Collectors and fans hoping to get their hands on the newly announced Lego Pokémon sets are facing a secondary market shock, with prices on eBay soaring to nearly £2,500 for bundles that officially retail for around £815.
Official Launch and Staggering Retail Prices
The collaborative sets, first teased last year, were officially unveiled this week as part of the Pokémon franchise's 30th anniversary celebrations. Aimed squarely at adult fans, the collection has been met with excitement but also sticker shock due to its premium pricing.
The range includes several builds, with the Eevee set priced at £54.99 and the larger Pikachu coming in at £179.99. The most expensive official offering is the combined Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set, which costs £579.99.
Scalpers Capitalise on Pre-Order Frenzy
Despite the sets not being released until February 27 (Pokémon Day), a swift sell-out of some items has created a frenzy on resale platforms. Opportunistic sellers are listing pre-orders for vastly inflated sums.
On eBay, the highest prices for the triple starter Pokémon set are reaching upwards of nearly £2,500. Some sellers are bundling all four main sets for as much as £2,454, a mark-up of over £1,600 on the combined official retail price.
The exclusive gym badge set, offered as a pre-order bonus with the Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise pack, is also being resold separately for between £104 and £338.
A Warning to Keen Fans
Industry observers are urging caution, noting that these early eBay listings are essentially for a proof of pre-order, not the physical product. With the release date still over a month away, there is significant risk involved in paying such a premium.
At the time of writing, the Eevee and Pikachu sets remain available for pre-order on Lego's official website, making eBay purchases for these items unnecessary. The premium triple set is listed as 'coming soon' after selling out quickly, indicating more stock may be available.
Another set, the Mini Pokémon Center, is absent from resale sites as it is part of a reward scheme for Lego Insider points and cannot be pre-ordered conventionally.
While these initial sets are designed for adult collectors, rumours suggest that more child-friendly Lego Pokémon sets could be launched in the summer.
