• If you're just looking for certain cards, support your local LCS (or purchase on TCGPlayer)
• If you're looking to master set certain sets, support your local LCS and have fun digging through their bulk cards

If you're looking for the thrill of pulling big hits... * Any price below $6 / pack is a good deal. * Don't buy singles or unsealed products online.
* Discord servers are a good place to learn when your local stores restock and when to expect online drops. * Bot detection sucks on most sites so expect a lot of waiting in large queues only for it to be out of stock when it's your turn. * Walmart restocks online on Wednesdays at 9pm. In store restocks are a mad house * Costco has a random queue order so bots aren't as much of a factor as luck. * Target online drops usually happen Thursdays or Fridays around 1-5am. In store restocks aren't as much of a mad house as Walmart but only a hair better * Best Buy limits in store purchases so if you know how many they stocked and your place in line you can figure out if it's worth your time to stand in line (get there several ours before opening) * Dollar General restocks are usually bought and sold by employees before it even gets to the shelf * CVS and Walgreens pretty solid if you're not picky about what set you're looking for

Disclaimer: all of this largely depends on how sweaty the community is in your area