The notoriously difficult search for Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) products took an unfortunate turn for one collector who managed to find sought-after "Pitch Black" packs, only to discover their car had been totaled shortly after their purchase. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by fans attempting to acquire the TCG's latest releases amidst scalping and scarcity.
The Pokémon TCG has struggled with production shortages for nearly two years, leading to difficulties in meeting fan demand. This scarcity often results in long lines at retailers and intense competition for available products. The situation shows no signs of immediate improvement, with new sets continuing to generate significant interest.
A Reddit user, known as Minimum-Idea115, shared their experience on the r/PokemonTCG subreddit. After successfully locating several three-pack blisters and an Elite Trainer Box of the "Pitch Black" set at a local Walmart, they encountered a devastating scene upon returning to their car. Their Honda Civic sustained severe damage, appearing as though it had been struck by heavy machinery.
"I unfortunately walked out to find an elderly woman somehow totaled my car and 4 others," the poster explained, accompanying their text with images of the mangled vehicle. Despite the significant damage, which left the car's trunk visibly buckled and beyond immediate repair, the collector expressed a wry hope for better luck with their newly acquired cards. The community responded with a mix of sympathy and dark humor, with one commenter quipping, "That’s not what we meant by ‘show the hits’. NOW SHOW THE HITS!"
The "Pitch Black" set is known for its relatively generous pull rates for rare cards, with an approximate one-in-four chance for an Ultra Rare or better. Minimum-Idea115 did manage to pull several Illustration Rares from their haul. However, as noted, the value of these pulls is unlikely to offset the cost of repairing or replacing their heavily damaged car.