What happened
How To Spot Fake Pokemon Cards Before You Buy matters because aftermarket booster prices and counterfeit listings change what children and casual collectors can safely buy.
What to check
Compare current market prices against MSRP, avoid listings with recycled photos, and keep receipts from authorized retailers.
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The safest purchase is still sealed product at or near MSRP from a retailer with return protection. When markup climbs above 100%, the hobby stops behaving like a toy aisle and starts behaving like an extracted market.