IGN: 'market price' is now the normal way to buy Pokémon TCG product
IGN argues that scalpers and bot buying have made MSRP largely unattainable, leaving TCGplayer-style 'market price' as the default benchmark. It cites Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Boxes listed over $350 on eBay against a $153.54 market price.
Asking prices on eBay are not the market; a $153.54 TCGplayer market price against $350 listings shows how wide that gap gets. The useful signal here is the 10 billion cards printed last year and better pull rates in 30th Celebration already squeezing reseller margins. If that holds, expect sealed prices and hot chase cards to keep softening.
Our read, from the people who buy and sell these cards. Opinion, not financial advice.
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IGN Why Paying "Market Price" for Rare Pokémon Card Sets Somehow Became The New Normal Published Oct 12, 2026Figures are as reported by the source; we haven't verified the sale ourselves.