Pokemon Center Implements Make-to-Order System to Combat Scalpers

• Pokemon Center Japan launched make-to-order sales for PIKACHU DINER merchandise after fans complained about scalpers reselling expensive items. 

• The new system lets customers buy plushies and mascots directly once stock runs out, and it eliminates the scarcity that scalpers exploit. 

• This policy change helps genuine fans get merchandise at normal prices without competing against resellers.

Pokemon Center Japan has introduced a make-to-order system for its popular PIKACHU DINER merchandise line following widespread community complaints about scalping activities. The new approach ensures legitimate fans can purchase items without competing against resellers who have dominated limited product releases.

The Pokemon Company announced the policy change after receiving numerous complaints from fans frustrated by scalpers’ practices. The make-to-order system will begin once the current stock runs out, allowing customers to purchase items directly from the official retailer at standard prices.

PIKACHU DINER Launch Creates Scalping Surge

The PIKACHU DINER merchandise line launched on July 5, 2025, featuring classic chubby Pikachu designs in retro diner-themed artwork. The collection includes plushies, mascots, and various accessories that quickly gained viral popularity among Pokemon enthusiasts.

Pokemon Center required customers to participate in a lottery system to enter the store on launch day. This measure was intended to manage crowds, but inadvertently created opportunities for scalpers who gained entry through the lottery.

Successful lottery participants who obtained the merchandise began reselling items on secondary markets at inflated prices. Fans reported seeing products listed for several times their original retail value on various online platforms. The situation prompted widespread criticism from the Pokemon community, with many fans expressing frustration over being unable to purchase items at fair prices.

Community Response Forces Policy Change

Fan complaints reached Pokemon Center management, with customers specifically requesting make-to-order sales as a solution. The community argued that pre-orders would eliminate the scarcity that allows scalpers to profit from limited releases.

Pokemon Center responded by announcing the immediate implementation of make-to-order sales for PIKACHU DINER plushies and mascots. The company stated that orders will open once the current inventory sells out, allowing all interested customers to purchase items.

Other products in the PIKACHU DINER line will receive restocks in the future, though specific dates have not been announced. Pokemon Center has not yet confirmed whether these additional items will be available through make-to-order sales.

Impact on Future Releases

The make-to-order system represents a significant shift in Pokemon Center’s sales strategy. The approach eliminates the artificial scarcity that scalpers exploit while ensuring genuine collectors can access merchandise without premium pricing.

Industry observers note that this policy change could influence other collectible retailers’ handling of high-demand releases. The success of Pokemon Center’s make-to-order system may encourage similar measures across the collectibles market.

The new system addresses long-standing concerns about scalping in the Pokemon community, where limited releases have consistently sold out within minutes of becoming available. Fans have previously reported instances where scalpers used multiple accounts and automated purchasing systems to secure large quantities of merchandise.