Pokémon Enthusiasts Express Discontent Over Van Gogh Pikachu Card Scalping

Highlights

Scalpers using bots have made it difficult for Pokemon fans to get their hands on valuable collector's items like the Van Gogh Pikachu promo cards.

The Pikachu cards featuring the Grey Felt Hat sold out rapidly, leaving fans struggling to purchase even one, while a scalper managed to acquire a staggering 19 copies. This has resulted in numerous disgruntled fans who have faced canceled orders or being incorrectly marked as bots, leading to complaints being directed towards the Pokemon Center store.

One scalper has managed to acquire a significant number of Van Gogh Pikachu promo cards, causing disappointment among Pokemon fans. Scalpers have become prevalent in various markets where demand for collectibles is high, and the Pokemon merchandise industry is no exception. These individuals often utilize lightning-fast automated systems to quickly purchase all available stock, making it exceedingly challenging for fans to obtain valuable collector's items like these.

The collaboration between the Van Gogh Museum and the Pokemon franchise has been quite tumultuous thus far. The initial release of the "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat" promotional cards sold out within minutes. Following this, The Pokemon Company issued an apology and vowed to provide additional means for fans to acquire the rare card. The subsequent release lasted approximately an hour before the museum decided to withdraw the Pikachu Van Gogh Pokemon card altogether. This decision was made due to concerns for the safety of both visitors and employees, sparked by a video showing customers engaging in aggressive behavior while attempting to purchase the item in-store. While most fans were unsuccessful in obtaining the promo card, one scalper managed to have better luck.

An image posted by Reddit user Joe_df reveals a scalper listing Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat cards for $170, highlighting the seller's alarming ability to acquire numerous copies of the cards. In the photo alone, it is evident that they managed to purchase a minimum of 19 cards, which sharply contrasts with the disappointment of countless fans who were unable to acquire even one. The rapid sale of the item prompted The Pokemon Company to issue an apology for their mishandling of the crossover event. As expected, fans are expressing their discontent with this unfortunate situation, with many experiencing canceled orders or being mistakenly flagged as bots during the ordering process. Some fans have taken their grievances directly to the Pokemon Center store and are currently awaiting a response.

In Amsterdam, the Pokemon display at the Van Gogh Museum will be available until 2024. However, the sale of Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat cards will be discontinued. Other Pokemon merchandise will still be sold in-store and online until stocks are depleted. This situation is not unfamiliar to Pokemon fans, as the hoarding of McDonald's Pokemon cards by scalpers and the increasing popularity of the trading card game have exacerbated the problem.