TPC has been doing this in-store crap since the GBA days iirc, getting people to buy things in-store, specifically Pokemon merch, has always been the goal
And also, if any employee says you need to buy something for the code, no you don't. I've walked in and out multiple times leaving with just the code
And also, if any employee says you need to buy something for the code, no you don't. I've walked in and out multiple times leaving with just the code