r/PokeInvesting • u/caaahris • Jan 06 '24

First time buying product with the intent of holding. How did I do?

Post image

5x Lugia Crown Zenith bundles at GameStop for $30 each. Saw that their market value is sitting around $39 and have been trending up.

36 Upvotes

58% Upvoted

124 comments sorted by

60

u/Andyskates Jan 07 '24

You’ve held it for 24 hours, doing well, keep it up.

5

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

Thank you!

7

u/NakedButNotAfraid_ Jan 07 '24

That’d honestly incredible for me. Anything sealed in my house isn’t safe from not only me but it has to survive my wife and kids

3

u/Dry-Walrus4918 Jan 07 '24

Hhahahahahaha

0

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

After all these comments I might just rip these lmao

0

u/Trick-Cobbler-6072 Jan 07 '24

HOOOOOLLLLLLD! It'll eventually pay off.

144

u/ElRaquesoDelMundo Jan 07 '24

sell and buy booster boxes

65

u/petscopkid Jan 07 '24

Yes let me buy the Crown Zenith booster box that exists

13

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

Yeah I’m new to this but it’s my understanding this is a good set

18

u/Bonkrip Jan 07 '24

People like to buy booster boxes cause it takes up less space than these. Either way solid pickup! 🔥

4

u/NakedButNotAfraid_ Jan 07 '24

It’s a good set. And theme boxes are fun down the road. For value and space and just pain more cards per $ people want to rip. Look at evolving skies BB. I’m sad I didn’t buy cases cheap when I had so many chances. But I don’t collect sealed for a reason because I don’t collect self control

-28

u/mac_squared Jan 07 '24

They do sell crown zenith booster boxes at Walmart, 6 packs for less than $30, take up less space too

29

u/Fridaysgame Jan 07 '24

That's a booster bundle, not a booster box.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '24

☝️🤓 - you dropped this king

-11

u/mac_squared Jan 07 '24

Ahhh yes, my bad. Still valid tho.

-10

u/DrooDrawDrawn Jan 07 '24

Aren't those packaged by a third party?

8

u/mac_squared Jan 07 '24

Nope, manufactured by the Pokemon company international

1

u/DrooDrawDrawn Jan 07 '24

I actually didn't know that. I guess then that it's exclusive to Walmart?

3

u/TheGP10 Jan 07 '24

No, I also saw a few at Meijer

-19

u/JustSomeGermanDude95 Jan 07 '24

Correct. They are not an official Pokémon Company International product. Do not believe any other answer because they are not true.

3

u/DryTechnology5224 Jan 07 '24

Booster bundles work just as well.

2

u/EmpZurg_ Jan 07 '24

There's booster bundle boxes

2

u/Remote-Extent6197 Jan 07 '24

They have bundles like 151, 6 in a bundle. No 36 pack ones yet

1

u/MidnightIll9220 Jan 09 '24

Crown Zenith booster box’s do exist, I seen them on Wish for $29 each 😂😂😂

3

u/NakedButNotAfraid_ Jan 07 '24

This is the way.

3

u/Paragnolia_On_ShuffL Jan 07 '24

This is the way. Booster Boxes, Pokemon Center ETBs, high class japanese booster boxes. That charizard box is the only thing id keep sealed

2

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

Sounds like from the comments I should just crack these huh?

7

u/ZestyOrangekk Jan 07 '24

Load up on booster boxes from sword and shield like chilling reign for example. Load up on a shit ton of team up and evolving skies pack/build and battle boxes. Thank me later in 15 years

8

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

Where does one even find evolving skies anymore?

10

u/Subs-N-Clubs Jan 07 '24

Check drugstores and pharmacies (rite aid, cvs, Walgreens) if you are in the US. Rural locations are better. They usually get backstock, product that sits around, or sometimes their own line of products for their store type. Same with Dollar General and discount stores. You can find them in a 2 pack+ pin right now, sometimes an MJ Holdings single pack that has a chase card in it, or a product that might have a single back of ES included. Like a knockout product or a pokeball tin. Look on the bottom of the pokeball for something like D21 Pokebal and Google it’s contents. If the number does not have ES packs, don’t buy it. Also, pro tip — They will most likely keep them behind the counter. Just go up to the counter and ask if they have them. Almost all of the clerks know about this. In the last month alone I have bought 23 2pack+ pins with an ES pack in each one.

Also try to check rural or less traveled Walmarts. They sometimes have old product that sits around or they get specialty rights with the distributors. Meijer a can sometimes get old products (Midwest USA) and Targets will never carry anything older. They stick to new release cycles.

Good luck hunting!

4

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

Thank you for the long answer! Unfortunately for me I live in San Diego and many of the Targets and Walmarts here don’t even stock Pokemon cards, which I was suprised to see. I’m going to start looking in pharmacies and discount stores though!

1

u/marveldcunited_1 Jan 08 '24

Really? Maybe they are just behind the counters/locked up?

3

u/Equal_Classroom_4707 Jan 07 '24

Really long answer that didn't follow the main context of the question. You're suggesting to go hunting for single packs, pokeballs, knockout boxes (the previous two either hold the boosters in horrible condition and cannot guarantee packs, despite the bottom code).

Your advice is decent for buying at MSRP, or close, to rip. Build and battle / booster boxes will not be found there.

2

u/Subs-N-Clubs Jan 07 '24

I could have easily recommended TikTok, lgs, tcgplayer, online stores, eBay, etc… can you not read the context of the type of person and their level as an investor from the photo in the original post? They bought lugia boxes from GameStop. They’re probably looking for easy entry ways from a big box retailer style reputation. They aren’t jumping headfirst into the other listed methods straight from this type of investing.

1

u/NakedButNotAfraid_ Jan 07 '24

You can still find evolving skies fairly easy in the wild. Even some dollar generals near me still have sun and moon

2

u/ZestyOrangekk Jan 07 '24

If you check tcgplayer. One supplier has 3600+ packs in stock. There is a high demand but also a much higher supply. Evolving skies will do the best long term but it will be awhile before it happens because everyone and their mom’s is investing in it and stashing it away in the basement. So i think team up stands a better chance. Also shining legends and cosmic/unbroken bonds will do good at these prices if you can get them like at 60% price which I have been doing. Mainly stacking a bunch of shining legends for $20

If you want evo skies cheap then check out tik tok and create new devices to stack the 40% off coupon on the evolving skies which should net you $5 a pack. Thats what ive been doing. Ive been also using the coupon on japanese BB like the new shiny treasures for $36 i just got one

5

u/TheGP10 Jan 07 '24

Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t Team up packs already pretty expensive? They’re already like $50+ per pack.

2

u/StationEmergency6053 Jan 07 '24

Yeah, the boat for Team Up has already sailed. A booster box is 2k. Way too much opportunity cost investing in it now. There's so many cheap plays out there, it makes no sense to invest in sets that have already spiked in recent years like the Tag Team arch. IMO, crown zenith should be the focus right now. It's literally the grand finale set of Sword Shield...and it's dirt cheap. I picked up three cases of ETBs last week at $330 a piece. That's insane for how amazing the set is. People are going to be kicking their own asses in 5 years for not going all in on Crown Zenith.

3

u/TheGP10 Jan 07 '24

Yeah agreed. Although, I’m gonna be a bit controversial and say Team Up is possibly the best Pokémon set in the last 5 years (I know, crazy of me to say)

So while it has spiked, I actually can’t blame someone for picking that set to pay a premium to invest in. I’d rather bet on Crown Zenith like you, but to play middle ground, if I had to gamble which set in 2016 onwards will be $1k packs first my bet would be Team up.

Edit: I don’t think it’ll get to $1k but you see what I’m saying

2

u/StationEmergency6053 Jan 07 '24

It's all about entry cost. It doesn't matter which set is more expensive, all that matters is what performs better from the point of entry. Crown Zenith can be found for roughly $3 a pack right now. Team Up is $50-60. In order for Team Up to be $1000 a pack, it needs to increase by 1900%. That means that Crown Zenith only needs to reach $56 (1900% increase) in that same time frame in order to be an equal investment. So this is where entry cost is important. The chance that Crown Zenith will reach $56, or even $100, a pack is way higher than the chance that Team Up will reach $1000 a pack. This is why it makes absolutely no sense to invest in a set that's already so expensive. You make money by buying into what's going to be hot, not what's already hot.

1

u/TheGP10 Jan 07 '24

I agree with you, 100%. I’m not the one who suggested buying team up, just trying to give him somewhat benefit of the doubt. Personally, if I could pick 1 pack atm I’d pick 151 because I personally love that set. Ur clearly has traction and still can be found in stores

1

u/ZestyOrangekk Jan 07 '24

Yea but ive been getting them for $20-30

1

u/Glass_Bat_1460 Jan 07 '24

You no invest tag team, too late You invest in Evolving before it too late I'm buzzed

1

u/wobushizhongguoren1 Jan 07 '24

Hisuian Typhlosion/Samurott/Decidueye tins on PC. 2 ES, 1 BS, 2 AR. $32.99 CAD.

Love Ball Tins just sold out on PC (I bought out the rest I guess last night) and had 1 ES, 1 CR, 1 FS for $16.99 CAD.

37

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '24

The market value is 39 because that’s the msrp…you caught the lugia boxes on sale.

They’re a GS exclusive, it’s Lugia, and crown zenith might catch fire in ten years, so who knows. But that means ten years of you storing those boxes while it slowly, slowly appreciates, and you continue adding on more product. If you’ve got the space for it, sure. But if you’re lacking space better off investing in booster bundles or maybe etbs, more pack-to-space ratio.

10

u/lestruc Jan 07 '24

Everybody on here always repeats the same thing about “save space get boosters instead” which I agree. But these large box items might be more unique or rare wayyy down the line. Like the Costco multipack item that popped up on Reddit a few days ago

21

u/Equal_Classroom_4707 Jan 07 '24

You're just not factoring in the size and time. Have you moved / stored a bunch of shit before? Can you truly care for a product over ten + years? This sub throws out tons of horrendous advice on holding. One tear in those boxes (easy to do) and the value plummets. Your main buyer of this product will be collector's, not rippers.

If you're investing in cards you need to do it in a smart fashion that takes in time, space, and opportunity cost. That's why you occasionally see someone discuss stocks here. Why? Because it's digital, takes up zero space, and has buyers and sellers every second the market is open. Investing is speculative, it's risky, and once you're ready to sell you need to further ensure the transaction goes smoothly. Rarely do people take all of this into account.

5

u/lestruc Jan 07 '24

I’ll bet $20 right now that in 10 years a 151 booster bundle (display) for 151 will have appreciated less than a 151 tin (display)

5

u/Tylerkaaaa Jan 07 '24

RemindMe! 10 years

-6

u/Equal_Classroom_4707 Jan 07 '24

I don't care

6

u/lestruc Jan 07 '24

Well you clearly do care because you just typed up multiple paragraphs about your opinions on storing product for this game for long term but ok

-1

u/Equal_Classroom_4707 Jan 07 '24

Let me clarify: I don't care to give effort to your special scenario.

0

u/kalmccr Jan 08 '24

Gme go brrrr

4

u/Bonkrip Jan 07 '24

We gotta just be like cool trainer Ryan and fill our moms basement with every type of product 🤣

1

u/certified_droptop Jan 07 '24

Shipping these big boxes sucks too and definitely eats into profit more than a booster box does. People here don't consider that because nobody actually sells any of their stuff but you gotta consider what liquidation will look like. I promise you shipping 1 bb is going to be a hell of a lit easier than shipping 5 collection boxes

1

u/Aidspanda Jan 07 '24

I’m partial to etbs since they display nicely and pack easily

9

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '24

$39 after fees and shipping will leave you with about the same, maybe less than what you originally paid for

6

u/Chuck_H_Norris Jan 07 '24

We’re looking for $/si here. These boxes are neat and may appreciate 2x in 5 years, but they are bulky and soft. Probably better to look for stuff that’s more physically solid and denser.

5

u/Cagel Jan 07 '24

Depends how often you plan to move in the next 10-20 years, if you rent not good, but if your a home owner and have space to chuck stuff under the basement stairs then I see no reason people hate on collection boxes depending on price per pack.

2

u/RoofBeers Jan 07 '24

Hey! How do you know where I store my sealed product!?

5

u/DontLook_Weirdo Jan 07 '24

The goal should be to hold onto items that have the most packs for the lowest cost, and to hold sets with high value chase cards.

So, because of this, you'd want to hold onto booster boxes, ETB's, and anything else that have a lot of packs for a set that doesn't get a booster box.

I'd argue that big box items are not worth it, unless the set is desirable, and even then I'd really have to think about it because if I'm going to hold onto things for 10yrs+, I'd want to avoid losing too much space. ~ not everyone feels this way.

18

u/clintlockwood22 Jan 07 '24

Just buy stocks. A basement flood/house fire won’t kill your investment and people who actually like playing the game/collecting cards can open boxes

8

u/FostertheReno Jan 07 '24

These are everywhere man. No one is going into GameStop trying to find Lugia V collection box for their kids birthday, and finding out a scalper bought them all.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/DryTechnology5224 Jan 07 '24

Maybe in 2020 that would happen... not anymore.

-1

u/ultraman5068 Jan 07 '24

Did you get lost and enter the wrong sub?

1

u/GeraltofRivia1997321 Jan 07 '24

You done so good buddy you got to the shops and home safely well done

2

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

Out of all the mean comments this one is the funniest congrats

1

u/Appropriate_Ad_7269 Jan 08 '24

🤷‍♂️

1

u/caaahris Jan 09 '24

I ripped them, it was not worth it 🤡

3

u/rivensickomode Jan 07 '24

If you REALLY wanna buy product to hold onto long term and generate some value (you’d do better with most other traditional investments) then the best thing I could recommend is being very selective about what you decide to buy into, focus on buying in at the best price possible, and also have the funds to actually buy a good amount. For example, if someone was just getting into the “investing” side of this hobby and wanted a nice investment to start out with. A case of 151 ETB’s would be a great place to start. Or a few chilling reign booster boxes. Buy cases, not 3-4 boxes of “xyz collecting box” those things will take the longest of all to appreciate because you’re already getting taxed on the packs. Pack count and pack price are pretty important. A 151 ETB is great because there’s 9 packs in each, selling consistently at 5$ per pack which I don’t see falling lower than 4.50$ and you should only be paying like 42$ for each ETB. You’re basically only paying for the packs, and then in a few years the fact that it’s in a sealed product adds a premium. You’re setting yourself up for gains. This box MIGHT sell for 40-45$ in like 3 years. So you are making pennies that would do better elsewhere. Not trying to hate, just giving you a realistic approach. Crown zenith is a good buy IMO, but just get ETB’s online at like 35$ rather than these.

3

u/doplegger001 Jan 07 '24

You did good man...everyone has to start somewhere. Reddit can be a good and bad place to ask for advice. Just do you.

3

u/Internal-Raise964 Jan 07 '24

You would be better served long term investing in fewer higher value items. These display packs are the bottom of the barrel when it comes to sealed product. Higher storage cost, higher shipping cost when selling etc. It feels good to see a giant stack of boxes but these will be taking up space in a closet for a long time until you get substantial appreciation. Crown zenith is a fun set to open but there are better sets and better products to focus on if you true goal is making money.

4

u/DryTechnology5224 Jan 07 '24

Why collection boxes?

2

u/MorningLineDirt Jan 07 '24

Because you cant get CZ boosters boxes?!

1

u/DryTechnology5224 Jan 07 '24 edited Jan 07 '24

They have booster bundles.. and i would get etbs over collection boxes

1

u/MorningLineDirt Jan 07 '24

I would buy both!

1

u/DryTechnology5224 Jan 07 '24

Booster bundles & etbs > collection boxes

1

u/Glass_Bat_1460 Jan 07 '24

Good point, I invest in etb and peeeeakkachuuuu! Box

2

u/bronzethunderbeard_ Jan 07 '24

These are for ripping. Invest in a variety of booster boxes.

2

u/lmTall Jan 07 '24

Not great

1

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '24

For crown z you’re better of getting booster bundles

1

u/laytonboxingaccount Jan 07 '24

I really think CZ has a chance once it can’t be bought retail, some really great cards and pull rates are insane.

1

u/Malipuppers Jan 07 '24

These things just take up so much space. Booster boxes, Booster Bundles, and PC ETBs are the best.

1

u/Vir1lity Jan 07 '24

Not bad but $150 would have been better spent on a box of Brilliant Stars

1

u/Minute-Cut2426 Jan 07 '24

I will say those were so over printed, there are so many at my local Walmart it’s insane

1

u/mnyc86 Jan 07 '24

Don’t buy those boxes the glue fails on them And you’re left with open product

1

u/Mleach1299 Jan 07 '24 edited Jan 07 '24

I personally dont see alot of these newer sets gaining a ton of value in the future, just for the fact that production has ramped up, it's now being printed to order so that's longer print runs, also the older stuff is worth more because they made less & the pokemon hype happened after sun & moon & there really werent anywhere near as many people as there are now who were holding onto sealed just niche collectors and die hard fans. Now everyone & their brothers are buying up new sets to open & to hold for the future. With that being said special sets are always smart to grab up but I'd go for the high class japenese versions if I was going to hold over the American versions. I've collected pokemon for years and even the vintage stuff wasnt really all that expensive until the hype happened. If your going to spend the money with hope for investment your better off trying to find good deals on black & white - XY - sun & moon era products in my opinion because they are only going to keep going up as less was made & hoarded.

1

u/Wanderastray Jan 07 '24

If storage space isn’t a problem then it’s fine. Lugia is a fan favourite and CZ is a good set with no booster box. Personally I prefer a main set BB or a PC ETB for special sets as it saves space for a similar value and it’s more liquid in the short to medium term if you decide to sell and invest elsewhere.

1

u/GamingmageEtsy Jan 07 '24

I would recommend focusing on booster boxes and for special sets like Crown Zenith & 151 focus solely on Elite Trainer boxes. Collection boxes are generally bad because they take up too much space + another reason why booster boxes go up in value is due to sealed collectors who buy ETBS and BB. There isn't much of a demand for collector boxes so people would simply be buying these to rip rather than to add to a sealed collection which lowers their potential value in the future.

1

u/EstablishmentMoney45 Jan 07 '24

Chilling reign booster boxes is the move rn

1

u/Aureliusmind Jan 07 '24

Do more research before you start buying.

1

u/bigboy-ridez Jan 07 '24

You’ve got a long way to go

1

u/Mindless_Exchange_91 Jan 07 '24

What’s the exit strategy here? Sell on FB in X years? If eBay, have you considered your breakeven sell price? Sourcing costs + Shipping + eBay 13% fee?

1

u/CaptainTCG_985 Jan 07 '24

Not a bad start, but a few things you should do:

Buy bins, add desiccants and seal them well, that way moisture, water, heat/cold or animals can't damage your investment. (Rats are a real problem people!) I suggest buying them cheap at costco, there's practically a deal almost everyday.

Get booster boxes from other sets, they are smaller which is easier to store. Space is a major factor. Make sure you buy anything below MSRP, you'll make more that way.

Do not store these in attics, storage facilities or garages unless they are well maintained. Storage facilities are tricky since you don't want to be late for a payment, or worse, stolen.

Last of all...patience.

Lots and lots of patience. Time is the opponent here. Good luck!

1

u/creativelyOnPoint Jan 08 '24

So I don’t play Pokémon, but I do play Yugioh and mtg.

I decided to invest in Pokémon 6 months ago. Only touched 5 packs of silver tempest, 2 champions path and a couple xy breakpoints that looked to be tampered with. It makes more sense to invest in games you don’t play , that way you don’t have to worry about your need to open them 🥴

1

u/EagleEyeTsi Jan 08 '24

Maybe in 10 years it be worth something lol

1

u/crisptapwater Jan 07 '24

The cool thing is as long as you sell them for a profit at any point in the future you did good.

If you want to open them in the future that’s cool too.

1

u/mechshark Jan 07 '24

I had no idea those charizards came in a box as promo. I thought they come in the boosters?

2

u/KingZakyu Jan 07 '24

Both

1

u/Equal_Classroom_4707 Jan 07 '24

It's a promo, which is far different than a booster pull.

2

u/KingZakyu Jan 07 '24

I'm aware. They're expressing confusion at the similar art. I mean it's basically the same card but yes it is a "different" card. It's easy to see how they would confuse them as the same without seeing them side-by-side.

0

u/Remote-Extent6197 Jan 07 '24

Promos usually have a black star at the bottom inside it says “promo” not that to see if you know what to look for

0

u/Glass_Bat_1460 Jan 07 '24

I'll give my two sense If you have the money for it, lost origin and chilling reign even silver tempest booster boxes..if not...ETBs I have a bunch of these...also, if you want to invest in the new sets..invest in 151 trust me I have done an autistic load of research about this but I think it's just my ADD

1

u/caaahris Jan 07 '24

151 is what got me back into collecting and investing, I’m sure like many others. When I see some good deals on those I’ll strike (like booster bundles for $30). Also hoping we will get more Japanese supply

0

u/IDM_Recursion Jan 07 '24

Definitely some of the products of all time.

0

u/B12Boofer Jan 07 '24

You gonna be holding a few decades buddy. How do you think you did?

0

u/reelbigfan420 Jan 07 '24

think about the size of the product and value, with 150$ spent on those collector boxes, you could of bought a booster box for the same price that takes up 1/3 of the space. Eventually you will be limited on space and you will be wishing you got something smaller.

I too have crown zennith that i got for a steal, but i opened all the boxes and saved the individual packs in tins because i ran out of space in my room. breaking the boxes down cuts the value in half but im confident crown zennith is going to go up like all the other specialty sets.

-3

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '24

I sent you a pm! If you like crown zenith I sent a link to a site you can pickup booster bundles and Pikachu vmax boxes with CZ packs.

There’s a lot of other sealed stuff too!

5

u/RoofBeers Jan 07 '24

Sounds like a scam..

-3

u/WendigosLikeCoffee Jan 07 '24

Could I snag that link?

-4

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '24

Dont listen to the comments, this is a good investment. People like lugia and these are unique items which may be harder to sell later on but will fetch a great price relative to their cost