Introduction
After over 30 years on the market, Pokémon card collecting continues to captivate the interests of young and old collectors alike. New collectors and those returning to collecting can often feel overwhelmed by the intricacies, card prices, and uncertainty about how to start their own collection.
Collecting can seem expensive when people see rare cards selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars. As someone who has recently become more involved in collecting, I’ve found that setting a budget and focusing on specific collecting goals has made the hobby much more enjoyable. It is important for new collectors to know that it is possible to build an enjoyable collection without spending huge amounts of money.
Decide What Kind of Collector You Want to Be
There are different avenues collectors can take. Beginners should choose one focus:
Favorite Pokémon
Decide which Pokémon, card illustrators, or card types you like best.
Complete sets
Pokémon cards are typically released in sets. Many collectors like to obtain every card from each set, a practice known as completing a master set. Explore which sets and cards catch your eye.
Graded cards
Cards can be set for grading. When a card is graded, it is sent to a grading company for a fee, where a score is assigned based on the card’s condition. There are several different grading companies to choose from. Many collectors prefer to collect mint or near-mint copies of single cards.
Sealed products
Other collectors appreciate keeping products sealed for display or investment purposes. This could be packs, booster boxes, sealed singles, tins, or other products.
Set a Budget
As a new collector, it can be easy to fall into the trap of buying everything in sight, especially when a new set releases or products become difficult to find. Establishing a monthly budget can help you enjoy the hobby without overspending.
For example:
- $20 per month can allow you to pick up a few singles or packs.
- $50 per month can help you steadily build a collection.
- $100 per month provides more flexibility for sealed products and higher-value cards.
Remember that collecting is a marathon, not a sprint. Many cards that seem impossible to obtain today may become more affordable in the future.
Buy Singles Instead of Chasing Pulls
This is perhaps one of the most useful tips for beginner collectors. It can be easy to fall into the trap of buying packs in the hope of pulling a single card from a set. While the adrenaline from ripping packs is amazing, it also carries the risk of taking a huge chunk out of your budget just to get one card you may not be able to get. Instead, it may be more cost-effective to buy directly or trade for the specific cards you want. While it may take longer to save for more expensive cards, this option helps build collections more efficiently.
Learn Where to Buy Pokémon Cards
Local Card Shops
Local card shops are a good place to buy cards. Many card shops offer a good array of new and used singles, sealed products, and bulk cards. However, they may not be the best place to sell or trade your cards. Since card shops need to make a profit, they often offer lower-than-market percentages, typically 60% or below the market price of your card.
Big Box Retailers
Pokémon cards can be found on the shelves of big-box retailers such as Walmart or Target. These locations can be a good place to find sealed products like tins and booster packs at retail price. Nonetheless, with the high demand for trading cards these days, products are often scarce and difficult to find at these locations.
Card Shows
Card shows can be a great place to buy, trade, and sell cards and products from your collection. At card shows, card vendors set up booths to sell a wide variety of singles and sealed products, with values ranging from low to very high. Large card shows take place across the country. Chances are, there is a show within driving distance from you. Most large card shows are free or charge a small entry fee. Many local card shops also host small card shows, so be sure to check with yours.
Online Marketplaces
Online marketplaces are a good place to find single cards, card lots, and sealed products, often at a bargain. On places like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace, you will often find people looking to sell or trade parts of their collection. It is important to be aware of scammers, as these places are unregulated and attract those seeking to take advantage of other buyers.
Trading With Other Collectors
Trading with other collectors is perhaps the best way to grow your collection and deepen your knowledge of the hobby.
Protect Your Collection Early
Perhaps the most basic type of protection you can offer your collection of trading cards is a reliable binder and penny sleeves. Penny sleeves are plastic sleeves into which cards can be slid, offering an extra layer of protection against scratches and debris. Penny sleeves also come in different sizes, depending on how snug a collector wants the sleeve to fit the card. Top loaders, which serve as yet another layer of protection, are made of denser, firmer plastic. Collectors can slide their penny-sleeved card into top loaders. It is not recommended to place a card directly into a top loader, as it may cause scratching and make it more difficult to remove the card without damaging it.
Binders are a great way to organize collections. There are many types of binders available on the market, depending on a collector’s wants and needs. Binders can come in varying sizes. For optimal protection, many collectors opt to get what are called sideloading binders. These binders allow individuals to insert cards from the side, reducing the risk of cards falling out during transport. Some binders can even fit top-loaded cards. Choosing the right binder can make a major difference in protecting your collection. (We’ll have a full guide on Pokémon card binders soon.)
If measures are not taken to protect your collection, damage to cards and products can be costly later on. Protecting your collection is also important because if you ever decide to sell or trade part of your collection, well-maintained cards generally retain more value and are more attractive to potential buyers. While this is an additional cost, it will benefit you in the long run.
Avoid Common Beginner Mistakes
One problem that can be faced is buying too many products at once. A consequence of this issue is also the failure to account for the amount of storage available to maintain the quality of a collection and keep tabs on everything. This type of mismanagement of a collection is not something collectors want to fall into, especially when they are devoting their hard-earned cash to the hobby. Many individuals enter the trading card market expecting to make money quickly. While the hype of trading cards is very high, moving product is not as easy as it seems. While many people are in the business of buying and selling products, doing so requires considerable knowledge, skill, and experience. This intention can lead to debt and financial distress.
Due to the high interest in Pokémon cards and products, some seek to sell overpriced or counterfeit items to unsuspecting customers. Beware of buying cards blindly. If a deal seems too good to be true, take time to research the card and seller before making a purchase. If you have doubts, ask someone you know is reliable and experienced in collecting before making any purchases from third-party or individual sellers.
Final Thoughts
Most importantly, collect what you enjoy. Interest in what is being collected may change over time, but embrace it; collect what you like. There are so many cards and amazing artworks to explore, so it is okay to change up what to collect. This is also why it is important to research and ask others before spending a large amount of money on a product or card. Ask others how they store their collections and what they like to collect. And if you don’t pull the card you want from a pack, there is always the opportunity to sell or trade for the card you do want. There are so many opportunities to love and enjoy the game!