Pokemon TCG and the future of our hobby.
Pokémon TCG and the Future of Our Hobby
As many of you know, local card stores—especially in Canada—are struggling to get Pokémon TCG stock at MSRP due to distributors jacking up prices or forcing stores to buy junk product just to access Pokémon at normal wholesale rates.
Sure, some stores inflate prices themselves, but the real problem is with distribution. Complaining here only does so much—we need to take action and let the right people know that this isn’t acceptable.
Here’s a list of emails, complaint forms, and a template you can use to send complaints to the right places. The more people who send them, the harder it will be for them to ignore us.
Who to Contact & How to Complain
- Contact The Pokémon Company International (TPCi)
Why? TPCi controls the supply and sets policies with distributors. They need to hear how badly this is affecting players, collectors, and local game stores. • Email: support.pokemon.com (Submit a ticket under “Trading Card Game”) • Twitter/X: @PokemonTCG • Mailing Address: The Pokémon Company International 10400 NE 4th St, Suite 2800 Bellevue, WA 98004, USA
👉 TPCi has the power to pressure distributors—this is likely the most effective option.
- Contact Pokémon TCG Distributors
Why? Distributors supply local game stores and are responsible for insane wholesale price hikes.
📌 Major Distributors in Canada:
Universal Distribution:
• Toronto Office: • Phone: (289) 837-4100 • Email: [email protected] • Address: 2240 Speers Road, Oakville, ON L6L 2X8
• Montreal Office: • Phone: (514) 335-9000 • Email: [email protected] • Address: 2441 Guenette, Montreal, QC H4R 2E9
• Vancouver Office: • Phone: (604) 596-4320 • Email: [email protected] • Address: #102 13125 78A Avenue, Surrey, BC V3W 9B6
Prince Distribution • Email: [email protected] • Phone: 1-888-492-1280 • Address: 614 Gordon Baker Road, North York, ON M2H 3B4
Grosnor Distribution Inc. • Email: [email protected] • Phone: (416) 744-3344 • Address: 4 Lowry Drive, Brampton, ON L7A 1C4
📌 Major Distributors in the USA can be found here. There’s a lot for each area so for formatting sake here is the pokemon link:
https://support.pokemon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001004653-Pokémon-Trading-Card-Game-Resellers
- Report to Consumer Protection Agencies
If you believe price gouging or unfair market practices are happening, file a complaint with consumer protection authorities.
📌 Canada: • Competition Bureau Canada (www.competitionbureau.gc.ca) • Complaint Form: Submit a complaint • Phone: 1-800-348-5358 • Ontario Consumer Protection (www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario) • Complaint Form: Submit a complaint
📌 USA: • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (www.ftc.gov) • Complaint Form: Report a business
📩 Email Template – Copy, Paste, and Send
Subject: Urgent Concern: Pokémon TCG Price Gouging & Distribution Issues
Dear [Recipient’s Name or Organization],
I am reaching out as a dedicated member of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) community to express my concern about the unfair surge pricing and artificial scarcity of Pokémon cards in recent months.
As Pokémon TCG has grown in popularity, distributors have dramatically raised wholesale prices, making it nearly impossible for local game stores (LGS) to stay competitive. Consumers, including children, can’t find new Pokémon cards at reasonable prices, and many stores are struggling to get inventory at all.
In light of The Pokémon Company’s mission to “delight our fans through excellent products and meaningful experiences,” the current distribution challenges in Canada—marked by inflated prices and limited availability—seem to contradict this commitment. These issues hinder fans’ ability to access and enjoy Pokémon products, thereby impeding the company’s goal of bringing people together through the joy of play and discovery. 
This situation is harming the entire hobby:
• Local game stores are being priced out, damaging community play & events.
• Collectors & players face severe price inflation, limiting accessibility.
• Children & new fans are disappointed, unable to find cards due to artificial scarcity.
• Retail employees & LGS owners are dealing with customer frustration & hostility.
We ask that [organization name] address the following concerns:
1️⃣ Hold distributors accountable for unreasonable markups and price gouging.
2️⃣ Ensure product availability for local game stores, not just big-box retailers.
3️⃣ Communicate clearly with the community about steps being taken to fix these issues.
We’re not looking for a short-term fix but a long-term solution that ensures fair pricing, equal access, and support for local card shops.
Please let us know how your organization plans to address this issue. The Pokémon TCG community relies on fair access to the game we love.
Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information]
What You Can Do Next
🔹 Send Emails – Contact TPCi, distributors, & consumer protection agencies.
🔹 Encourage Your LGS to Speak Up – Store owners are struggling too.
🔹 Share This Post! – The more complaints they get, the more pressure we apply.
Pokémon TCG should be accessible for all players, collectors, and fans—not just resellers and big-box stores. Let’s take action and protect our hobby.