Getting packs or buying singles online?
- Thread starter Lawman
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sneaselsrevenge
New Member
Prime said:
My mistake. What kind of holos were you getting for $1.50 each? Thats a really good deal!
sneaselsrevenge
New Member
Lawman said:Vappy: If that is the case, it is for age ID only, not required to purchase through eBay. Maybe it has been that long since I signed up w/ Ebay that I don't remember on the sign upI just know once you are on, you can pay several different ways.
Keith
Yeah, when you sign up. you have to have a credit card or ISP email(no hotmail, yahoo, etc.), for age verification, and proof of idenity
Pidgeotto Trainer
New Member
Well it seems like there is confusion here. A good player should know how to adapt to the metagame. Someone in GJ's position may not have the card too. As a good player he should know what other decks might be better and how to build them. If he physically can't build the decks it doesn't mean he is a bad player.
I am 14 now and don't get the free-spending money that I did when I was 10 and 11. At that age my parents (and probably many others) were willing to spend their money for my cards and I would have most of the cards in each set and not just what I needed for my deck. As I got older my attention shifted from collecting/playing casually to pretty much just playing competitively. Not for prizes or money but because I just love competition. Now I usually get about less than 10 packs to begin any set and then just feel out the new format with tournaments and league. I usually wait til before a big tournament to buy the cards that I need (for a deck I have proxied for awhile). I have also traded a couple times here and several times at tournaments/league. Most competitive decks are only like 5-7 rares/holos. Milotic/Walrein 4 Walrein 2 Milotic. Metabyss, 3 Metagross, 1 Mex, 3 Gorebyss (rare). Crobyss 3-4 Crobat 2-3 Gorebyss(rare), Gardevoir 3 Gex 2 Gard 2 Wob (rare), Shiftry, 4 Shiftry, 2 Delcatty. Swampert and Blaziken are the more expensive ones. Swampert, 3 Swampert 2 Swex, 2 Cune ex, 2 Delcatty, 2 Magneton rare and Blaziken, 3 Blaze, 2 Bex, 2 Rex, 2 Delcatty and sometimes 1-2 TA Manectric. 6 holos will usually cost 60$ as singles. But you trade for 2 get 1 in the packs you won from the last tournament and it's only 30$. I usually only have to spend that much if I really haven't had a lot of time before the big tourney to get what I need. Even after all that people will often lend you a holo or 2 if you need it. It doesn't cost all that much to get another deck together. GJ if you wanted to, you could probably get some of your friends to lend you cards for Worlds if you felt Blaziken would be unsuccessful. You can always test proxy decks or apprentice w/out them for now. I completely agree with buying singles as it is cheaper for those of us who don't/can't spend too much on cards. Younger kids don't usually have to deal with that, kids who also have parents that play usually have a box for their family. Single cards support a demographic of players as do boxes/packs. Btw, the packs you win help a lot too.
I am 14 now and don't get the free-spending money that I did when I was 10 and 11. At that age my parents (and probably many others) were willing to spend their money for my cards and I would have most of the cards in each set and not just what I needed for my deck. As I got older my attention shifted from collecting/playing casually to pretty much just playing competitively. Not for prizes or money but because I just love competition. Now I usually get about less than 10 packs to begin any set and then just feel out the new format with tournaments and league. I usually wait til before a big tournament to buy the cards that I need (for a deck I have proxied for awhile). I have also traded a couple times here and several times at tournaments/league. Most competitive decks are only like 5-7 rares/holos. Milotic/Walrein 4 Walrein 2 Milotic. Metabyss, 3 Metagross, 1 Mex, 3 Gorebyss (rare). Crobyss 3-4 Crobat 2-3 Gorebyss(rare), Gardevoir 3 Gex 2 Gard 2 Wob (rare), Shiftry, 4 Shiftry, 2 Delcatty. Swampert and Blaziken are the more expensive ones. Swampert, 3 Swampert 2 Swex, 2 Cune ex, 2 Delcatty, 2 Magneton rare and Blaziken, 3 Blaze, 2 Bex, 2 Rex, 2 Delcatty and sometimes 1-2 TA Manectric. 6 holos will usually cost 60$ as singles. But you trade for 2 get 1 in the packs you won from the last tournament and it's only 30$. I usually only have to spend that much if I really haven't had a lot of time before the big tourney to get what I need. Even after all that people will often lend you a holo or 2 if you need it. It doesn't cost all that much to get another deck together. GJ if you wanted to, you could probably get some of your friends to lend you cards for Worlds if you felt Blaziken would be unsuccessful. You can always test proxy decks or apprentice w/out them for now. I completely agree with buying singles as it is cheaper for those of us who don't/can't spend too much on cards. Younger kids don't usually have to deal with that, kids who also have parents that play usually have a box for their family. Single cards support a demographic of players as do boxes/packs. Btw, the packs you win help a lot too.
GrandmaJoner
Active Member
True Pidgeotto. In truth, even if I had all the cards I wanted, I would still run Blaziken, so I have no problem with it.
PokemonTrainer D
New Member
WOW!!! Such heated debate LOL. The one thing I don't see mentioned here is about how purchasing online affects the local card shops - you know that place where you go to tournys and leagues. I advocate making purchases as often as possible at local store to keep them going. If they go out of business then where will we be? When I go to league I always purchase packs, sleeves, dice etc. I look at it like I am paying a fee to play. The stores have to pay rent, utilities etc. We should help them. If you go to the movies it is at least $6.50 per ticket plus extras. most people go to the movies at least once a month. Why not spend that much per week on a great game that you can play anywhere anytime?
I am an avid collector 40,000 - 50,000 cards (if you need rev holos I probablly have them LOL). In the early days before I became educated I purchased cards 1 pack at a time. Since both my oldest son and I both played this made for some serious discussions on who got first dibs. We don't have alot of money either so I began to look for solutions. The ability to buy a whole box at a discount is great ($80/box or $3.50/pack or $128 per box). Not only helps with collecting but also ensures multiples of cards for deck building. Once we started going to premier events and started winning product life became a whole lot sweeter (I am fortunate I have convinced my hubby and younger son to play so I have doubled my chances YEAH). I also buy cards online - that one card you need to complete your set or promos you can't get etc. (even those extra copies of holos you need for a deck). So I try to utilize all of the options and I find that they all have a place in free commerce.
I am an avid collector 40,000 - 50,000 cards (if you need rev holos I probablly have them LOL). In the early days before I became educated I purchased cards 1 pack at a time. Since both my oldest son and I both played this made for some serious discussions on who got first dibs. We don't have alot of money either so I began to look for solutions. The ability to buy a whole box at a discount is great ($80/box or $3.50/pack or $128 per box). Not only helps with collecting but also ensures multiples of cards for deck building. Once we started going to premier events and started winning product life became a whole lot sweeter (I am fortunate I have convinced my hubby and younger son to play so I have doubled my chances YEAH). I also buy cards online - that one card you need to complete your set or promos you can't get etc. (even those extra copies of holos you need for a deck). So I try to utilize all of the options and I find that they all have a place in free commerce.
I got 4 crobat from HL and 3 machamp from HL. Yeah, it was a good deal. I do say though that it would be difficult to get all the staple trainers for any deck. I mean, finding the oak's research for sale, and the rare candy and the etc.sneaselsrevenge said:
Shining Umbreon
New Member
Huh. I didn't need one when I signed up on eBay (I don't even have one.....Vappy said:
) I signed up about 3 years ago, so I suppose they could have changed it since then, but I definitely didn't need one then........On topic, I will buy singles sometimes, but normally I buy a box (plus get stuff from prereleases and other tournaments
) and then trade for what I need to complete my set/decks. What can I say? I love opening packs. Also, my friends like to help me open them, and I usually give them some of the extra cards I get in the box, so that's another reason I like to buy the packs.
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bullados
<a href="http://pokegym.net/forums/showthread.php?
I've won every single card that I own from the EX series sets, except for about 13-17 SS boosters that I bought when a local toy store was going out of business.
That does cost me about 60 bux a set, but I get around 1.5 boxes for that money (I pay for my younger cousins, who are in defunct age groups in my area. So, yeah...)
That does cost me about 60 bux a set, but I get around 1.5 boxes for that money (I pay for my younger cousins, who are in defunct age groups in my area. So, yeah...)
well
I actually started playing this game right after Dragon came out, so I had to buy some cards from earlier sets in order to "catch up"
but after getting second at the TM vs TA prerelease I had almost everything I needed from that set
and then I won 3 boxes of HL by paying $45
so I have no need to buy packs anymore
if I fail at a prerelease, then I will hope for good trades, because I hate opening packs
I also hate spending money on something that probably won't help me at all
I bought a coupla Blazikens and a Rayquaza off Ebay to complete my deck, and that is really all the singles that I have bought
so I must say you don't need to buy many cards to be good
and I can build multiple decks too
but I am not against anyone's approach at getting cards
if you get the cards, then you should be happy
I actually started playing this game right after Dragon came out, so I had to buy some cards from earlier sets in order to "catch up"
but after getting second at the TM vs TA prerelease I had almost everything I needed from that set
and then I won 3 boxes of HL by paying $45
so I have no need to buy packs anymore
if I fail at a prerelease, then I will hope for good trades, because I hate opening packs
I also hate spending money on something that probably won't help me at all
I bought a coupla Blazikens and a Rayquaza off Ebay to complete my deck, and that is really all the singles that I have bought
so I must say you don't need to buy many cards to be good
and I can build multiple decks too
but I am not against anyone's approach at getting cards
if you get the cards, then you should be happy
Lawman said:Ebay doesn't require a CC. You can send M.O.s, cashier's checks and sometimes regular ole checks. The check thing takes more time bc they won't ship product until check clears (usually 7-10 business days).
Keith
Can I send them cash? It takes around $7 to make a money order and I don't have checks.
Orange Soda
New Member
That is a point I was hoping to make Trainer D....if you are buying/getting packs, that usually means you are supporting your local store. If you only buy singles online, then play competitvely and in a local league, your store receives Zippo! One of the main reasons stores hold leagues is to increase foot traffic and ergo, sales No sale = no more store = no more leagues = no more tourneys
Keith
No sale = no more store = no more leagues = no more tourneys Keith
The Fat Kid
New Member
I don't really buy cards anymore, I usually win them...
However it all depends on a few things...
1. If your a collector of a set usually you would buy packs and then trade for the rest of the cards in your set...
2. If you enjoy the feel of opening a pack. I remember back when I was younger and I opened two packs of Base Edition and pulling a Charizard and a Blastoise. That was one of my best memories of my youth. Most people like that rush, some don't...
3. If your just trying to build a deck for winning or your building a deck to play against your friends for fun...
It's really up to you...
However it all depends on a few things...
1. If your a collector of a set usually you would buy packs and then trade for the rest of the cards in your set...
2. If you enjoy the feel of opening a pack. I remember back when I was younger and I opened two packs of Base Edition and pulling a Charizard and a Blastoise. That was one of my best memories of my youth. Most people like that rush, some don't...
3. If your just trying to build a deck for winning or your building a deck to play against your friends for fun...
It's really up to you...
Baboon
New Member
The ideal way, at least in my opinion, is to buy a box for $80 and then ebay/trade some of the less useful cards to finish off what you need for a deck. You probably won't pull a full strong deck, but you may get 2 of the Stage 2, for example. In my EX1 box, I pulled 2 holo Blaziken. In my EX5 box, I pulled 2 Exploud. So, you won't always get the best cards, but you'll have a strong base, and won't have to worry about finding specific cards when you need a new deck.
I don't really get to do my ideal way though. I end up just getting a box and that's it, as there is no League here, and I never got into large-scale internet trading. Out of a box, there are 36 reverse holos. People will take reverse holos in trades, and many times, they'll be worth a nice amount to you.
Also, with my luck, I wouldn't ever just buy the singles for a deck and that's it. When I would try something like that, it would turn out that the deck wasn't great, and I'd have to change it. At least when you get a box, you have options. Just think of a box as a number of halfway-completed good decks. I've been getting cards mainly by the pack/box since 2000 already. And I do find ways to put $80 aside every few months to get a box of every set. Not the easiest thing to get that much money together in a relatively short time, but it's worth it.
I don't really get to do my ideal way though. I end up just getting a box and that's it, as there is no League here, and I never got into large-scale internet trading. Out of a box, there are 36 reverse holos. People will take reverse holos in trades, and many times, they'll be worth a nice amount to you.
Also, with my luck, I wouldn't ever just buy the singles for a deck and that's it. When I would try something like that, it would turn out that the deck wasn't great, and I'd have to change it. At least when you get a box, you have options. Just think of a box as a number of halfway-completed good decks.
I've been getting cards mainly by the pack/box since 2000 already. And I do find ways to put $80 aside every few months to get a box of every set. Not the easiest thing to get that much money together in a relatively short time, but it's worth it.jhnnymullen
New Member
i wish i could afford to buy boxes but by the time i would have the money the set would probably be out of the modified format. :/
so i'm turning to singles and packs to supplement but as for buying online the only thing that kills you is the shipping. i hate it when they charge you a flat rate like 6$ or sometimes even 10$ for just a few cards that you may need. but it is inevitable especially when you don't have lots to trade with others.
also, my area has almost no card shops to speak of so i can't really hurt anyone through online buying.
so i'm turning to singles and packs to supplement but as for buying online the only thing that kills you is the shipping. i hate it when they charge you a flat rate like 6$ or sometimes even 10$ for just a few cards that you may need. but it is inevitable especially when you don't have lots to trade with others.
also, my area has almost no card shops to speak of so i can't really hurt anyone through online buying.
Here's an opinion from someone who doesn't play the game.
It seems to me that it would be cheaper to buy singles rather than packs/boxes in hopes of getting the exact card(s) you want.
And no game should be based upon who has the most money.
Therefore anything that makes the game easier for someone with less money to compete in... well, I'm all for that.
It seems to me that it would be cheaper to buy singles rather than packs/boxes in hopes of getting the exact card(s) you want.
And no game should be based upon who has the most money.
Therefore anything that makes the game easier for someone with less money to compete in... well, I'm all for that.
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