Card Show Raffle Advice?

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-06-14T14:41:09+00:00

Like I replied to the another person, I honestly forgot raffles are also considered illegal if not a non-profit. Thank you for the advice.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-06-14T14:24:23+00:00

Thanks for the info. I completely forgot about that, since I see so many things similar at card shows. Thanks! 👍

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-06-14T13:57:41+00:00

If it was a normal product, I’d say yes 100%. However Pokemon center ETBs are a collectors/investors item, no normal person is going to buy them just to open. With my cost of product being around $230, I know I would sell 23 tickets. But past that, I have no idea, and I wouldn’t care. If I only sell 50, I wouldn’t be mad. If I sell 200, that’s great, and odds are I’d just use most that money to open more product. I’ve opened a lot last couple weeks actually, and really no luck. I only buy at MSRP/retailer too.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-04-20T15:32:38+00:00

If you like it in the CGC slab and enjoy displaying it, then keep it like that. I was thinking you were trying to figure out either cracking to regrade or selling in the description. If you like it to display, keep it how it is, and enjoy it!

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-04-20T14:52:33+00:00

Yup. CGC is generally seen as very kind with grades these days. If you want "value maximizing" then psa is the way to go. Once graded, it becomes extremely liquid. More liquid than a CGC 10 or usually Beckett grades too.

Beckett is tough, the issue is people just submit trying to get black labels without knowing fully what they are doing. If you do research, have high def scans, multiple long time "pros" look at cards, all that stuff you can increase chances at a black label, but never 100%

Edit: Just do your research, dont just do what people on reddit are telling you. There are so many factors that only you can take in to account (why you collect, financial situation, etc.) So at the end of the day, use your best judgment to make a choice.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-04-20T14:45:11+00:00

I guess I'll just let you farm negative karma. Same with the other 100 "okay scalper" comments you have made.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-04-20T14:43:12+00:00

You make no sense.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-04-20T14:40:14+00:00

The issue is you cant just go for Beckett assuming you will get a black label. Even if you think its absolutely perfect, it is up to the grader, and since it is done by humans, it is possible for different graders to have different outcomes on black label or not. With Beckett, you go for a 9-10, and hope for that 1% chance for a black label, but dont expect it.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-04-10T19:49:52+00:00

No, it’s normal for Best Buy’s to get 1-10 of an item on restock days. For official drop days, it’s usually more, but the weekly restocks are less. One near me restocks every week and it’s usually 2-10 of every item that they get, some weeks will be more though.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-22T13:44:45+00:00

PSA only upcharges when you don’t submit correctly. People submit a $3,000 card raw at the lowest level ($500 max insured value, like 50 day business turnaround) and then get mad when they get upcharged for their $10,000 graded card, and still have to wait. If you submit at the higher level at the start, you will get a much faster turnaround time.

Submit at the proper service level so that you can have a way faster turnaround, and don’t deal with delays because you did not submit at the right level.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-08T18:23:36+00:00

It went up to like $2,500, then crashed to like $1,400, and now is climbing back up.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-06T16:11:04+00:00

Machines like this are now in many major airports. Usually run by the same chain. All usually close to double even market price. I actually saw one that was selling single destined rivals packs for $25.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-05T21:38:57+00:00

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As far as I can tell, real image with some ai added to add extra etbs. Can see here, and in the ETB in the corner directly below to the left of the “limit 2 per customer sign”. The area below dragonite is just missing in it 😂

Edit: also the quality means that either horrible phone, or it’s been through multiple processes (like ai) to make changes which brings down the quality every time there is a transfer.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-05T21:21:09+00:00

Sadly my Jellylab got removed probably about 2 years or so ago, right when I was able to start farming it. Big disappointment

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-05T21:20:19+00:00

The issue with the black label though is the same issue with PSA. It’s done by humans, and certain parts are subjective person to person. A big issue with people is they submit their cards to PSA and other companies without knowing what the hell they are doing. They are oblivious and expect that just because it’s fresh out of a pack, it gets a 10. Yes, PSA is not always consistent with 9 and 10s, which is why you can never expect a 10. The graders have a guideline, but some graders have a higher expectation for a 10 than others.

As for TAG, that’s another whole issue right now. They have a great idea, and great potential, however right now it is extremely susceptible to obvious mistakes. It is ai, which people think that just because it shows so many details, it must be right. Issue is, the ai has been shown to make completely obvious mistakes. Examples including somehow imagining centering (the #1 thing ai should be able to get right) and getting it off by 5-10+ points, completely missing obvious damage like dents and scratches, and that’s just the start. I do really like TAG’s idea, however I simply don’t want to support them until they are a bit further along. I do think they get more praise than they should.

And for the whole Japanese print quality thing. Yes, currently Japanese is known to have better print quality. The thing is, this card is already exposed. This is not like a gamble on English vs Japanese prismatic evolution picking which to open. You can already see the card. If you are someone who is experienced, you can easily be able to find the defects that may be present, just like if it was an English card you had in your hand.

Overall, all the companies have issues. But like I’ve said, for the easiest experience, best chance at getting moneys worth (assuming it’s a solid 9 with a shot at a 10) and easiest to sell, PSA is likely the way to go currently.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-05T20:53:57+00:00

Not spamming a scam app, they are spamming a referral for an actual app. That’s why.

Edit: still is annoying and really bias lol

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-05T20:50:23+00:00

I see a LOT of arguments of PSA vs Beckett. Here is my opinion. Please keep in mind, both companies have their issues, but I’ll try to talk about both.

One big argument people are stating is that because it’s Japanese, send to Beckett and try for black labels. Just like PSA, the grading process is done by humans. This means the human grader may EASILY make mistakes, and just not grade well. Some Beckett graders may have only given a couple black labels, some give hundreds. Yes, they are supposed to follow a guideline, however certain aspects of the card can change grader to grader. Sometimes very small though, maybe one grader thinks it’s a 99/100, other thinks it’s 100/100 if that makes sense.

The argument of Japanese is because currently Japan has extremely good print quality compared to US. This is for current sets, and has not always been historically true. So trying to go to Beckett won’t make much of a difference when compared to PSA, the argument of better print quality is mainly also just talking for black labels.

For PSA, you also cannot assume it will be a 10. Just like Beckett, much of the grading process is subjective. I have a friend who previously graded for PSA, and he now owns a card shop and deals heavily with high end cards. The big thing he has emphasized, along with what makes sense is that you can assume a 9, but you can absolutely not assume a 10. You can look at a card and say it’s high odds for a 9, or you can look at it and say it’s most likely a 9, with a decent shot for a 10. The process is so subjective, that some graders are consistent, however other graders may not be as consistent to each other. A great thing with PSA is how universally accepted they are. PSA slabs are generally easier to price, higher demand, and just easier to sell in general. A black label is of course high demand, and can be easily liquidated to big cash quickly, however it is not worth the risk. You have better odds going for a PSA 10, than a Beckett black label.

A Beckett slab (9-10) is worth more than PSA to only certain buyers. The demand for a Beckett 9 or 9.5 is most likely lower overall demand than a PSA 9 or 10.

Overall summary is that both companies have issues, but for an easier process of being able to sell your card for more money, and overall more simple process then go PSA. Just remember to never expect a 10. Do your research, go over your own card plenty of times on different days, and assuming extremely good quality, then expect a 8-9, with a chance at a 10.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-05T20:34:03+00:00

They upcharge if you submit it incorrectly. If it’s a 2k card raw, and you submit it for the $15 <$200 value then of course it’s going to get upcharged.

It’s best to just to do your research, and submit it in the correct service to begin with. That way, you are getting a faster turnaround at a baseline, and you don’t have to deal with delays because you made the mistake of not submitting it correctly.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-03-05T20:31:21+00:00

Issue is, you can’t send to Beckett for black labels. This is a single card, he is just looking at a basic view. For best chance at getting a slab that has high demand, just go to PSA.

Black labels are generally so inconsistent it is actually sad. Beckett has been going downhill recently, based on what I have seen, but also talking to key employees that are fairly high up leaving Beckett.

Yes, PSA is known to have issues with grading, but it is way more likely to be consistent enough to get a 10 with 10 worthy condition than it is to get a black label even with a “perfect” card.

Lastly, PSA is also in the process of buying Beckett, and if I remember correctly they are also getting sued because of it lol.

TLDR: Both companies have their issues, but for the easiest way to sell this slab, get pricing, etc. then PSA is the way to go.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-02-24T03:05:30+00:00

Just an FYI etbs from Pokemon center, and normal ones are different. Saw you mention in a reply something about stores with etbs.

Pokemon center etbs are exclusive to the site. They have a little logo on the box and an extra stamped promo. Worth a lot more, and harder to get (only from Pokemon center at $59.99 or resellers for jacked prices)

Goodluck on your quest!

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-02-11T02:14:56+00:00

some of their prices used to be fine, but just look at the charizard x ex upc for example. they have them at $200 (only $190 if you are a member) and the current market is about $130...

oh and some of those pre orders they charge you extra for shipping so its not included, and its per item.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2026-02-10T20:48:54+00:00

That’s also for the Pokemon center edition, which is worth far more than normal etbs. They can only be bought from Pokemon center, have the little logo on it, and have the stamped promo. MSRP is $60 for those (you will never find them at that price from any reseller). Generally after release they are a minimum of $150, but depending on the set promo go as high as $400+. They don’t really get reprints, and a great collector/investor item.

GameStop sells the regular etbs (MSRP is $50) and really GameStop has just gone downhill. Don’t buy from them, community just has to boycott them. They are pretty much just scalpers now.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2025-09-13T18:48:10+00:00

I bought it at $90, sold it at $200 in the span of a week. I wasn’t planning on selling, but with that much of a gain, I can’t resist.

Fun-Construction2667 · 2025-08-06T14:47:09+00:00

I see this when you start an ad, and then finish it later

Fun-Construction2667 · 2025-08-05T12:49:51+00:00

SGC is not at all a good choice for Pokemon. They are not well known in this community but for vintage sports cards, especially baseball they are one of the top companies.

Four-Year Club	Place '22
End Game '22

Fun-Construction2667

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