Target cuts Pokémon card seals to stop scalpers

A video circulating online shows a Target employee cutting the shrinkwrap on Pokémon Trading Card Game boxes, a move the store says is designed to deter scalpers. In the footage, the worker defends the practice to customers who question why the products are being altered before sale. The employee explains that the store had been struggling with bulk buyers who purchase sealed items and resell them at a markup, prompting this unconventional anti-scalping measure.

The Strategy Behind Cutting Seals

By breaking the factory seal, the boxes lose their status as fully sealed product. Many collectors and resellers consider opened or damaged packaging to be less valuable, even if the cards inside are untouched. The employee argues that this discourages scalpers from buying up stock to flip, while genuine collectors who intend to open the packs are unaffected. Some shoppers countered that the store was interfering with the Pokémon Company’s sales by modifying products before purchase.

Mixed Reactions from Collectors

The tactic has drawn sharp debate. Supporters applaud the move, with one fan writing, “Thank god every single store needs to do this, to hell with these asshole scalpers.” Another added, “Only scalpers have an issue with this, as a collector I’m OK with it cause I wanna actually rip product.” However, sealed-product collectors object, noting that sealed items are a legitimate part of the hobby. One commenter remarked, “W because of scalpers, but as a sealed collector…. Ouch.”

Poké Gold

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