How we verify every item we sell

The Retailer is a verified secondary-market reseller. We don't manufacture, and we're not an authorised distributor. We curate inventory through a network of trusted sellers and verified marketplaces, then verify every item ourselves before it ships.

How we source

We work with a curated network of trusted Australian and international sellers, plus verified collector marketplaces. Every item is screened, photographed, and inspected by our team before being listed. If an item doesn't pass our verification process, we don't list it — full stop.

The four-step verification process for sealed Pokémon TCG

  1. Factory seal inspection. Every box is inspected for original manufacturer shrink wrap. We check for resealing artefacts: tape on the bottom, generic clear shrink, misaligned seams, or any sign the wrap has been opened and replaced.
  2. Barcode & print verification. The product's barcode and external print are matched against the official Pokémon TCG product database for that set and release date. We catch reprints sold as first prints, and we catch counterfeit print runs.
  3. Packaging integrity check. Box edges, shrink wrap branding (real modern boxes have logos printed directly on the plastic), and visible pack alignment inside windowed products are confirmed against reference samples.
  4. Variant disambiguation. Pokémon Center exclusive SKUs are labelled separately from general retail SKUs (the difference matters: Pokémon Center ETBs include extra packs and a stamped promo). Language is confirmed and labelled — EN, JP, KR — so there's no relabelled-import confusion.

Counterfeit refund guarantee

If you receive an item you believe is not authentic, contact us within 7 days of delivery and we'll refund you in full and investigate. We will also share the inspection notes from our verification process so you can see exactly what we checked.

Sneakers

For sneakers, every pair is sourced by our team and personally verified by our team before dispatch. The same counterfeit refund guarantee applies. If a pair arrives that you believe is not authentic, contact us within 7 days for a full refund.

Questions about a specific product

If you'd like inspection photos of a specific sealed item before purchasing, email us at support@theretailer.com.au and we'll send detailed photos of the factory seal, barcode, and outer condition. We do this regularly for sealed product over $500.