Pokémon fans were left disappointed as the highly anticipated collaboration between Pokémon and the Amsterdam Museum’s 50th anniversary celebration resulted in all official merchandise selling out within minutes. The collection featured reimagined Pokémon versions of famous Van Gogh paintings, captivating fans with its unique blend of art and gaming.
The Pokémon Center website showcased 29 items from the Van Gogh collection, including iconic paintings featuring Pokémon characters such as Munchlax and Snorlax inspired by “The Bedroom.” Each order from the Pokémon Center also included a special Pikachu with Felt Hat promo card, making it an even more sought-after item. However, all items were quickly snatched up by eager fans, leaving many empty-handed.
For those who missed out on the initial release, limited-edition merchandise and the promo card can still be found on reselling platforms like eBay, albeit at inflated prices set by scalpers. The Pikachu with Felt Hat promo card, originally available for as low as eight dollars, is now being listed for as high as $500.
The situation was further exacerbated by reports of price scalpers disregarding the museum’s rules and hoarding multiple copies of the collection items. Videos circulated online showing the chaos and greed as scalpers pushed past each other to secure their profits. This unfortunate turn of events served as a stark reminder of human greed and the negative impact it can have on genuine fans.
Initially, the Pokémon Company stated that there would be no restock of the collaboration items, leaving fans with no other option but to purchase from scalpers. However, after facing backlash from the community, they later announced plans to find an alternative way to provide fans with the coveted “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” promo card. Details regarding this alternative distribution method will be revealed at a later date.
This is not the first time the Pokémon Company has faced issues with limited-edition sales. The Pokémon TCG Classic set, released earlier in September, also sold out within hours. To address the demand, the company announced that the cards would be released individually in February 2024, giving fans who missed out on the initial sale a chance to obtain them without relying on scalpers.
Source: DOTESPORTS
