First of all I want to say i don’t understand how this forum works so I’m sorry if I posting this on the wrong page.
I collected Pokemon cards few years back but nothing serious and big. But now I’m older i want to get back into it, I just don’t know where to start. The new sets get sold out everywhere and whenever you have the chance to buy something of the new set it is most of the time a booster box which is very expensive. So my question is: Is it possible to start a collection of Pokemon cards for not too much money and if it is, how?
Of course this seems like a question that is impossible te answer good because everybody wants to collect as much Pokemon cards for as much money. But I’m really curious if you guys have some good tips
Most people start with the original base set but there is no formula to collecting. The only right answer is collect what you really love. Sometimes it does take time to develop your own taste so a little trial and error usually happens over time. But in the end you should be happy with what you are collecting. This is a hobby and hobbies are meant to be fun and enjoyed. Welcome back btw
Yeah i think I start with collecting the new set like vivid voltage or hidden fates. But like I don’t really know if it smart to buy separate cards, booster packs, tins or booster boxes. How do you collect?
With reference to your specific situation, it’s totally possible to build an exciting and fulfilling collection without a lot of money. How you spend your money is much more important than how much. The advice for any new collector is going to be to do a lot of research, look through eBay/TCGPlayer/TrollandToad and find some cards that you really like.
It may take some time (and money) to figure out exactly what you want to collect and what interests you the most. But that’s normal! Once you do figure out what you like, stick to it, set achievable goals, and be clear with yourself on how much you’re willing to spend.
Thank you for these tips they are really useful. I never bought cards from eBay because i find it scary, I have the feeling that you can get cards in really bad shape.
Step #1: Figure out what you like. It could be sets, artists, promos, trainers, anything. I’m working on collecting all unique artworks from my favorite artist and the most expensive card was $85 for a PSA graded binder copy. Most bulk for this collection averages between $1-3 each.
Just pick something you’re going to enjoy collecting. The vast majority of Pokémon cards are available for under $0.25, so you really don’t need any sort of fortune to get into Pokémon. It’s only when you come to the high-end cards where things start getting a bit silly - but that can be said for pretty much any hobby.
Make sure to check out pkmncards.com/ . It’s the best image database for English Pokemon cards, so you can browse for cards that you find appealing upon seeing. Then there are Japanese promos, many of which were never released in English. I think it’s a good idea to do some research at first and make a list of collection goals based on your favorites from the 2 linked sources.
When it comes to buying on eBay there’s risk but there are methods for finding good condition cards. Graded cards like with PSA, CGC, or BGS will tell you the condition 1-10 if you’re looking to buy a higher end card you really want in good shape. Also if you’re buying a common or uncommon on ebay you can sort by lowest price and find some good deals. A lot of vintage Wotc commons are still only $1 with free shipping in Near mint condition. Check the ebay seller for their ratings and you can determine if they’re trustworthy.
Also worth mentioning is that a great way to experience being a pokemon card fan and learn about the TCG is to watch youtube videos. TCAGaming is one of my favorite channels because he opens a lot of vintage packs and talks about the history of a set or what to look for in terms of value. Popular channels like Leonhart are cool and fun too.
As people have mentioned, this is a very nuanced question that is different for everyone. I would spend some time thinking about your answers to these questions before throwing down the cash;
What’s your budget?
What’s your favourite era of Pokemon?
Do you want a big collection or a small, focussed collection?
How important is condition to you?
How important is rarity to you?
How important is the art to you?
Do you want to collect graded or raw?
Do you enjoy opening packs?
Do the cards have to be English?
If you feel like answering these questions I’d be happy to give advice, and I’m sure others would too!
If you’re in the US, you can use TCGplayer and TrollandToad to purchase singles from recently released sets. Definitely not the fun of opening packs yourself but since it’s just after release you are almost certainly getting mint cards. Much more cost effective than opening packs, but does remove some of the fun.
i live in the Netherlands so a lot of sites are not really useful or have high shipping cost. Yeah the problem i have is that i like opening packs but they are pretty expensive and most of the time you won’t get the card you want. So i am considering buying singles but i just don’t know where to start haha. Japanese cards look fun but are hard to get here in the Netherlands.
Japanese is definitely the cheapest option. Opening packs is not economical 99% so unless you have unlimited funds, I highly recommend against it. And you have to buy on ebay. Your options are very limited being where you are otherwise. If you are that much of a stickler for condition you will need to buy graded and either have a graded set or crack them for binders. This will cost you more than the raw price as well.
Hey @simon223 , welcome back to the hobby! This part of the collecting journey, where you are discovering new art designs and cards that just resonate with you, is arguably the most fun time. I would highly suggest going to Bulbapedia and just searching through sets, especially sets you’ve never heard of before. You can use the link bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_Pok%C3%A9mon_Trading_Card_Game_expansions, and it will take you right there. There are so many awesome Japanese promotional sets and cards with unique artwork, it’ll blow your mind. I would also suggest taking your time. Definitely go after cards you want, and avoid buying boosters if you are on a budget. It may sound counterintuitive to take that approach, but I personally would rather wind up with a good amount of cards I love, rather than a ton of cards I don’t care about. eBay can definitely be intimidating, but again, just take your time when looking through listings. This E4 community is great about helping out members who suspect cards may be counterfeit in listings, so rest assured, people are here to help.
Well i just wanted to buy something on eBay but apparently you can only pay with PayPal and to be able to open an PayPal account you have to be 18, and I’m 17. So guess that was it haha.
When I first started collecting I had no idea what I was doing, but I did what I think most people do. I bought cards I recognized from my childhood and stuff that I could buy easily in stores. I also recommend just searching for some of your favorite pokemon and buying cards that you like for them. I would often just search up mew and suicune cards on ebay when I was new and find cool cards I liked and that would often lead me into looking what set they are from and seeing the other cards.
So stuff you recognize, is easily accessible, features your favorite pokemon and just slowly learn and expand from there.
