Does anyone in the UK know how the allocations/sale of shining fates works in the UK?
Multiple LGS/Card websites seem to be showing pre orders that are completely out of stock, some websites are open to March pre orders, and big chains like Game/Smyth’s toys may or may not of opened up for pre orders yet.
I havent ordered a Pokemon Product at the start of release before so trying to understand it.
Also - is it normal for there to be stocks of a set like this allocated to shelves only if i just want to pick up a ETB or two on the day in say a game store is something like this a pre order only product?
Best bet is to find a local lgs and call them to see if you can get any etbs or other products. Secondly go to stores on release and hope to get lucky, GAME usually have a couple on their shelves(literally a couple! very small quantities are send to stores).
I can confidently say all pre orders are sold out on card websites etc, so try calling around and go on release to popular stores to hunt for the products. It is going to be like champions path, super difficult to find at msrp or close to but easy to get online for inflated resale prices. Just keep at it, keep looking and hope
I pre ordered hidden fates and shining fates from my lgs, I had a deal for vv build and battles so was able to secure pre orders again as it went so smoothly the first time. They are allocating per person for shining fates, hidden fates I got to order what I wanted though
Demand has accelerated rapidly since Hidden Fates was released on UK shelves in September 2019. And demand was considered as being at an all time high then. You could easily get Hidden Fates ETB’s in Smyth’s and tins in supermarkets at that time. Preorders for upcoming releases were relatively easy to secure as well up until mid-2020. Now people use software to snipe online preorders. If you want to try your luck in the stores, you better make sure you’re there for opening time on release day because you can lay a bet many others will be doing the same thing.
I managed to pick up some from Chaos Cards and Total Cards, was more successful on Total Cards though. I’d keep checking/stalking their socials to catch restocks.
I’m hoping after lockdown that there will be some in shops, but for right now Chase Games have some Premium Collection boxes (Crobat and Dragapult) and mini tins available to pre-order at RRP
I honestly think a lot of small ‘‘pop up’’ online stores will either collapse or be handing a lot of refunds. I can’t stand new sites still selling ETB preorders and they all know they ain’t even guaranteed these ETB’s. Speaking to Asmodee UK and they are cautioning their account customers that allocations are going to be heavily reduced. Some sites took that caution and only released a ‘‘small’’ wave of preorders others are guns blazing and still selling above RRP.
Like one site is still taking Hidden Fates and Champions Path reprint ‘‘pre-orders’’. Those have already been and gone from my understanding.
I’ve been told by one of by distributors today that they will struggle to give me 25% of my requested allocation. Hoping because they are not an ‘‘official’’ distributor that this doesn’t reflect on my whole requested allocations from other distributors. They normally meet my requests on allocations so that’s putting things into perspective for me.
