Pokemon fans are finally getting the last laugh—and it’s thanks to a smart move by the Pokemon Center that has scalpers scrambling. After years of fans dealing with inflated prices and empty shelves, the tables have finally turned.
Scalping has become way too common in fandoms lately, and Pokemon is one of the biggest targets. Whether it’s trading cards or exclusive merch, scalpers often swoop in the second something drops, buy out everything they can, then try to resell at insane prices. Fans are left frustrated, either having to overpay or miss out entirely.
But this time, The Pokemon Company saw it coming—and had a plan.
The Pikachu Diner Series Got Hit Fast
On July 5, Pokemon Center stores in Japan released a new merch collection called the Pikachu Diner series. It was loaded with adorable Pikachu-themed goodies—think plates, napkins, cups, pillows, aprons—you name it. Unsurprisingly, it sold out almost instantly.
And just as fast, the usual scalper listings started showing up online with ridiculous markups. Even though the Pokemon Center had already put a lottery system in place to try and make things fairer, it wasn’t enough to stop the hoarding.
So, Pokemon Did One Better
Fans made it clear online they were not happy, and The Pokemon Company actually listened. Instead of letting scalpers win again, they announced a simple but powerful solution:
Made-to-order plushes and mascots are now available.
That’s right—if you missed out on those super cute Pikachu plushes the first time around, you can now place an order to get one made just for you. No fighting crowds. No reseller gouging. Just a guaranteed order at retail price.
The rest of the Pikachu Diner collection will also be restocked later, so fans who are patient will still be able to grab what they want—minus the ridiculous price tags.
Scalpers Just Got Burned
This move effectively pulls the rug out from under scalpers who were banking on scarcity. With make-to-order plushes and incoming restocks, there’s way less incentive for fans to pay inflated prices. That means scalpers could be stuck with a pile of merch no one wants anymore.
And honestly? That’s a win.
The Pokemon Company knows the scalping problem isn’t new—just look at what’s happened with the trading cards over the past few years. But by listening to fans and stepping in with smart solutions like this, they’re showing they can take action that makes a real difference.
No, not every item can be made-to-order. That wouldn’t be realistic. But this whole situation proves that fan-first solutions are possible—and profitable, too. The Pokemon Center sells more product directly, fans get what they want, and scalpers are left with empty carts and lighter wallets.
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