Massachusetts Shaw's Stores Now Have Pokémon Vending Machines

Parents thinking it is safe to bring your Pokémon-obsessed child to the supermarket without having to dish out money for packs of trading cards, beware: Pokémon have invaded Massachusetts through vending machines at Shaw’s Supermarkets.

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As it turns out, though, it’s not just the kids who want to collect ‘em all.

The vending machines contain packs of Pokémon trading cards and other items such as collector packs and tins. Prices can run from $4.49 for a single pack of cards to $49.99 for a trainer box to $161.64 for a 36-pack display box.

However, they don’t seem to last very long before the machine is completely wiped out.

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Last week, we saw the machine inside the Dartmouth Shaw’s being refilled by the vending company with fresh packs on Sunday, and the machine was totally sold out of all products by Tuesday afternoon.

We spoke with David, a manager at Shaw’s, who said that’s been the case every time it’s been filled with new Pokémon cards for the close to a month that the machine has been in the store.

“As soon as he comes and fills it up, it sells out within minutes,” he said.

David told us that the vending machine employee told him that when he went to fill up the machine at the Plymouth Shaw’s, there was already a line of 30 people waiting for him to stock it.

“It seems like there are more adults than kids buying them,” David said. “They’re buying them and re-selling them.”

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What Exactly Are Pokémon Card Vending Machines?

The Pokémon Center website calls the machines “a fun way to purchase Pokémon Trading Card Game products through the convenience of a vending machine,” and that they are “stocked with Elite Trainer Boxes, Booster Packs and so many more TCG products.”

They’re electronic vending machines that take debit or credit cards (not cash) and dispense a variety of Pokémon trading card products.

When they’re actually in stock, that is.

Where to Find Pokémon Card Vending Machines

Shaw’s locations in Dartmouth, Fall River, Plymouth and Wareham are among the 23 locations in the Bay State where these new vending machines are found. They are all Shaw’s stores except for one, the Star Market in Marshfield.

Rhode Island also has them in the Shaw’s locations in East Providence, Middletown, Riverside and Wakefield.

The Pokémon Center website also has a state-by-state list of where to find the vending machines.

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One Thing to Remember About Pokémon Card Vending Machines

The stores themselves don’t have anything to do with the machines. According to David, they are stocked and maintained by the vending machine company.

However, if you do have an issue with the machines, you can call the Pokémon Automated Retail Vending Machine Support Team at (866) 872-4790, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time. You can also submit your issue via email.

The Pokémon Center website also states that “all sales are final.”