The Pokemon TCG community is buzzing about Amazon's controversial pricing strategy for the Journey Together Elite Trainer Box. Originally priced around $40, the ETB has shockingly reappeared at $99.49 – sold directly by Amazon themselves. Meanwhile, savvy shoppers can find the six-pack Booster Bundle priced much closer to MSRP at $37.97. For collectors focused on pull rates rather than promo items and accessories, this represents significantly better value.
The Great Amazon Price Debate
Amazon appears to be employing some questionable tactics with Journey Together products. While burying the reasonably-priced Booster Bundle in separate listings, they've aggressively marked up the ETB following its initial sell-out period. The price fluctuation resembles classic scalping behavior – just with Prime shipping attached.
The Elite Trainer Box includes nine booster packs, special sleeves, and collector's items, but paying over double MSRP raises eyebrows. Historical pricing data shows this same product sold for $39.99 just last week.
For those willing to wait, price tracking tools suggest these ETBs tend to stabilize near original retail costs after initial hype periods. Frequent restocks often correct artificial shortages caused by early speculation.
Better Alternatives Emerge
The current situation highlights why informed shopping matters for TCG collectors:
- The Booster Bundle delivers superior pack-per-dollar value at $37.97
- Individual blister packs offer low-risk singles at $9.99
- The ETB makes financial sense only when priced near original MSRP
Collectors should consider their priorities – if deck building or completing sets matters more than display items, the bundle proves smarter economics. The ETB appeals more to completionists valuing the full experience.
Interestingly, Amazon hasn't applied similar markups across all Pokemon TCG products. Other recently released sets remain closer to standard pricing, suggesting Journey Together's popularity created this pricing anomaly.