Scalping and reselling have been a major issue over the last few months in the world of gaming and collectibles. Prices are being pushed up by the market and making it harder and harder for legitimate fans to keep up with top products. Frustration is growing, and everyone is asking themselves if the marketplace is actually fair.

One glaring example is trading cards. Whether it’s Pokémon or sports cards, people demand the rare and limited-edition cards more than ever. Sadly, scalpers purchase large numbers as soon as new packs are available, then sell the most sought-after cards for outrageous amounts. A recent instance was a Charizard card that was available online for more than $10,000. For a lot of people, that’s simply out of the question, turning a hobby into a game of who can spend the most. 

It’s not merely a card issue. The video gaming market has also suffered. New consoles and highly sought-after games sell out in a matter of days, providing an opportunity for resellers to turn a profit. New games or consoles are sold for more than several times over their retail value, sometimes even four times greater. Mass resellers buy dozens of copies at launch, and sell them for outrageous prices down the line, so that it is all but impossible for casual gamers to get what they want at a fair price.

This sort of situation discourages many from continuing their passions. It also does damage to the integrity of the market. Instead of making these things accessible to everyone, scalping caters to the rich and excludes real fans.

There has been an effort to fight scalping through limiting per-person purchases and verifying buyers. However, these limitations are not enough, especially with the ease of reselling brought about by online marketplaces.

At its core, the issue is requesting better regulation and best practices. Gaming and collecting are meant to be enjoyed by everyone, not just the privileged few. Companies, fans, and platforms need to come together and create solutions that protect consumers while keeping hobbies affordable and equitable.

In summary, scalping is damaging the collectibles and gaming communities. In order to save the essence of these pastimes, industry players need to move now to prevent price gouging and provide equitable access to all the fans.