Collecting
Build a want list you’ll actually use
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A want list should help you recognise the right card when you find it. A long list of Pokémon names is a starting point, but exact targets make it easier to avoid duplicates, compare prices and leave room for something unexpected.
Choose the project first
Open the binder you are collecting for. A species gap in a National Dex and a missing printing in a set project are different targets. Keep separate projects in named binders so a useful find goes to the right place.
Decide what matters to you: filling a gap, a favourite illustration or an upgrade to a card you already own. You can own one version and still want another. Record them separately so checking off the want does not erase what is in the binder.
Make the card recognisable
Add the exact set and collector number, then confirm language and finish. If another version would be fine, keep that choice clear. Before a purchase, check the catalog match and inspect the physical card’s condition.
Use search and the Hunting list to narrow the cards you are looking for. Grouping by Pokémon and using set or illustrator filters can make a large list easier to browse at a stall.
Give the day a focus
Choose a handful of priorities for the trip. Set a personal spending limit before the conversation with a seller. The app’s price bands provide evidence to consider; they do not decide what fits your plans.
Prepare the relevant binder for offline use and verify what was saved. Saved prices may be useful context, but they will not update without a connection. Check freshness before giving an estimate much weight.
Keep the list useful afterwards
Record completed purchases or trades, update wants and let offline edits synchronize. If you collect with a partner, give both devices time to catch up. A short, current list is more useful than a perfect list you stopped opening.
Open your collection