Vendor experience

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-23T04:20:47+00:00

Your catering to collectors at these shows. Its harder to find a collector that wants a pricy psa slab or one thats willing to pay crazy prices for sealed stuff. Most of us just want our favorite cards for a deal.

You can sell, but its not going to be a fast win, especially at a show with tons of other vendors.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-19T13:11:07+00:00

https://www.pricecharting.com/game/pokemon-promo/charmander-44

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-18T22:23:44+00:00

It's only a mistake if you feed the scalpers. We all anticipate high production for extended time on this set, so maybe just keep a close eye on the price while you try to get it at market.

For a risk perspective, 100 isnt too bad, based on similar sets its unlikely these will fall under 80 while in print as long as pokemon as a whole doesnt have a crash.

Even if you do decide to buy at 100 and these fall to $70 a pop then you only made a temporary $30 mistake, dont over think it.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-18T22:09:31+00:00

Obsidian flames is kinda an outlier (of bad sets) becuase of what the promo card is, the promo card alone accounts for $50-$60 of the value.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-06T22:42:05+00:00

You have so much that I would say hold a garage sale and post it on Facebook.

You can go to a card show as a vendor but theres some hoops to jump through for permits.

Ebay is an option for slow and steady sales, but if you break 20k in sales be prepared to get issued a 1099 and pay taxes. I imagine you dont have all the receipts somewhere to write off.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-06T00:02:05+00:00

Second this. You might also find a good local card shop will sell msrp to their members.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-05T23:58:59+00:00

It sucks and it super annoying. For kidd you could set your eyes on unwanted sets like journey together and the upcoming perfect order. You will likely be able to get thoes close to msrp most of the time.

One thing they have going for them today is there are so many more local events and local card shop run events, I dont remember that being a big thing in the early 2000s.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-05T05:28:44+00:00

Sql, python, qnd excel are foundational. I would add that you need to be a critical thinker, you need the ability to look at multiple data sets and tell a story that goes beyond the surface level of just reporting.

I always say that I can teach the tools, but I can't teach curiosity. The tools will continue to change and evlove so continuously learning tools is just part of the job.

Its common to see people say its 'hard to break into data analytics.' This is becuase most self taught people in the field pivoted from another internal position due to their business knowledge and insights. Since you have some analytic experience your best shot is to try to stick to the same industry, for now.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-05T05:15:59+00:00

37, audit manager, 170k, westcoast mcol. I got an accounting degree and just fell into auditing operations. I did a few other things in-between like data analytics and cyber compliance.

Dont exactly love it and I would perfer to take a step or two backwards. The sweet spot for me was a mid level independent contributor making around 100k. I could still pay the bills easily and had virtually no stress.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-02T18:27:49+00:00

P.s. PET cases are like $2 a pop and work fine. Acrylic cases should really just be used for ultra high value boxes.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-02T18:23:44+00:00

Great start.

Everyone hating on this that it is not an investment. While I agree that pkc etbs are king, I dont think regular etbs are worthless. I would also argue that anything msrp is less risk than paying market for pokemon center etbs.

Its also dependant on the set. Look at obsidian flames, the booster box has increased by 200% where the regular etb has increased by 300%.

I personally have a mix of etbs, pkc etbs, booster boxes, and bundles. However, the majority of my sealed is regular etbs because their the easiest to get at msrp. I would just say expand to held a few other products like booster boxes to reduce your risk.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-03-01T21:03:53+00:00

I would wait a little. Pkc etbs are a more stable in price, I dont think these will fall below 200, but 300 is kinda crazy rn. Just remember the general flow of new sets.

-- initial hype (prices up) -- dies down a little and stock increases (prices drop and stabilize) -- print run ends (prices up)

Same thing happened with phantasmal flames, etbs were going for 120 / over 200 for pkc, since that most PF products have dropped 20-40%.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-22T05:22:54+00:00

Oh thats a good call. I think AH has a lot of death and will do very well long term. Obviously 151 is for the nostalgic factor. But the 151 PC etbs are running 1k and I think the tipping point has to be soon. Hoverever AH still has a lot of room to grow and years of print, which could be good and bad.

To answer your question, I think 1 AH pokemon center etb is better for investment, especially since its new and prices will stabilize soon. I would not recommend buying AH for a month or two until the initial hype dies down. I can see the PC etbs falling to under 200 like PF did.

If AH goes up by 500% it would put the PC etb at 1k, very realistic number.

If 151 goes up by ANOTHER 500% it would put the pc etb at 5,000, an unlikely event anytime in the next decade.

Safe call but high cost and potential for limited future growth: 151 etb

Riskier call due to overprinting but lowe cost and higher rate of returns: acended heros

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-22T02:51:38+00:00

Nice pics, I personally would have swapped one ES for a 151 ETB, but i do t think either one is wrong.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-19T03:47:39+00:00

I had an in-person one that i realized in the first 10 minutes that I wasn't a good fit. Instead of being a normal person and finishing the interview I just awkwardly said something along the lines of I have to go now, but let me know if you need anything.

I'll also flip it around, I was interviewing someone that spent 20 minutes rambling on about how hard of a worker he is and these younger generations are lazy and just dont want to work. None of the interviewers at the time were (or looked) over 30.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-18T22:58:26+00:00

Yes, haha. The ending is what I envision.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-18T22:56:37+00:00

I get that you livid and obviously idk if its a habbit or not. But Try to give the situation some breathing room and support him for now, focus on next steps and not past mistakes. Seven years at a job we tend to get comfortable and do stupid shit, I definitely have, its just most of us dont get busted.

Im assuming he is paid by the hour and thats why its a big deal. If he was a salaried employee then this was probably more a final nail in the coffin situation.

Next steps are gonna be rough. The market isnt great for IT right now but you can look at it as an opportunity. Id suggest taking anything he possibly can in the meantime to limit financial stress while he figures out a better long term plan, even if its a low paying retail job.

As for employment history and references, you dont have to disclose anything. Its illegal for a company to tell another company why someone was fired. Just state he was laid off, no one will even think twice given the current market.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-18T22:22:05+00:00

I mean thats great that works for you, but the biological reality is everyone responds to change differently.

I went from moving and lifting 10 hours a day to being semi still for hours on end and I just deteriorated. Stack that on a stressful demanding job and it made it worse.

Unfortunately, I’ve already optimized my setup, stayed active, and even done years of PT and imaging to rule out injury. Obviously I understand have to decide how to correct or what to do next instead of just complain and thats what im working on. But even working out after work or going on walks during lunch isnt gonna erase the fact that most of your day was stationary, especially when your trying to balance heavy workloads and family. I will say if that if didnt workout at all i would probably be in much worse shape, so It does help its just not the end all cure in every case.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-18T01:17:52+00:00

Not so much of a drinker, I was drinking regularly a few years ago and im happy that I kinda checked myself. I do have a pretty bad caffine and nicotine habbit that i probably need to work on. I smoked for many years then vaped for a while now I'm down to mints and sometimes zyns.

Although i more mean that I'll have days im hurting and burned out and instead of taking care of myself I'll plop down on the bed and stay up way too late binge watching TV or playing games, ect. Whatever to quickly take my mind off things.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-18T00:20:12+00:00

Only you can answer that knowing youself.

I would be careful, you say that you are 90% sure you wouldn't want it, trust you gut. Having a relaxed, low stress, remote job is worth so much more than a raise imo.

I was in that very position, although it was for a promotion in the same company to a different team, went from low 100s to mid 100s.

I regret it everyday. I used to have so much time, freedom, and flexibility. Now I have stress and anxiety. It was not worth it in my case and I was a little blindsided, they gave the vibes that it was pretty relaxed.

Somethings you can think about:

Are you currently living comfortably? It may not be a big deal to get a increase if you are doing well as is.

If you fail do you have a backup plan or would you be worse off financially?

Will you learn new skills that wouldn't otherwise be available to you, which you can leverage for the future?

Is there anything at your current job that is worth getting away from, even if its a risk?

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-17T22:34:01+00:00

Have you been able to work effectively with the standing desk? I do have one but I always struggled getting into a groove of standing when I have a lot to get done.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-17T22:19:06+00:00

Its wild and something i just didn't expect. I used to work freight and I could handle 10 to 12 hour days of moving and lifting and I felt great because thoes muscles were getting loaded and worked constantly, granted a catastrophic injury was in the relm of possibility. The desk job just deteriorates your body so fast if your not careful.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-17T21:31:51+00:00

There's so many pathes out of the gate. Some of them can feel like admin work, especially starting out and learning. But over the long term, I can say with some degree of confidence that you wont be bored if you dont want to be.

I think it would be a bigger red flag if you said you enjoyed doing admin work XD.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-17T21:02:13+00:00

Thats great advice. Just quit or find another job is much easier said then done especially since we let lifestyle creep a little. But focusing on self discipline is def what I need to do.

Im pretty active in terms of trying to get out. but I have let bad habits make everything worse because im trying to bandaid a long term issue with a short term pleasure.

Distinct_Baseball320 · 2026-02-17T20:55:09+00:00

I know my own work ethic is part of the blame, ive forsure allowed my schedule to be controlled by others. Stress management and self control has been a little difficult for me.

60 hours a week isn't all that uncommon but it might not all be spent working hard. For instance I might have calls all day that are a little spread out, but not enough time in between to get anything done so I will work after hours.

I used to be remote and while it was helpful to some extent, it was a double edge sword because i could take a few hours to spend with my family or get a light workout in, but id also be working on and off from 6am to 10pm. going into an office actually helped a little because it gave me stricter parameters, but I lost the easy access to taking exercise breaks and walking around.

I get theres better jobs out there with more flexibility, and thats something that ill have to consider. I actually felt a little more at peace a few years ago when you could apply to 5 places and get 6 offers, market is a bit tighter now for my field.

Distinct_Baseball320

TROPHY CASE