The Pokémon TCG’s Destined Rivals expansion has been as elusive as any of the others, but the coveted Elite Trainer Boxes are back in stock at Amazon and ready to order right now. The only reason that this isn’t sold out already, though, is that they’re being sold for a massive mark-up.
While being advertised on its product page at "11% off from $99.99", Amazon is now selling Destined Rivals ETBs for an inflated $88.95. As a reminder, that’s $38.96 up from the base price of $49.99, which it's usually sold for at other retailers like Best Buy.
You’ll still get the exact same contents featured in the Destined Rivals ETB in this case. For the uninformed, this includes nine boosters, a full-art foil promo Team Wobbuffet, 45 Energy Cards, 65 card sleeves, a player’s guide, damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, condition markers, four dividers, and the collector’s box to keep it in.
Unfortunately, this increasingly seems to be one of the strategies implemented by retailers to combat bots and scalpers instantly scooping all of the stock as soon as it's available.
While Amazon UK has implemented the invitation system for Destined Rivals, keeping the price at RRP as it should be, Amazon US and Walmart have instead jacked up the price, presumably to scare scalpers off, but still take the money from whoever’s willing to pay.
Granted, both are keeping in line with the price points that seem to have become standard. While you can save a few dollars with sealed Destined Rivals ETBs on eBay, for as cheap as $84-85, dedicated storefronts like TCG Player have listings going for three times the price.
Despite pulling some of the most expensive Pokémon cards in Destined Rivals could easily help you recoup the investment, we acknowledge $88.95 for a $59.99 is still a rip-off price.
Be that as it may, if you’re dead set on buying one of these Elite Trainer Boxes no matter the cost, Amazon and Walmart are still your best bets in terms of retailers.
Although, you can go through eBay to save a few bucks, if you’re feeling trusting enough in the wild west that is the current world of the TCG.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
