I tried to buy my son some Pokémon cards at retail price. It was almost impossible.
The author reflects on the challenges of purchasing Pokémon cards in 2026, contrasting it with their experiences in the late 1990s. Despite the nostalgia and excitement of wanting to share the hobby with their son, finding cards at retail price proved to be a frustrating endeavor. The article highlights the current scarcity and demand for Pokémon cards, making them difficult to acquire through traditional retail channels.
- ▪The author attempted to buy Pokémon cards for their son but found it nearly impossible at retail price.
- ▪Amazon's system requires customers to request an invite to purchase Pokémon cards, complicating the buying process.
- ▪The author visited multiple supermarkets over a week, only to find the Pokémon card shelves consistently empty.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Home > Life > Digital Culture I tried to buy my son some Pokémon cards at retail price. It was almost impossible. It's not the same hobby as it was in 1999. By Sam Haysom Sam Haysom Sam Haysom is the General Assignment Editor, UK, for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time. Read Full Bio on May 23, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard Credit: Zain bin Awais/Mashable/TCG Player/Getty images I had a Pokémon card addiction back in 1999.I used to get £10 a month pocket money from my grandmother and, more often than not, that crisp note would be immediately exchanged for four crinkly blue and silver booster packs that I'd rip straight open. I paid £10 once for a shiny Charizard card to complete the Base set.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Mashable.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Mashable
