The wild few years Pokemon TCG has had seem to only get a bit more wild as the months go on. After selling out of all Pokemon TCG products in Japan earlier this year (see "Sells Out of 'Pokemon TCG' Products in Japan"), the powerful brand caused a stir at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam recently. The museum had installed an exhibit aimed at children where they could see Pokemon rendered as Van Gogh paintings, draw Pikachu, learn about art, and receive a free "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat" promo for completing a scavenger hunt in the museum.
The educational intent of this exhibit, of course, didn't last long once the Pokemon adult fans and resellers got involved. Trainers swarmed the museum to pick up the promos, and started selling them for hundreds of dollars on eBay (highest recorded sale was around $730). Needless to say, the Van Gogh Museum ran out of promos fast. The Pokemon Company caught wind of the depletion of promo stock, and decided to offer the "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat" promo up through the Pokemon Center. Fans can now get this promo with a minimum $30 purchase from their online store.