Flashfire set being sold early

[Hunter Blade]

I was at Walmart today and happened to pass by the TCG section and saw they were selling cards from the Flashfire expansion, so I grabbed a few packs, got some cool cards, didn't think too much about it. However, since I'm going to Japan on Tuesday, I remembered that they weren't supposed to be released in America until after I was in already in Japan.

So.... is it illegal/against Nintendo of America's rules for Walmart to be selling the cards 5 days before the release date, or do they have some sort of deal that allows them to do it? I'm curious since companies have gotten in trouble for things like this in the past.

 

[Maverick Nate]

Cards are sold though the distributors to vendors, who stock the shelves at all the stores around (Target, Walmart, Kmart, Walgreens, etc). TCG sets end up just getting put into the store when the vendors get them, which tends to be the week before the set is released. It isn't terrible. It's better than not having the product until days after. It's just how it ends up most of the time.

 

[Hunter Blade]

Alright. I was just surprised since the last couple sets that have come out haven't been shelved until the actual release date or slightly after at this particular store.