Week 4: Running Your Pokemon Business Day-to-Day
Week 4 transforms strategy into action. Learn the daily operations that keep your Pokemon business running smoothly and profitably. This is where theory becomes real business.
What You'll Master This Week
Daily operations separate businesses that thrive from those that struggle. Week 4 teaches you exactly:
- Where and how to source valuable Pokemon card inventory consistently
- How to organize inventory so you can find anything in seconds
- The complete listing process from photos to pricing to publishing
- Professional packaging that protects cards and delights customers
- Shipping strategies that save money and ensure safe delivery
- Time-saving tools that automate repetitive tasks
Bottom Line: You'll have a smooth-running operation that doesn't consume your entire life.
Module 1: Sourcing Pokemon Card Inventory
Inventory is your business foundation. Without good sourcing, you either pay too much (no profit) or can't find enough inventory (no growth).
Top Sourcing Methods:
Estate Sales:
- Opportunity: Families selling deceased loved ones' collections
- Pricing: Often underpriced (sellers don't know Pokemon values)
- How: Check EstateSales.net, arrive early, bring cash
- Success Rate: 1 in 10 estate sales has Pokemon cards
Garage/Yard Sales:
- Opportunity: Families clearing out kids' old toys
- Pricing: $5-20 for entire collections often
- How: Saturday mornings, target neighborhoods with families
- Success Rate: 1 in 20 has Pokemon cards
Flea Markets:
- Opportunity: Regular vendors with rotating inventory
- Pricing: Negotiable, build relationships for better deals
- How: Become regular customer, show up weekly
- Success Rate: Build network of 3-5 vendors
Online Marketplaces:
- Facebook Marketplace: Local deals, often mispriced
- OfferUp/Letgo: Similar to Facebook, less competition
- eBay Auctions: Bid on lots, sometimes undervalued
- Craigslist: Hit or miss, requires patience
Collection Buyouts:
- Opportunity: Buy entire collections from individuals
- Pricing: Wholesale (50-60% of value)
- How: Advertise "We Buy Pokemon Cards," word of mouth
- Success Rate: Builds over time as reputation grows
Module 1 teaches: How to evaluate collections quickly, negotiate fairly, and avoid common sourcing mistakes.
Module 2: Inventory Organization Systems
Chaotic inventory = wasted time, missed sales, lost cards. Organization multiplies your efficiency.
Physical Organization:
By Card Type:
- Holos separate from non-holos
- Rares separate from commons/uncommons
- Trainer cards separate from Pokemon
By Set:
- Each set in labeled box or binder
- Chronological order (Base Set → current)
- Easy to locate specific cards
By Value:
- High-value ($50+) in protective sleeves in binder
- Mid-value ($5-50) in top loaders in boxes
- Bulk (under $5) in commons boxes
Storage Solutions:
- BCW card storage boxes (800-3200 count)
- Ultra Pro binders for display cards
- Top loaders for cards $5+
- Penny sleeves for everything
Digital Organization:
Spreadsheet Tracking:
- Card name, set, condition, quantity
- Purchase price, current value
- Location (which box/binder)
- Status (listed, sold, in stock)
Inventory Management Software:
- TCGPlayer Seller Portal (free for sellers)
- Collectr (mobile app, paid)
- Custom spreadsheets work great for beginners
Module 2 Framework: Start simple (basic boxes and spreadsheet), upgrade as inventory grows.
Module 3: The Complete Listing Process
Great listings sell fast. Poor listings sit forever. Module 3 teaches the formula.
Step 1: Card Photography:
- Natural lighting or lightbox
- High resolution (smartphone cameras work)
- Front and back photos minimum
- Close-ups of any flaws for valuable cards
Step 2: Condition Grading:
- Use TCGPlayer condition guide (standardized)
- Grade conservatively (better to under-grade than over-grade)
- Note specific flaws in description
Step 3: Pricing Research:
- Check TCGPlayer Market Price
- Check recent eBay sold listings
- Price competitively (at or slightly below market)
Step 4: Writing Descriptions:
- Card name + set + condition
- Specific condition notes
- Shipping details
- Return policy
Step 5: Publishing:
- List on 2-3 platforms simultaneously
- Use consistent naming for tracking
- Enable automatic repricing if available
Time Investment: 5-10 minutes per card initially, 2-3 minutes per card with experience.
Module 4: Professional Packaging
Packaging protects your cards and your reputation. Damaged cards = refunds + bad reviews.
Packaging Tiers:
Standard Cards ($1-20):
- Penny sleeve
- Top loader or cardboard backing
- Regular envelope with stamp
- No tracking needed
Mid-Value Cards ($20-100):
- Penny sleeve + top loader
- Team bag or sealed plastic
- Bubble mailer or padded envelope
- First Class Package with tracking
High-Value Cards ($100+):
- Penny sleeve + top loader + team bag
- Cardboard reinforcement
- Bubble mailer inside box
- Priority Mail with full insurance and signature
Supplies Needed:
- Penny sleeves (bulk, $10 per 1000)
- Top loaders (bulk, $20 per 100)
- Envelopes and bubble mailers
- Tape, cardboard, team bags
Pro Tip: Buy supplies in bulk from Amazon or card supply wholesalers to save 40-60%.
Module 5: Shipping Strategies
Shipping done right saves money and ensures safe delivery. Shipping done wrong costs profits and creates headaches.
Shipping Method Selection:
USPS First Class Letter (under 3 oz):
- Cost: $0.73-1.50
- Tracking: No (add for $0.80)
- Best for: Cards under $20
USPS First Class Package:
- Cost: $4-5
- Tracking: Included
- Best for: Cards $20-100
USPS Priority Mail:
- Cost: $8-10
- Tracking + insurance ($50): Included
- Best for: Cards $100+
Time-Saving Tips:
- Batch shipping (package multiple orders together)
- Print labels at home (skip post office lines)
- Use USPS pickup (free, they come to you)
Module 5 Details: Exact workflows, carrier comparison, insurance requirements, international shipping.
Module 6: Tools and Automation
The right tools save 10+ hours per week. Module 6 shows which tools are worth it and which are wastes of money.
Essential Tools (Free or Low-Cost):
TCGPlayer Seller Portal:
- List and manage inventory
- Automatic repricing available
- Sales analytics included
- Free for sellers
eBay Seller Hub:
- Manage eBay listings
- Bulk editing tools
- Sales reports
- Free for sellers
PayPal/Stripe:
- Payment processing
- Fees: 2.9% + $0.30
- Essential for accepting payments
Google Sheets/Excel:
- Inventory tracking
- Financial records
- Custom reports
- Free (Sheets) or one-time purchase (Excel)
Premium Tools (Worth It for Serious Sellers):
Automated Repricing ($10-30/month):
- Adjusts your prices automatically based on market
- Saves hours of manual repricing
- Increases sales by staying competitive
Inventory Management Software ($20-50/month):
- Syncs across multiple platforms
- Prevents double-sales
- Advanced reporting
- Worth it when listing 500+ cards
Label Printing Setup ($150 one-time):
- Thermal printer (Rollo, Dymo)
- Print shipping labels instantly
- Saves time and ink costs
Module 6 Recommendation: Start with free tools, upgrade to paid tools when revenue exceeds $3,000/month.
Week 4 Action Steps
By the end of Week 4, you'll have:
- ✅ Sourcing strategy with 3+ active channels
- ✅ Inventory organized physically and digitally
- ✅ First 10-20 listings created and published
- ✅ Packaging supplies purchased and system established
- ✅ Shipping workflow implemented (carrier choice, label printing)
- ✅ Essential tools set up and working
Your First Week of Real Operations
Week 4 is when your Pokemon business becomes tangible. You're not just planning anymore—you're buying inventory, creating listings, packaging orders, shipping cards, and making sales.
Most new sellers get overwhelmed by operations because they have no system. They:
- Waste time at bad sourcing locations
- Can't find cards in chaotic inventory
- Create listings slowly without templates
- Use wrong packaging (damaged cards or wasted money)
- Choose wrong shipping methods (overpay or underprotect)
- Manually do everything that could be automated
Week 4 eliminates operational chaos and gives you proven systems that scale.
From Strategy to Execution
Weeks 1-3: Strategic foundation (market, money, customers) Week 4: Operational execution (actually running the business) Weeks 5-8: Advanced topics (legal, team, sales, growth)
You're now halfway through the course with a functioning Pokemon card business.
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