Level Up Games & Hobbies — Local services in Knoxville

Limits, broken seals, and near secondary pricing.

My wife and I decided to come here on the recent Pokémon Black Bolt and White Flare release day. We got there about 10:30 and got in line as the store was set to open at noon. We were the 12th and 13th in line so we felt like we had a good chance of getting the new set.

At about 11:45 the manager came out and gave us a run down of what each person would be allowed to purchase. The rules were that you could choose one of each product. So even though it was a duel set release you could only get an ETB for one of the two sets, one poster collection for one of the two sets and so on. I think this is fair as it means more people have a chance to get the new set on release day. Then they explained that they would be breaking the seal of the products to help prevent scalping. This is where I started to get a little frustrated as I have a small sealed collection and although I do open most of my cards I like it to be on my terms when im ready to open it. Because of the limits I thought this was excessive but I was so excited to get my hand on the new set I decided to stay and purchase cards, knowing the rules. Where they really lost me is when I got to check out I saw the prices they were charging for the product. They are charging closer to secondary price than MSRP. I understand a markup with how high demand is, especially from a local shop that employees fellow community members. But the price combined with the limit AND cutting the seals seemed excessive.

I was expecting them to tell us that we would have to rip the packs there and give them any hits so we couldn't sell or trade those either.

I totally understand trying to prevent scalping and some of the measures they used are appropriate on their own but once you start combining these measures it ends up making the experience worse for collectors too.

What I dont understand is everyone in that line was a regular. Half of us were literally playing matches while waiting. Almost everyone in line I have personally seen at Level Up, or Turn 1 in Oak Ridge.

So why treat us like we are doing something wrong, like we have another motive besides just enjoying our hobby?

I hope Level Up will respond to this, maybe you they enlighten me to how these decisions were made and update me on if they think it went as planned or if you have any plans to amend these policies in the future. As of now I plan on taking my business elsewhere. With the current state of the hobby, any company will be able to sell through their stock of Pokémon with whatever strange rules they set in place. But when demand dies off again, as it always does, I will still be buying Pokémon cards, and I will be reflecting on the places that are doing it right at the most trying time this hobby has ever seen, and I will be going to those places first.

I've bought many singles and other sealed product here in the past with nothing but good experiences so im going to give this place a 3 star review even in light of this less than ideal release day experience. With the proper response id be open to...

*Update - I received my bonus last week. Was going to buy 2 cases of Ikoria (12 boxes,) to celebrate. I won't be supporting my local LGS in Knoxville. Storefronts scamming customers out of promos is one of the reasons why people hate storefronts. Hopefully this will help another collector not make the same mistake I did.

I came at noon on release day of Theros, Beyond death, purchased 681$ worth of merchandise and they will not give me buy a box promos. "We ran out," at noon, on release day. Sounds to me like they are keeping them to sell as singles, but that is just speculation. I will not shop here again.

*Note added after the store's response: If your store is going to hold back on 80$ worth of merchandise, merchandise that should be included with a purchase, you should notify the customer before they make a NON REFUNDABLE $700 PURCHASE. I have notified Wizards of the Coast about your store's behavior. They probably won't care, but I let them know. It was release day. You are acting like the store in the mall, I tried to buy an overpriced $500 box of UMA, when the clerk opens the booster box and takes the box topper out. I will not spend my money at your...

Im torn. I have been burned MULTIPLE times by showing up for scheduled events that don’t run for various reasons with no communication prior to me arriving that the event wouldn’t run. For example, for an MTG prerelease event this weekend, I adjusted my entire weekend work schedule around trying to make sure I could attend this event. I show up 10 minutes before only to be told that they don’t have enough kits to run the event and that it’s not happening. It’s really a shame because the atmosphere is great and the staff is great, and this is nothing against what they’ve built as a store, but it’s just very poor business practice to schedule events and then have people show up for those events only to have them not happen. Event a simple Facebook post saying it’s not happening, or SOMETHING. But it’s just a total shot in the dark as to whether or not I’ll be able to play anything if I take time out of my week to drive 20+ minutes each way to come here. Not sure I’ll be stopping in for any events...