I wakened at the moment hoping to purchase a cute plush of Pikachu sporting an outfit impressed by world-renowned artist Vincent Van Gogh, however scalpers acquired to it the second it went up on the Pokémon Heart web site. I’m annoyed, and that’s the overall sentiment numerous Pokémon followers are feeling proper now, as scalpers and resellers have poached the limited-time collaboration and left no scraps for the common fan.
For those who’re simply tuning into this entire mess, Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum are collaborating proper now. The Amsterdam museum has an exhibit on show that includes artwork of Pikachu and buddies made to seem like among the artist’s signature works. When the on-site exhibit opened, the Van Gogh Museum retailer was flooded with big crowds, a number of of whom have been reportedly bragging about reselling the merchandise on-line to those that weren’t fortunate sufficient to be there. Slightly than counting on scalpers, many people who can’t go to the museum have been trying ahead to the official on-line gross sales of merchandise launching at the moment, September 29, on the Pokémon Heart, as a manner of shopping for somewhat piece of the exhibit for themselves.
Sadly, nonetheless, any such hopes have now been dashed, as mere moments after the touchdown web page went reside, a number of merchandise have been already bought out.
As you’ll be able to think about, this has left numerous Pokémon followers with disappointment and scalpers with fats wallets, as these commemorative items are already displaying up on auctioning websites like eBay. At a look, the Pikachu Van Gogh buying and selling card bundled with every buy is promoting for round $200+ on most listings. Another merchandise, such because the Pikachu plush, are beginning to present up on the positioning as nicely, usually bundled with the cardboard.
![Several eBay listings show the Pokemon x Van Gogh merch selling for hundreds to thousands of dollars.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/08310d1abc803610d72d9cd573535463.jpg)
For those who scroll by way of social media posts on websites like Twitter, you’ll see loads of people who both couldn’t entry the Pokémon Heart web site when the sale went reside, or have been simply too late to the sale earlier than scalpers ravaged every itemizing. It’s disappointing, however hardly sudden given how prevalent scalpers have change into within the Pokémon group.
The Pokémon Firm responds after Van Gogh Museum merch sells out
Following the fiasco, The Pokémon Firm launched an announcement by itself social channels apologizing to followers disillusioned by the entire mess. It says it plans to offer extra methods to obtain the promo Pikachu card, however doesn’t point out if it has plans to restock any of the merchandise.
The total assertion reads as follows:
We apologize to all of the followers eagerly awaiting our Pokémon Heart x Van Gogh Museum launch at the moment.
Resulting from overwhelming demand, all our merchandise from this assortment have bought out. We perceive that is disappointing to many who have been seeking to our official e mail and social media channels for steerage on how and when to buy. We’re actively engaged on methods to offer extra “Pikachu with Gray Felt Hat” promo playing cards for followers buying at Pokémon Heart sooner or later. Particulars will probably be launched at a later date.
Thanks to your understanding and continued assist.
Even outdoors the Van Gogh Museum collab, limited-edition Pokémon merch is commonly reselling for ludicrous costs, akin to a latest collection of Santa Cruz skateboards that includes varied Pokémon promoting for over $20k.
The Van Gogh Museum collaboration will final till January 7, so fingers crossed we see restocks on the Pokémon Heart between every now and then. I simply needed the lovable little painter Pikachu to take a seat on my shelf, for fuck’s sake.