We, the undersigned Pokémon fans, collectors, players, parents, and concerned consumers in Canada, respectfully call upon you — as the owners, licensors, and distributors of the Pokémon Trading Card Game — to take action against the growing problem of scalping, bot abuse, and retail price gouging affecting the availability of Pokémon TCG products in Canada.

The Problem: A Broken Market in Canada

Although PokémonCenter.ca offers new products at fair MSRP, most Canadian fans cannot buy them before scalper bots purchase the entire inventory within seconds of release.

Meanwhile, official retail partners and independent stores are increasingly disregarding MSRP entirely, pricing items such as Elite Trainer Boxes, special collections, and booster bundles at 25–100% above retail, even on launch day — despite consistent wholesale prices.

This creates a system where:

Scalpers and automated bots dominate the supply of new releases.

Average Canadian consumers — especially kids and casual fans — are priced out of the game.

Retailers profit from inflated margins, undermining consumer trust in the brand.

Pokémon TCG is perceived as a speculative asset, not a community-driven game.

This situation damages your brand, contradicts the accessibility Pokémon stands for, and alienates the very fans who have supported your franchise for decades.

 

What We Are Asking Pokémon and Nintendo to Do

We urge The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo to take the following actions in Canada:

1. Enforce MSRP Guidelines for Authorized Retailers

Require Canadian distributors and retail partners to adhere to official MSRP at launch, at least for a fixed time window (e.g., 60–90 days).

Include clear MSRP disclosures on packaging or in distributor agreements.

Investigate and revoke partnerships with retailers who exploit scarcity to inflate prices.

2. Protect PokémonCenter.ca with Anti-Bot Measures

Implement bot detection, queueing systems, IP/account purchase limits, and address verification at checkout.

Offer exclusive restocks or early access to registered Pokémon Trainer Club members to support legitimate fans.

3. Expand Canadian Stock and Transparency

Monitor the disproportionate demand in Canada and scale up print and distribution accordingly.

Clearly communicate restock dates and wave-based releases to reduce panic-buying and scalper incentives.

4. Issue a Public Statement on Scalping

Reaffirm that Pokémon TCG is meant to be accessible to all players, not a speculative commodity.

Acknowledge the problem and outline your planned steps to combat it — as other companies (e.g., PlayStation, Nvidia) have done when faced with similar issues.

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Conclusion

We believe this is a solvable issue — one that starts with stronger policies and responsible enforcement. We ask you to protect the integrity of Pokémon by ensuring that Canadian fans can access the game fairly, without needing to resort to overpriced resellers or fight against bots.

Pokémon is not just a product — it’s a shared experience, a source of joy, and for many, a lifelong passion. Please take meaningful action to ensure that experience remains fair and accessible in Canada.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Canadian Fans, Players, Collectors, and Parents