THE latest release of a world-famous collectable card game has taken Andover by storm.
Eager collectors crowded outside Collecteebles in the Chantry Centre to buy the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Journey Together Elite Trainer Box and Booster Packs.
The shop had 60 boxes for sale and, even at £50 each, more than 70 per cent sold 20 minutes after opening.
Curtis Tee, 34, the owner of the shop, said the enthusiasm shown by his customers was "phenomenal."
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"I can't imagine we'll have any [Elite Trainer Boxes] by lunchtime. We burnt through 70 per cent in 20 minutes. The high street isn't dead, it just needs some love."
Curtis was asked why people were so excited by the new release. He said: "I don't know, I wish I understood it. I think it's the excitement and doing it with others."
One of the happy customers who bought a box and cards was Nikita Aeckerle, 31, a nurse who is currently living in Andover but originally from New Foundland, Canada.
She collected Pokemon cards during the pandemic, spending around C$ 3,000, but she was picking up the new release for her boyfriend.
Nikita said: "It just gets sold-out everywhere and everyone's jumping to get it. Once you collect them, the value goes up and, when you sell, they're worth a lot more."
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Nikita was asked if her boyfriend was going to be happy with the new box. She said: "Oh, he's going to be happy. He's probably spent around £2,000, but does the full set of each one that comes out."
There are releases every three months but collectors who bought this release remarked that it was good value for money and had good cards.
Jack Holder, 18, a photographer, who was with a group in the store, said: "It's a fun set with much better cards than before. [The] price is really good and the availability worked out really well."
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