ThePokémon Trading Card Game’s upcomingPrismatic Evolutionsset has created a serious buzz, so collectors will likely want to keep an eye on prices for its most sought-after cards. Because the set includes new Terastal Pokémon ex versions of Eevee and its Eeveelutions, many casual players may also be interested in picking up a card with cool art of some fan-favorite Pokémon. Either way, knowing how to track card prices can help ensure nobody is overpaying for these cards.
Trading card games (TCGs) likePokémonmay have an MSRP for packs when they are first released, but this can vary wildly over time. When official vendors sell out, players will have to rely on the secondary market,where it can be harder to gauge what a fair price is for a given card. Some game shops even adjust their prices to match the secondary market. Players looking to collect hot items like thePrismatic Evolutions Setwould, therefore, benefit from a basic understanding of how that market works.
The Best Sites For Tracking Pokémon Card Prices
These Sites Can Be Used To Track Pricing Trends And Compare Different Sellers
One site that any TCG player needs to be aware of is… TCGPlayer.This is the go-to site for many stores and independent sellerson the secondary market, which means it has a lot of data to pull from about card prices and trends. Looking at an individual product, for example, thePrismatic EvolutionsBooster Bundle page onTCGplayershows players some important data. The site tracks the average price, as well as high and low prices and most recent sales, and gives a graph of its price trend.
Pokémon TCG Issues Statement On Prismatic Evolutions Shortages
The Pokémon Trading Card Game will be reprinting Prismatic Evolutions over the next few months in response to shortages of the new card set.
Knowing what a card has sold for most recently is helpful because it indicateswhether it is currently overpriced. If the price trend graph shows it has been steadily falling, players can wait for it to plateau before buying a copy to hopefully save some money. A TCGPlayer product page also lists sellers by price, so it will show if there is a place to buy it cheaper and how well-rated that seller is. Many brick-and-mortar stores also price their singles based on TCGPlayer’s Market Price.
While TCGPlayer is a great resource, it’s a good idea to check other trusted retailers as well. If there aren’t many listings on TCGPlayer, then prices may be a bit inflated. Some sellers also sometimes list cards at a ridiculous up-charge to raise the average price on a given card. A good additional tool to use isPokeData.io.This site tracks prices from eBay, TCGPlayer, and Card Market,giving a good indication if any single site’s prices are over-inflated.
What To Expect From Prismatic Evolutions Prices After Release
Prices Tend To Fall After A Set’s Initial Release
One thing to be aware of is that, oftentimes,Pokémoncards drop in price after their initial release. Pre-order prices can be jacked up for a few different reasons. Some of this is due to players buying cards on speculation that they will be worth more later, whether because they are rare or they predict they will have a major impact on the game’s meta. Hype also plays a part in this. With some stores saying they won’t even stockPrismatic Evolutions, many players may be more willing to overpay just to secure cards from the set.
AfterPrismatic Evolutionscomes out, there will likely be a dip in the price of the cards. Sellers who are tired of holding onto their stock may drop their prices after the market is inflated, and nobody wants to pay too much for them. Players may also start losing interest as excitement begins to be generated for upcoming sets. For example, theJourney Togethersethas already caught some players’ attention, and if it becomes the new hot item, interest inPrismatic Evolutionscards could fall. With mostPokémonsets, it’s usually worth waiting until after release to see how prices are affected.
