1 AM Rant: Reacting to 10 Reasons to Invest in Pokemon Cards by Entrepreneur Magazine...in 2020!?!

On November 3, 2020 a seemingly innocent article appears online courtesy of Entrepreneur Magazine. On April 10, 2023, the article was found and analyzed by Reserved Investments right here on KZbin...this is the result. You have been warned. Get ready for some more mind-numbing stupidity as we discuss this totally useless hype-driven article in depth.
Link to the article in question: www.entrepreneur.com/money-fi...
Email for Antique/Collectible Consulting Services: [e-mail]
Patreon: / reservedinvestments
Videos are not a substitute for actual investment advice. Investing in any antique or collectible is extremely risky and should be done with caution.

[@ParallelUniversity]

The drama around Logan Paul's authenticated shipping box of Gen 1 Pokémon turning out to be GI Joe cards happened after this article was made, but I wonder how many people got burned on fake cards and are still holding fake booster boxes and don't even know it

[@PARZ90s]

That's deep.

[@Groglor]

That video was made to go viral. It was setup and fake.

[@TheJaminator]

Since 2020, all sealed Pokémon card product has still gone up a load. That’s not a generalisation, I mean EVERYTHING sealed product. The single cards and graded stuff will always be a risk, I’ve lost about 50% total value since 2020 on my graded cards collection, but I also bought them knowing that risk.

[@ReservedInvestments]

And your major miscalculation is assuming this trend will continue indefinitely.

[@TheJaminator]

@@ReservedInvestments well I’ve been collecting since 1999 and that trend has kept indefinitely. Sealed product goes up, Single individual cards go up and down, if you want to do a little bit of research on the sealed packets and boxes it won’t take long to find the price history to show you everything goes up.

[@ReservedInvestments]

This is patently false.

[@TheJaminator]

@@ReservedInvestments coming from someone who actually collects Pokémon cards and has been closely tracking it since 1999, unfortunately will have to disagree with you and information is readily avaialAble for you to google search and find. I am not stating opinions but merely facts and my own experience which unfortunately can’t be disproven.

[@TheJaminator]

@@ReservedInvestments every single booster pack since 1999 to 2023 had a retail value from $2 to $6, the 1999 base booster packs are $500 Aud each now, with first editions being over $10’000 each. Every booster pack since then is also above the retail price, even packs from last year are worth more than retail with terrible sets like sword and shield base set, chilling reign ($6 retail) being sold on eBay for $10 each pack, and evolving skies ($6 retail) released aug 2021, not even two years ago, going for $14-15 each now. I’m sorry you’re not happy with the fact that it happens, but there’s no way you could find a single sealed product or pack sold from the last 26 years that’s below its retail price.

[@custum18]

I like when you point out that everyone is keeping stuff sealed and behind plastic in perfect condition. In the future something in bad condition will actually be rarer.

[@ReservedInvestments]

It is completely unsustainable over the long term. Every market that this happened to throughout the history of the collectibles trade, suffered a massive correction.

[@guanxinated]

I don't necessarily disagree with the basic premise, but bear in mind that 'pack-fresh' doesn't necessarily equate to 'PSA 10 collectable grade.' The Pokemon TCG is plagued with print quality issues, to such a degree that it's essentially a 50-50 coin flip for the modern stuff. I only collect Japanese cards, but I assume the issue is the same (possibly worse) when it comes to English cards. TL;DR: gem mint cards are actually rather difficult to come by!

[@khadorstrong]

Great video. I think, if you're looking to make money you can make PLENTY in Pokemon/Magic/Flesh and Blood/etc, however you have to be active, and much more involved than people usually want to be. You have to pay attention to when prices dip and then when they jump back up to flip out of it, and move onto the next thing. It's definitely a part time job, at minimum. The idea that you're just going to dump 10k into this world, and then in 5yrs pull out 20k or 30k is silly. As with most things, people want the money, but they dont want to do the work involved for it

[@Johndeplume.]

Pokemon/Magic etc. isn't my area of interest... but broadly speaking, your comment is spot on (esp. concluding remark)! As is so often the case, the people who are prepared to throw big money at something (stocks and shares, collectibles, etc. etc.), but aren't prepared to do the hard work involved in learning about what they're investing in, and the inherent risks, are generally the ones that are going to be susceptible to be taken advantage of, and left in tears.

[@EricHeidenAuthor]

It's better than the Funko article you read recently, but that's a low bar to clear.

[@kurjan1]

I started collecting vinyl records and CDs in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Ive bought some very expensive ones. At least if it all goes to pot, at the end of the day I have a collection of beautiful music to see me through to my dying days. To me Pokemon cards are just worthless pieces of paper with a picture on them. They offer nothing to the end user. Now if you could buy the original concept art... now you're talking. Like I purchased original story board art from LOTR The Return of the King.

[@UNSCPILOT]

Same, collecting CDs, and the music therein is much better, especially since I can rip them to my PC and load them up on a portable music player. No need to stream anything when I own the music I want to listen to, especially I'm a area with crap network coverage XD

[@Calax1s]

Shawn the 🐐, aka. The Thanos of the Antiques and Collectibles Trade.

[@bestbry1]

Love your content, man! Just want to add a story to the mix: my collecting gene, I believe was induced by my grandpa and father and mother, these three had a major role in getting me excited on collectibles, also helping me understand and appreciate things of value. Because of this, I think you are “wrong” on the belief of being born a collector. Maybe you just said it metaphorically, but anyway here’s my cents on the matter: having a good influence creates some genes too

[@radio2rancid]

Always full of great information uncle Shawn! Thank you for all you do!

[@7Alberto7]

Data from 2020/2021 are not plausible and should not be taken into account for future "strategy" Great stuff thanks as alwais for these video

[@ReservedInvestments]

💯

[@Mitjitsu]

21:50 - There are no professional Pokémon players. Even if you played and won every big tournament out there you would not be making a living from the game. Yes, they are serious players who dedicate a lot of their free time into practicing and strategizing, but they are hobbyists at heart. At best there might be top players who have sponsorship deals, and side businesses that are Pokemon related for an income.

[@ajtstvandmusicarchivechann1585]

All these speculators with pokemon cards reminds me of the 1990a Kenner star wars toy collectors. I remember in the 2010s seeing boxes upon boxes of those at antique malls and flea markets. Even in 2023 I still see them often enough. Wonder if in 20 years we will see loads of sealed booster boxes of the modern sets.

[@budgetcardbreaks]

If we do I won’t be mad. Give collectors a chance to complete sets that can’t rn bc of prices. Real collectors want low prices not high. When things are high I can’t buy shit

[@ugandanknuckles464]

cant compare star wars figures to pokemen cards. some modern japanese sets are already 1000+

[@golddragon1123]

As someone who invests and works in the card industry, smart people will make money over 2-5 years in Pokemon sealed products and certain cards. 2020 was so different than now, its insane.

[@ag30126]

Magic the gathering is leaning in this way with there serialized cards and the incoming lord of the ring 1/1 serialized card. The demand is there like other collectibles

[@bluegreen391]

With pokemon you can buy a booster box. Hold 4 years. Sell box. Buy current new box. Keep difference. Trend hasn't stopped yet.

[@FlowerCityCards]

100%. Until this trend stops/slows down we will continue to see the same process repeat itself. It’s all supply/demand-driven.

[@ReservedInvestments]

Until this trend stops/slows…which it WIlL.

[@natertotgaming1246]

@@ReservedInvestments it won’t slow down Pokemon too big

[@FlowerCityCards]

@@ReservedInvestments what’s puzzling to me is how the Pokémon supply today compares to the wax era of the 80’s and 90’s. Do we have any data to suggest it’s on the same level? Or are you implying the downfall of modern booster box “flipping” is not related to supply & demand?

[@ReservedInvestments]

They say that about everything. Keep believing it though…lol. 😂

[@christinekhajadourian9583]

Fantastic video as usual! Can you comment on vintage non-sports trading cards such as Star Wars cards from 1977 and Garbage Pail Kids cards from the 80's. Thank you!!

[@squigin3380]

Ooh that regional collecting video sounds super interesting subbed so I can watch it

[@drewp9819]

While I agree that Pokemon cards are not a super safe investment, I do think that trying to collect actual Pokemon is probably very lucrative, given how much exotic animals go for. The same people who buy tigers and such would probably pay a lot of money for even just a charmander.

[@avenger1212]

I think the investor case for TCG games is going to come down to answering the question, will there still be a significant demand for these products after the people who grew up with them have moved on or passed on? You and I are of the age group that has disposable income to buy the vintage Magic cards or Pokemon cards we grew up playing with. Will future generations value them as much as we do? Will future generations collect TGC cards for their historical value as late-20th to early 21st century cultural items? You'd need a crystal ball to know for sure. I think at least in Pokemon's case, you have a lot of interest among kids and it is a growing brand still. As those kids become adults with disposable income, there could be a nostalgia effect that could make some of these modern cards more valuable. In that timeframe though, could you make more in an index fund instead? Seems like a higher probability anyway.

[@lowrollerscratcher3563]

You see Disney cards pumping so hard today. Timmy and kimmy will get burned again

[@phoeben9764]

Would love to hear more videos of your thoughts on Harry Rinker's articles

[@amberlee6878]

Can u make more content on rare books? Or do u have any KZbin resources for learning about rare books?

[@ReservedInvestments]

I did one video thus far on rare books. More content is coming, but it may be awhile until I get back around to rare books. That said, I love the market for rare books, so you have that going for it...

[@davidallen4026]

The whole article went off the rails when it called his pokemon cards "assets". I guess it's right in the sense that anything that isn't a liability could be called an "asset". To me, the only way any collectible is an asset is (1) you have already completely paid for it, (2) you don't have to spend a bunch of money maintaining it, (3) there is an active and easily accessible market for someone to sell it.

[@rickd6476]

Hey Shawn, how do you feel about PSA 9 gold stars ? It seems like for most of them the top 15% is only PSA 10.

[@fj7509]

I have a few of those gold stars, the reason for the unequal distribution of them and wide pricing is due to the mentality of a collector rather than what a market demands. The difference between being able to afford a PSA 9 Latias Gold star costing $3,500 a pop and a PSA 10 costing $30,000 a pop doesn't come down to rarity distribution anymore. Both are exceedingly rare cards, any Latias gold star in decent condition is very hard to come by, PSA 9 has a pop count of like 150 and a PSA 10 is like 30. The pop count distribution doesn't justify the price, the price is instead justified by attainability. A PSA 9 is attainable by the average person. Considering that person works a 9 to 5 making a yearly salary, they can easily park away money each month to afford one and maybe negotiate to get a copy. The PSA 10 coming in at $30,000, even if in a similar league of rarity as the PSA 9, is dictated by the top percent of collectors. Logan Paul might have one, maybe a few influencers, but that can easily amount to the entire population. If your purchase PSA 9 gold stars, you need you ask yourself "Is the market share going to increase by an amount where more people who can't afford a PSA 10 will instead have to purchase a PSA 9?" You need to make that argument for yourself and solve those questions to get the answer you need. Happy collecting!

[@rickd6476]

@@fj7509 thanks for the detailed response. I guess the issue is the upside on a card that is attainable by the working class is limited vs the upside on that the elite can afford which is unlimited

[@PaulRockey]

You are my favorite channel on KZbin

[@ReservedInvestments]

Thanks!

[@BasTHoorn]

The writer does not know about storage/binder damage.

[@hartspot009]

Outstanding as always! My fav youtube channel by far

[@ReservedInvestments]

Thank you!

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

Sport cards too are taking a serious hit in a massive pull-back. I"ve seen the numbers -the losses are staggering. It's like 2008...but for Sport cards.

[@jcbuckeye]

The key to any collectible flipping is timing. You can make money if you sell at the right time and or have fast turnover time for hot cards.

[@crocopie]

Not sure for 10 to 20 years investment. But pokemon cards are playable and saleable as long as there are people playing them. This is their advantage as opposed to baseball or NBA cards.

[@stevenewsome5306]

What about uno cards? They’re playable, sellable and people play uno?

[@scalpertcg6179]

What do you have to say about evolving skies cases I paid $700 for. They now going for $2500 😁😁 don’t get my started with chilling reign, lost origin, fusion strike 🚀 the truth is that there is now more demand for Pokémon than ever before and the average joes are not gonna spend 10k plus on vintage stuff

[@ReservedInvestments]

Simple answer: This too shall pass. Name a collecting market where prices continued to increase on modern era stuff. You can’t because it never happened over the long term. Take the profit and keep it moving. Time is both an enemy and a friend. 😉

[@ugandanknuckles464]

keep buying, not even time can stop pokeman

[@scalpertcg6179]

@@ugandanknuckles464 😁😁😁

[@ReservedInvestments]

Let me know how that works for you. 😉

[@thomascook7243]

It’s worked out for him so far. @ReservedInvestments - you need to further explore the ROI data on individual cards VS Sealed product. It’s a simple supply and demand equation. Sealed product will eventually drop in supply and even if demand STAYS CONSTANT then the price of that sealed product will rise. You don’t have to be contrarian on everything do you?

[@madjoe8622]

I am always scratching my head when I heard of people that think cards, printed in the billions, can be an investment. The first sets of mtg or pokemon, I can understand. But stuff printed today? lol

[@MegaMunizaga]

bruh yiu can make money with modern sets lol just buy and hold its really that simple dont be jealous

[@joeyo4134]

Are we expecting a total market crash where out-of-print sets fall below original MSRP? Or is that why they call you Mad Joe

[@ugandanknuckles464]

that includes every language/energy and common cards worth nothing. The chase cards hold value

[@infovids5048]

People used to think counter strike cases, stickers, and graffiti would be forever 1-5 cents, since there were 10s of millions sold. Now those 1 cent cases are worth 5 dollars with the most valuable being around 80 dollars, stickers over 1,000 and graffiti around 1-10 dollars. What Shaun didn't seem to connect about global markets is that the rug market might be global, but no one wants them but a few thousand rich people. All while 30 million unique accounts are playing CSGO daily, and over 70 million are playing Pokémon online TCG monthly. There are possibly 100s of millions of Pokémon card holders, with people joining the hobbies daily. A small percent of buyers are smart enough to resell, the rest are just consumers. Keep in mind that just like CSGO's free drops, Pokémon cards are not produced after a multi year window. This is how cards printed in the billions can be investments, It takes time, but the idea that Valve or Pokemon will shut down the multibillion dollar a year money faucet is not likely.

[@infovids5048]

@@didjen181 I buy cards, cases, and virtual items for pennies and sell them for dollars. I've taken about 2,000 and turned it into 20,000 at least 10x over the last 10 years. I'm looking for max profit. You can invest slowly and gain 10% a year or you can invest wisely and gain a thousand percent a year. I've been able to call the market by understanding the way it moves, and comparing it to some other markets, making massive profits along the way. Just trying to share some info, because these cards will continue to rise in value just like the older sets once they are taken out of print. It's never instant, but I've had lots of success flipping common cards I bought for 3 cents for 1-2 dollars profit. Follow the trend.

[@natemidnight]

Love your content Shawn. I wondered if you might give your thoughts on 1935 Mickey Mouse Gum Cards. I've been collecting them a bit. I find them more interesting than the modern Disney cards. I imagine your viewers may not have much interest in that so I won't expect anything. Thanks for all you do to share your knowledge.

[@ReservedInvestments]

It's Disney, but very niche...but it is Disney...at the very least.

[@squigin3380]

I'm not expecting them to make me rich but I bought mostly special release stuff around that time for the 25 anniversary and I plan to hold onto it til al least the 30th anniversary. The stuff has actually already gone up an ok amount for how short of a time has gone on since I purchased them. The stuff from the 20th anniversary was going pretty high when the 25th anniversary stuff came out. I know it's speculation and I don't expect to get rich but so far seems like Ill make some money like I thought. I'm a reseller who sources pre owned stuff directly and I usually don't like speculation or retail arbitrage.

[@stevenewsome5306]

If it’s gone up and you’ll make a nice profit, why not sell now?

[@Johndeplume.]

Common-sense analysis and great concluding remarks, Shawn. 👍 Ridiculous that people get caught up with the hype spouted by 'influenzers', and so-called 'experts' (as per that 'Entrepreneur' article you critiqued), without understanding their inherent bias and agendas. As with anything, the cautionary tale is to ALWAYS do your own research. NEVER take one so-called 'expert's' word as the Gospel. ALWAYS relate people's opinions on what's come before it (tulip craze, Beanie Babies, PEZ, etc.), and what might follow. UNDERSTAND that history can (and often does) repeat itself. ALWAYS weigh up the risks. ONLY INVEST what you can afford to lose. PROCEED WITH CAUTION... and, most importantly, ENJOY THE JOURNEY! That's my thoughts anyway.

[@guylainelaroche6391]

Le mal hollandais....pokemon card are like tulip....this will go down one way or another....don't go in it with only money as your main reason...I'm a pokemon card collector for the fun and how relaxing organizing them is for me

[@CatsMeowPaw]

Back in 2021 it was common to see whole A4 sized boxes of Pokemon cards being sold at local auctions. All cards were mint condition, and the collections were always salted with a few holo cards to make the lot look more attractive. Of course what was happening was that people were buying up huge lots of cards, taking all the good ones out, and then dumping the worthless cards to auction for some sucker to buy.

[@romainhugon7052]

the price of some pokemon cards is pretty nuts, i wounder how long people are going to up the ante, but i know it will fall real hard at some point. i feel bad for the poor dude who will put his savings in those cards at the wrong time.

[@tomneijnens4048]

Thank you very much

[@JonnyRoboto]

Im curious why you're very knowledgeable about money in regards to investing but not in regards to the government simply throwing money at the economy as if it was the solution to the downfall of many businesses and was a drop in a bucket. I am genuinely curious on your point of view and hope for an honest answer and not just asking to pick a fight. Also, I understand if you don't want to answer as it may get some of your viewers angry. You did open my eyes to bubbles and the bursting of bubbles and investing and not investing in certain items so thank you for that.

[@ReservedInvestments]

Dude, you posted this in a video about Pokemon cards. Go get a political KZbinr to explain it to you. Thanks however for helping make the algorithm pop by leaving a comment…

[@bat2275]

Love how they quote the Logan Paul example. GI Joe anyone ??

[@tylerhoffman1155]

what you are saying is spot on! I flip and collect Pokémon cards along with other items as a side hobby. I thankfully have the collecting gene and have collected and traded all kinds of items since I was a kid. for Pokémon, I mainly focus on vintage high grade cards for collecting. and some, very very, few new modern art high grade cards for the long term if I can get them at good deals. but, I would say 99.9% of what I buy from transactions and bulk deals, I flip and sell into the market for profit. so, most of my long term collection has been items from these deals that I have chosen to keep because I already obtained a profit on my transactions. THE HYPE WILL GO AWAY! get the money while you can and save the grail pieces if you enjoy the space you are collecting in! keep up the videos Shawn!!! I apricate them greatly!

[@Johndeplume.]

This is the smart way to do it! Well done. 👍

[@GanJinLan]

Best video

[@kinggames2219]

Article was written by a little Timmy

[@victorysla]

Hii

[@vgrepairs]

​@@victorysla Hello when is the Timmy S. Poindexter Jr. GAME CONSOLE coming out?

[@zandelscomicsandcards7543]

That article is ridiculous 😂

[@toewstokane9023]

Didn’t you say Pokémon, specifically 1st Gen, as an actual collectible is a good thing, as well as historical coins when comparing to Funko pops? My 1st Gen sealed Pokémon boxes keep increasing in value astronomically as well as other older sets of sealed product.

[@ReservedInvestments]

It has organic collectibility, but is still considered very speculative. Compared to Funko Pops however, obviously Pokemon has the edge and is completely different. Pokemon is not on par with rare coins and never will be, because those are historical.

[@bat2275]

It would be nice to get a video about something that younger generations really like to collect that is not mass-produced scarcity. Does it exist?

[@luckylarue7885]

I think they are going for something called index funds

[@MRkriegs]

this was great =D

[@stevirobbo]

Kidrobot is a good investment for the future because its artists who create them and some pieces are mass produced if thats what you want to call 1000 pieces but I havent seen you talk on this yet and this is general local collecting to not worldwide although with ebay isnt everything now worldwide?

[@snakeonia7542]

Don’t disagree with anything besides I think those hoarding out of print sealed products is not rampant due to cost of entry. Will they grow in price?? Who knows but seems like -50% to +50% in a five year timeframe seems reasonable.

[@ReservedInvestments]

By that logic, why not just get an S & P 500 index fund? 😳

[@snakeonia7542]

@@ReservedInvestments won’t argue. Some people have to learn for themselves though.

[@ReservedInvestments]

Uh, okay. Seriously, you can’t make some of these comments up…😳

[@FooPanda]

Poor quality control is gonna eat graded and sealed modern alive!

[@BasTHoorn]

15:00 Did phenomenon happened in 2020 but does not happen anymore.

[@alexanderkador534]

what do you do, until 1.00am

[@ReservedInvestments]

Consult. I’m a consultant in the trade.

[@alexanderkador534]

@@ReservedInvestments cool. i just worry your not getting enough rest amigo ;)

[@ReservedInvestments]

It’s been many, many years…

[@Mousevengeance]

🥇 Edit: I should be sleeping, but this article looks awful similar to the Funko one.

[@lennywright5655]

One thing speculators never say, antiques and collectibles aren’t worth anything till you find a buyer willing to pay. Stocks and bonds. on the other hand, you can sell with literally a push of a button.

[@nexiamania]

15!

[@jesseramirez1283]

You are correct.....good video

[@arteindue]

Buy the rumor, sell the news.

[@teetoo3790]

Sounds like all those people who pump Marvel and DC movie/TV show hyped comic books.

[@typhlosion212]

I already made 30 k in Pokémon and I just collected what I liked. East money

[@ReservedInvestments]

And you don’t think I didn’t make ‘easy money’ either? This isn’t going to last forever.

[@luckylarue7885]

This article is hilariously bad.

[@no_alternative9071]

The most delusional article