The Pokémon Company and GameStop have partnered to distribute free codes for rare Shiny Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet from September 26 to October 15 at GameStops and EB Games locations.
Fans can obtain a code for either a Shiny Koraidon or Miraidon without making a purchase. However, reports indicate that local stores are running out of codes weeks before the promotion’s end, with some locations stating they will not receive more. Additionally, some stores are giving out codes only with other purchases, contrary to official guidelines.
Limited supplies of physical cards with codes have attracted scalpers, especially coinciding with a new Trading Card Game set release. Some codes are being listed for sale on platforms like eBay, with prices varying. Even low prices represent profit for scalpers, as the codes are intended to be free.
“Adding scarcity to a digital good just emboldens some of the worst people to keep taking advantage of other fans.”
— [Commentator], [Source]