If you have tried to buy Pokémon cards online lately, you already know how fast things move. Products sell out in seconds, bulk listings hit the market unexpectedly, and pricing can feel inconsistent at best. At the center of this shifting landscape is a growing force in the hobby: botters.
Understanding how botting works—and more importantly, how to operate within a market influenced by it—is becoming essential for collectors, investors, and online sellers alike.
What Is a Botter? 🤔
A botter is someone who uses automated software to purchase products online faster than any human possibly can. These bots are designed to:
• Monitor restocks instantly
• Add items to cart in milliseconds
• Autofill checkout information
• Complete purchases before manual buyers can react
In high-demand Pokémon releases, this allows a small number of buyers to capture a large portion of available inventory.
The result is simple: supply becomes concentrated, and everyday collectors are left behind.
A Real Market Example: 500 ETBs at Once 📦💰
A recent example illustrates this perfectly: a seller listing 500 Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Boxes for $65,000 total, or about $130 per box.
The average market price of Destined Rivals ETBs has fallen from $207 to $158 over the past 30 days, that's a 24% drop in price (at the time I wrote this, currently it's even lower)
At first glance, this looks like a strong supply signal. But in reality, it creates something more subtle—and more dangerous.
When the market sees this kind of listing:
• It feels like supply is overwhelming demand
• Buyers begin questioning the strength of the product
• Confidence temporarily drops
Even if nothing has fundamentally changed.
The Credit Card Pressure Effect 💳
A key driver behind these listings is financial pressure.
Many large buyers:
• Use credit to acquire inventory
• Operate on short repayment timelines
• Need to liquidate quickly
This forces them into decisions that are not optimal for market stability.
Instead of slowly releasing inventory to maximize price, they dump large quantities all at once—creating temporary price suppression and distorted signals.
Why This Feels Like a Bear Market 🐻
Online sentiment—especially across YouTube and social media—suggests sealed product may be slowing down.
And to be fair, it can feel that way when:
• Prices are undercut
• Listings are oversized
• Buyers hesitate
But real-world data tells a different story.
From recent card shows:
• Attendance remains strong
• Buyers are active
• Demand for sealed and graded cards is still healthy
This disconnect suggests we are not seeing a true bear market, but rather a temporary imbalance caused by how supply is being distributed and sold.
The Supply Reality Most People Miss 📊
One of the most important truths in this market is simple:
The Pokémon Center controls supply.
That means:
• Total production does not change
• Demand does not disappear overnight
• Ownership concentration does not equal increased supply
Just because one seller has 500 ETBs does not mean more product exists—it only means supply is temporarily centralized.
This distinction is critical.
Our Strategy: Adapting to the Modern Market 🚀
We do not love botting. It creates friction, frustrates collectors, and distorts pricing.
But ignoring it is not a strategy.
Instead, we focus on playing the market as it actually exists today.
Here is how we approach it:
1. We Separate Signal From Noise 👀
We do not react to bulk listings emotionally. We evaluate real supply, real demand, and long-term product strength.
2. We Buy When Others Are Forced to Sell 💼
Situations like the Destined Rivals listing can create opportunity. If pricing dips below our internal valuation, we are willing to step in and acquire inventory.
3. We Prioritize Long-Term Value 📈
If we believe in a set, we are comfortable holding. We are not dependent on immediate flips, which gives us flexibility others do not have.
4. We Avoid Overexposure to Retail Products 🛑
This is a key evolution in our strategy.
We generally avoid heavily stocking standard Elite Trainer Boxes.
Why?
Because they are retail-driven products:
• Widely distributed through Walmart, Target, and other outlets
• Easily accessible to botters during online drops
• More likely to experience rapid supply swings
This makes them more volatile and more susceptible to the exact distortions we are discussing.
1. We Prefer Pokémon Center ETBs ✅
Not all ETBs are created equal.
Pokémon Center-exclusive versions are significantly more attractive because:
• They are only available directly through Pokémon Center
• They do not appear in traditional retail drops
• Botters have fewer opportunities to accumulate them at scale
This creates a more controlled supply environment and stronger long-term positioning.
2. Booster Boxes Are Our Favorite Play 📦🔥
If there is one category we consistently favor, it is booster boxes.
Here is why:
• They typically do not appear in retail environments
• They are harder for botters to mass accumulate
• Reprints are less frequent and generally unlikely
• They are the most “pure” form of sealed product demand
Because of this, booster boxes tend to behave more rationally over time and are less impacted by short-term disruptions.
3. We Use Patience as Leverage ⏳
Unlike leveraged sellers, we are not forced to move inventory on a deadline.
That allows us to:
• Hold through volatility
• Sell into strength instead of weakness
• Let supply naturally tighten over time
Why This Strategy Matters 💡
Botting creates inefficiencies—but inefficiencies create opportunity.
By focusing on:
• Supply control
• Product type
• Entry price
• Time horizon
We can operate with a level of discipline that offsets the chaos.
Instead of chasing every drop, we position ourselves where the structure of the market works in our favor.
Final Thoughts 💭
Botters are not just changing how fast products sell—they are changing how the market behaves.
But the fundamentals still matter.
Supply is still controlled. Demand is still real. And product selection has never been more important.
In a market full of noise, the advantage goes to those who stay patient, stay selective, and understand where true value actually lives.