EB Games Leaves Pokémon Fans Furious With Its Pre

Key Points:

• EB Games Australia, a branch of GameStop, initially set outrageously high pre-order prices for the upcoming Pokémon TCG 30th-anniversary set as a tactic to deter scalpers, later reverting legitimate pre-orders to lower—but still inflated—prices.
• The retailer’s strategy aimed to prioritize genuine fans over scalpers, with EB Games’ managing director Shane Stockwell stating that scalpers do not build communities, while fans do.
• Despite the price rollback, the adjusted prices remain significantly above standard MSRP levels, with Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) priced at $120 AUD compared to the usual $60, and Ultra Premium Collections marked at $305 AUD, far exceeding previous editions.
• EB Games publicly thanked customers who trusted the company through the process, while urging the community to avoid hostility, though critics argue the stunt and ongoing price gouging justify strong negative reactions.
• GameStop has been contacted for comment regarding the backlash and the persistent high prices, but no response has been detailed yet.