Pokémon LEGO Sets Are Already Going for Absolutely Ridiculous Prices on eBay Thanks to Scalpers

It took less than 48 hours for history to repeat itself. Following the monumental announcement on January 12 that LEGO had finally secured the Pokémon license—ending Mattel’s decade-long run with Mega Construx—the collecting world went into a frenzy. Fans have waited over 25 years for official LEGO Pokémon sets, and the demand was predictably astronomical.

However, the dream has quickly turned into a nightmare for the average consumer. As of this morning, pre-orders for the flagship sets have completely evaporated from official retailers, only to reappear on eBay at eye-watering markups. The situation highlights a growing problem in the hobbyist market: the weaponization of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) through exclusive “Gift With Purchase” (GWP) items.

If you are wondering why a box of plastic bricks is currently trading for the price of a used car, here is the full breakdown of the market chaos.

The “Holy Grail” Driving the Prices: The Kanto Badge Collection

While the main sets are expensive, the real driver of the scalping frenzy isn’t the Charizard or Pikachu models themselves—it’s a small, unassuming box that you technically cannot buy.

The Controversial GWP Strategy

To incentivize early adoption, LEGO announced a strict promotional item: the Kanto Region Badge Collection (Set #40892).

• What it is: A limited-edition framed display of the 8 original Gym Badges built from rare metallic LEGO tiles.

• How to get it: You must pre-order the massive $650 “Kanto Starters Trio” set.

• The Catch: This GWP was limited to the first 20,000 orders globally.

This artificial scarcity created a “perfect storm.” Scalpers used bots to sweep up the pre-orders for the $650 set within minutes on January 12. Now, they are “parting out” the order. They are selling the free Badge Collection separately for upwards of $300 to $400 USD on eBay—pure profit derived from a bonus item.

The Sets: What Is Being Scalped?

The launch wave features three distinct products, all releasing officially on Pokémon Day (February 27, 2026). Here is the current market status for each.

1. The Titan: Kanto Starters Trio (Set #72153)

• Retail Price: $649.99

• eBay Price: $1,000 – $1,200

• Piece Count: 6,838

• Details: This 18+ display set features fully articulated, large-scale builds of Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise. It is the largest “pop culture” set LEGO has ever produced, surpassing the famous Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon in localized demand. Because this is the only way to get the Badges, stock was decimated instantly.

2. The Icon: Pikachu & Poké Ball (Set #72152)

• Retail Price: $199.99

• eBay Price: $350+

• Details: A 2,050-piece dynamic statue of Pikachu leaping from a Poké Ball with electric distinct transparent blue bricks. While less scarce than the Trio, it is sold out on the official store due to the sheer popularity of the mascot.

3. The Entry Point: Eevee (Set #72151)

• Retail Price: $59.99

• Status: Still intermittently available.

• Analysis: Scalpers have largely ignored this set as the profit margins are too thin, making it the only “safe” purchase for casual fans right now.

Why Is This Happening Now? (The Mega vs. LEGO Shift)

To understand the ferocity of this market, one must look at the licensing history. For years, the Pokémon construction toy license was held by Mega (formerly Mega Bloks/Mega Construx). While Mega produced quality sets, the brand never commanded the high-end “investor” market that LEGO does.

When the Mega license expired in December 2025, collectors knew a LEGO collaboration was imminent. LEGO sets are viewed not just as toys, but as alternative asset classes.

• The “LEGO Premium”: A sealed LEGO set often appreciates in value by 10-15% annually after retirement.

• The Pokémon Multiplier: Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise in history.

Combining these two factors has attracted “investment scalpers”—people who have no interest in building the sets but see them as stocks to be flipped. The current eBay listings are essentially “futures contracts,” selling a promise to ship the item once it releases in late February.

Consumer Advice: Should You Buy Now?

If you are staring at an eBay listing for the Kanto Badge Collection or the Charizard set, put your wallet away. Here is the expert advice for navigating this volatile market.

1. Do Not Feed the Scalpers

The $650 Kanto Starters Trio is a standard retail release. It is not a limited edition. LEGO will restock this set throughout 2026. The current shortage is purely due to the pre-order rush for the Badge bonus. By April or May, you will likely find this box sitting on shelves at standard retail price.

2. The Badge Collection is Gone (For Now)

The bad news is that the Kanto Region Badge Collection is likely gone for good as a GWP. However, LEGO often releases similar polybags or smaller sets later in the lifecycle. Paying $300 for it now is a high-risk move, as the market could flood once the scalpers actually receive their shipments in February.

3. Check Local Retailers

While the online LEGO Store is drained, physical retailers (Target, Walmart, Smyths Toys) often have separate allocation pools for pre-orders that open closer to the February 27 launch date.

Conclusion: A Bittersweet Victory for Fans

The arrival of LEGO Pokémon is a monumental moment for the hobby, representing the merging of two creative giants. The designs are spectacular, offering a level of polish and “clutch power” that fans have craved for decades.

However, the launch has been marred by the predictable, yet preventable, greed of the secondary market. By locking the most nostalgic item (the Badges) behind the most expensive paywall, LEGO inadvertently handed scalpers a golden ticket.

As we approach Pokémon Day 2026, the community’s excitement is palpable, but so is the frustration. The message from the fanbase is clear: We want to build, not bid.