Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum Collaboration Sells Out Amid Scalping Frenzy, The Pokémon Company Issues Apology

Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum Collaboration Sells Out Amid Scalping Frenzy, The Pokémon Company Issues Apology The Pokémon Company’s highly anticipated collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has exceeded all expectations—unfortunately for fans, this means merchandise availability has fallen short.

The event, which began on September 28, 2023, merges the world of Pokémon with the artistry of Vincent van Gogh, offering exclusive merchandise ranging from themed prints and plushies to the much-sought-after "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat" promo card.

Yet, within just a day of launch, both in-person and online stocks via the Pokémon Center website were completely depleted, with opportunists quickly moving items to resale platforms at inflated prices. The Pokémon Company responded swiftly, issuing a formal apology to fans who had waited eagerly for the Pokémon Center x Van Gogh Museum collection.

In a statement, company representatives acknowledged, “Due to overwhelming demand, all our products from this collection have sold out.

We understand this is disappointing to many who turned to our official email and social media channels for purchasing guidance.” The Pokémon Company further committed to exploring options for distributing the exclusive "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat" promo card to shoppers at Pokémon Center in the future, with details to follow at a later date. The launch event at the Van Gogh Museum was marred by scenes that have become increasingly familiar in the world of limited-run gaming merchandise.

Videos surfaced on social media, including sites like Twitter, depicting long queues and crowded museum gift shops as attendees scrambled to secure the collaboration's unique items.

The most coveted item—the Pikachu x Van Gogh Museum promo card—was originally obtainable by completing the "Pokémon Adventure" activity designed for children, yet quickly found its way onto eBay listings with ask prices routinely reaching £300–£400. Reactions from the gaming community and Pokémon fans have been overwhelmingly disappointed, especially toward scalpers capitalizing on limited availability.

Joe Merrick, founder of Serebii, voiced his concerns on Twitter, commenting that purchasing items purely for resale is "not an acceptable practice." This incident is not the first time Pokémon-themed merchandise has attracted such fervor from both genuine fans and resellers.

Previous product launches, such as the release of limited edition Pokémon cards through McDonald's UK Happy Meals in 2021, similarly saw companies implementing purchase restrictions in an attempt to combat scalping.

The ongoing Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum collaboration, scheduled to run until January 7, 2024, may see further measures as the situation develops. While some exclusive merchandise, including plush toys, figurines, and tote bags, currently remains available via the Pokémon Center and the Van Gogh Museum’s official web shop, stock is expected to fluctuate as high demand continues.

Fans unable to attend the Amsterdam event in person should monitor official channels for updates, particularly regarding future opportunities to obtain the prized promo card. The Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum collaboration stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of the Pokémon brand—and a reminder of the challenges posed by limited-edition releases in the modern age of gaming and pop culture collectibles.

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