Costco shoppers fight over coveted Pokémon cards
It went viral that a Costco store in California turned into a fight club when a ravenous crowd of adults battled over Pokémon cards, emptying the store shelves in mere seconds and risking injury for a quick payout.
In an increasingly competitive market and with ever more demanding consumers, disputes at points of sale over certain products are not an isolated phenomenon. Whether it’s due to aggressive discounts, limited editions, or exclusive promotions, tensions among shoppers have become more evident, reflecting behavior driven by impulse and the need to secure what seems like a one-of-a-kind opportunity. This is exactly what we’re seeing now as Costco customers fight over Pokémon cards.
These incidents highlight the significance of the point of sale for brands. According to a Nielsen study, more than 70% of purchasing decisions are made at the point of sale, underscoring its relevance in any marketing strategy.
Fights at Costco Over Pokémon Cards
It went viral that a Costco store in California turned into a fight club when a ravenous crowd of adults battled over Pokémon cards, emptying the store shelves in mere seconds and risking injury for a quick payout.
Stunning footage captured shoppers at the Atwater Village Costco in Los Angeles fighting over large quantities of coveted Pokémon cards.
Reports revealed that these weren’t ordinary Pokémon card packs but the highly sought-after 151 Premium Collection Blooming Waters packs.
Initially sold for $120 to $150, these card sets became a target for scalpers after the wholesale retailer began listing them for less than $60 last week.
In one recording, a suspicious reseller wearing a green jacket is seen grappling with a younger man carrying two boxes in a fight over the set.
people are fighting in Costco over pokemon cards
I picked a bad time to join this hobby… pic.twitter.com/xPK1mhb0Ag
— DSG Toast (@DisguisedToast) January 16, 2025
The younger man brutally elbowed his attacker in the face as a female shopper yelled at them.
“Get off me, bro,” one buyer shouted, according to a video posted on X by YouTuber DisguisedToast.
The relentless man kept clinging to the pack as other shoppers scrambled to move their purchases away from the area.
People began urging others to call the police due to the unruly crowd. According to outlets like TMZ, the police were not called to the store, and no arrests were made.
The store reportedly handled the incident internally, according to media reports.
Costco’s New Policy
This isn’t the only brawl involving the store’s customers. Since the incident, Costco has implemented a “1 unit per membership per day” policy for the packs.
What’s Inside the Pokémon Packs?
The packs focus on the original 151 Pokémon, with the chance to find some highly popular individual cards worth significant amounts.
Each box includes 12 booster packs from the collectible card game and four foil cards featuring Venusaur ex, Blastoise ex, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle.
The cards are recommended for ages 6 and up. Enthusiasm for the collection grew when Costco surprised customers by launching the Blooming Waters set.
The packs were later resold in secondary markets, including eBay and Facebook Marketplace, for between $90 and $200.
On eBay, 10 packs were sold for $1,564.78. Additionally, the prized packs are expected to launch at BestBuy and other retailers on February 7, while Walmart has announced the set for $166.90.
Such disputes aren’t exclusive to Costco. In one viral incident, female shoppers at Target were caught on video fighting over the trendy pink Stanley tumbler.
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