So, are you in need of Easy Ways to Start your TCG Collection in 2022? Have you ever looked at a video of a popular Pokémon YouTuber, and noticed the size of their collection? Have you ever wondered how much it costs to get a collection that large? How do they even find these rare items to begin with? How do you start your TCG collection?
These are questions that most people ask when they are new to collecting; especially when it comes to collecting trading card games (TCG). I can honestly tell you that building a collection that is large and full of rare items takes time and money. This is the part that scares off a lot of people. But what if there was a way that you can start collecting your favorite TCG according to your budget today?
Here are 5 Easy Ways to Start your TCG Collection in 2022.
5. Shop on Amazon or eBay
Let’s face it, probably the easiest way to find almost anything these days are on Amazon and eBay. Well, the same goes for starting a TCG Collection in 2022. As a result, both Amazon and eBay sell TCG for all types of budgets.
If you want newer TCG sets, I tend to get them from Amazon. Amazon is a great place to get cards at retail/MSRP. Now of course there is a catch to this, you need to make it’s actually sold by Amazon. Amazon allows for other sellers to sell on their site. So you will get sellers who may scam you or sellers that may raise the price over retail/MSRP. It’s always best to make sure Amazon is the actual seller. If you want new cards for a great price, make sure to pre-order on Amazon, this way you will get the item when it is released.
eBay is a great place to get TCG sets. I tend to get mostly older TCG sets or some singles from eBay. With the way the market is right now for a lot of different TCG, getting new products from eBay, may not be a good idea. Prices for new products tend to be overpriced in today’s market. But this is something you may have to judge for yourself. Sometimes you may have to pay for an item now before the price goes up even higher later. But since most of you reading this article are just getting started in collecting, I would use eBay to get older TCG sets and single cards only.
Whether you decide to use Amazon or eBay, always do your research first. Find out the going rates for items before you purchase anything. If you ever need a tool to help you find out prices on TCG cards, check out The Vault here. The Vault is a work in progress, and will soon be a great tool to make sure people get accurate information for current pricing and more. This will be one of the 5 easy ways to start your TCG Collection in 2022.
4. Go To Big Box Stores
If you get a chance to leave your home in search of more TCG to add to your collection, a great place to start your collection would be local big box stores. Big box stores are your large retailers such as Walmart and Target. Those are probably the two stores I would focus on when starting a TCG collection. Both stores will provide you with the Big 3 in TCG, Pokémon, Yu-gi-oh!, and Magic: The Gathering. Sometimes you can find other TCG like Dragon Ball Z, Digimon, and more.
If you want a newly released product at retail/MSRP, checking out your big box store will help you out. Also, looking at some other big stores like Barnes and Noble is a good idea. Not everyone thinks of going into stores like that.
3. TCGplayer
TCGplayer is an online marketplace for Trading Card Games. This is probably the best place you can get single cards in any type of condition you are looking for. Even though TCGplayer is good for people who play TCG, it is also good for collectors. Not everyone wants a trading card that is graded. Sometimes you want a specific card just because you like the artwork. Maybe you do not want one in the best condition; you just want to add it to your collection. TCGplayer is perfect for this scenario.
Don’t think that it’s not possible to get cards that have grading potential. Sometimes you can get a card in mint condition from a seller off of TCGplayer. Check the prices for near mint, and judge if it’s worth the risk. When it comes to single loose cards, TCGplayer is the place to go. This is one 5 easy ways to start your TCG Collection in 2022.
Ok, so this is the part where I need to throw in a short plug. Collect A Hobby is an affiliate for TCGplayer. If you would like to help Collect A Hobby grow, at no cost to you, you can use our affiliate link if you decide to purchase anything from TCGplayer.
Shop on TCGplayer here.
2. Shop at a Local Game Store
A great place to start building your TCG collection is at a Local Game Store or Local Game Shop (LGS). The first thing you should do is look up the game store closest to you. As soon as you find one, check it out in person. You never know what type of cards you can get at an LGS. Sometimes they have some great single cards that you may have been looking for. They usually also carry the latest TCG, so you won’t have to miss out on any product.
The big difference between Big Box retailers and LGS are booster boxes. You won’t find booster boxes in stores. You will only find smaller products like blisters packs, or holiday sets. Booster boxes are something you will need to get from a local game store or from a seller online.
If you are chasing specific cards to add to your collection, then booster boxes will ultimately give you more chances to get the card you want. Whatever you are looking for, you have a better chance of getting it from an LGS.
You need to go to a trusted LGS. Make sure they have fair prices and they are not trying to rip you off. In the last two years, there have been so many local game stores that have opened. Some of them charge so much on products and try to artificially raise the market value for TCG products. Watch out for LGS like that.
With that said, know that LGS is always about business first. Be understanding when they have to charge a little more than a retail store. In order to keep their shop open, and in order to provide you with the product you are looking for, they will usually charge more than the Big Box stores. If you have the money, it’s worth it. But make sure you know the difference between charging more to keep the shop in business, and charging more to take advantage of a customer. Even with that said, LGS is one of 5 Easy Ways To Start Your TCG Collection in 2022.
An Honorable Mention: Trading
Before mentioning my top way to collect for TCG in 2022, here is an Honorable Mention: Trading. Trading is a good way to add to your collection. Of course, you will need to own products before you can trade them. But this is sort of a thing people tend to do less of these days. After all, these are trading card games, it used to be about opening the packs, getting the cards you want, and trading the ones you don’t want. That is how it used to be. If you can find people who want to trade with you, this is a great way to not spend extra money. Just get rid of cards you no longer want to someone who is searching for it.
Collect A Hobby will allow Trades in the Trade Group only section. This section is for Gem Mint Collectors only. But it will be a great way to bring back the nostalgia. Trading will be a great way to build your collection.
If you are interested in joining the Gem Mint Collector Membership today, register here today.
1. Garage/Yard Sales/ Flea Markets
My number one way to start your trading card game collection in 2022, is by going to a Garage Sale, a Yard Sale, a Rummage sale, Flea Market, a Thrift Store…… I put all of these in the same category. This is a great chance to find vintage products. I was able to grow a large video game collection by doing this. In fact, there have been many TCG that I left behind when going to all of these sales in the last 10-15 years. It’s crazy when I stop to think about it.
People think that just because the competition is getting tough out there, that you won’t find anything good. But if you leave early in the morning during the weekend in warm weather, you just may be able to find something special. There will always be a person who is throwing out cards that they are no longer using. A parent getting rid of junk their kid outgrew. There will always be someone who collected for years that just wants to downsize to a fellow collector. You never know what you will find at these places. This is not only my best way to collect; it is also the most exciting way to collect.
Well, there you have it. These were 5 Easy Ways To Start Your TCG Collection in 2022. Now I know that everyone starts collecting in different ways. Here’s your chance to let me know what you would like to add to this blog post. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below
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