That was my initial direction in my post, but the OP didn’t communicate those interests in his replies. I therefore assumed he wouldn’t be asking unless he had an interest in the set, so I advised from the financial standpoint in my followup.
Like a Shining Charizard? (??)
I’d take the trade all day. Japanese shinings in a 10 are the hardest to grade and find.
Took me 4 years to complete the set back in the day. PSA 9 Zards are popping up daily.
But this is all just imo.
OP here, I really like the shining set especially the Japanese cards. Really, the trade came offered out of the blue on Instagram. I’m leaning on doing the trade. I’ve got another zard, and that shining set is really difficult to acquire in a 10.
I say go for it! There will always be more zards. Just last week I traded my extra PSA 9 1st Ed zard for a more niche Japanese card (trophy Khan) and couldn’t be happier (:
@whiterabbit That’s awesome, I’m a fan of the set too 
. If the only hurdle to overcome is the financial discussion I’d say pull the trigger. The values are only $250-$500 more in favor of the Charizard (value of a strong 9 is around $6000). But if it’s a set you like then cost of acquisition (completing the set) is important.
Not sure why you are reading my post as if it was directed at you. I was just responding to my interpretation of what the general response in this thread was. At the time I made my post, the OP had only given objective information on the trade and did not indicate whether the trade was a personal goal or for financial reasons. I think the answer to which side if the trade is better “investment” wise has been made clear at this point.
I didn’t mean to take and reiterate some points you had already said either. All I can say is great minds think alike? Also in the last thing you quoted, the charizord I was specifically referring to was the 1st ed base charizord which I assumed would be evident from the context.
Flip a coin and live with the results!
@pkmnflyingmaster no worries. Great minds think alike as you said. It seemed like you completely dismissed the very first thread reply, but then reiterated what I said in both of my replies. And in that last comment (like Shining Charizard?(??)) I was in referencing the silliness of your analogy. I don’t think anyone here said that Japanese Shining collectors are “dumb” for collecting them.
That said I also think the question here has been answered.
@pkmnflyingmaster, Great post!
The Japanese Shining cards are very difficult to grade. Also their pull rate is much lower than English. Some of the people brushing them aside have no experience with the cards, or japanese in general.
Ultimately it boils down to what you want as an individual, as the trade option is pretty fair.
But so do weak minds.
@garyis2000 I don’t have any claim to be ‘greatly’ minded, and am weak minded at times, but I do my best. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing”, or at least that’s how some old guy put it 
On Instagram … hmm…
Nah the only thing Id trade a 1st ed base charizard for is other 1st edition base set cards or cash
Personally I’m a big fan of the Japanese shining cards so I’d take the deal (given the fact that the deal is fair from a price point perspective and including the fact that you have another charizard). Looking forward to see what your final decision is going to be 
.
If/when pokemon card prices start a universal downtrend in price then the psa 10 japanese sets will be hit much harder than the Zard. If you’re looking for long term financial security/gain stick with the zard. If you only really care about the cards then go with whatever makes you happier to own.
I was all set to make the trade, but the guy backed out…oh well.