Walmart’s recent exclusive drop of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) products has ignited widespread frustration among collectors, many of whom felt misled by the retailer’s promises of early access through Walmart+ memberships. The Phantasmal Flames early access event, which took place on March 15, 2024, was intended to give subscribers a first opportunity to purchase the highly sought-after release. Instead, it devolved into a chaotic experience that left thousands empty-handed.
At exactly 10:00 AM, collectors who entered the online queue were met with a malfunctioning digital waiting room. Many reported being stuck in a loop, with timers resetting and displaying errors such as “page not found.” Despite waiting for over an hour, numerous users found that the products they sought had already sold out.
The drop’s structure appeared particularly unfavorable for individual collectors. While previous releases limited purchases to 12 items, this event allowed customers to buy up to 99 items. This loophole facilitated bulk purchases by automated bots, which swiftly depleted inventory. Some collectors shared order confirmations showing purchases of 99 Elite Trainer Boxes in a single transaction, far beyond what typical fans intended to buy.
One parent expressed disappointment over paying for Walmart+ specifically to access these drops, only to see prices soar—Elite Trainer Boxes priced at $180 and booster boxes nearing $80 within hours. Another collector, who had previously experienced success with a different release, indicated plans to cancel their Walmart+ subscription due to ongoing dissatisfaction.
The outrage has spurred discussions on various platforms, including X, where users have voiced their grievances. “So you signed up for Walmart+ thinking you’d get early access to Pokémon cards?” remarked one user sarcastically. Others criticized Walmart’s handling of the situation, particularly the apparent lack of anti-bot measures despite previous complaints. Many collectors noted that the retailer could have intervened to pause the queue and cancel suspicious bulk orders but chose not to.
As a result of this debacle, numerous subscribers are now demanding refunds for their Walmart+ memberships. While some who reached out to customer service received $25 gift cards as compensation, many feel this does not adequately address the time lost and unmet expectations.
The Impact on Collectors and Future Events
The fallout from this incident reflects a larger issue within Walmart’s online infrastructure, which many collectors claim favors resellers over genuine fans. The shipping costs associated with bulk orders and the absence of effective anti-bot measures have led to significant frustrations. When products sell out in mere seconds to accounts capable of purchasing 99 units, the system clearly appears flawed.
In response to these ongoing issues, collectors are taking action by canceling their Walmart+ subscriptions en masse. While the immediate backlash has been substantial, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to meaningful changes in Walmart’s approach to future product drops.
Unless the demand for reform continues to grow, it is unlikely that Walmart will implement significant adjustments to its operations. For now, the disappointment felt by Pokémon TCG fans serves as a reminder of the challenges that can arise in the competitive world of collectible trading cards.
