I Bought $1000 Worth of Graded Pokemon Cards From Ebay...

After returning to Pokemon TCG Collecting after 22+ years off, I decided to target specific investments that felt like they would retain their value long term, so I may tap them for profit if I ever need to in the future.
After 2 months of delving into this world, the most noticeable return seems to come from Graded cards, especially those not worth thousands, as the market has trouble deciphering between the worth of the cost of the grade (25-30dollars) vs the actual quality of the card, allowing you to get cards for under the grading cost, and flip them for well over the grading cost.
This is the fruits of my labor thus far.

[@zachosrs9330]

If you're going to continue buying graded cards for investment then you're definitely better sticking with the big 3 grading companies, PSA, Beckett and CGC. There was a massive influx of new grading companies that popped up after 2020 and the explosion in pokemon collecting. Because of this people lost faith and don't attribute much value to any companies outside of the big three, even though it looks like SGC has been around for a lot longer. Some 10s with smaller grading companies sell for the same amount as you'd buy the card raw. For things like personal collections that's obviously different (I like using Ace grading in the UK for my personal collection because I like their label and slab design), but any card graded by another company you might want to consider cracking it open and submitting it to PSA instead, if the dollars make sense.

[@acegamestv]

interesting, thanks a lot for that insight. Had no idea that there were brand new companies involved. Obviously I see PSA as the best resale value, but I have to say, that SGC card I got is amazing looking. I love it! I will probably try to sell it as is, and if it doesn't go I'll just keep it. Thanks again!

[@zachosrs9330]

@@acegamestv Yeah, the quality of the grade can be as good or better than PSA (especially with what seems like inconsistent criteria at PSA) but the name of the company is what gives it the most valuable. Some nice bargains in this vid for sure either way!

[@acegamestv]

@@zachosrs9330 Ya, was shocked how readily available good deals are on auctions for graded cards. If it wasn't for the absurd cut Ebay takes you could really just full time flip!

[@deanofdeans254]

I’ve been buying for my self and future investment one piece psa 10 slabs. Love the art work and the show is fantastic. Very early on for the TCG its self but who knows what the future holds for the Future King of the pirates!

[@acegamestv]

Oh that's cool, I have seen some people selling those for a lot. I know negative about the show and universe though, but sounds fun!

[@Deadpandemiccomics]

the cards that you don't know why it graded 9 and not 10 has to do with the centering, the ditto looked skewed, The sticker on the bag is for inventory and helps keep the bag closed.

[@acegamestv]

The bag is one of those resealable pouches, I have a ton of them. I don't need the sticker, or the bag to stay closed either way. Its already inside a bubble mailer inside paper inside a box lol...

[@Deadpandemiccomics]

@acegamestv true but they don't know that, it's hard to not do everything a standard way, plus think about it being in storage at their warehouse the bag protects it when they have to move it. You get one customer that complains and it could be a problem for their reputation so I don't think it's about shipping maybe more for their storage and handling. Cool vid though

[@acegamestv]

@@Deadpandemiccomics Well I am in favor of the bag for sure. Just not having to now throw out the bag because of the nonsense sticker on it. No one else ships cards like this, and as you have seen I have purchased a lot.

[@Deadpandemiccomics]

@acegamestv I get what you're saying. Seems like they were a bigger seller than the rest so it'd make sense to me why they do it that way is all

[@crisp_tv]

any tips on how to avoid. fake cards in slabs?

[@acegamestv]

Only thing I can say for sure is buy from reputable sources. PSA slabs have watermarks and tracking on their website too so you can cross reference all that. Although its not impossible to just print that on a fake label either.

[@thisfoomikey4526]

Started slabbing. Actually, fun process hoping for that 10. But i go with cgc. Psa to me has an ugly ass label

[@acegamestv]

Ya, I agree its not attractive at all. If you are doing it just for personal collection, enjoy! I feel like it would be like collecting dollar bills though. you know how much money you are losing in the process, that you HAVE to eventually regret it right? Even with the ugly slab, PSA ensures the future of these cards might mean you get your money back if not way way more. That to me, is just more valuable, because at the end of the day the CARD is what I look at, not the plastic around it.

[@Lead1121]

151 needs a reprint, these prices suck right now for collectors. Also, Japanese is the way to go for collecting in my opinion. The quality control is a lot higher and the detailing is just amazing. It does make the market more cold due to more supply and higher amount of PSA 10's

[@acegamestv]

That's why I was scouting the 9s or even 8s. If you want raw cards it would be super cheap too. I'd like the reprint myself just so the packs are cheaper and not being scalped. But I bought every card I wanted from the 151 set other than the venusaur and it was all under 500 bucks for graded 9 and higher. Japanese is cool, but I like being able to read the text haha. If I just wanted the art, I could print the images out myself.

[@Lead1121]

@@acegamestv I have a mix match of 151 in Japanese as well as English and I'm kind of upset I did that. I don't enjoy owning multiples of the same card even if the language is different so I have to make a decision if I want to bank on English getting a reprint or if I should just go with the Japanese cards to save money. I've also never bought graded cards personally so I'm not super familiar but you got some good ones there!

[@acegamestv]

@@Lead1121 Cool, well personally I'm english all the way! Good luck!

[@Lead1121]

@@acegamestv I might be switching back to English tbh! Good luck to you too!