Need general advice for a beginner (essay)

[breaker01]

Hi there! First ever post on here and joined up as I watch smpratte on Youtube (love the professionalism of that dude).

So, I’m going to give a little background on me, then explain my plan and then I want to hear from you lovely lot!

I Was massively addicted to Pokemon back in the day but around the time Gen 4 was announced I sort of lost interest due to the feeling that there was “too many Pokemon” now. I still feel that way but I respect people like the newer gens and thats totally fine with me, might even give them a go one day. Plus its good to see the franchise alive and kicking. But for now I’m happy with reliving the gen 1-3 memories as I just bought HGSS and I’m loving it so far.

Anyway, I’ve started to collect some cards that I’m hoping 15-30 years down the line will be worth something more than the going rate today. The main reason is for my son to have something extra to inhereit and if he decides to sell, hopefully is sitting on a small fortune (I’m not talking 6 digits or anything, but would like to hope maybe lower end 4 digits, that would be nice at the very least). I’m also collecting for myself casually, just picking Raichu cards here and there and just build myself a nice Raichu folder.

So as far as affordability goes for me, I can usually pay anywhere up to lower 3 digits for cards. I never expect to be in the big boy leagues in this as I simply cant afford it. But what I have bought recently to start off with (and I feel I got at very good prices) are:

1st Edition Shadowless Charmander PSA 10
10th Anniversary Comm. Binder
2 Sealed Neo Genesis Promo Folders

Got some other stuff too but thats more mainly for me. But I really want to get a little collection for my son, my rule will be always has to be a PSA 10 grade (for my sons collection, my Raichu collection doesnt need to be graded although I have a couple at 10), and I’m currently trying to get the funds for another few cards which I believe will be worth definate added value down the line (don’t want to say what though haha!)

But overall, I’m thinking of trying to go after cards like; Promotional, that have some sort of stamp, that have been involved in some sort of TCG event, that kinda thing.

Is it worth going for them sort of cards? I intend to pick up others too for the right price that are graded PSA 10 too but thats as and when.

Is there any advice from what you guys have read that you may be able to give?

Again, I want to be clear, I’ve not got sights of large £££ signs (I live in the UK) but just something that IF my son decides to sell down the road, he has something added on to his other goods waiting for him that will help give him a step forward in his career.

Any advice, even constructive is welcome! Looking forward to hearing from you guys

[pfm]

So basically you want us to tell you what cards to buy now so that in 30 years your $100 investment becomes $1000?

Honestly, I don’t think anyone can give you an accurate answer. Your best bet is to just learn about what cards are relatively limited in quantity, find the ones that people would actually be willing to pay money for and buy some cards that you like best in the o
center of that venn diagram.

Or pay $20 to smpratte over patreon and he will tell you

[nuttun]

Welcome to the community, break01.

Following what PkmnFlyingMaster said, I think the way you’re approaching collecting is generally a bad idea, as of right now. The reason I think it is a bad idea is because you’re mixing too directly Pokemon card collecting, with a cash value on the cards.

I can’t say for everyone, but most collectors on E4 collect for the purpose of collecting and enjoying the card, not for the expectation of making a lot of money in the future. A reason why we are so focused on price in my opinion, is because none of our collections are complete. With uncertainty in the market, a lot of collectors are anxious in buying and selling cards since they don’t want to overpay or undersell to finish their respective collection.

I’m not saying your strategy is bad. It absolutely is smart to buy cards that will retain its value over time. However, I will tell you this: as a collector who did that before; you will absolutely not enjoying collecting cards anymore. By attributing cards to its price, you’re going to feel bad when the price of your card tumbles, but feel indifferent when the card rises in value. Since there is no personal attachment to the card (you don’t really like it), it will become simply an un-liquid asset. It will simply become something that takes longer time to convert into cash, and quick selling it would mean you lose a lot of its value during its sales process.

In summary, I think it is a much better idea to collect WITH your son, and see what he likes while aiming for rarer high quality cards that will retain its value. Your son will appreciate the cards so much more seeing the emotional attachment shared with you in collecting the cards, and when the time comes to sell (if he chooses to), he won’t view selling the cards as simply as money. If you want to keep something for your son as more of an investment, it’s better to just buy stocks or ETFs since those will significantly increase faster overtime, along with compound interest and is significantly more liquid.

General points I have learned in this forum:
Choose the card, not the grade. PSA 10 is great, but be picky with the card. Don’t buy just because the label says PSA 10.
It’s probably better to pay market price for a card you like, than under market price for a card you don’t like. Something I’ve noticed is rarer cards tends to seem available for the longest time but as soon as the only 1 listed is gone, you won’t see the card for months. Example: Tropical Wind 1999
A lot of time is needed to find the “good” deals, as E4 tends to be open 24 hours and by the time you wake up from your sleep, an item youre interested in may be gone. Good deals vanish in like 30 minute tops, especially when posted in E4

Good luck!