This thread started a week & a half ago, and nothing has got better - ie I have not seen any series 5, WA packs anywhere for sale except at scalper prices.
I'm in the UK. I made the decision to buy the RV cards I really wanted singly via ebay - I got 5 this way, it cost a fair amount, but I couldn't buy the packs & even if I could, there are only 3 cards per pack (in Europe that's what we get) & I would have a low chance of getting those I wanted.
I suppose I could have tried for trading but I was able to get all 5 cards from one seller, which swung it for me. I've not regretted it.
Series 1-4 cards are still around at their base retail price or slightly lower online. If I go to stores they are always sold out, or just not there. (ie no space for them anyway).
I'm hoping the RV cards come back in stock for people, albeit I won't buy any more.
Changing this slightly to amiibo figurines - I bought two Monster Hunter amiibos (Felyne + another) direct from Japan, free postage, and half as much again as what I think they would be if in the UK (ie I paid ?17, about US $22, for each, but amiibos' are more expensive in the UK, so it felt relatively fair given no postage).
Beautifully packed & very pleased - BUT those amiibo figurines are now going to be sold in Europe & USA - frustrating, you just don't know what is gong to be available and what isn't. What to buy and what to hold out for.
I wish Nintendo marketed better than this, because I don't see how Nintendo win any more than we do if we end up buying off other players, scalpers or overseas.
http://nintendoeverything.com/tag/amiibo/
scroll down one, but the top story is good if it happens - as those Zelda figures are around ?30+ each here in UK, if at available at all. They sold out in min on Nintendo UK store & I was way too late.