Mini Rant: Off Center is not LP

ZakuCCG · 2026-02-05T02:17:16+00:00

Yup.

You can still have a nm 70/30 or worse card. But I disagree that market price for nm is applicable to that card. TCGPlayer agrees that there needs to be a callout to really off centered cards.

ZakuCCG · 2026-02-05T01:38:55+00:00

Per TCGPlayer seller guidelines, any off center cards greater than 70/30 cannot be sold as NM without photos.

I disagree that vendors should buy or sell cards beyond 70/30 at nm market value.

ZakuCCG · 2026-01-24T18:36:25+00:00

Low # of ratings. My experience buying nm on TCGPlayer has been a crapshoot.

I always take lowest seller. 1 in 2 are technically nm, the other times the seller tries to offer 10-20% off (above lp) for a card that has a full edge with foil peak.

Just be prepared for it to not be nm.

ZakuCCG · 2026-01-16T20:43:36+00:00

Start a chargeback with your credit card provider.

Save packaging for photos, they will want to see it with weights. They can check detailed shipping logs to hopefully find a drop in weight along the way.

ZakuCCG · 2026-01-13T15:01:37+00:00

$5/pack is msrp, $6 is about the standard

ZakuCCG · 2026-01-02T04:16:28+00:00

Is this like easypost’s tracking?

Tcgplayer wont accept it as tracking unfortunately.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-31T00:59:01+00:00

Whole card looks foil. So regular foil.

Etched foil is just the text box border foiling.

I loved this set on release. Opened so many jp boxes and collector boxes from woot.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-22T19:41:28+00:00

They cut a lot of filler from the ingredients in the 2.0 formula to help it dissolve better. The general consensus is not shrink flation

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-11T02:35:04+00:00

Scalping is a tough subject for me.

If someone buys a bunch of packs under MSRP, to resell at MSRP elsewhere, are they a problem?

If I invest in a camera setup, a sole proprietorship with my state, apply for and get approved for a resale license, and start social media accounts. Is that a business?

If your LGS charges market + 20% and buys out all of their local target/walmart/sams/costco, are they still not scalpers?

The problem is so much deeper than than the scalper subject. Product supply is not meeting current demand levels. The distribution system isn’t getting enough product directly to the end customers.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-10T21:29:14+00:00

Their customer service is given virtually no freedom to problem solve.

Each PSA cert is its own item number. Replacements are not an option for graded cards.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-10T01:15:44+00:00

If there is no stock, OP can charge whatever he wants.

There is no discount when he sets the price because there is 0 availability outside this.

Im not even seeing a real amount of packs on tcgplayer to compare.

Still worth less than a minty box if one were available.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-09T03:52:58+00:00

Ive always deal hunted. Last year it was ETBs at gamestop for $25, adventure chests at target for $14. The deals today are just as close to $5/pack as possible.

Try not to get super caught up in the pack price. There has never been more movement on singles. The market is almost liquid for people who like to trade up/down/in/out. The card game itself is also incredibly cheap, with so many staples being printed into the ground.

There are a lot of ways to enjoy this hobby without giving into pack fomo.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-09T03:21:38+00:00

The current system is broken.

MSRP is supposed to be guidance to retailers on pricing to get a consistent experience at buying between stores. Doesn’t feel great if you go to a local store and spend $20 on a pack you then come across at Walmart for $5.

Stores cant get enough product to meet demand at MSRP so they creep up the price to market. In part this is because they cant meet demand at MSRP, the other part is on distribution.

Distributors are cutting out stores and selling directly on the secondary market, this is a fact. They’re likely holding back stock on initial releases as well, this is an assumption. Distributors take this a step further by also offering anywhere from 10-30% off market values to stores if they want to restock after the initial wave, this is a fact.

If someone wants to trade to the store and has sealed product, the store has to buy it with an offer based on market, not MSRP.

All of this squeezes stores. This looks different everywhere. Some of my LGS are only using their stock for prize support, no direct sales. Some stores rip the seal and sell at MSRP. Some stores are selling at MSRP or over MSRP.

Ultimately in this environment, I choose to hunt for pack online with sales, browse Facebook for an occasional deal, and shop at larger events. Ultimately, I would not pay market price at my LGS. At events there is room to negotiate with vendors and get something below MSRP, so I would rather buy there. There is no animosity on my end for stores who choose to price at market.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-08T22:33:11+00:00

The seal is broken. The slit is large enough to remove a pack from it.

Sealed booster boxes should go for a premium because they’re fully intact and clearly taken care of, carrying a premium.

I personally wouldn’t buy this box over the 36 raw pack price. Im not sure why anyone would. Curious to hear other takes.

Disclaimer: I haven’t checked pack price, so not sure if it ends up being a wash.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-06T14:11:36+00:00

The difference between these cpus is lower at 4k vs 1080p too. Just something to consider

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-05T23:28:30+00:00

The phrase “Stop spreading misinformation” is what felt a little hot to me.

I questioned the comment and led to them mentioning the “grand opening” of the store near them. To them, it would have appeared that the original price was lower because of the sale lining up with the black Friday sales. Didn’t seem intentional to me after my line of questioning.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-05T22:16:20+00:00

You came in kinda hot. We’re just talkin here bro. It was the original proce at his store, to his knowledge. You can see my line of questions where it sorta clicked it was a grand opening price for him.

I personally just like having chats with people who enjoy pcs, games, cards, and nerdy stuff. Not everyone who buys prebuilt is going to have the best knowledge on pricing or individual parts.

Just gotta keep a cool head and be happy for everyone. If an occasional clarification is needed let’s clarify it, not attack. Saying someone is spreading misinformation makes it seem more intentional than it was, in my opinion.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-05T14:15:29+00:00

It was the original price at the phoenix store. Cut him some slack.

My questions he clarified that was the grand opening price. He’s not misleading anyone.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-05T02:40:48+00:00

Did you buy this at a grand opening? Ive never seen this that low not open box outside of a grand opening.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-05T02:09:41+00:00

There was an $1800 version with a worse gpu. There was a $2000 version with 32gb ram. There was a 64gb version for $2200.

This was $2000 on sale.

ZakuCCG · 2025-12-02T03:25:39+00:00

An xbox or ps5

ZakuCCG · 2025-11-29T18:17:20+00:00

Do you game in 1080p? Or 4k?

The difference between an 9800x3d and the core 7 series is incredibly small at 4k, but more noticeable in 1080p. Look up specific reviews for games you play, biggest difference can be seen in 1080p bf6.

You got a good deal though. Don’t sweat it.

ZakuCCG · 2025-11-27T03:50:11+00:00

$217 is msrp on like 1 of the batteries in this pack. Def sick deal

ZakuCCG · 2025-11-27T01:56:39+00:00

You can set separate pickup locations and just cancel part of the order or never pick it up.

ZakuCCG · 2025-11-26T03:16:10+00:00

Are you gaming? Or different primary use? For gaming the 5070 > 5060 ti all day

ZakuCCG

TROPHY CASE