Avoid buying during launch week unless you have a pre-order at retail price - launch-week secondary market prices are typically 2040% above MSRP for popular sets.
If you are buying a rare promo, a single older item, or a domestic-only product, a proxy can be worth it
THIS GUIDE IS NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCAMMERS, TOXIC PERSONALITIES, PEOPLE WHOVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF YOUNG COLLECTORS, OR ANYONE WHO DOESNT TRULY LOVE THE WORLD OF POKMON
My children are now grown up but still own well-kept Pokmon collections, including a number of Japanese Pokmon I purchased while working in Japan
The card pictured above is the 1st edition European Spanish version
As a result, the Umbreon commands a much higher premium in PSA 10 ($1,400+) compared to its raw price ($500) than the Pikachu does in PSA 10 ($325) versus raw ($180)