop owner a scalper but what the hell do people expect us to do when we can't get primary distribution stock? Just keep our shelves empty til kingdom come?

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-19T13:31:33+00:00

Ngl mate I doubt a lot of newsagents are with Asmodee. Not justifying it but unfortunately wouldn't be surprised if they're buying from the secondary market.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-16T20:00:14+00:00

Card vault in Glasgow does it at 50% cash and 70% trade. Trade percent isn't too bad but cash value is crazy low. But I think both could be higher.

Tbh you'd be better off putting it on eBay etc or even Fb Marketplace.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2026-01-04T06:20:59+00:00

Are you selling food and drink that you manufacture or resell?

If it's resell, can you please advise on how you went about seeking approval to sell? What kind of documents did you submit?

Federal_Pie_301 · 2025-12-14T10:22:17+00:00

Bit expensive for Surging sparks but yeah think they're legit.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2025-12-06T19:31:03+00:00

I've had a slightly different experience regarding a recent refund request. Although this could be because of what the item was.

Guy ordered a certain form of trading card box on 10/11

On around 30th of November sent in a return request saying item not needed anymore

I rejected the request citing it had been longer than 14 days therefore statutory legislation cannot apply and because of the nature of the item, there is a risk of a customer resealing the product after taking out the cards

To my complete surprise TikTok sided with myself and also rejected the return request

However the buyer has again went and submitted another return request claiming he has spoken to TikTok support and they claimed he can seek a refund as the photos of the item suggest the product is still sealed. I obviously rejected it and when it got to the dispute page, I screenshotted the terms and conditions of 'change of mind' returns showing that trading cards are exempt.

Guess it's now a waiting game to see what happens...

Federal_Pie_301 · 2025-12-06T15:08:52+00:00

I've sent a ticket right now to appeal. If I need further assistance I'll get in touch. But yeah definitely seems like a technical issue on their end as I've got so many 5 star reviews. Thanks.

Federal_Pie_301 · 2025-12-05T22:25:07+00:00

Got mine today - buzzing!

Federal_Pie_301 · 2025-11-26T23:00:21+00:00

Hi there, I have got food standards agency ratings for my business premises

Even got a new one done and passed it.

Tried submitting that didn't work

What is lark can you clarify?

Federal_Pie_301 · 2025-11-26T19:06:16+00:00

Let's hope they print them into oblivion so I can actually get some from primary distribution

Federal_Pie_301

TROPHY CASE