Understanding Pokemon Customer Types: Who Buys Pokemon Cards and Why
After 10+ years selling Pokemon cards, I've learned one critical truth: not all Pokemon customers are the same. Understanding the four main customer types—and what motivates each one—is the difference between struggling to make sales and building a thriving Pokemon business.
Let me show you exactly who buys Pokemon cards, what they want, and how to serve each type effectively.
The Four Main Pokemon Customer Types
1. Kids (Ages 6-12): The Fun Seekers
Who They Are:
Kids discovering Pokemon for the first time through games, cartoons, or friends at school. They're driven by excitement, not investment potential.
What They Want:
- Opening packs: The thrill matters more than the cards inside
- Popular Pokemon: Pikachu, Charizard, Eevee evolutions, starter Pokemon
- Affordable options: Most have allowance or birthday money ($5-20 range)
- Immediate gratification: Can't wait for shipping—want it now
Key Insight: Kids need parental approval for purchases. Your real customer is often the parent, not the child.
How to Serve Them:
- Stock single booster packs ($4-5) and blister packs
- Focus on current generation Pokemon (what's popular in games/shows)
- Keep popular Pokemon singles under $5
- Offer "mystery packs" or grab bags for excitement
- Make your business kid-friendly (clean, welcoming, safe)
Real Example from My Business:
I once stocked expensive vintage cards exclusively. Sales were slow. Then I added a "$1 bin" with common modern cards of popular Pokemon. Kids loved it, parents appreciated the affordability, and those same parents often bought higher-value cards while their kids shopped.
Common Mistake: Talking over kids' heads about card values and competitive play. They don't care—they just want cool Pokemon.
2. Teens (Ages 13-17): The Competitive Players
Who They Are:
Serious players building competitive decks for tournaments. Pokemon TCG is their hobby, potentially their passion.
What They Want:
- Meta-relevant cards: Specific cards needed for competitive decks
- Competitive edge: Cards that win tournaments
- Budget options: Limited income (allowance, part-time jobs)
- Deck-building help: Guidance on strategy and card choices
Buying Behavior:
- Research before buying (check TCGPlayer prices)
- Buy singles, rarely sealed products
- Price-sensitive (will price shop across sellers)
- Loyal to sellers who help them win
How to Serve Them:
- Stay current on competitive meta (know Standard format staples)
- Competitive pricing—they'll compare your prices
- Fast shipping (tournament deadlines are real)
- Offer deck-building advice and card recommendations
- Stock playsets (4 copies of competitive cards)
- Provide condition accuracy—tournament players need Near Mint
Real Example:
A teen asked me about building a Mew VMAX deck. I didn't just sell him the Mew VMAX—I recommended supporting cards (Genesect V, Elesa's Sparkle, Cross Switcher). He spent $80 instead of $20, had a competitive deck, and became a repeat customer who trusted my expertise.
Common Mistake: Overpricing competitive staples. Teens know market prices and won't overpay.
3. Young Adults (Ages 18-25): The Nostalgic Collectors
Who They Are:
Millennials and Gen Z reconnecting with childhood Pokemon memories. First generation with significant disposable income.
What They Want:
- Nostalgia: Cards from their childhood (Base Set through Diamond/Pearl era)
- Social sharing: Instagram/TikTok-worthy cards and unboxings
- Unique finds: Rare cards, Japanese exclusives, alt arts
- Emotional connection: Cards that mean something personally
Buying Behavior:
- Willing to pay premium for nostalgia
- Prefer quality over quantity (one great card vs. many commons)
- Share purchases on social media (free marketing for you)
- Impulse buyers when emotionally triggered
How to Serve Them:
- Stock vintage cards from 1999-2010 (their childhood)
- Emphasize condition and authenticity (they want pristine cards)
- Share stories and context about cards (add emotional value)
- Create "nostalgia bundles" (complete evolution lines, starter sets)
- Use social media to reach them (Instagram, TikTok)
- Professional photography—presentation matters
Real Example:
I listed a Near Mint Base Set Blastoise with the description: "Remember when Blastoise was the ultimate card on the playground?" and shared a story about trading these in 1999. Sold in 3 hours for asking price ($150) when similar cards sat for weeks with generic descriptions.
This is my primary customer base at Break Check Barragan—and likely yours too.
Common Mistake: Treating nostalgic collectors like investors. They're buying memories, not investments.
4. Adult Collectors (Ages 26+): The Serious Investors
Who They Are:
Serious collectors treating Pokemon cards as alternative investments. They understand market trends and long-term value.
What They Want:
- Investment potential: Cards likely to appreciate
- Pristine condition: PSA 9/10 graded cards or raw Near Mint
- Rare items: First editions, errors, vintage sealed products
- Market data: Price history, population reports, trends
Buying Behavior:
- Research extensively before purchasing
- Buy high-value cards ($100-$10,000+)
- Prefer graded cards for verification
- Less frequent buyers but highest transaction values
- Build relationships with trusted sellers
How to Serve Them:
- Stock investment-grade cards (PSA graded, first editions, rare variants)
- Provide detailed condition descriptions with photos
- Share market analysis and price trends
- Offer authentication and grading services
- Premium packaging and insured shipping
- Build long-term relationships (these are your whale customers)
Real Example:
Adult collector approached me about a PSA 9 Charizard. Instead of just selling that card, I built a relationship. Over two years, he's purchased $15,000+ in vintage cards because he trusts my grading, pricing, and market knowledge.
Common Mistake: Rushing investment buyers. They need time to research and decide—don't pressure them.
How Understanding Customer Types Transforms Your Business
Inventory Strategy:
Instead of random cards, stock specifically for your target customers. If serving teens, prioritize competitive staples. If serving young adults, focus on vintage nostalgia cards.
Pricing Strategy:
- Kids: Value pricing (affordable options)
- Teens: Competitive pricing (match or beat market)
- Young Adults: Premium pricing justified by story/condition
- Adults: Market pricing with premium for quality/service
Marketing Strategy:
- Kids: Fun, excitement, colorful posts
- Teens: Competitive success, deck strategies, tournament results
- Young Adults: Nostalgia, emotions, memories
- Adults: Data, ROI, market analysis
Communication Style:
- Kids: Simple, enthusiastic, friendly
- Teens: Knowledgeable, helpful, respectful
- Young Adults: Personal, story-driven, relatable
- Adults: Professional, data-driven, expert
Identifying Customer Types in Real Interactions
Quick identification questions:
"What brings you to Pokemon cards?"
- "My son loves opening packs" = Parent of kid customer
- "I need cards for my deck" = Teen competitive player
- "I used to collect these as a kid" = Young adult nostalgic collector
- "I'm looking at Pokemon as an investment" = Adult investor
Then adjust your approach accordingly.
Can You Serve Multiple Customer Types?
Yes, but focus first.
I tried serving everyone initially—failed at all. Then focused on nostalgic young adults (ages 18-35) exclusively. Once I dominated that niche, I expanded to adult investors.
Start with ONE customer type you understand best:
- Were you a competitive player? → Serve teens
- Nostalgic for your childhood? → Serve young adults
- Investment-minded? → Serve adults
- Have kids? → Serve families
Master one customer type, then expand.
The Biggest Mistake Pokemon Sellers Make
Treating all customers the same.
A teen competitive player doesn't care about your vintage Base Set Charizard. A nostalgic collector doesn't want your $2 competitive staples. An investor won't buy cards in Lightly Played condition.
Match your inventory, pricing, marketing, and communication to your target customer type.
Action Steps
- Identify your target customer type (choose one to start)
- Audit your current inventory (does it match your target?)
- Adjust your pricing strategy for that customer type
- Update your marketing to speak their language
- Build expertise in serving that specific customer
Ready to Master Customer Targeting?
This is Module 3.1 of Week 3 in the Pokemon Business Startup Course.
Complete course includes:
- Customer type identification worksheets
- Inventory planning by customer type
- Marketing templates for each audience
- Real customer interaction scripts
- Advanced targeting strategies
Enroll in the Pokemon Business Startup Course →
Module 3.1 of Week 3 - Pokemon Business Startup Course