{"id":2149637,"date":"2026-09-17T15:54:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T12:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2149637"},"modified":"2026-09-17T15:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T12:54:17","slug":"pokemon-trading-card-store-denies-giving-special-treatment-to-celebrities-as-angry-customers-leave-a-flood-of-negative-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2149637","title":{"rendered":"Pok\u00e9mon Trading Card Store Denies Giving Special Treatment to Celebrities, as Angry Customers Leave a Flood of Negative Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-3246540067 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-2044616299 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">A British <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\">Pok\u00e9mon card<\/a> store has denied giving celebrities special treatment during a 30th Anniversary Pok\u00e9mon card launch that left customers who had queued for hours empty handed.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Geek Retreat Chelmsford, a gaming and collectible retailer in southern England, was one of the thousands of stores to hold a special opening yesterday, in order to sell the latest set of highly sought after Pok\u00e9mon cards. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Alongside hundreds of average shoppers, however, were a pair of notable UK figures: Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash, a reality TV star couple seen on shows such as The X Factor, Dancing on Ice, and I&#8217;m a Celebrity&#8230; Get Me Out of Here!<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Trading Cards<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 23 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In a widely-shared video posted online, the situation outside Geek Retreat Chelmsford can be seen descending into chaos, as shoppers discover the store&#8217;s stock has rapidly sold out. Numerous posts from customers via X\/Twitter and Facebook claim that they had been told told by staff not to queue or park directly outside before opening in order to deter scalpers \u2014 but that this did not apply when Solomon and Swash turned up, and reported parked directly in front of the store.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;They parked right outside, skipped the queue and bought most of the stock, leaving about 10 items for the 200+ people still waiting,&#8221; wrote WeLovePok\u00e9mon, a fan account with more than 82,000 followers. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-theme=\"light\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Worst 30th Celebration story I\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n<p>Geek Retreat Chelmsford told customers they weren\u2019t allowed to queue until 30 mins before opening, they weren\u2019t allowed to park outside the shop, and there would be a 1pp limit.<\/p>\n<p>All of that went out the window when two celebrities (Joe\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/j72bNCaFS2\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/j72bNCaFS2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 We Love Pokemon (@WeLovePokemon) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WeLovePokemon\/status\/2100510179309556063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">However, Geek Retreat Chelmsford has now issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GeekRetreatChelmsford\/posts\/pfbid0mmyrhvF9h43cPGFJbN3UpeeE36w1jBRQqyK5GgKxFfWKafdFxLqCKb37p7rSYeCzl?locale=en_GB\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">statement<\/a> to contest this account, call for calm as its Facebook page is flooded with negative reviews, and ask that its customers&#8217; anger not be directed at employees.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;We would like to address some of the negativity and aggression we have received today,&#8221; the store wrote. &#8220;Today we ran the release of the Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary set in a way that we genuinely believed would best support our customers, maintain fairness and help reduce scalping. Unfortunately, we were never going to have enough stock to meet the demand, and we understand that this was disappointing for people who were unable to get everything they wanted.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;What we cannot accept, however, is that this disappointment has been directed towards our staff. Our staff work incredibly hard to make the shop a welcoming place for everyone. We are always happy to listen to genuine feedback, but abuse, aggression or threats towards our team are not acceptable under any circumstances. Anyone who has threatened or abused a member of our staff will not be welcome in our store.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;We would also like to address the suggestion that certain people, including well-known individuals, were given special treatment today. This is simply not true. We did not know that any famous people were attending until we saw them outside. They were not allowed in early, they were not given extra stock, and they were subject to exactly the same one of each product per-person limits as everyone else. They happened to be second in the queue when we opened, and no member of our team allowed them to skip the queue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/09\/17\/gettyimages-1793540988-1789658576411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/a><figcaption data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 jsx-479945570 article-image-caption\">Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon. Image credit: Kate Green\/Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Despite the statement, the negative reviews remain. &#8220;30th celebrations release was a joke, store ordered 25 ETBs, chased customers down the road to prevent queuing which we all respected and understood as a method to combat scalping etc, yet quickly changed their minds when Joe Swash turned up, parked outside the store (another thing they said publically we were not to do) and then allowed him with his wife and multiple children to jump the queue and buy the majority of the stock. Outrageous display of poor management and poor choices, staff should be ashamed,&#8221; reads one comment.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Breaks protocol to sell to &#8216;celebrities&#8217; who only purchased product to flip on their whatnot site, then makes a sob story post as if they&#8217;re the victims when customers notice,&#8221; wrote another. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Horrendous behavior,&#8221; wrote a third. &#8220;Everyone was told to not queue before 11.30am and do not loiter around the front of the shop, even in your motors. Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon, along with three other people, got out of their van, parked directly outside the shop, walked straight in past everyone and came out with half of the stock. Around 10 customers then came out with stock, until we had to be told by a customer who received nothing, that they were now out of stock. Hundreds of customers have been let down by you and your staff today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2896921488 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Play.59e5540b.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Geek Retreat Chelmsford said it did allow some regular customers to pre-order stock, but acknowledged that there was simply no way to avoid some disappointment &#8220;when demand massively exceeds supply.&#8221; No comment was made on where Swash and Solomon parked, or how many cards they and their children bought overall.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Yesterday, we reported on <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/30th-anniversary-pokemon-cards-spark-enormous-queues-and-ghost-chairs-criticism-as-retailers-hike-prices\">the long queues and the phenomenon of &#8220;ghost chairs&#8221; outside stores in the U.K., France, and the U.S.<\/a>, as some fans waited in line for days ahead of the 30th Anniversary card set going on sale.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pok\u00e9mon cards have become a prime target for scalpers and thieves over the past few years due to their soaring popularity and the perceived value of rare cards. New card releases frequently sell out completely, and The Pok\u00e9mon Company has appeared unable to keep up with demand \u2014 <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/10-billion-pokemon-cards-were-printed-last-year-and-it-still-wasnt-enough-to-stop-shortages-and-scalping\">despite a staggering 10 billion cards printed last year alone<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Earlier this week, one millionaire Pok\u00e9mon collector suggested that <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/if-the-world-suffered-an-apocalypse-tomorrow-the-global-currency-would-be-pokemon-cards-collector-and-venture-capitalist-claims\">the cards will likely be used as currency following a global apocalypse<\/a>. Looking to start your collection? We&#8217;ve also got a list of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/most-expensive-pokemon-cards-2026\">the 10 most expensive Pok\u00e9mon cards of 2026 so far<\/a>, and a <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/pokemon-tcg-delta-reign-etb-first-look\">first look at Mega Evolution&#8217;s Delta Reign expansion<\/a>, set to release in November this year.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Image credit: Kate Green\/Getty Images.<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<section class=\"author-sign-off\" data-cy=\"author-sign-off\"><span class=\"stack jsx-59817748 jsx-1927875859\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-444076027 jsx-4218469134 profile-thumb jsx-2141281959 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-1-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Phillips Avatar\" class=\"progressive-image profile-thumb-img jsx-249361588 jsx-2338608387 expand\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/avatars\/682ae571844d33001df37887\/bafkreidcdvzaebn4npc6hj3ffj6fzlg3kqnfpgazyarf24lfrnboi6lzbe-1747728739638.jpg?crop=1%3A1&amp;width=56&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=80\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-3630940851\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-702910195 author-sign-off-header\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/person\/tomphillipsIGN\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 jsx-2809511915 bold underlined\">Tom Phillips<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 muted\">News Editor<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-1220387432\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"author-sign-off-socials\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 author-sign-off-socials\"><button type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"listbox\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"View social links\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 socials-trigger\"><span title=\"X\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 social-icon-avatar\"><span class=\"ign-icon jsx-2877214176 jsx-2750866048 jsx-2788214270\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"jsx-2877214176\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><span title=\"Bluesky\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 social-icon-avatar\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon jsx-2877214176 jsx-2750866048 jsx-2788214270\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"jsx-2877214176\" alt loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Bluesky.d8b4aa9b.svg?cors=0\"><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div role=\"listbox\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2772765485 jsx-4243969252 jsx-3705869475 dropdown-menu jsx-3625955085\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/@tomphillipsEG\" id=\"author-sign-off-social-twitterHandle\" class=\"menu-item jsx-3565735818 jsx-3927327418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 menu-item-text\" data-text=\"X\">X<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"ign-icon icon-twitter jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"icon-twitter\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" id=\"author-sign-off-social-blueskyUrl\" class=\"menu-item jsx-3565735818 jsx-3927327418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 menu-item-text\" data-text=\"Bluesky\">Bluesky<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon icon-bluesky jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"icon-bluesky\" alt loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Bluesky.d8b4aa9b.svg?cors=0\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 sign-off-text\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"jsx-2511205168 preferred-source\"><strong class=\"jsx-2511205168\">Get IGN&#8217;s Biggest Stories FIRST. Set Us as Your Source.<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.ign.com\" class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--secondary jsx-3027214138 icon-button contained centered large\" title=\"Add Source\" aria-label=\"Add Source\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon icon-google jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-google\" alt=\"Google\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Google.9e99a9d7.svg?cors=0\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 large\">Add Source<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">A British <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\">Pok\u00e9mon card<\/a> store has denied giving celebrities special treatment during a 30th Anniversary Pok\u00e9mon card launch that left customers who had queued for hours empty handed.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Geek Retreat Chelmsford, a gaming and collectible retailer in southern England, was one of the thousands of stores to hold a special opening yesterday, in order to sell the latest set of highly sought after Pok\u00e9mon cards. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Alongside hundreds of average shoppers, however, were a pair of notable UK figures: Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash, a reality TV star couple seen on shows such as The X Factor, Dancing on Ice, and I&#8217;m a Celebrity&#8230; Get Me Out of Here!<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Trading Cards<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 23 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary Set trading cards.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In a widely-shared video posted online, the situation outside Geek Retreat Chelmsford can be seen descending into chaos, as shoppers discover the store&#8217;s stock has rapidly sold out. Numerous posts from customers via X\/Twitter and Facebook claim that they had been told told by staff not to queue or park directly outside before opening in order to deter scalpers \u2014 but that this did not apply when Solomon and Swash turned up, and reported parked directly in front of the store.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;They parked right outside, skipped the queue and bought most of the stock, leaving about 10 items for the 200+ people still waiting,&#8221; wrote WeLovePok\u00e9mon, a fan account with more than 82,000 followers. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-theme=\"light\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Worst 30th Celebration story I\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n<p>Geek Retreat Chelmsford told customers they weren\u2019t allowed to queue until 30 mins before opening, they weren\u2019t allowed to park outside the shop, and there would be a 1pp limit.<\/p>\n<p>All of that went out the window when two celebrities (Joe\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/j72bNCaFS2\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/j72bNCaFS2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 We Love Pokemon (@WeLovePokemon) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WeLovePokemon\/status\/2100510179309556063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">However, Geek Retreat Chelmsford has now issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GeekRetreatChelmsford\/posts\/pfbid0mmyrhvF9h43cPGFJbN3UpeeE36w1jBRQqyK5GgKxFfWKafdFxLqCKb37p7rSYeCzl?locale=en_GB\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">statement<\/a> to contest this account, call for calm as its Facebook page is flooded with negative reviews, and ask that its customers&#8217; anger not be directed at employees.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;We would like to address some of the negativity and aggression we have received today,&#8221; the store wrote. &#8220;Today we ran the release of the Pok\u00e9mon 30th Anniversary set in a way that we genuinely believed would best support our customers, maintain fairness and help reduce scalping. Unfortunately, we were never going to have enough stock to meet the demand, and we understand that this was disappointing for people who were unable to get everything they wanted.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;What we cannot accept, however, is that this disappointment has been directed towards our staff. Our staff work incredibly hard to make the shop a welcoming place for everyone. We are always happy to listen to genuine feedback, but abuse, aggression or threats towards our team are not acceptable under any circumstances. Anyone who has threatened or abused a member of our staff will not be welcome in our store.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;We would also like to address the suggestion that certain people, including well-known individuals, were given special treatment today. This is simply not true. We did not know that any famous people were attending until we saw them outside. They were not allowed in early, they were not given extra stock, and they were subject to exactly the same one of each product per-person limits as everyone else. They happened to be second in the queue when we opened, and no member of our team allowed them to skip the queue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/09\/17\/gettyimages-1793540988-1789658576411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/a><figcaption data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 jsx-479945570 article-image-caption\">Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon. Image credit: Kate Green\/Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Despite the statement, the negative reviews remain. &#8220;30th celebrations release was a joke, store ordered 25 ETBs, chased customers down the road to prevent queuing which we all respected and understood as a method to combat scalping etc, yet quickly changed their minds when Joe Swash turned up, parked outside the store (another thing they said publically we were not to do) and then allowed him with his wife and multiple children to jump the queue and buy the majority of the stock. Outrageous display of poor management and poor choices, staff should be ashamed,&#8221; reads one comment.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Breaks protocol to sell to &#8216;celebrities&#8217; who only purchased product to flip on their whatnot site, then makes a sob story post as if they&#8217;re the victims when customers notice,&#8221; wrote another. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Horrendous behavior,&#8221; wrote a third. &#8220;Everyone was told to not queue before 11.30am and do not loiter around the front of the shop, even in your motors. Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon, along with three other people, got out of their van, parked directly outside the shop, walked straight in past everyone and came out with half of the stock. Around 10 customers then came out with stock, until we had to be told by a customer who received nothing, that they were now out of stock. Hundreds of customers have been let down by you and your staff today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2896921488 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Play.59e5540b.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Geek Retreat Chelmsford said it did allow some regular customers to pre-order stock, but acknowledged that there was simply no way to avoid some disappointment &#8220;when demand massively exceeds supply.&#8221; No comment was made on where Swash and Solomon parked, or how many cards they and their children bought overall.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Yesterday, we reported on <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/30th-anniversary-pokemon-cards-spark-enormous-queues-and-ghost-chairs-criticism-as-retailers-hike-prices\">the long queues and the phenomenon of &#8220;ghost chairs&#8221; outside stores in the U.K., France, and the U.S.<\/a>, as some fans waited in line for days ahead of the 30th Anniversary card set going on sale.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pok\u00e9mon cards have become a prime target for scalpers and thieves over the past few years due to their soaring popularity and the perceived value of rare cards. New card releases frequently sell out completely, and The Pok\u00e9mon Company has appeared unable to keep up with demand \u2014 <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/10-billion-pokemon-cards-were-printed-last-year-and-it-still-wasnt-enough-to-stop-shortages-and-scalping\">despite a staggering 10 billion cards printed last year alone<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Earlier this week, one millionaire Pok\u00e9mon collector suggested that <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/if-the-world-suffered-an-apocalypse-tomorrow-the-global-currency-would-be-pokemon-cards-collector-and-venture-capitalist-claims\">the cards will likely be used as currency following a global apocalypse<\/a>. Looking to start your collection? We&#8217;ve also got a list of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/most-expensive-pokemon-cards-2026\">the 10 most expensive Pok\u00e9mon cards of 2026 so far<\/a>, and a <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/pokemon-tcg-delta-reign-etb-first-look\">first look at Mega Evolution&#8217;s Delta Reign expansion<\/a>, set to release in November this year.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Image credit: Kate Green\/Getty Images.<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<section class=\"author-sign-off\" data-cy=\"author-sign-off\"><span class=\"stack jsx-59817748 jsx-1927875859\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-444076027 jsx-4218469134 profile-thumb jsx-2141281959 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-1-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Phillips Avatar\" class=\"progressive-image profile-thumb-img jsx-249361588 jsx-2338608387 expand\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/avatars\/682ae571844d33001df37887\/bafkreidcdvzaebn4npc6hj3ffj6fzlg3kqnfpgazyarf24lfrnboi6lzbe-1747728739638.jpg?crop=1%3A1&amp;width=56&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=80\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-3630940851\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-702910195 author-sign-off-header\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/person\/tomphillipsIGN\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 jsx-2809511915 bold underlined\">Tom Phillips<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 muted\">News Editor<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-1220387432\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"author-sign-off-socials\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 author-sign-off-socials\"><button type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"listbox\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"View social links\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 socials-trigger\"><span title=\"X\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 social-icon-avatar\"><span class=\"ign-icon jsx-2877214176 jsx-2750866048 jsx-2788214270\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"jsx-2877214176\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><span title=\"Bluesky\" class=\"jsx-2877214176 social-icon-avatar\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon jsx-2877214176 jsx-2750866048 jsx-2788214270\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"jsx-2877214176\" alt loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Bluesky.d8b4aa9b.svg?cors=0\"><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div role=\"listbox\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2772765485 jsx-4243969252 jsx-3705869475 dropdown-menu jsx-3625955085\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/@tomphillipsEG\" id=\"author-sign-off-social-twitterHandle\" class=\"menu-item jsx-3565735818 jsx-3927327418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 menu-item-text\" data-text=\"X\">X<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"ign-icon icon-twitter jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"icon-twitter\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Twitter.d0b97af5.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" id=\"author-sign-off-social-blueskyUrl\" class=\"menu-item jsx-3565735818 jsx-3927327418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 menu-item-text\" data-text=\"Bluesky\">Bluesky<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon icon-bluesky jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"icon-bluesky\" alt loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Bluesky.d8b4aa9b.svg?cors=0\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 sign-off-text\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A British Pok\u00e9mon card store has denied giving celebrities special treatment during a 30th Anniversary Pok\u00e9mon card launch that left customers who had queued for hours empty handed. Geek Retreat Chelmsford, a gaming and collectible retailer in southern England, was one of the thousands of stores to hold a special opening yesterday, in order to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-2149637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2149637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2149637"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2149637\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2149637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2149637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2149637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}