Pokemon TCG Shortages Continue with Blooming Waters Release

It seems like just a moment ago that folks were fighting over Pokemon cards from the Scarlet and Violet – Prismatic Evolutions set at Costco. Now, another highly sought-after Pokemon TCG collection is causing quite a stir – this one also experiencing scarcity issues similar to the Eeveelution set. The Pokemon 151: Blooming Waters Premium Collection was released on February 7th alongside the Prismatic Evolutions mini-tins. These are new sets of cards that were already manufactured, but it’s evident that the desire for both Pokemon 151 and Prismatic Evolutions remains strong. As a result, Pokemon enthusiasts and resellers found themselves queuing up at their local Gamestop stores, only to be met with dissatisfying outcomes.

Despite no reports of physical brawls surrounding the new release, there’s a buzz among fans about waiting in long queues at retailers like GameStop. The demand for the Blooming Waters set seems to have outstripped supply, with many attempting to secure just one set. In fact, several GameStop stores are reportedly displaying handwritten signs on their windows regarding stock updates. Remarkably, the available stock appears scant, even by Pokemon TCG standards.

2.5 hours at Gamestop
byu/Floozy1337 inPokemonTCG

Although some enthusiastic fans were successful in obtaining the “Blooming Waters” Premium Set, numerous collectors find themselves disappointed yet again due to the scarcity of the items at many GameStop outlets. The new Mini Tins, Surprise Boxes, and “Blooming Waters” sets seemed to be virtually non-existent in most stores. This has left some fans puzzled, suspecting that employees might have been given early access to stock, as questions arise about how such a small quantity of the new sets could be available even after the Pokemon Company pledged improvement following the “Prismatic Evolutions” incident.

Pokemon Fans Turn on GameStop, Citing Shortages & Price Gouging

Following the controversial launch of the last Prismatic Evolutions game from Costco, GameStop playfully responded on social media. They shared a viral video with a hint that due to GameStop’s Blooming Waters limit of 2 per customer, their stores are beyond such complications.

Instead of “We support battling Pokémon, not battling over Pokémon,” you could say “We encourage friendly battles between Pokémon, rather than disputes about them.”

For the second sentence: “GameStop is releasing Blooming Waters on February 7th, with a maximum limit of two per customer.”

A revised version would be “Blooming Waters goes on sale at GameStop on February 7th, and each customer can only purchase up to two units.”

Regarding the third sentence, I’d suggest: “Costco needs to step up its game.

— GameStop (@gamestop) January 27, 2025

Currently, numerous enthusiasts are reminiscing about this post due to the scarcity of the two limited boxes in stores. A compilation of signs from various GameStop outlets indicates that many shops had only 1 or 2 total boxes of the new Pokemon TCG cards even before they officially opened. This has sparked speculation among fans that employees might be purchasing the stock ahead of its public release.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of ‘Blooming Waters’ and the latest expansions in the ‘Prismatic Evolutions’ series. To my dismay, it seems that many retail stores have been accepting preorders for these items, which could explain why there are shortages when they arrive. It’s frustrating to find myself among the collectors who’ve lined up early, only to discover that the Pokémon TCG cards I sought were already sold out.

Customers have observed a price hike on the Blooming Waters Premium Collection stock. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is set at $59.99, yet GameStop is selling the sets for $69.99, which is $10 more than the suggested price. This increase in cost, coupled with the scarcity of stock, has left some customers feeling particularly annoyed.

Unlike the situation with Prismatic Evolutions, The Pokemon Company hasn’t specifically addressed the shortage problems concerning Blooming Waters cards. However, they have made adjustments to the Pokemon Center website aimed at combating bots and scalpers purchasing cards online. Regardless, numerous fans claim they couldn’t secure the cards on their release day. It seems that the gap between supply and demand will remain a challenge for Pokemon TCG enthusiasts in the near future.

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2025-02-08 00:10