Guide
Cardmarket or TCGplayer: where should you buy your Pokémon cards?
Both are marketplaces: you do not buy from the operator but from individual sellers. That affects shipping, condition and total price, and you should understand how before you buy.
What both have in common
- You buy from many individual sellers, not from one shop.
- Every card has a condition, a language and often a finish such as holo or reverse holo.
- Shipping and price differ by seller.
- Several cards from the same seller often save shipping costs.
Where they differ
| Cardmarket | TCGplayer | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | European marketplace with sellers in many countries | Marketplace focused on sellers in the USA |
| Interface language | Available in several languages, including English | English |
| Hand-over from Cardfolio | Deck list for the wants list | Text for the mass-entry function |
| Check before buying | Minimum condition and card language | Whether the seller ships to your country |
These notes are a guide and can change. Always check the current terms on the marketplace itself.
What that means for you
If you buy in Europe, Cardmarket usually offers the shorter routes: sellers are often nearby and delivery times stay manageable. TCGplayer is mainly interesting if you already have contacts or delivery addresses in the USA, or are looking for one specific card there.
Wherever you buy, always work out the final price including shipping. A card that looks cheap on its own can end up costing more through per-seller shipping than a slightly dearer one from a seller where you can combine several cards.
What Cardfolio hands over
Cardfolio creates the list in the marketplace's format. For Cardmarket that is the deck list for the wants list; for TCGplayer it is the text for the mass-entry function. There you set the minimum condition and language and confirm the purchase yourself.
Cardfolio has no business relationship with either marketplace. A step-by-step guide with pictures for Cardmarket is in the buying guide.
Keep reading
- Pokémon card condition: what Near Mint, Excellent and Played mean
- Pokémon cards: language, holo, reverse holo and edition explained