How are shadowless theme decks the same price as a couple modern etbs? This market makes no sense. Even regular base set theme decks are an even trade for some modern sealed.
I look at the sheer volume of modern floating around, then at the low supply of many of these vintage sealed items and can’t help but think the move is to rotate out of modern and into vintage.
I guess that’s always the answer, but it just feels more obvious right.
In the wise words of @smpratte , “am I taking crazy pills here”?
Also, shadowless theme decks are a mysterious thing that no one really knows if its shadowless or not for the average person. Everyone knows what a destined rivals pokemon center etb is conversely
Unironically, is shadowless underrated might be one of the hardest questions to answer at any point in time. Shadowless is so perfectly blended; plenty of history and nostalgia, but also the middle child. The non gold strip theme decks are the epitome of middle child energy!
What I have found with most things in Pokemon is the market can be totally right about some things and totally wrong about others. The only problem is it can take potentially years for the market to adjust or re-value certain things, for better or worse. We’ve seen this once again the past couple years with recent big moves in a lot of vintage stuff, especially on the Japanese side.
The main issue with these old theme decks is the holo usually will have surface issues due to the sticky residue. It’s really a complete gamble if you’ll ever get a clean holo from one, especially after it’s been sitting in a box for 20+ years. So the value is really muted for this reason compared to other sealed packs and boxes from the same era, hence it’s usually found pretty cheap because the market ‘knows’ the risk/reward from buying one isn’t so great.
Personally, if I was buying one of these theme decks, I’d likely want it is a display piece or for some other nostalgic reason. Otherwise, I’d probably put the money towards a Shadowless holo or other higher demand item for my collection.
I have to largley credit you for my liking of shadowless. The aura, the visual appeal of yes, no stamp and no shadow along the boarder; it’s just clean. Couple the fact that nobody knew what was going on at WWOTC around that time with print runs etc (I forget the article I read over and over with interviews with a VIP there around that time)
But yeah, I buy shadowless and e-readers almost no matter what.