I decided I am going to be collecting Slowpoke and his evolutions in holo graded 10 in English. I realize I’m not going to pay $12-15k on a psa 10 neo 1st slowking. How should I deal with that fact and just go with 9s?
You could realize that all grading is a scam?
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Crack the 9’s. Now they are raw cards instead of silver trophies.
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Both
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Seconding what wisevwailmer says. The current grading market is quite oversaturated and filled with inconsistencies. You’re better off collecting raw.
And even if you are collecting these with an investing mindset, Slowking is an incredibly niche Pokémon so you will not be getting much movement with your “investment” anyway. Even then, getting into Pokémon to break even is a very bad idea. If you are going into this hobby with that goal in mind, I do not recommend it.
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I’m not collecting these as an investment. But appreciate your opinion
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That’s good to know! Didn’t mean to assume 
Grading isn’t a scam, yes it is subjective though
So 10’s + incomplete collection or complete 9 collection + the gnawing worm of 2nd place. Pick your Grimer.
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grading is a scam! Im sick of people standing up for the process when clearly on large the goal posts change! its all about population control and i hate it! anyone who says any different has skin in the game! a ture 9 or 8 is evercghanging its ridiculous……buy the card not the grade
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I decided to just buy less often tbh and still go for 10s. Better than collecting raw imo.
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idk, its so hard to decide. Like owning something that isn’t perfect or near perfect just feels rough esp for a set card
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If you’ve come to the conclusion that you want to collect the set graded instead of raw, then I recommend buying the highest grade you feel comfortable paying for each card. The entire set does not need to be the same grade. You can always upgrade a card down the road if you’re unhappy with it.
I recently completed my 1st edition base set in varying grades (holos in 8s, non-holos in 10s.) I am happy I did this because had I decided to extend myself even further there would be cards that I would not own at all. I picked up my first ever PSA 9 holo last month despite completing the holos in PSA 8 years ago.
Collect in a way that is sustainable long term by chasing goals that are balanced in both challenge and enjoyment.
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I’d go with the 10’s. Probably better to have some of what you want than everything of what you don’t want.
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well neo gen slowking would have one of the highest psa 10/psa 9 ratios so maybe the fact that u are getting the same quality card for like 200 bux and saving like 15k 
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buy raw cards and free yourself from the shackles of graded cards
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Triple, I feel every week you are chasing a different thing. First it was Victinis, then History Gate, and now PSA 10 1st Edition Neo Genesis Slowking.
The frenzy of the current market can make it feel like you have to get all your dream cards now, but it’s best to take a step back when you find yourself wanting too much at once or chasing extremely expensive labels. Prices can rise and fall at the drop of the pin, especially with the high-volatility of PSA 10s.
As someone who used to have the “PSA 10 or bust” mindset, I echo the posts that mention how liberating it is to no longer chase (subjective) perfection. When I parted with some of my 10s and bought 9s, I realized I was fine just having a mint copy of the card that was “imperfect” if it allowed me to complete other collection goals.
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I picked up my gate in May C:. I finished all the Victinis, and now I am on the Slowpoke team. It is true, maybe I should slow down but I really enjoy this hobby. I am still contemplating on the price of neo 1st ed Slowking as thats probably the only one I won’t be able to get in a 10. Maybe I wil settle with a 9
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Welcome to the Slowpoke fan club 
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