Recently, a dedicated Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) fan stumbled upon what appeared to be a “scalper stash” of Journey Together card packs at a Target store. After notifying the store manager, an employee was instructed to restock the shelves with the pack, allowing eager parents and other Pokemon TCG enthusiasts to purchase the cards. The Journey Together set has gained immense popularity, featuring fan-favorite cards from the Scarlet & Violet series, making it highly sought after in 2025. Despite the success of the Pokemon TCG Pocket mobile game, many fans still enjoy the traditional tabletop version, choosing to collect cards, assemble competitive decks, and engage in battles with friends.
The hobby continues to thrive, with new expansions and sets frequently being released. While GameStop has discontinued pre-orders for Pokemon TCG products this year, it remains a go-to retailer, along with others, for day-of-release purchases. However, fans remain cautious of scalpers due to the high demand which can hinder their chances of acquiring desired card packs. An image shared by a Reddit user, TheRisingPhoenix2112, showcased the supposed scalper stash, along with details of the events that unfolded after the discovery.
As the employee was reshelving the packs, many fans quickly gathered around to seize the opportunity, with parents purchasing packs for their children. Upon discussing this situation on Reddit, various users expressed relief that the packs were sold to fans instead of being hoarded by scalpers, while some raised concerns about potential intentional withholding by a Target employee. Several users noted that they successfully found Journey Together packs at reasonable prices, which led to speculation about whether the stash had simply been left in the aisle. The overall sentiment among the community indicates a mix of excitement and wariness regarding the potential for scalpers, highlighting ongoing issues with product availability.
To address these challenges, The Pokemon Company has recognized the difficulties fans face in purchasing products and aims to boost the production of new sets and reprints.