1. Network with Other Players

The Pokémon community is incredibly friendly and always willing to help fellow players. I’ve had times when I was searching for specific cards, and people just gave them to me for free. Once, I was looking for Dusknoir, and a player handed me four copies—no charge. More recently, I asked around for Budew and Regigigas, and someone offered to give them to me for free.

If you’re looking for cards to complete your deck or build your collection, I highly recommend attending Pokémon leagues. Just have fun playing casual games, and when you’re done, don’t be shy about asking if anyone has cards for trade. You can also mention specific cards you’re looking for—you’d be surprised how many people are willing to help.

Also, be willing to contribute to the community by asking others what they’re looking for. If you’re passionate about Pokémon TCG, you’ll naturally make friends and connections.

Another great way to find deals is by joining Discord communities from your local card shops. I once traded four Gholdengo EX (back when they were $7 each) for four Night Stretchers and $20 in a local Discord group. It’s all about staying connected and being part of the community.

2. Check Local Card Shops

Sometimes, your local card shop will have great deals. I once found common Night Stretchers for just $0.15 each at an anime and card shop(not the shop in the picture) when they were valued at $2–$3 each on TCGPlayer.

If you don’t like paying market prices for Pokémon singles or trainer cards, always check nearby stores—there’s a good chance you’ll find some cards below market value, especially since prices fluctuate constantly.

3. Look for Deals on Mercari

Mercari is another solid option for finding deals. I once grabbed a Prime Catcher for $15 when it was going for $20–$30. Deals like this don’t happen every day, but if you check often enough, you might get lucky.

Tips for Getting the Best Deals on Mercari:

• Like Listings and Wait for Price Drops
  A strategy I use all the time is liking listings and waiting for the seller to lower the price. One time, I liked a bunch of Secret Rare Buddy-Buddy Poffins and waited. About a week later, Mercari notified me that someone dropped their price to $16. I immediately sent an offer for $13, and the seller accepted it the next day.

This doesn’t work every time, but the more you do it, the better your chances of scoring a deal.

• Bundle Cards for Discounts
  Another effective tactic is offering a lower price when buying multiple cards. Many sellers prefer offloading multiple cards at a discount rather than selling them one by one.

This strategy isn’t just for Mercari—you can use it on Facebook Marketplace or even in person.

• Buy from Non-Pokémon Sellers
  Some of the best deals come from people who don’t primarily sell Pokémon cards. Sports card collectors, general card resellers, or people clearing out their collections often sell at lower prices just to move inventory.

I once picked up a Secret Rare Night Stretcher for just $14—way below its TCGPlayer market price of $28 at the time (Feb 18, 2025). These kinds of deals aren’t common, but they do happen if you keep an eye out.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to find Pokémon TCG deals by using different strategies. Whether you’re making connections in the community, hunting for bargains at local shops, or checking online marketplaces like Mercari, persistence and patience will help you score the best deals. Keep at it, and you’ll build an awesome deck or collection—while saving a lot of money!