Think you’ll never find cheap Pokémon cards again? With prices rising and stock selling out faster than ever, it might feel like the days of bargain finds are gone. But don’t give up just yet.
Even when the market is red-hot and collectors are scrambling over each other for the latest releases, there are still ways to find Pokémon cards under market value—if you know where to look.
Whether you’re a casual collector, a seller looking to expand your margins, or just someone trying to grow their collection without breaking the bank, this guide shares 9 strategies for securing Pokémon cards at cheaper prices.
What Is Market Price?
Before we dive in, let’s clear something up. There are two key prices to understand in the Pokémon hobby:
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MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price): What retailers are supposed to sell a product for—e.g. the price you’d see at a major store like Argos, GAME, or WHSmith.
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Market Price: What people are actually paying on the open market—often higher (or lower) depending on supply, demand, and hype.
In a booming market, you’ll often see people willing to pay 20–50% over MSRP just to get a hot new product. But during quieter times, prices can dip well below retail.
No matter the state of the market, the strategies below can help you score great deals year-round.
1. Visit Card Conventions and Negotiate
Pokémon card conventions aren’t just about browsing displays and admiring rare slabs—they’re prime spots for finding deals.
Every vendor at a convention is looking to buy, sell, or trade. And most of them are open to negotiation. If a card has a current market value of £100, offering 10–20% less is entirely fair—and often accepted.
Why? Because most vendors buy stock between 60–80% of market value. Even if they sell it to you for £90, they’re still making a tidy profit.
✅ Clive’s Tip: Don’t be shy. Everyone at a convention is there to deal. Practice your negotiation skills—they’ll help you in more ways than just cards.
2. Trade Liquid Cards for Better Value
Trading is one of the oldest strategies in the hobby, and when done right, it can help you move up the value chain.
Here’s how: If you own a “liquid card” (a popular one that sells fast—think Charizard, Umbreon, Pikachu), you can often trade it for something technically worth more but slower to sell, like a sealed box or an older slab.
Sellers are often happy to make that swap, as they know they can flip the liquid card quickly and keep cash flowing.
✅ Clive’s Tip: Focus on getting hold of liquid cards, even if they’re slightly below your preferred value. You can use them to trade up into bigger items.
3. Take Advantage of TikTok Shop Coupons
This one’s a game-changer.
TikTok Shop frequently offers coupons during sales events like Black Friday, New Year, or seasonal promos. It’s not uncommon to see £10–£30 discounts on sealed products like Elite Trainer Boxes or Booster Bundles.
Just remember: the discount applies at checkout, not on the product listing. So even if a product is listed at full price, check your basket—you might find an automatic coupon waiting.
⚠️ Be cautious, though. Scammers do exist on TikTok Shop. Always check the seller’s reviews, total items sold, and product ratings.
4. Scour Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree
Old-school marketplaces might seem dated, but they’re still treasure troves—especially for vintage or bulk card lots.
Many sellers on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree are casual collectors or parents clearing out childhood collections. That means they may not know current values and often list below market.
However, be prepared for:
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No-shows
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Hard-to-reach sellers
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Occasional fakes
✅ Clive’s Tip: Set alerts for “Pokémon cards” or specific products and check daily. The early bird Pidgey catches the Weedle!
5. Use Stock Trackers and Restock Alerts
Want to grab the newest products the moment they drop? You’ll need a restock tracker.
These bots and Discord groups monitor sites like Amazon UK, Pokémon Center, and GAME. When a product restocks, they ping you instantly—so you can check out before the item sells out.
They’re especially useful for limited releases like Pokémon 151 or holiday boxes.
⚠️ The one I use is called PokeNotify.
6. Join a Wholesale Program
If you’re running a Pokémon side hustle or shop, joining a wholesale program could transform your access to affordable stock.
Some card retailers offer exclusive buying clubs where you can purchase products under market value—think sealed modern boxes, Japanese stock, and vintage singles. It’s how many successful sellers source their inventory.
✅ Clive’s Tip: my favourite wholesaler is PlusMarketing.
7. Buy Direct from Japanese Sellers
Japanese Pokémon cards are typically cheaper than their English counterparts—if you buy direct from the source.
You’ll need to:
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Find a legit seller on Instagram, Facebook groups, or eBay.
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Request their stock list (usually in Japanese Yen).
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Use a platform like Wise to send money securely.
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Convert currency and factor in shipping.
⚠️ My favourite Japanese Seller on eBay is Animart Japan.
8. Build Relationships With Distributors (Long-Term Goal)
This isn’t one for beginners, but it’s worth mentioning.
If you own a brick-and-mortar shop—or are planning to—you can apply to official Pokémon distributors listed on the Pokémon UK website.
Getting accepted gives you access to stock at wholesale prices, long before they hit retail. But it’s tough. Most distributors only work with established physical shops, and even then, allocations can be tight.
9. Network With Other Dealers
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of networking.
Plenty of full-time dealers are constantly sourcing stock—then flipping it to other sellers. If you build relationships with these people (on Instagram, Discord, conventions, etc.), you can gain steady access to under-market cards.
Many of these deals happen quietly—via DMs, private groups, or word of mouth—so getting into the loop is essential.
✅ Clive’s Tip: Build your own reputation. Be friendly, professional, and reliable. The more people trust you, the more deals you’ll be offered.
Clive’s Final Thoughts
If you want to consistently find Pokémon cards under market value, you’ve got to think like a pro. Whether it’s chatting up vendors at your local show, joining a trusted wholesale group, or diving into Discord alerts, there’s still opportunity out there.
Use these nine strategies regularly, and you’ll soon find yourself with better stock, healthier margins, and a growing collection—all without paying over the odds.
