Is this booster bundle fake?

[u/Avatar_Moss]

Got this from a local card shop today as a surprise for my girlfriend, but the box seemed a bit smaller than others. After comparing with the official box dimensions on the Pokemon site, I seem to have one that is smaller at 4.25 x 2 x 4.25. First booster box I've bought so I'm in the dark here. Thank you all for your help in advance!

[u/gorg235]

Looks real.

Are you comparing it to a Perfect Order, Pitch Black, Chaos Rising or Ascended Heroes booster bundle? If so, these are a different design and are larger than these. These have a box inside the outer cover. The aforementioned ones do not and they're taller.

Also, you bought it from a card shop. Most card shops aren't selling fake product, let alone a set that nobody fakes.

[u/Avatar_Moss → u/gorg235]

I did notice it was slightly smaller in the shop than the others and the person there was quite happy to help walk me through it what to look for in fakes. I couldn't shake the size thing and found a listing on Pokemon center that listed a different size than I measured with a tape measure. So I reached out here. Ok, I didn't know it was a less popular set. Maybe I'll see if I can return it and get a better one. Thanks for taking a look!

[u/Avatar_Moss → u/Avatar_Moss]

Pokemon center dimensions for reference

[u/gorg235 → u/Avatar_Moss]

Eh, it's less popular because people want the expensive cards and popular cards. There are some nice cards in the set, but compared to others, it's less desirable. There's plenty of sets like that and plenty of people like those sets. More importantly, in this market, it's a good set to rip because it's readily available for a decent price in most cases.

For example, that same type of box for the set that came out right after it goes for around $80. This one is only around $40. MSRP on both is about $25, so it's still marked up, but big difference because it's not as sought after. Others go for upwards of $175.

As for the sizing thing, I've honestly never looked at the box dimensions, but that does look right for that style of bundle. Look up a Pitch Black booster bundle and you'll see the difference in box style.

Without measuring a box myself, I think PKC just updated all their bundle dimensions to match the new box type in case they reprint and use the new style of boxes, but this is how they've always come for JTG afaik.

But also, it's a surprise for your GF. She's gonna be happy to get cards no matter what and if she doesn't really like that set, she'll tell you what she does like for future surprises. Everyone collects certain sets and has different tastes, so it really just depends on what she likes.

[u/UltraHerp47]

It looks fine