Recently, there has been an unprecedented surge in the value of certain trading cards, attracting scalpers, collectors, and enthusiasts seeking rare Pokémon, baseball, basketball, and football cards. Incidents like the frenzy over Pokémon card promotions at places like McDonald’s and even criminal activities have escalated the situation. For instance, a man in Japan performed a daring break-in at a trading card shop in Tokyo, reminiscent of a scene from “Mission: Impossible.” Additionally, a disagreement over cards at a Wisconsin Target resulted in one individual brandishing a gun, although fortunately, no shots were fired.
Following the alarming gun incident, Target has opted to discontinue the sale of Pokémon, MLB, NFL, and NBA trading cards in physical stores effective May 14 until further notice.
According to a Target representative speaking to Bleeding Cool, “The safety of our guests and our team is our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided to temporarily suspend the sale of MLB, NFL, NBA, and Pokémon trading cards within our stores, effective May 14. Guests can continue to shop these cards online at Target.com.”
Target’s decision to halt in-store sales of trading cards has been met with gratitude and relief by many, especially those who have felt threatened due to recent incidents. Target’s move has been seen as a necessary step to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
— WalkerWyn {Kailynn} (@wynthewalker) May 12, 2021
Even before the gun-related altercation, Target had been implementing measures to address the card rush, such as restricting the number of packs one person could purchase and warning against camping outside stores. While some card enthusiasts who view the hobby as a leisure activity rather than a profit-making venture are disappointed by Target’s decision to stop selling cards, they also recognize the challenges faced by the retailer due to scalpers.
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