Hi there. I show a Pokemon cards haul as part of a Toronto day trip.
I do a pickup order and buy some cards including 30th celebration Pokemon cards.
Pickup Order at Hobbiesville Toronto
I found some good prices and availability on 30th celebration Pokemon cards singles. They had Pokemon ex cards at 1 CAD to 2 CAD each. Prices at Hobbiesville Toronto are pretty competitive. The downside is that searching for new cards on their website is tricky and stuff goes out of stock fast.
Getting to Hobbiesville Toronto is kind of a hassle for me. It is sort of near the Toronto downtown area but the streetcar route is sort of slow. I pick up cards from Hobbiesville every once in a while when prices are good. Otherwise I got to other places with more convienient locations. Here is what I got.
This haul came to 20 CAD after tax. The Gholdengo illustration rare was the highest price card at 5 CAD. Five dollars for an illustration rare from an anniversary set is a really good price.
A & C Games Haul + Bonus
I visit A & C Games again near Toronto's Chinatown and near the University of Toronto campus.
Their bulk section for Pokemon and other TCGs is really large. It does take time to find stuff that's interesting.
I did manage to find this Lucario and Alolan Exeggutor promo cards from the 30th celebration set. These two cards are from the Tech Sticker collection sealed products. I got 3 Lucario promos and 3 Alolan Exeggutor promo cards for 6 CAD. Four of them were given away to 4 friends as a small gift. I saved one Lucario and one Alolan Exeggutor for myself (picture below).
The one store associate recognized me. We were chatting for a bit and then he gave me a prize card. It was a Pikachu Worlds 2026 promo card for me going 3 wins and 0 losses from the August Worlds promo local tournament. I did not expect this as I thought there was only one prize for the person who got first. I got second with a 3 wins and 0 loss record but with a slightly worse opponents' win record.
Two Free Cards But Give Google Review
I check out another store in the Chinatown area. I decide not to name the store as I ended up getting two cards for free. As I was about to pay, the guy said that I could just take them but give a Google Review. The two cards were Tirtouga and Surfing Beach.
This store focuses more on selling sports cards but they have a small Pokemon cards section. The guy sees me at least one a month so I am a semi-regular. I guess they don't plan on making too much money on the Pokemon cards.
Go For Game TCG + Pikachu Cards
My final card store visit was at Go For Game TCG in Toronto's Chinatown area. They sell a few Pokemon cards online but it is way better to visit their store in-person. In the store, they have more inventory and you pay no tax if cash payment is involved.
This store did carry 30th celebration special set Pokemon cards. They had a fair bit of Pikachu cards with prices better than 401 Games. I got these Pikachu cards at 2 to 3 CAD each.
The Scorbunny Mega Evolutions promo card was at 6 CAD. It was colourful and cute.
Closing Notes
Since Paldean Fates special sets, I skip buying packs and sealed products from special sets. The demand and prices are too high. These special sets appeal to mostly collectors and not so much players.
For the 30th celebration set, I avoid the crazy crowds and prices. I buy select single cards that I like and what is available. Instead of paying nearly 60 to 200 CAD for packs, I buy select cards for around 40 to 50 CAD. Guarantee the cards and pulls by buying single cards. Also, know your local card stores.
One Elite Trainer Box at least 200 CAD. It contains a promo card, game accessories and 9 booster packs. This is at least 22 CAD per booster pack. Even though pull rates are good, there are some bad packs with mostly commons and a random Pikachu card. When you buy singles, you get what you want at prices less than a booster pack. Opening packs is fun but it costs too much these days.
Thank you for reading.