A Pokémon enthusiast tried sending a starter kit through the mail, but the package was tampered with, and its contents were switched. Sharing their experience online, the individual recounted how the cards they received had been entirely replaced, yet intriguingly, their value matched the originals. This peculiar case has sparked discussions within the Pokémon community, with some speculating about possible postal service involvement.
Since its debut in the ’90s, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Players, acting as trainers, battle it out with 60-card decks, with these cards becoming coveted collectibles. While many cards can be found in stores or online, some are particularly rare and valuable. However, a recent incident involving a Pokémon card delivery has left many puzzled.
Reddit user JuicySpark detailed a strange occurrence with their son’s Pokémon cards. They had mailed a starter kit and protective sleeves, among other gifts, to their mother’s Florida home for a vacation. After forgetting them there, the grandmother mailed the cards back. Yet, upon arrival, they found only three cards instead of fifteen.
Initially, it seemed as though the cards were stolen. Oddly enough, the package contained three unfamiliar cards instead. These cards were in Japanese—contrary to the original English set—and were encased in hard sleeves.
Digging deeper, JuicySpark learned the swapped cards weren’t part of any English set available from their prior purchase but could only be acquired via third-party sellers. What baffled them most was the fact that the new cards matched the original set in value. Speculation arose: perhaps a postal worker, noticing damage, swapped them, or maybe a thief decided to replace them with equally valuable cards.
A commenter pointed out that among the replacement cards, only one was Japanese, while the others were Korean. Many Redditors rallied around the theory that perhaps an employee noticed the damage and swapped them with cards from another misdelivered package. Regardless of how it happened, it’s a relief that the value remained consistent.
In a connected note, Pokémon TCG Pocket has been making waves, setting franchise records within weeks of release. This mobile game lets collectors dive back into Pokémon card nostalgia on iOS and Android. Players can open two free booster packs daily, with both classic and exclusive new cards available. Keep an eye out for “immersive cards” that vividly bring card illustrations to life. Set for release in October 2024 by Creatures Inc. and DeNA, this game promises to captivate old and new fans alike.