THE WIFE CAME IN CLUTCH AT COSTCO TODAY

Finally got proof that my Target does in fact randomly restock in the middle of the day and not just at open. This morning there was nothing, and I just ran in again while I was over here and there were two lone Pitch Black booster bundles looking for a home lol

My IN-PERSON Pokémon Card selling Retail Store Power Rankings (as of fall 2026): I’m judging by pricing, store accessibility, typical selection size, and whether purchase limits actually give regular collectors a fair chance. And yes, I'm aware basically nowhere has cards readily available in today's market, so this is a general ranking for when products are available lol. Here we go! 1) Best Buy - Honestly, shaping out to be the TCG selling GOAT. True MSRP and good purchase-limit enforcement. When restocks happen they almost always have a LOT to go around. Easy pick for the top spot 🥇 2/3) Dollar General/Family Dollar (Tie) - Still two of the very few stores that sell Pokémon Cards at MSRP, if not lower. Limited stock, smaller selections, and normally no purchase limits are the biggest drawbacks. MSRP pricing keeps the dollar stores near the top of the list, though. 4) Micro Center - An overlooked contender with true MSRP in-store pricing. Could be ranked higher, but the limited number of store locations in the US holds them back. 5/6) Costco & Sam’s Club (Tie) - UNDER MSRP pricing 😱 These wholesale stores have insane deals when products are in stock, AND have strict purchase limits. Paid memberships are required to get access to the stores and store locations can be limited to larger cities though, which keeps them lower in the rankings. 7) BJ’s - Another warehouse option worth checking. Similar situation as Costco and Sam’s; membership required and limited locations. They typically sell individual products as opposed to under MSRP bundles, but if you already have a BJ's membership you have another option for cards at/around MSRP. 8) Target - Very strict on purchase limits, lots of restocks (even if frequently scalped), some stores keep products behind customer service counters, and there are plenty of physical locations around the US. Prices are slightly above MSRP these days unfortunately, so its ranking gets knocked a bit. 9) Walmart - Frequent restocks, store locations are everywhere, there are SUPPOSED to be purchase limits, and some locations keep products behind the counter. Some stores don't enforce the limits, products can be wiped clean immediately, and prices are slightly above MSRP, so their ranking takes a hit. 10) Barnes & Noble - Could be higher due to fairly frequent restocks and enforced limits. Smaller selections, above MSRP prices, and limited store locations land it in the middle of the rankings. 11/12. CVS & Walgreens (Tie) - Fairly frequent restocks and some locations keep stock behind the counter, but their recent decision to increase prices above MSRP has knocked them down in the rankings. Restocks can also be fairly small. One bonus they do have at least- rewards and coupons are sometimes available and can be used towards TCG purchases. (I personally get a $4 off CVS coupon texted to me weekly, and use it to get a discount when I get lucky and find something in stock) 13) Hobby Lobby - Keeps stock behind the counter or in locked glass cases, but they have always had a markup on their Pokémon Cards. Smaller selection compared to the bigger retail stores when they do have things in stock. 14) Five Below - Definitely add it to your list of places to check, but like others, they have raised their Pokémon TCG prices above MSRP. Their selection is normally pretty small as well. 15) Meijer - A regional option worth knowing about, but like Hobby Lobby they have always had a markup on Pokémon Card prices. Worth checking if you live near one and are ok paying the Meijer tax. 16) Cracker Barrel - Technically not a retail store, but hey, they have a store and they sell Pokémon Cards 😂 If you're lucky and they actually have a few things in stock, it'll be above MSRP. 17) GameStop - They are nicknamed GameScalp for a reason lol... Prices are upwards of 2-3x MSRP. They pretty much always have something in stock if you're desperate at least, and they offer pre-orders of new releases. Thoughts? Anything you'd change or add? I know there are other places that do sometimes carry Pokémon Cards, but I tried to stick to the stores that I know sell them at all of their locations. Feel free to discuss below (if you're civil about it 😆)

I have a theory that Walmart purposely makes their drawings vary in price week to week, and that the next one will have cheaper prices again after these were a good bit over MSRP 🤔

Today WILL be the day I pull the Classic Collection Zard and/or an RGB Mew 😤 (Also shoutout to Walmart for the absolute pristine packaging, as always)

Still without a doubt THE best thing Pokémon Center has ever done. I will not be waiting in the queue for potentially hours for no reason today 🫡

If you have played handheld video games at all in the past 27 years, you more than likely have benefited from this man's genius at least once 🙌

One day we'll all also be able to walk into the store at any time of day and be able to find Pokémon Cards again. Awesome early morning find, @JohnnyCrambo. No midday luck for me today 🫤

I think it's safe to say there will never be a more iconic trio 🌺💦🔥