Walmart has imposed a limit on the number of trading card packs and boxes customers can purchase from its stores, after a clip of a Pokémon fan buying what looks like an entire display, with hundreds of mini tins, went viral on Tiktok.
A notice on Walmart's employee portal OneWalmart was shared to a ResetEra forum, and it states that from November 5, customers will only be able to purchase five TCG packs or boxes per visit, and that these same restrictions would be applied to online orders.
Walmart has imposed limits on website sales in the past, but these have usually been a lot laxer than those set by other stores like Costco. We know only too well that - even with strict restrictions in place - any online restock of sought-after Pokémon products sells out within a couple of hours or even mere minutes.
In Walmart's declaration , it states: "We are introducing this limit to make sure all fans and collectors have a fair opportunity to enjoy Trading Cards. Our goal is to make these items available to as many customers as possible and to maintain a safe and positive shopping environment for everyone".
It also specifically calls out 'reselling concerns' and says this change aims to reduce conflicts and disputes.
Of course, we can't be absolutely sure that this is a direct response to any particular incident, but it seems highly likely it has something to do with a viral Tiktok posted last week that generated a huge amount of buzz, with over a million likes and 40,000 comments at time of writing.
@mromano2003 This is what pure GREED looks like!! #walmart #pokemon @Walmart @Pokémon Company Int'l
In this Tiktok, the disgruntled cameraperson shows the audience the amount of product they're selling "to one person", training the shot on bags stuffed with what appears to be Pokémon Mega Heroes mini tins. He then accuses a Walmart employee of deliberately favoring or being in cahoots with the customer, repeatedly stating that "he knows them".
I can see why Walmart wouldn't want this bad press, or to see these squabbles happening regularly in its stores (despite the surprising number of commenters who are apparently on the customer's side).
It'll be interesting to see how effective these limits are at making Pokémon products more available and how stringently they'll be enforced.
It's a little odd, though, that the new rule makes no distinction between buying a box and a pack. Does this mean that buying six individual packs would be prevented, but buying five Elite Trainer boxes is just fine?
Let us know what you think of this news over on the Wargamer Discord. You should also take a look at our great Pokémon guides - like our list of all legendary Pokémon or the most valuable rare Pokémon cards ever printed.