A YouTuber scouting Pokemon vending machines to try and get TCG packs was threatened by a group of men who claimed he had ruined a method they were using to try and get better products from the machine.
During his May 31 stream, YungFika was livestreaming a trip to various Pokemon vending machines in stores when he encountered three individuals standing around one of the machines.
After he began making purchases, the group confronted him, claiming they had been waiting to use a “10-minute method” they believed would improve what stock the machine would offer for sale.
Group threatens streamer for “ruining” Pokemon vending machine
During the stream, a member of the group told Fika they had intentionally left a pack for sale in the machine because they believed leaving packs available in the machine would trigger an in-built system to make more stock available.
While it’s not known how exactly the machines work, it is known that they feature various countermeasures to prevent scalpers from immediately buying out their entire stock, including staggered stock releases.
“We actually got a pack, and there’s a 10-minute method. If you leave a pack in here for 10 minutes, it gives a better refresh,” one individual explained.
Fika questioned why the situation was being treated so seriously, noting that Pokemon products are primarily aimed at children.
The exchange quickly became hostile, with members of the group insulting the streamer and telling him to leave. One individual later positioned himself directly in front of the machine while telling Fika, “That’s it for you,” as the confrontation continued.
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After making his purchase, Fika left the area and approached a store employee to report the group before leaving the store.
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“I just want to let you know these people by the Pokemon machine over here, they’re threatening to fight people. I got it on camera and everything,” he told the employee.
Group later tracked down Fika’s stream
Declining to provide details about his stream to the group after confirming he was streaming, Fika returned to his car, only to notice moments later that members of the group had found his livestream and were using it to locate him in the parking lot.
“We found your stream,” one of the group said, approaching his car. Fika responded by handing one of the men a job application form he had in his car, inferring that they were spending time scalping Pokemon products instead of being employed.
As he drove away, members of the group continued shouting at him from the parking lot. “It’s crazy the lengths people will go for some Pokemon.”
Scalping and reselling of Pokemon TCG products at massive mark-ups over retail has become increasingly commonplace in the hobby. At least in its native Japan, The Pokemon Company has explored the idea of introducing government ID checks in an attempt to deter scalpers.
In May, a man in Florida was arrested for breaking into a store with a chainsaw and stealing $12,000 in Pokemon cards.
