Costco Shoppers Fight for Prismatic Evolutions Pokemon Cards

The Pokemon Company released Prismatic Evolutions in January 2025 as part of the Year of Eevee celebration. Eevee is one of the most popular Pokemon in the franchise, and its eight evolutions (collectively called Eeveelutions) have massive collector followings.

The set features Special Illustration Rare versions of all the Eeveelutions with gorgeous full-art treatment by different artists. These aren’t just rare cards. They’re the cards collectors have wanted for years with production quality that matches the demand.

The set dropped with limited print runs right as Pokemon cards were already heating up from momentum that started building in late 2024. Surging Sparks released in November 2024 and introduced valuable chase cards that got people opening packs again.

Prismatic Evolutions hit in January with the exact cards collectors wanted, in quantities that didn’t meet demand. That combination created the scarcity that’s driving current prices.

The real accelerant was Pokemon TCG Pocket, the mobile app that launched in late 2024 and brought millions of casual fans back to the franchise. These aren’t hardcore collectors who know secondary market prices.

They’re people who played Pokemon as kids, downloaded the free app, got nostalgic, and suddenly want physical cards again. That demographic surge is why Costco can’t keep product in stock and why fights are breaking out over cardboard.

Prismatic Evolutions singles are where the real money lives. The Umbreon ex Special Illustration Rare sits at $1,500+ on eBay with confirmed sold listings at that level. Umbreon has always been the most popular Eeveelution among collectors, so this price makes sense given scarcity and demand.

Flareon ex started at $220 when the set released and has climbed to $320+ in just the past month, defying typical market patterns where prices drop after initial release hype.

The other Eeveelutions occupy the $200-600 range depending on popularity and pull rates. Vaporeon, Jolteon, Espeon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon all have Special Illustration Rare versions in the set, and all of them are flipping for multiples over what similar rarity cards from other recent sets command.

Sealed product like booster boxes and Elite Trainer Boxes are moving even faster than singles in some markets. A Prismatic Evolutions booster box costs $150-180 at retail when you can actually find one. They’re selling for $250-300 immediately on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Elite Trainer Boxes retail around $50 and flip for $80-100. The sealed product market is hot because people want to open packs for the chase, and stores can’t keep anything in stock.

TCGPlayer price tracking shows Prismatic Evolutions cards climbing week over week when most Pokemon sets see prices decline after the first month. Cards that were $50 in February are $80 now. Cards that were $200 are $350. This isn’t speculators buying everything. This is genuine collector demand exceeding available supply, which creates sustainable price increases as long as The Pokemon Company doesn’t flood the market with reprints.

Supply constraints are the obvious answer, but it’s more nuanced than that. The Pokemon Company learned from past mistakes where they overprinted sets and crashed values. They’re being more conservative with print runs now, which protects collector confidence but creates short-term scarcity. Prismatic Evolutions got a standard first printing, then The Pokemon Company underestimated demand when they planned the second wave.

The Eeveelutions themselves drive premium pricing because they’re among the most beloved Pokemon characters. Eevee merchandise consistently outsells most other Pokemon. The evolutions represent different player types and aesthetics, so everyone has a favorite. When you combine character popularity with beautiful card artwork and genuine scarcity, prices spike.

Pokemon’s 30th anniversary in 2026 is creating anticipation that’s pulling demand forward into 2025. Collectors expect anniversary products and special releases next year, so they’re buying aggressively now to position themselves. Market analysts tracking Pokemon cards saw similar patterns leading into the 25th anniversary in 2021, though that boom was amplified by pandemic factors that aren’t present now.

Prismatic Evolutions is a genuine phenomenon driven by character popularity, quality artwork, supply constraints, and broader Pokemon momentum heading into the 30th anniversary. The Costco fights are real, the $1,500 cards are real, and the profit opportunities are real if you can source at retail.

For resellers, the play is finding sealed product at retail and flipping immediately for $50-100 profit per box. Holding sealed product through 2026 could work, but reprints create downside risk. Singles at current prices are for collectors, not flippers, unless you’re specifically targeting long-term holds of 3-5 years.

The broader Pokemon market is hot right now, with overall card values up 20% in recent months. Prismatic Evolutions is the flagship set driving that momentum, but it’s not an isolated situation. Other recent sets like Surging Sparks are also performing well. If you’re interested in Pokemon cards, now is the time to learn the market, but not necessarily the time to buy at peak prices.