Hah I was literally just thinking about the Navy Seal Gorilla Warfare meme when I saw your comment 
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There are definitely big players taking time and doing some market manipulation. Someone on IG revealed some discord screenshots a while ago of lots of big YouTubers and collectors planning buyouts of certain cards/ product back in the 2020-2021 insanity.
If there is money to be made of course people will do this stuff.
But that is behind the scene stuff.
E4 has been an awesome place and I have only seen weird bans when there was the whole forum switch. The rest seem to be banned obviously for breaking rules.
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E4 has a system of natural selection. Which has helped maintain an overall good vibe that I haven’t seen anywhere else
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If we’re thinking about the same post, it was just DM’s between several big names in a group chat with all of the context of their messages whited out. It showed absolutely no evidence of market manipulation. Not saying that it hasn’t happened, but I haven’t seen direct evidence yet.
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Modern is too large to be manipulated imo. I’m sure people want to but I’d say it’s nearly impossible to do
I don’t think a cabal is necessary to see the problem with seriously investing in any modern collectible.
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Buying out product during the record peek of Pokémon, sounds like a brilliant idea!
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Buying anything at that time to sell in 1-2 years time seems so bad in hindsight. We all did it but man, personally I don’t think a single thing I bought in 2021 is worth more now
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You had to buy in 2021 to sell in 2021. I agree
Youtube told me to go all in on skyridge🫠
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Not the worst set to go all in on but still it’s WOTC. But could have been worse
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That’s true but it wasn’t any fun. I had no attachment to the cards and barley looked at them. It was just a hype/financial thing.
Selling them and getting stuff I liked made collecting far better
The more you personally like it, the less likely you’ll sell even if it goes up, thr longer you’ll hold out, the better the investment.
Unless you like moonbreon. Then you’re just wrong
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Now let’s not get crazy 
Umbreon is cool but it’s no charizard
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Oh for sure umbreon is amazing.
Moonbreon however is wack and not even in the top 10 best looking umbreon cards
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There were only 3 bans at that time and I can assure you they were 100% deserved. I’m happy to clarify in DM
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I do agree it’s meh at least to me
we need a cabal badge that’s unlocked after liking at least 50 smpratte posts
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I’m cracking up over here, this is all too good
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