I agree, the drama and news of an approaching event is often more impactful than the event itself.
That said, we don’t know what’s going to happen as the market today is much different from the market years ago. I hate to say it, but buyers feel slightly smarter this time around now that floors have been set for most cards. I don’t think it’s because buyers are more intelligent per se, but access to data and information about the market is at an all time high. Knowing price trajectories, pop reports, international selling patterns, etc. adds nuance to prototypical FOMO buying behavior.
“Once in a lifetime” events that affect pokemon cards is an overblown and baseless statement now. Too many things happen/will continue to happen globally that it’s just a hypedog phrase now.
I bought the card a few months ago at a convention because in hand I really loved it and found that it was very different from the tons of ‘regular holo’ cards we were used to seeing (I also bought a classic collection charizard because its holo was stunning). The price of €200 already seemed high, but I think I could still spend up to €500 for such a card. I could pay €1000, but only after a period of stabilization. I really felt it was a must have.
The prototype stuff
The rare old school promos everywhere
The gamefreak developer leaks
And more events that just seem to overload Pokemon exposure to the max… I just see the term “once in a lifetime” tossed around alot lately (and while these events are incredible) it just starts to mean less and less every time its used.
Ikr! I’m glad at least the Pikachu was available, but would have loved to see the full sextet set as TCG cards, similar to the Japanese Edvard Munch promo quintet.
I don’t think any of those are relevant to the smooth brains harassing shop employees. They are looking to make a quick buck on TikTok or Whatnot from even more desperate people.
Also this is probably far from unpopular, but Poke/Masterballs even with texture hold no candle to normal Art Rares. I hope ARs are never replaced again.
That wasn’t what I was referring to tbh, but there is reason to believe these “once in a lifetime” events do have some effect (boost in confidence?) to the modern market as well!
For some of these popular, but not premium alt arts, there is NO Rhyme of Reason for the prices people are paying. %10 below PSA9 for PSA7? Srsly?
So is 9 underpriced, or is 7 overpriced? Raw is a rip off, I guess. Nonsense, Amelia Bedelia.
I love plain e-Series and EX reverses (i.e., from Expedition, Aquapolis, Skyridge, EX Ruby & Sapphire, EX Sandstorm, EX Dragon, and EX Team Magma & Team Aqua). I think I appreciate them so much because they remind me of beautiful Silver Age MTG foils growing up. I find their simplicity satisfying and mesmerizing.
I know that they are considered the most boring reverses of the era by many, but I honestly can’t get enough of them.
Worlds winners/runner ups should receive your standard type of trophy at Worlds.
Then at a later date they should receive their Worlds trophy card printed in the language of their home country (even if the language doesn’t currently get printed).
It would make it more special for the player, and easier for provenance of cards to be established years down the line. It would also help the predatory hounding that winners get at worlds from wannabe buyers.
I think there is a lot to be said about people being at worlds, with money, ready to buy off of individuals who are running high on emotions and not necessarily in the best emotional state to be making large financial and sentimental decisions.
I don’t think it’s an egregiously bad thing for people going to worlds wanting to buy trophy cards directly from the winners, but I think it’d be better for winners if they received their card, in their native language, many months after their victory. It means they are in a better context emotionally to make the decision on whether they want to sell the card or not.
Personally I can’t stand the later ones with the set logo stamps and extra patterns. Aside from the fact that some of them seemed to warp extremely badly, I think the stamp gets in the way of the artwork and is just too “loud”. Honestly, I think THIS is more of an unpopular opinion! I was genuinely shocked when I found out how people loved the stamped reverses so much! Each to their own, as always, but they are far too busy imo. Those more minimalist, clean ones from Expedition -Magma/Aqua are just infinitely better.
Anyone with any amount of respect for themselves and this hobby will refuse to do business with Xiao and other known bad actors masquerading as good-natured collectors.
