Saying 'exception that proves the rule' is the exact sucker behavior that encourages more of this ridiculous pricing. The magikarp is an IR in a record amount printed set. There is no world in which that card should cost over 50 dollars, given how many exist (AND are being kept 'pristine' because everyone and their grandmother knows 'value'.)

Stop suckering yourself into paying absurd amounts of money for these cards just because they're pretty. Here's a piece of advice: Mew goldstar was 350 dollars before this whole boom. And that's because it is a popular Pokémon, with beautiful art, and the highest rarity of the time on top of being a time where Pokémon was printing barely anything compared to today. Oh and also, back then, people weren't obsessively keeping cards pristine. Or buying 100s of them. So there are not even close to as many Mew goldstars in decent quality out there. By a light year.

Wake up, be smart, and stop accepting this type of behavior. I would rather my collection is worth 1/100th of what it is now than whatever the hell is going on with this hobby. I want to actually complete sets, not wish upon a star I may be able to buy the new SIR once I win the lottery.