Guide
Buying Pokémon cards on TCGplayer: step by step with Mass Entry
TCGplayer is a marketplace focused on the USA, and its interface is in English. With the Mass Entry function you paste a whole card list at once instead of searching for each card. This guide shows the four steps and the terms you will meet there.
What to know in advance
- The interface is in English and prices are in US dollars.
- With a location in Germany, TCGplayer only shows sellers that ship there and points to international shipping partners that deliver orders consolidated and tracked.
- TCGplayer lists cards mostly in English. For German cards, Cardmarket is usually the better choice.
- Your Card Binder puts nothing in your cart and buys nothing. That only happens at TCGplayer when you trigger it yourself.
Step 1: copy the list and open Mass Entry
In Your Card Binder you choose TCGplayer when asked for the marketplace. The big button copies all prepared cards and opens Mass Entry. If the list fits into the address, it is already filled in the “Items” field; otherwise paste it with Ctrl+V or ⌘V.
Each line has the format “quantity name [set code] number”, for example “1 Charizard [BS] 004/102”. Your Card Binder only writes lines whose match has been verified; cards without a reliable match stay out and are listed.
Step 2: check the list in Mass Entry
- “Select Product Line” must say “Pokemon”.
- The “Items” field should show each card as its own line.
- “Show Set/Series Codes” lists the set abbreviations if a line is not recognised.
Mass Entry takes over name, set and number. You set everything else in the next step.
Step 3: set printing and condition
In the “Item Options” area you decide for the whole list which finish and which condition qualify. Several ticks are possible.
| Area | Option at TCGplayer | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Printing | Normal, Holofoil, Reverse Holofoil | Modern sets: card without shine, with shine in the picture or with shine on the rest of the card |
| Printing | 1st Edition, 1st Edition Holofoil, Unlimited, Unlimited Holofoil | Early sets: the 1st edition is often much more expensive than Unlimited |
| Condition | Near Mint | Like new |
| Condition | Lightly Played, Moderately Played | Light to moderate wear |
| Condition | Heavily Played, Damaged | Heavy wear or damage; not recommended for gifts |
Your Card Binder shows in the guide which printing and condition you chose for your cards. TCGplayer has no “Excellent” grade; Near Mint plus Lightly Played comes closest.
Step 4: Add to Cart and check the result
TCGplayer describes the function like this: you say how you want the cards, and TCGplayer finds the best matching prices across the marketplace. “Add to Cart” puts them into the cart.
- Check that an offer was found for every line.
- Check card name, set, full number, language, printing and condition.
- Look at shipping costs and delivery type before you pay. With several sellers there are several parcels or shipping costs.
- You pay at TCGplayer. You confirm prices and shipping there.
If a card is not found
Check the line for typos and the set code. For cards Your Card Binder could not match reliably, you find a text to copy under “Falls etwas nicht klappt” and, where known, direct product pages at TCGplayer. There you choose the matching offer yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does TCGplayer ship to Germany?
- With a location in Germany, TCGplayer only shows sellers that ship there and points to international shipping partners with consolidated, tracked delivery. You see shipping costs before you pay.
What is Mass Entry?
- Mass Entry is TCGplayer's function for pasting a whole card list at once. Each line holds quantity, name, set code and number, for example “1 Charizard [BS] 004/102”.
Which condition do I choose at TCGplayer?
- TCGplayer has Near Mint, Lightly Played, Moderately Played, Heavily Played and Damaged. For a gift, Near Mint usually fits, optionally together with Lightly Played.