COSTCO has slapped a “purchase limit” on Pokemon cards after customers went crazy and scrapped over the valuable collectables.
Frenzied customers were seen grappling and shouting as they tried to get their hands on Pokemon sets amid frantic scenes.
6
6
6
One man bear-hugged another from behind in an effort to wrestle two boxes of the collectables from him.
The man holding the boxes delivered a lethal elbow jab to the other’s jaw, but still he doesn’t release his vice-grip.
He shouted: “Get the f*ck off me” and tries to wriggle free.
Someone else cried: “He’s been here since seven in the morning.”
Onlookers tried to defuse the situation but the store remains chaotic with members rushing around clutching their precious cards.
A user on the Costco Reddit thread posted a picture of what looked like a voucher for a set number of Pokemon cards.
The picture was accompanied by the caption: “Happy to see it especially after all the violence I saw yesterday,” seemingly referencing the ugly scenes in the video.
The token imposes a “two unit limit”.
Another Reddit user who appeared to work for Costco said: “I think we might have an employee near the pallet to make sure they [customers] know”.
This suggests there will be Costco workers guarding the Pokemon card section to enforce the purchase cap.
Others feared for the safety of the employees on guard.
One said: “God speed to that employee hoping they don’t get hurt in the process.”
Another warned it “won’t be long until someone, member of employee, gets seriously injured because of this behaviour”.
It was suggested that Costco branches “might want to have two” employees on guard and “threaten cancelling memberships” of any troublesome Pokemon hunters.
6
6
6
Some Costco stores are already opting to sell the cards from behind the tills, so customers must go through a member of staff to pick them up.
This is not the first time that Costco has been forced to impose limit on the number of Pokemon cards its members can buy at once.
In November, around Black Friday, customers reported seeing signs enforcing a “limit of three” on the Pokemon Five-Pack Assorted Mini Tins.
The Sun has approached Costco for comment.
Costco membership sharing guidelines
Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they’ve been cracking down on offenders in recent years.
- Primary Member Use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it for purchases is not allowed as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
- Household Card: Each primary member can add one free household cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized Cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who doesn’t reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can shop independently.
Credit: Costco
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25829975/STK051_TIKTOKBAN_B_CVirginia_A.jpg)
