Edit: —-TLDR: Alleged “scalper” at Pokémon TCG vending machine gave us 2 Surging Sparks Booster Bundles for my 2 kids. Kids had a blast opening the packs. #daily gratitude and human kindness in unlikeliest of places.
The long story: Went to local Fred Meyer with my son to grab some non-Pokemon related things, and checked the Pokemon TCG vending machine in passing at the entrance. As usual all “sold out” (we don’t go out of our way, but if we visit our local store to get groceries and such, and it has a Pokemon TCG machine, we check it in passing). After finishing our shopping in the store, on the way out, we noticed a man purchasing boxes at the same machine, so we were confused but excited; thus, we waited behind him for our possible opportunity to purchase something. While we waited, my son and I vocalized our surprise that it was now not “sold out”, when it had been just a bit earlier. My son mentioned that he was excited to get some Pokemon cards for himself and his little brother. However, it seemed that it was all getting bought out again, which “is what it is” as they say. Another man that had also arrived behind us in line, was explaining to us how the machine works, and why it may have stated “sold out” earlier but not now, though I was and still am confused as I’m not too familiar with how these machines work in that regard. To our super pleasant surprise, the gentleman making purchases in front of us casually handed my son a Surging Sparks booster bundle. Initially, I was hesitant to accept, as it was far too kind, and I just proceeded to say that we were just waiting for a possible opportunity to buy one from the machine if any items are left. He gestured kindly that it’s all good, and to take it, and we thanked him and happily walked out; my son could not contain his excitement, and he started opening the packs outside in front of the store.
But wait, there’s more: as the kind gentleman came back out he gave us another Surging Sparks booster bundle for my other son! We thanked him again, and the man walked away. Then, then man that had been behind us in line at the machine stopped by and informed us that the other gentleman was a “scalper” and he presented reasons why this was the case. He was also telling us how much the surging sparks packs get marked up on the secondary/reseller market. I just responded that it was extremely kind of the man to have given us the Surging Sparks packs, and we offered this current man a pack to take part in the joy of opening with us. He initially was hesitant to do so, but after we insisted, he indulged us. He slowly revealed each card with anticipation, until arriving at a full art illustration rare Exeggcute, and we cheered with glee! We insisted that he keep it, but he kindly handed the cards back to my son and went on his way. We went back to pick up his little brother (my youngest son) from his activity and he was very pleasantly surprised to have the Pokemon booster bundle waiting for him. When he has opened packs in the past, his dexterity only allowed him to basically crumble the cards while laboring to open the packs (which is all good and endearing), but this time, after showing him a way to open them a bit more safely, he was extremely proud of himself when he was able to do it as such, and we had an absolute blast seeing his “hype man” personality come through with each card he revealed that he thought was “cool”.
As we then all drove home, the experience had me reflecting, and gave me a different perspective on the typically mostly negative topic of “scalpers” (the gentleman absolutely did not have to do the kind gesture, whether “scalper” [allegedly] or not, and we were and are absolutely NOT entitled to getting anything). Also, I thought about the possibility that there may at least be some “scalpers” out there in general that need to “hustle” and to engage in this practice to provide for their families, and it gave me the daily reminder to practice gratitude, in general, for having a fairly stable career, and most importantly, having a healthy family.
Many thanks, you warm-hearted, extremely generous “scalper” (allegedly)! You brought great joy to the kiddos!