From Guesswork to Growth: How PokeBox Uses EQL to Scale Smarter
PokeBox didn’t want to just manage the demand around its Pokémon TCG set launches—they wanted to fully understand it. EQL gave them the data they needed to inform future allocation requests with confidence.
The Challenge
As a fast-growing collectibles retailer, PokeBox had a problem most businesses would envy: extreme demand for their Pokémon TCG releases. But along with the surging interest came the challenges of managing high-heat launches, and a gap in data that would be helpful for PokeBox to inform their future allocation requests.
Without better insight into what fans wanted—or a better way to serve them—PokeBox risked hitting a blocker on confidently requesting more inventory from distributors.
“We really needed a more sophisticated expression of interest than what we had. Then we found EQL.”
- Jesse Caio, Director at PokeBox
The Fix
With EQL, PokeBox introduced a verified launch experience that eliminated bots, improved fairness, and—critically—captured real-time demand signals from real fans.
“We’ve always relied on gut feel. But now, we can put a product up months in advance and see thousands of verified entries,” Jesse explained. “That tells us how much to order—and how much to fight for our fans.”
The platform’s value for PokeBox came in three key ways:
- Forecasting tool: EQL functions like a modern-day expression of interest, but with full payment details, showcasing fan commitment and giving PokeBox the confidence to scale orders.
- Allocation advocacy: PokeBox can now back up larger inventory requests with hard numbers and show distributors unmet demand.
- Operational relief: Instead of spending time managing manual pre-orders, launches now run mostly autonomously, freeing up the team’s time for other priorities.
“It allows us to get more product and more importantly, get more product to the consumer,” said Jesse.
The Outcome
PokeBox quickly saw improvements across product, operations, and community trust:
1. 3X demand signal over forecast—giving confidence to grow inventory requests
2. Full launch setup in under 24 hours
3. Reduction in customer support load
4. The data needed to ask for an increased supply for future launches
“Cash flow is king in a small business. EQL lets us see demand before we commit. That removes the fear of scaling. We used to launch on instinct. Now we launch with insight.”
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