I live in Japan where Pokemon is still very much a huge deal, cards, merchandise, anything really.

Just like the rest of the world, card scalping is a huge thing.

Personally, I feel the game is for kids and do my best to allow kids to enjoy it.

I also despise scalpers and only ask people to pay what I paid with no markup.

I recently offered my services to a group on Facebook and was flooded with people who wanted Japanese cards.

Okay, no problem. I can help.

So I start helping people when in Pops, Mr. Ran.

Now, Mr. Ran introduced himself to me as a card shop owner who wanted 20 to 50 boxes of the latest set.

I tell him, sure, why not?

And start searching for boxes in his price range.

I found around 20 or so, asked him several times,

are you sure this is what you want?

Is this price okay for you?

I'm going to buy them now.

All the while he says, yes, please, I'll pay you once you've bought them.

Now, call me naive, but I did buy them to the tune of $2,600.

When I told him the final cost with shipping, he immediately said,

Hey, man, do you have any references?

I haven't seen you in the group before.

I want security.

I'll give the money to the admins as an escrow and you'll get it once the product arrives.

Now, I've actually just spent $2,600 on Pokemon cards I don't want or need,

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