The Pokemon Company is testing some major new methods to combat Pokemon TCG scalpers in Japan, implementing facial recognition software in several stores. The change is intended to combat duplicate purchases and unauthorized entry into Pokemon TCG stores.
The recent resurgence of the Pokemon TCG has been coupled with a spike in scalpers and resellers looking to profit from its popularity. Scalping has been a rampant problem within the trading card game's community, with many popular sets being quickly bought out and resold for significant markups. Retailers like Wal-Mart and Target and even the Japanese government, have taken action to curb scalping and allow more people to buy Pokemon products, including placing restrictions on how many boxes individual customers can buy. Now, the Japanese branch of The Pokemon Company is taking matters into its own hands to prevent scalpers from buying out new products.
A Pokemon Trading Card game store was the recent victim of a hasty robbery, swiping $15,000 in Pokemon products in less than a minute.
The Pokemon Company is implementing a new policy with a set of pop-up stores in Japan, utilizing facial recognition technology. The stores will require customers who are elementary-school age or older...
