This video is an August 2025 Patreon-exclusive monthly market recap (MMR) by SM Pratt, covering the Pokémon trading card market. He discusses current market trends, focusing on the price fluctuations of specific cards like Gold Stars and modern chase cards, and shares insights from behind-the-scenes dealings with large-scale buyers and vendors. He also offers advice for fellow collectors and investors.
Shift Towards Japanese Modern: A potential migration towards Japanese modern cards is observed due to scarcity and price instability in the English market. Japanese cards offer greater consistency and stability in pricing.
Gold Star Bubble: The Gold Star card market is experiencing another potential bubble, driven by both collector interest and financial speculation. The current bubble differs significantly from past ones due to increased market depth and the involvement of high-spending buyers.
Impact of Depth Buyers: High-spending collectors ("depth buyers") are significantly impacting the market, driving up prices beyond what was previously imaginable. These buyers are often working through intermediaries and may not rely on public marketplaces like eBay.
Vendor Influence: Vendors are playing a significant role in driving demand, particularly for cards that are visually appealing and easily recognizable. They are willing to pay above-market prices to showcase desirable items at conventions and create a unique brand identity.
Investor vs. Retail Business: A key distinction is made between operating as an investor versus a retail business in the Pokémon card market. The retail model, characterized by frequent buying and selling, may lead to missed opportunities for larger profits due to the nature of collectibles as "want-to" purchases rather than "have-to" purchases. Holding for long-term appreciation is often more profitable.
Today's Waves, Tomorrow's Tide: Record-breaking sales create a rising tide in the market, influencing the overall price level. While individual cards may experience sharp price swings, the consistent sales volume across a wider range of cards is a more significant indicator of market health and growth.
Market Exposure and Private Sales: Public marketplaces like eBay have limitations in terms of market exposure and reach. Private sales can often command significantly higher prices due to limited visibility and access to specific buyers. High-value transactions on eBay may also trigger limitations imposed by the platform.
Illustrator Card Controversy: Uncertainty remains surrounding the release of a large number of high-grade Illustrator cards, possibly due to unauthorized production or distribution. The high number of these cards in the market raises questions about authenticity and market integrity.
