Frequently asked questions

There's no need to ask us for the date or time a pre-order will go live, or for a product restock date —whether by private message, on social media, or by email. We never share this information privately: it's the only way to guarantee everyone an equal opportunity.

The announcement is made on our Instagram. But the most reliable way to avoid missing a launch is the stock alert, available directly on the product page: activate it and you'll automatically receive an email as soon as it's online. (Remember to check that your account is created and active, and that your shipping address is already entered.)

A word about how we operate: some sellers launch pre-orders even before receiving confirmation of their allocations, while others rely on your pre-orders to pay their suppliers. At DestockTCG, we prefer to receive and inspect the products before selling them to you. Therefore, we only open pre-orders a few days before release (a few weeks in rare cases). There's no need to email us months in advance.

Please do not ask us about future prices, benefits, reservations, or additional quantities. This is the only way we can remain impartial. Thank you.

When a product is marked "backordered," it means it is currently unavailable for sale. Rather than marking it as out of stock (when we are certain we no longer have it), we prefer to mark it as backordered: this way, you can leave your email address on the product page and be notified first as soon as it is back in stock.

As supplier availability can sometimes be unpredictable, we cannot guarantee that a restocked product will be back in stock quickly. We simply commit to doing everything we can to obtain it.

For the sake of transparency, please note that we do not update the prices of products that are not currently in stock. Therefore, the displayed price may change, after verification, when the product is restocked.

Often, you don't read the General Terms and Conditions of Sale (GTC)! They're long, a bit boring, and rarely exciting. We understand. Yet, that's where the rights and responsibilities of each of us, as customer and merchant, are explained.

Often, the best way to avoid a problem for us is simply to prevent you from buying: for example, if you have multiple accounts, or if you try to order beyond the allowed limit.

The two most important rules are as follows:

• The order limit (the maximum allowed in the basket) is understood to be per day (per 24-hour period) and per household (same person and/or same home).
• No multiple accounts.

We have developed several tools to block accounts that do not comply with these rules. False positives may occur; in any case, the only way to resolve the issue is to send an email to customer support.

The site is not intended to serve professionals; it is designed to serve the end customer, an individual, who orders for their personal enjoyment and collection.

We have set up a pre-registration form for professionals, but we have no processing time due to the number of requests. We receive approximately 50 emails per day, continuously for months, generally written via chatgpt, and we have stopped responding to them.

It's no secret that if you just want to buy as many Pokémon 30th Anniversary items as possible, we'd advise you not to waste any time. We're distributing this stock directly to individuals through our website.

FOMO is the fear of missing out. In TCGs, it's buying a display or booster pack in a hurry because you think it will soon be unavailable or more expensive tomorrow. The term comes from the English "Fear Of Missing Out" : literally, "the fear of missing out."

An example that every collector is familiar with

A new expansion is released. Hype is building on social media, pre-orders are showing "sold out" everywhere, and the price is climbing in a few weeks.
The result: we whip out our credit cards without thinking, just to avoid being the one who missed out. That's exactly what FOMO is: it's not the need that triggers the purchase, it's the fear of missing out.

True rarity versus false rarity

The key is to differentiate between two situations.
- The FOMO is justified: some expansions are indeed printed in limited quantities. Once the stock is depleted, there are no reprints, and the price on the second-hand market only increases. In this case, buying upon release is a really good decision.
- Induced FOMO: Conversely, part of the "scarcity" is manufactured. Stock is artificially displayed at low prices, a countdown is launched, and hype is inflated on social media. The expansion eventually becomes widely available, and the price drops once the initial excitement subsides. In this case, the urgency only serves to make you buy faster and at a higher price.

How to avoid being scammed

Before making a hasty purchase, ask yourself three simple questions:
- Did I really want this product before seeing the offer?
- Is this a confirmed rarity or just marketing hype?
- Can I find him somewhere else, when I'm more relaxed?

If you hesitate, it's often because of FOMO, not your real desire.

At DestockTCG, we prefer to sell you a product because it genuinely interests you, not because we pressured you. A well-considered purchase is a repeat customer.

We would like to provide you with a non-exhaustive list of best practices to help you determine if a website is reliable, unreliable, or completely unreliable. We don't claim to know everything or how to 100% avoid scams; we simply believe that after reading these points, you will be better informed. In any case, always remember, "if in doubt, there is no doubt" (meaning, if the slightest doubt remains, don't take the risk).

You're about to order a display, a box set, or a pre-order, and you want to be sure you're dealing with a reputable shop. That's a good idea: the sealed TCG market attracts scammers, and checking a seller before buying only takes two minutes. This page explains how to recognize a trustworthy site, and why DestockTCG is one. Here are the steps to take to order with peace of mind, on any website or marketplace.

1. Verify that the seller is a legitimate company

A reputable shop doesn't hide behind an anonymous website.

• Look for the legal information : company name, registration number (SIREN), address, contact details. If it's missing or cannot be found, don't buy.
• Read the terms and conditions of sale : the return and refund procedures must be clearly written.
• Make sure that a customer service department is reachable (email, form) and that they actually respond.

2. Beware of prices that are too low

A display price 30% below market value is almost never a good deal. It's often the bait of a seller who takes the money but never delivers, or who sells counterfeit goods. A good price does exist; an "impossible" price hides a trap.

3. Always pay with a secure method.

The payment method determines who bears the risk. It's your best protection.

• Prefer using a bank card or PayPal Goods & Services , which offer buyer protection.
• Refuse any seller who demands a direct bank transfer , crypto , a gift card or a PayPal between friends : no recourse possible in case of a problem.
• Check that the payment page is secure : address in https and padlock in the browser.

A seller who refuses all protected payment and pushes for bank transfer: that's the number one warning sign.

4. Read real reviews

• Look for reviews outside the site : Google, Trustpilot, Verified Reviews, Facebook groups and community forums.
• Type the seller's name followed by "scam" or "reviews" into Google. The TCG community quickly flags suspicious sellers.
• Beware of a site that only displays perfect and recent 5-star reviews on its own page: they may be fabricated.

5. Beware of fake websites and social networks

• Check the exact address of the site: scammers copy real names by changing a letter or the extension.
• On Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, Leboncoin, or via Instagram private messages, be extra cautious. A seller who insists on leaving the platform and demanding immediate payment is almost always suspicious.
• A very recent account that is selling off large quantities of stock at bargain prices should raise a red flag.
• Request a dated photo of the actual product (item + a piece of paper with the date handwritten) rather than a generic image.

6. Spot the fake seal

• Favor sellers whose product origin you can trace.
• On some batches, a resealed product can be identified by the creases in the plastic, the seal, the weight, or the barcode. Request clear photos of the edges and the bottom.
• A lot "without original box" at a rock-bottom price should make you suspicious.

7. Pre-orders: know what you're paying for

Pre-ordering is normal in the TCG (you reserve a product before its release), but you pay in advance.

• Pre-order only from an identified and contactable seller, with protected payment.
• Check the announced release date and the policy in case of delay or cancellation.
• An unusually low pre-order price should make you suspicious, not excited.

8. At reception, keep your proof

• Keep your order confirmation and package tracking information .
• If you have any problems (damaged package, missing or non-compliant product), contact customer service with photos . A legitimate store will handle the issue; a scam will disappear.
• In case of proven fraud: open a dispute with PayPal or request a chargeback from your bank, and report the seller.

In summary: the checklist before paying

Before confirming an order, please check that:

1. The legal notices and the terms and conditions are present and complete;
2. the price is not abnormally low;
3. Payment is made by card or protected method, on a secure page;
4. Opinions exist outside of the site;
5. Customer service is identifiable and responsive.

If these five points are met, you can order with peace of mind.