Pokémon Store Unveils Unconventional Strategy to Combat Scalpers

A Pokémon store in Japan has come up with a creative strategy to combat scalpers: customers must complete a quiz before they can purchase Pokémon products. A post on X by Ryo Saeba revealed that the store requires shoppers to answer a 15-question quiz to buy any trading card game cards.

According to Saeba, this approach is proving effective—scalpers are reportedly struggling to pass the quiz, allowing true Pokémon fans to snag the cards first.

The quiz is being implemented at BicCamera, located in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. This store, known for selling cameras and various tech products, also stocks Pokémon cards. The quiz is specifically targeting the latest Japanese Mega Evolution set, Ninja Spinner, which launched in March and has gained immense popularity due to the inclusion of Mega Greninja ex. The cards will be available on May 22 with the release of Chaos Rising. Even after passing the quiz, customers are limited to one 30-pack box, highlighting the ongoing scarcity of Pokémon products.

BicCamera’s rules don’t stop there. After customers answer the questions correctly, the store will cut the plastic wrap on the booster box to deter reselling. Additionally, if anyone is caught taking photos of the quiz sheet, the store will cease selling Pokémon cards altogether!

These are certainly strange times for the hobby. It remains unclear whether customers need to answer all 15 questions correctly or if store staff simply need to gauge that adult customers genuinely care about the cards they’re purchasing. Regardless, it’s clear that the Pokémon Company needs to ramp up production soon.