The Dark Side Of TCG Retail: Unpacking The Forge And Fire Gaming Controversy

Forge and Fire Gaming, a prominent name in the collectible card game (TCG) community, has recently become synonymous with controversy rather than its extensive inventory of Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon products. As of December 2025, the Maryland Heights, MO-based retailer, which operates a significant online presence via a website, TCGplayer, and a popular TikTok Shop, is under intense scrutiny for a series of alleged unprofessional and unethical business practices that have drawn the ire of customers, competitors, and the wider TCG market.

The company, which caters to collectors and players of games like Lorcana and Flesh and Blood TCG, is currently facing a wave of public complaints centered on controversial owner conduct, unfair preorder cancellations, and questionable inventory sourcing methods. This deep dive explores the current state of Forge and Fire Gaming, the individuals behind the business, and the specific incidents that have tarnished its reputation within the highly passionate world of tabletop gaming.

Key Figures and Company Profile

Forge and Fire Gaming LLC is primarily a hobby supplies retailer specializing in trading card games. While the company has a physical location in the St. Louis area, its business model heavily relies on online sales platforms. The following individuals are the most prominently associated figures in recent public discussions and business records:

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• Marc (Current Owner): Identified as the current owner and the central figure in many of the recent controversies. He is cited for his alleged "thoughtless" business decisions, including paying scalpers for product and engaging in public disputes with customers and smaller resellers.
• Devin Gardner (Associated Role): Listed in association with the St. Louis, MO location, suggesting a key management or administrative role within the company's operations.
• Steve (Former Owner): A former owner, known only by his first name in public forums, was mentioned by previous employees as a source of toxicity, indicating a history of controversial management within the company's past.
• Business Location: 2462 Schuetz Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043, USA.
• Core Products: Magic: The Gathering (MTG), Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, Flesh and Blood TCG, One Piece Card Game, and various other collectible card game singles and sealed products.
• Accreditation Status: Not a BBB Accredited Business.

The Cascade of Business Controversies and Shady Practices

The reputation of Forge and Fire Gaming has been significantly damaged by multiple, well-documented incidents that have circulated widely across Reddit communities (r/mtg, r/EDH, r/StLouis) and other TCG forums. The allegations paint a picture of a business prioritizing profit over ethical conduct and customer relations.

Allegations of Doxxing and Unprofessional Conduct

Perhaps the most severe allegation is the reported doxxing of a customer or smaller content creator. According to multiple public accounts, the owner responded to criticism on social media by allegedly posting the critic's full name, phone number, and email address online. This action is widely regarded as an extreme breach of professionalism, causing significant backlash and generating a toxic reputation for the company within the community.

Preorder Cancellations and Price Gouging

A recurring complaint involves the cancellation of customer preorders, particularly those placed at a lower Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The pattern suggests that Forge and Fire Gaming allegedly canceled preorders for popular sets, such as the *Journey Together* product, after the market price for the items had substantially increased. This practice forces customers to repurchase the product at the now-inflated market rate, leading to accusations of unfair business practices designed to maximize the store's profit at the customer's expense.

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The Scalping and Review-Trading Scandal

Owner Marc has been publicly called out for allegedly paying scalpers up to 90% of the TCG market value for product bundles sourced from big-box retailers like Sam's Club and Costco. This practice directly contributes to the scarcity of products for legitimate customers and local game stores (LGS), further fueling the scalper market—a key frustration point for TCG enthusiasts.

Furthermore, the company has been accused of "illegally trading positive reviews for discounted products." This alleged scheme involves offering customers reduced prices or incentives in exchange for favorable reviews, artificially inflating the company's public rating on platforms like TCGplayer and its own storefront.

The Impact on the TCG Community and Market

The continuous stream of controversies surrounding Forge and Fire Gaming has had a tangible effect on the broader TCG landscape, particularly in the St. Louis area and among online collectors.

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Erosion of Trust in Online Retail

The incidents highlight a growing distrust among consumers regarding large online TCG sellers, especially those who operate a high-volume business model through third-party platforms like the TikTok Shop and Walmart. Customers are increasingly wary of placing preorders, fearing a repeat of the mass cancellations that occurred with products like *Duskmourn* and the One Piece Card Game.

The Ethics of Inventory Sourcing

The debate over the owner's alleged practice of buying from scalpers has intensified the conversation around ethical inventory sourcing. Many in the community believe that a Certified Hobby Shop and TCGplayer Gold Star Seller should uphold higher standards, supporting the health of the game rather than contributing to the inflated prices and supply issues created by scalpers. The focus on acquiring bulk product, even through controversial means, suggests a shift in focus from community building to pure volume-based retail.

Internal Business Practices and Employee Relations

Internal issues have also surfaced, including a reported attempt to make employees sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). While this effort was reportedly short-lived, it suggests a management environment struggling with internal stability and control over its public narrative, likely in response to the growing external criticism.

In conclusion, while Forge and Fire Gaming remains a significant seller of popular TCGs like Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, its current standing in the gaming world is heavily defined by a long list of ethical and business controversies. The core intention of the company seems to be shifting from a community-focused LGS to a high-volume, profit-driven online retailer, a transformation that has come at the cost of its reputation and customer trust in late 2025.