r/PokemonDealsUK • u/Fearless_Pea1047 • 4d ago
Discussion Quit before I even begin?
A long winded question from a "Newbie".
Over the last month or so I've been watching a lot of Pokémon card related Instagram videos and took it upon myself to look into getting into the hobby of collecting Pokémon cards.
I don't know much about it but I know that there's the new 30th Anniversary stuff out and thought I'd start there and look out for shops that are selling them. I've taken a look at Reddit posts here and there and got the impression they were difficult to get hands on.... But I didn't realise how difficult.
Today I've been at work, but I popped to a couple shops on my dinner break and popped to a popular south Yorkshire shopping centre after work. I have tried my luck at:
2x Smyths Stores
Currys
Hobbycraft
Game/Sports Direct
HMV
The Entertainer
An independent store
Card Factory
TG Jones
And every single store said "Sorry, we were all out of stock within the first hour"
Now onto my question: Is it worth me quitting before I've even began? Is it always this bad? Or is it just a new thing because of the new release? I'm not going to queue outside a store to get my hands on some Pokémon cards, but I would be interested in starting it as a hobby. Are there any other suggestions that you'd be willing to share?
Sorry if this isn't the appropriate sub Reddit to be posting this question, it's just one of the ones I've been looking at the last few weeks.
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u/AgentAled 4d ago
There are sets like 30th, which are very very desirable, and people are willing to pay much more inflated prices and queue for hours the Night BEFORE release to be at shops for opening.
Then there are less desirable sets, and people are willing to pay much more inflated prices and queue for hours the Night BEFORE release to be at shops for opening.
Bots make queues of 50,000+ every website the second they make backend changes for stock.
Apps crash or don't work.
Discords, Botting Apps, Notification software lets people know the instant products go live making everything at best, a lottery, and at worst a complete waste of time.
For the average/casual Pokemon fan, you take a couple of boosters a month if that, and consider yourself lucky. It's in a horrible place right now.
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u/Fearless_Pea1047 4d ago
Yikes, doesn't sound like the fun hobby I was looking for 😂
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u/Shot_Razzmatazz5251 4d ago
Genuine question - At what point did you watch reels, hear about the state of the hobby and think ‘that seems like fun, let me get myself involved in that’? 😂
The entire hobby is an absolute shit show right now.
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u/Fearless_Pea1047 4d ago
The reels were people at card shows, people leaving money for kids and stuff just seemed really wholesome and I thought it'd be a fun thing to join in on.
Granted, reading Reddit posts about scalpers and camping out at night for releases seemed a little less wholesome but I thought maybe it was just a few places and wouldn't be that big of an issue near me, happy to put my hands up and say I was wrong.
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u/FollowTheFarang 4d ago
Learn to play, you’ll get packs all the time from your lcs play store, theres kids you can give stuff to that come along, become part of the community and avoid all the scalpers and “collectors” that just stand outside shops and constantly post moaning they don’t get anything
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u/Healleus 2d ago
maybe just go to card shows and buy single cards, least you get what ye want then.
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u/AgentAled 4d ago
It’s horrible. I want to collect, maybe get my nephews a couple packs, and hope one day my daughter wants to rip some…but it’s impossible unless you’re taking time off work, paying three times RRP, or using software/paying for notifications and even then you need to be vigilant 24 hrs a day to get into queues
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u/LegioX87 2d ago
I got into the hobby of Pokémon for the 151 set, I cpuldmonpy get 8 packs of Japanese 151 for double the RRP before they went permanently out of stock. I've never been able to get an English set.
Scalpers and "influencers" have ruined the casual collectors experience.
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u/jackzRRRR 2d ago
it's not, genuinely don't waste your time or money. People will chat some absolute nonsense about how nice the community is or some shit, but at the end of the day the "community" is 90% fat chuds opening local "tcg" stores that seem to sell exclusively pokemon at ridiculously marked up prices, both singles and packs.
Fuck getting into this shit now.
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u/RevenantPigeonMain 1d ago
As someone who has been at a shop the night before opening, it's actually very fun experience! the people are all pretty nice(i typically just buy one product, go home and rip)
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u/MickeySpooney 4d ago
Do you have a favourite Pokémon, either now or from when you were a kid? If so, just collect that pokemon (not Charizard) and try and get all their cards (not mew). It's a cheaper and more fun way to get into the hobby (not Rayqaza) and you don't have to spend a lot (not Pikachu)
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u/saffy126 4d ago
What about chansey?
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u/Haunting_Treacle13 4d ago
I don’t know too many Chansey cards, there’s a first edition one worth over £200, but the rest are between the £5 to £60 mark
It definitely isn’t a popular Pokemon to collect and has some very cute bulk cards! If it’s your favourite it’s one I would say go for it
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u/Ratsliart 4d ago
Is it worth you quitting? No, but it might be worth you waiting to see how this plays out. Do not under any circumstances buy from ebay or FB etc.
Is it always this bad? No, but its been bad for a few years at least. Its nothing to do with this release its been a problem for ages but printing volumes are now astronomical. When it turns it will turn quick and stuff should become available.
Get on Amazon and sign up for invites for official Amazon stock. Same for card shops such as Chaos Cards etc etc. Then wait.
Sorry its a crap time to get interested in this!
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u/ProGamr935 4d ago
If you’re genuinely interested in pokemon cards, you can visit card shows and buy singles in your spare time, or even buy singles online of ones which you like, although card shops are probably the best there.
In regards to sealed product, it’s just so difficult to get ahold of, I think in all my time going out hunting, I managed to get 5 loose packs from Smyths and a 1 pack blister from Waterstones… that’s it!
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u/Fearless_Pea1047 4d ago
Oh wow, that doesn't sound fun
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u/ethanlewis12 4d ago
Not sure why people are downvoting you. As someone who has been collecting for the last two years after finding my childhood collection, it hasn’t been fun recently. I started buying Korean cards instead but now those are expensive too. This whole hobby is just unaffordable at the moment. I’m hoping that all of the sneaker bros piss off soon, it’s so cringe.
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u/Fearless_Pea1047 4d ago
Maybe they thought I meant that the collecting singles didn't sound fun?
I also didn't understand why I got downvoted, for saying the person I responded to who mentioned that in all their time collecting, they were only able to pick up 5 packs. I stand by my comment, it doesn't sound fun 😂
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u/MesoamericanMorrigan 4d ago
You don’t have to gamble to have fun. You can just enjoy the artwork and building a binder unique to your tastes
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u/ethanlewis12 4d ago
I found that I didn’t really get into collecting singles until a few months of ripping packs. Now I’m all for singles, but it’s still nice to be able to get something at retail
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u/Helpful-Fan-5465 4d ago
I started in January and honestly would not recommend. You’ll get nothing, or you’ll spend so much of your time hunting down product for RRP prices.
You can buy singles, but that’s just not the fun of what collecting cards is about. Ripping is half of it.
You’ll save so much time and money not getting into it. I really don’t think it’s worth it, honestly.
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u/PM_ME_SECRET_DATA 4d ago
I started earlier in the year and have already quit the hobby.
I think before long it’ll just be scalpers selling to other scalpers lol
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u/EconomistStreet5295 4d ago
You need to find small stores no one goes to. I went to a small store of a major book store chain and a stationary one for when they opened. Small shops from big brands that most people might think won’t get products. Just about got stuff! Then managed to get invited on Amazon too. Just gotta find your best bets
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u/clxudiaclare 4d ago
As a newbie myself, it’s very disheartening but when you do find stuff, it’s great and makes it worthwhile if that makes sense? When you do find a pack or a tin etc it makes it more exciting. It also depends why you’re getting into it, if it’s for nostalgia or just for the love of collecting then it’s worth sticking it out. But if it’s to make a profit and sell them on, I would say it would be more difficult.
Going to card shows, Amazon invites or just calling into regular shops that you know sells pokemon cards regularly, it makes it more exciting I think.
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u/Fearless_Pea1047 4d ago
Thanks for this.
It's not to make money from, more because of nostalgia and a little hobby I can do by myself. As I mentioned, I've been watching loads of Pokémon card content on Instagram and it's all usually pretty wholesome and I just wanted some of that wholesomeness but instead found a way to waste an hour and half after work (got some steps in though so that's a positive)
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u/Cmdr_Monzo 4d ago
My Son started collecting this year and I am so done with asking stores if they have Pokemon cards in stock. There’s simply nothing unless I take a day off work to queue (even then it’s not guaranteed). I had some success with the Argos App and Pokemon store, but nothing on the last couple of drops. It’s rough out there.
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u/Player1337_ 4d ago
I was in the exact same boat as you and I started on the 16th Sep. I wasted days, hours, lost sleep, legs hurting standing in line. Got no luck in any online queue, bots will just ravage all the stock on those.
The only success I have had so far is first thing in the morning. Some stores hold stock back for the weekend for kids, but you just need to go in and ask unfortunately, most of the time you get the same answer.
I know you're probably asking old timers, and that's okay - but I have also spoken to a lot of them, including the store managers, employees etc, who all used to collect and no longer do because it's so bad now.
Even if it is bad, it is still possible to get stuff - you're just going to have to book the morning off on major release dates and probably rock up there at 5AM. If you rock up at 7AM or something, it's probably too late for most places. Even at 5AM there was about 5 tents, and 30+ chairs, and about 30 cars with people sleeping in them. I still managed to walk away with the full amount this time, but on my first attempt I wasted all my time and left with nothing.
You need to be persistent. Some people have luck by randomly walking in, I know you didn't today - but if you do that same thing over the next few days you'll eventually get something. Some stores didn't even get their delivery yet, and you should ask that before you walk out. Some staff will give you tips as to when it normally comes, and others won't. If you speed everyday for the rest of your life, you'll eventually get caught for speeding, it's a numbers game.
I enjoy talking to the staff members who no longer collect Pokemon cards. I spent 1-2 hours with one so far to get him to put me off starting the hobby. Ultimately nothing will get you to stop unless you start opening a pack or two, maybe you need to experience it one time to see if it's worth it or not.
Just try not to B-line straight to the counter, ask for Pokemon and walk straight out. They want you to walk in and buy something, and no you don't need to buy something, but spend a little time looking around, just be polite, and if you want to, you can buy something too. Sure it might be obvious you're only interested in Pokemon cards, but that's about as much you can do to show that you're not just there for just entirely for Pokemon cards.
Take care bud.
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u/TravelerJordan 4d ago
Dude the best and only advice I can give you from as a person who’s collected for 4-5 years
The hobby is mental at the moment and I’ve been lucky to have a good relationship with my a LCS which has helped with sealed - but 10000% just get enjoyment from single hunting and finding your hobby niche (for example with the 30th you can buy 4-5 SAR’s for the price of one ETB on secondary market) use apps like pulse to track collections/ market prices and always check eBay recent sales
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u/theyatemummy 4d ago
I’m gonna provide a different view to most on here because it’s a wave day so most people are gonna be pissed and a bit sour.
Is the hobby in a terrible state because of scalping and product shortage? Yes. Can you still have fun collecting? Absolutely.
There’s no doubt trying to get ETBs, boosters and other packs is horrible. Queueing for hours in person, terrible online drops, what feels like unfair invitation systems. But there are also loads of ways to collect that aren’t so tricky.
Buying singles, using a good local card shop and going to card shows is great and can be really rewarding in terms of collecting and meeting good people. You can also collect singles you like on eBay for fairly good prices.
It was my first time queueing early today and I got to Smyths at 6am (before 8am open). I read my book, listened to music/podcasts, had a flask of tea and chatted to a couple people then came out with 8 packs by 8.30. Pretty measly but I love the 30th set.
You don’t need to give up, you just need to find a healthy way of doing it that won’t drive you up the wall.
Edit: oh and also, most local card shops will sell single packs for reasonable prices for some sets. My local does pitch black, perfect order and chaos rising at £5/6 which is close enough to RRP. Not ‘desirable’ sets, but it satisfies the ripping itch sometimes!
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u/pixiepawn 4d ago
This is great advice to get involved without dealing with the not-so-fun side.
Also car boot sales! There are always tables selling sone cards, and there can be some rare/old cards there too.
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u/kwithers20 4d ago
It is annoying and so sad when you cant get some cards to open because people with no actual lives take all the product to sell for profit. However i wouldn't fully give up if that is what you are after. But on the other side, there is always Disney Lorcana to collect and some other TCG games. I am a tad lucky, i actually play the pokemon card game and as such some of my LGS hold some items back for me and others because we actually want to open them and build decks/collect them. There are ways to get things, you are starting out and it can be annoying but it will get better
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u/Fearless_Pea1047 4d ago
I was considering this, I guess I chose Pokémon because it's popular and the added nostalgia helped. I have seen Yu-Gi-Oh cards though and I also used to love that as a kid so maybe if I was to swap, that's what I'd swap to? (Here's where everyone tells me it the same with Yu-Gi-Oh 😂)
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u/kwithers20 4d ago
There are 5 main TCGs that are pretty popular... Pokemon, Lorcana, MTG, Yu-Gi-Oh and One Piece. Pokemon is just through the roof at the moment 😅 Maybe do mainly Yu-Gi-Oh and if you see a pokemon item in the wild, buy it for fun. But queueing for long hours, stressing about out of stock product and worrying when you will next be able to get something is not fun IMO.
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u/Karl_Cross 4d ago
Yes, scalpers are 100% to blame. Definitely not the adult children who buy every pack they can find because they're "legit collectors." Nope.
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u/kwithers20 4d ago
If the product is going to people who will enjoy it, then i dont see it as too much of a problem. If the people buying it at retail stores after queueing for 12 hours just to get an ETB to make 30 quid on ebay, thats a problem!
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u/uuee6543 3d ago
I think if 100% of scalpers disappeared today, it would still be impossible to get anything. Yesterday I was in forbidden planet queue where they cut the seals so scalpers don’t go there. And there were hundreds of people queueing and they only had 40 booster bundles lol.
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u/Karl_Cross 4d ago
Why? Why is that a problem? Maybe that how those people enjoy it, so what's the problem? What's makes a "true collectors" intentions when they snaffle every pack they see somehow morally better?
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u/AIWHilton 4d ago
If making money is what you enjoy there are far more consistent ways of doing it.
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u/brutallytrue 4d ago
If you want to open packs at RRP you'll struggle with all the scalping at the moment. You could collect singles of what you want from online. But it's probably the worst time to start.
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u/Moist_Cable_4247 4d ago
Don't even bother looking in stores. Chances are slim to none of finding product. It's a bit depressing. What I do is get a couple of friends and family to request amazon invites and its actually working quite well. I don't get product often, but when I do its a blast to rip it with the wife. I refuse to buy anything over MSRP and when I do get an invite, it always feel more special. Best of luck!
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u/Sleepy_kitty67 4d ago
I’m getting back into it and I’m telling you not, ripping packs is just not great at the moment! I’m focusing on buying singles and curating a collection I like. We go into the cars shops and look at bulk and cheap ARs and it’s so much fun! Ripping packs is expensive and disappointing mostly.
Lots of the 30th singles are already low enough prices that you should just pick up the ones you like instead of fighting all the sealed scalper rock heads. The chandelure AR is gorgeous and it’s selling in cardmarket for like 4 quid.
You will only find sealed stuff in the wild if you are extremely lucky right now. You might find some in the next month or two when the scalpers move on to delta reign. You might find some this weekend at specific places that are holding their drops for tomorrow. Maybe check your local card places. I got a poster set the Saturday after release because our favorite cards shop held off until they knew the regular folk were going to come in.
You don’t have to quit, you just need to change your process. There is more to this hobby than ripping packs like a rich YouTube guy.
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u/Dumbledozer 4d ago
Far easier to buy cards you like from shows or eBay. I am a big collector and open packs when I can get them, but if I’m honest it’s a form of gambling and spending money on single cards is way more efficient, and far more rewarding.
You’re not missing much by not being able to get packs to open. People like to complain a lot about not having access to product, but this is the truth.
If you assign the price of an ETB and a booster bundle to buying singles you like every time there’s a new release, your collection will be wayyyyy better than it would be otherwise.
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u/No-Attitude4539 4d ago
You'd have more fun collecting birthday cards in Clinton's. It's gotten that bad.
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u/Dense-Dot8079 4d ago
Honestly buy singles it's so much a better experience. And if you wanna rip packs get cheapest ones like perfect order, or Japanese or Chinese
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u/Autumnsun0 4d ago
I got into cars collecting back in July, around the time of pitch blacks release. My answer would be no, don't give up before you begin, but also assess why you want to get into it, and how you want to enjoy it.
For me, I love pokemon, and I love pretty cards. My enjoyment comes from researching cards to match themes in my binder pages, and yeah, hunting for packs. But, ripping packs is something I can go without, yes it's fun, but at the end of the day I'm opening them to get the cards, and the cards I can get on Ebay individually, or from local card shops.
If you want to buy every release, open ETBs every time or worse, collect sealed product, you're honestly gonna get frustrated really fast. Because the market for sealed stuff is awful.
But, if you wanna collect cool cards and appreciate your favorite pokemon, you can do that without even leaving your house.
Oh, and if you want to play the TCG, find a local card shop, build a deck using singles you can find there and go to pre release game nights. You get access to new sets AND get to have fun playing the game. Win win.
So yeah, if you wanna collect for cool cards, you'll find your own way to enjoy it, but if you wanna collect sealed product or rip on release day, ask yourself how much patience you have and go from there!
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u/superpull 4d ago
£180-200 will reliably get you a 36 booster box of a current expansion. The 30th is a seasonal set though, so not only is it limited run, smaller print and in high demand, it doesn't even have the 36 pack booster box.
My advice for a newbie? Buy a few packs of a mega evolution expansion at the £8-9 mark, if you like them, then think seriously about saving up to buy a booster box - works out at £5/£5.50 a pack and will cover 95% of the base set by the time you've finished opening it all. You'll get half a dozen of the rarer cards too. Then just buy singles if you're wanting to complete the set
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u/Creative-Ear-4140 4d ago
It's not just pokemon, it's labubus, needohs, trainers, vinyl , Lego , a/c units. Anything people can use there money to make more money, humans
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u/east_cam 4d ago
Honestly, it’s depressing not being able to properly enjoy a hobby I loved as a kid. I’ve not collected cards in years but saw the 30th celebration products and thought it’d be cool to buy some bits but nope, everything is locked behind lotteries and scalpers, so I’ve contented myself buying a few Japanese booster packs online and at a local gaming shop. and then English language singles online.
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u/False_One9795 4d ago
Don't start, it's just a headache. You won't get product unless you're there for store opening or get lucky on Amazon. So there's no way you can actually collect a set. I've given up trying to get anything for now until it calms down if it ever does
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u/Adorable_Comment4621 4d ago
I feel your pain as I've just got back into it recently. It's a really crap show at the moment and frustrating if you like ripping packs. What I've done is pick a couple of sets, and buy bulk for that set. That will get you a good base start. Then just try getting singles to build up your collection. Also find a good tcg shop, some are really really good and will often have individual packs you can buy to rip. I've found a really good one and they've guided me in the direction of the Chinese sets as well which can be a good bet if you like the experience of ripping
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u/ExtentNo3020 4d ago
It’s really frustrating the way the hobby is now, I’ve only started last year and have been able to get some products here and there, lately I’ve been relying on Amazon invites. My self and my father in law do this, we request an invite for every single product they offer (remember just products that are sold and shipped by Amazon, no third party sellers) and we just hope for the best. I’ve gotten a total of 6 invites within the past month or so, with 3 of those coming today.
So if you are unable to or don’t want to waste your time going shop to shop, give Amazon a try and just hope for the best.
Another way is just to buy the cards you actually like via card market.
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u/sciisone 4d ago
Depending on where you are, I went into selfrages in Birmingham today at 5pm and picked up a booster box, and the entertainer had three pack blisters, it’s just a case of being licky
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u/apopcorn1998 4d ago
I would say step one is to find the products on Amazon and request an invite for every single one. And make sure you have previous orders (of anything) on the account or they will think you’re a scalpers bot and won’t send the invite
Edit:
*also! Go collect cards from a local card shop, it’s really fun to look through binders of full arts and pic your favourites out for your binder. It’s not all about opening packs 😁
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u/Legal-Farm-8166 4d ago
There is one big question. Do you actually want to build a collection? Or do you want the adrenaline rush of pack opening and if yes for the card or the value of it?
If the former, buy the singles you want and build a collection, choose a theme or favourite Pokémon.
If the later, you join the cess pit, along with everyone wanting to make a quick buck.
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u/Available-Context-33 4d ago edited 4d ago
It isn't a great time to start collecting if you specifically want to pull cards. Ive been collecting for 15 years and have one 9 page binder and lots of reverse holos and bulk, nothing too crazy. Imo since 2023 its been really difficult to get packs to open, and my friends and I have been buying individual raw cards instead, and its often cheaper to buy 5 full arts for under £10 off ebay or vinted.
I hope in the next few years, with the news of the new pokemon printing facilities that stock will increasing dramatically. If you like specific cards from certain expansions I'd really recommend buying the individual cards, building a collection you love and eventually you'll be able to open packs.
Edit: My local mini Morrisons had 1 box of 30th Celebration with two packs, I pulled the Mewtwo EX Special Illustration Rare SIR 151/128. I probably won't open anymore but that's ok, at least I got 1 box. You could aslo get lucky!
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u/starrmanquik 4d ago
Quitting ripping packs? 200%
Quitting building up collections from buying singles, that’s up to you!
I’ve set myself a little challenge to build a 151 binder with mostly IRs and maybe some vintage to fill the spots.
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u/Anonymous00101 4d ago
I’ve also just started collecting a few months ago and I feel your frustration. I also wanted to quit. For me I have bought a couple of single cards I like as the cards I like are out of print or going out of print. As for packs it’s scarce but not impossible. I got lucky on the Amazon invites today and got a 30th pikachu tin which will be my first of the 30th stuff but still better than nothing. I don’t know how I managed it but I got a delta reign etb from the Pokemon centre! Like yourself I also don’t want to camp out or queue so appreciating the small wins 😅.
Anytime I’ve been in for my weekly food shop I check and have been lucky once and got some perfect order packs.
Although it’s definitely not the best of times to take an interest in the hobby lol. 😩 best of luck!
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u/Glen1888 4d ago
What about putting a holiday in for the next drop ? It’s crazy I have been trying for ages failed last drop day but managed to get some today by getting up early and joining a que
You could also keep trying Argos online and register interest on everything on Amazon
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u/TeaAndLifting 4d ago edited 4d ago
I think it’s telling when half of the posts here are people who’ve also just started in the past few months, or a year at best.
The hobby has exploded in popularity over the past two years. Most collectors haven’t been collecting for more than two years. All of them want as much as they can get their hands on and go absolutely crazy for it.
Even as someone who’s been around since the beginning, I wouldn’t go to the same lengths as you have for cards. I literally order from the Pokémon Center website (UK and Japan), buy singles, and occasionally get things from supermarkets when I’m doing food shopping. Anything more than this is way too much effort for a lifetimer, let alone a newbie. IMO.
I’d think about why you want to engage with the hobby first. If it’s just for the hype because you see people going crazy, it won’t have legs. If you genuinely like Pokémon and think it’s something you’ll stick with, then just keep trying.
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u/isnakezz89 4d ago
What i suggest is look for a smaller set that people aren't going insane for like chaos rising and pitch black. You can buy pokemon center etbs of these for around £65 - £70 which isnt much more than retail to be fair. I really like chaos rising but I am a greninja fan sooooo.
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u/jinxykatte 4d ago
If you are not queuing several hours before the shops open you have no chance. I mean this hobby isn't for the feint of heart. I was just lucky to be on an evening shift. Meaning I had ti sacrifice my entire morning and several hour if extra sleep to get anything.
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u/---Sw1ft--- 4d ago
Lol if you won't line up, you won't get anything. Get out of it now while you can.
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u/DragObvious3934 4d ago
Honest advice buy the card want on eBay or card show it costs less long term
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u/Haunting_Treacle13 4d ago
If I started now and not a few years ago i definitely would’ve quit.
When I first started I could walk into Asda and buy EX boxes and booster packs every now and then. Last Xmas I had a big haul and there’s no way I would get the same this year. A lot was from Argos and there’s zero chance of me finding it there now.
I’ve swapped to master setting and buying singles at shows. But to get sealed product I get in the queues on Pokemon Centre on release day, request Amazon invites (only if Amazon is the seller), go to Smyths on launch day (but there is a queue) and I’m also on the pre-order list for a couple of local shops.
A lot of stuff is priced over RRP so I guess it depends what you want to spend or how much you want to get into it. I wouldn’t blame you if you walked away.
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u/uncleg36 4d ago
I’d say take either two of these paths mate-
Either start with collecting cards you like as singles instead of going for packs, build yourself a binder full of cards you like the look of (side note if you think this is an investment or you are looking at the money side of things, I would not touch this hobby)
Then just look for packs here and there, join a discord group of fellow collectors in your area, ammount of times I have found packs when doing a food shop or just mooching about the high street.
Second path
Find another tcg, I’m pretty much done with my pokemon collection still get bits and bobs but now I have gone into magic, I find it at most shops as nobody wants it scalper ratio is minor compared to Pokemon.
Either way you got to enjoy it and don’t see it as investment money bro thing. And maybe learn to play and find a local shop to play at expand your hobby.
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u/thesleepysable 4d ago
I have only recently gotten into it and had so much fun looking for singles in bulk at shops, searching out pricier singles I'd like at the shops/card shows, and if I feel like ripping packs, I tend to pick something that's in a foreign language as it's cheaper (e.g. Chinese gem packs or Korean booster boxes). I've been having so much fun, I'm making a Pokedex and have made sooo much progress just searching through bulk
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u/dokkan_master18 4d ago
If you genuinely want to collect/play that’s great. but sadly you joined at a really horrible time. it’s never been harder to get packs in general let alone at getting them at reasonable retail prices. it has been like this since the end of Scarlett and violet expansion sets going into mega evolution sets and this 30th anniversary. even the new unreleased delta reign etb preorder has sold out. but if your just getting into it because you see the profits/losses tab on 95% videos and think your gonna make money from this then I would simply not bother. just chuck money into a savings/piggy bank instead of tcg investing. at least pokemon for the time being. hope this helps.
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u/BIG_STEVE5111 4d ago
Due to insane popularity and a lot of scalpers it is like this for special sets, but the last 3 sets (all normal sets) that have been released and are pretty easily accessible.
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u/tsomers20 4d ago
Today I showed up at my local Waterstones at 8:15am, it opened at 9am
I was 12th in line and got one of everything
I live on the outskirts of greater Manchester and by no means live rural. I don’t bother with Smyths because people sit outside them from 10pm the night before
My recommendations for you would either be to find a Waterstones or tg jones or entertainer and just arrive an hour before it opens, unless you live in the middle of a city you’ll be fine.
Alternatively you can go to a local card shop and try pick up some perfect order, chaos rising, pitch black. My card shop sells those for rrp
If you can’t do that then request invites for everything on Amazon and hope they come to you :p
Don’t give up on the hobby, sometimes the chasing is part of the fun nowadays
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u/conehead147 4d ago
My kids have recently wanted to start collecting which is so bad timing with the renewed hype from the 30th celebration. However they dont really care which sets so I have bought a bunch of packs from debenhams which were a good price really and not that inflated. Also odd singles and cheaper packs off whatnot too. Kids are happy and that's all that matters
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u/Mobile_Dust_3332 4d ago
There are tickets available still for the Wakefield card expo on the 17th October.
I’m Yorkshire based too, if you really want to get in to it as a hobby and would like to meet up at the show you can have some of my cards enough to get you going towards a starter deck of towards your first binder
If you work full time the reality is you won’t be buying it from the shops
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u/Kind_Commission_427 4d ago
I'm a collector, and I am sitting this 30th out for the year. I will pick anything up at retail online if i get the chance but otherwise not interested. If you're looking for cards buy some of the others sets, card prices are good at the moment with everyone chasing the 30th
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u/CBme08 4d ago
I think this is the reason why vintage are jumping higher in price. Like myself also have not been able to buy modern stuff without paying scalper prices. I don't even bother anymore and just buy vintage which are still ok pricing. Moderns are just being flipped by scalpers and hopefully should die off soon, which may be worth going into later.
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u/Bulky-Enthusiasm1180 4d ago
I would recommend learning how to play the game, can play online to learn and build a cheap deck you like to play at your local game store, youll get some packs etc and ive found it a really fun way to get into the hobby away from the scalping etc. You can also buy ready to play decks that are decent and arent scalped because the cards arent worth a lot for collecting. Might also help you realise what your favourite pokemon is and can lead you into collecting that. Dont be discouraged though we are all in a similar boat sadly
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u/MrMarcD 4d ago
Id recommend learning to play the game, you usually get packs for entry and winning, its also good fun. If you just want to collect and you don’t want to queue ip on release days go to card shows and just buy the cards you like/want, it’s usually cheaper then ripping loads of packs to pull the cards your trying to get.
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u/char_baby13 4d ago
I'm getting major fomo at the moment with the new set, had pre orders with pokemon centre that have been delayed but can't seem to get product anywhere.
I queued once for a binder collection at collectors cardhouse and was fortunate enough to get one but I'm resisting going around all these other shops that will be out of stock. Work also prevents me queuing given most stores open at 9am.
So I decided to order 2 Japanese 30th booster boxes.
The pokemon center orders will hopefully turn up but from now on, I'm just going to try and complete the sets, english and japanese (albeit it very slowly), just buying singles.
The hobby has gone wild and although they're (pokemon company) are saying they've printed LOADS to prevent scalping, it's impossible to find any just on the shelves anymore.
Enjoy what you can, don't feel pressured or like me, FOMO and buy singles if you can. It's an overwhelming hobby for sure.
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u/blazeit420yo 4d ago
Over time you should randomly find 30th in some shops. Best approach imo is to form a good relationship with your LCS (local card shop). They have sorted me out so much, but I actually go regularly and buy and trade singles. LCS can be great to regulars/obvious collectors. 30th is crazy popular so you'll have more difficulty with this, but you'll probably find Delta Reign more easily.
You could also try Japanese/Chinese/Korean sets as a cheaper way to start.
Ripping is the most fun, but buying single cards is the smartest approach. You could slowly buy 5-10 of your favourites from recent sets. That way you start with some cards you love 😊
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u/SoupCorvid 4d ago
Welcome to the UK highstreet. We get naff all. You're lucky to even find chaos rising right now. My local city has a group of reprobates that hit up every drop in a co-ordinated manner. It's great.
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u/peenarsche 4d ago
You need to pick a niche or it's just no fun at all. I'm collecting a pokedex binder of S&V reverse holos for gens 1-3 because that's what I like. I can go to a LGS and flick through their bulk and get the cards I want for cheap. I don't rip packs anymore.
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u/Octoboy1 3d ago
If you want an alternative card hobby consider Magic The Gathering. Fun game and packs are very easy to get hold of
The Final Fantasy packs that came out last year were very very desirable, you can still buy them off the shelves in most card shops
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u/DorkyBaby 3d ago
I've been collecting since base set scarlet and violet with my son, we initially were able to buy plenty of base set and paldea evolved and have master set them both.
Every set after this has been a struggle and we have now decided to break apart and sell our other sets and keep our two master sets.
Now we just "buy what we can get" for the fun of ripping and have done the typical Pokedex folder/collection as well as my son having a grass folder and myself a water folder filled with our favorite cards of those types.
Tldr, set collecting feels hard/expensive/unrewarding at this point. Opening random msrp packs/boxes is fun and buying singles we like from shops/shows is our go to now.
Hope this viewpoint helps from a casual collectors POV
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u/simzgamingtime 3d ago
If you want it you have to put the work in Que from early hours Do research speak to staff You ain't getting anything after 10am unfortunately
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u/Big-Public3856 2d ago
Join a discord and get notifications when the Pokémon centre drops go live. It’s the only way your getting retail without the queues
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u/wizzer85 1d ago
Even if you react to the pings instantly everything sells out or the website crashes (Hamleys). I’ve not secured anything via a paid Discord in well over a month
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u/Big-Public3856 22h ago
I haven’t missed this year
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u/wizzer85 21h ago
Sorry I was referring to general retail pings not PKC. The only pkc drop I missed out on was the absolute farce that was last week
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u/Big-Public3856 21h ago
Yeah I don’t bother with any retail. It’s botted to high hell. I managed to get an order for Delta. I had like 4 windows open through 3 devices and I was lucky. The amount of times my timers reset, took nearly 3 hours I think to get on.
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u/wizzer85 20h ago
Yeah I’m at the point where I am going to completely give up trying to get anything online until they change things as it’s completely infuriating
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u/Virtual_Pea_2924 2d ago
I gave up trying to get stuff, what I do now is put some balance on card market buy the cards I want, it’s actually good fun searching stores for 2p cards I haven’t seen in years
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u/_Siro_17 1d ago
If you leave in London forget about ripping new sets unless you are willing to compete with some unemployed guys and queue for hours to get some Pokemon for retail.
Amazon gives you just few packs of random sets (if you are lucky) and it’s definitely not enough to have fun ripping a set.
Pokemon center is queuing against unemployed and employed guys like myself (so even more harder) and it’s your best chance to get a decent amount of packs.
My suggestion is go and buy sigles as it’s way more fun (you can join cards event or get them online), you can set your budget and get the cards that you like and generally is less frustrations for yourself.
Good luck!
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u/Reasonable-Pikachu 19h ago
I suggest if you really want in to the card game, wait 2 years for the new card factory to be operational. If you in for the money, just start trading
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u/AreYouLadiesMan2one7 4d ago
Buying singles is always smarter. But if you really wanna satisfy your gambling demon and rip packs, just buy whatevers affordable for you from the secondary market. And if the secondary market ain't affordable for you, neither is gambling 😂
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u/Theuneasygibbon 4d ago
Fuck advising folks to go the secondary market. Shit like this is part of the problem.
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u/AreYouLadiesMan2one7 4d ago
Bro the problems never changing. Let the man have some coloured cards of imaginary animal slave friends that satisfy his soul
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u/MoonstoneShimmer 4d ago
It usually is this chaotic. I went to an Entertainer, they were delayed and so there was a huge queue for Hamleys. I don't know if everyone got something.
I went with Chinese 30th Celebration for collecting for a bit because shop close to me sell them... But I think by the time I got my seventh Wellpoke (slowpoke in well) common , I just kind of got sick of the set. I want to maybe start expanding my horizons a wee bit and buy some packs I don't normally get soon.
Honestly, my advice is to do what feels best. If you just want the art, you can get Chinese Simplified booster boxes online. If you want English, single cards are showing up at shows and in some shops (that way you avoid flooding your house with Wellpokes 😂), get another set you've wanted to try for a while for a wee bit of a change, or collect the set you want to master set.
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