[Pricing] Pricing on base set and opinions

[Rawstank]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums and new to the selling of Pokémon cards. But no new to researching things and then selling said stuff for more money. I usually do it with snap on tools.

Here's my story,

I lived with a friend of mine for 13 years and he recently moved out due to buying his parents house. His parents saved his Pokémon cards from the original base set all these years. Stored away and in protective sleeves. I have researched some of the prices on these cards if they are graded highly. He has an original base set Charizard among other cards. He has only 1 shadowless card which is Machamp. He is asking 2,000 for the lot. Which is quite a bit and all original. He said he never played with them as a kid. They only bought them to collect and they stayed in their protective sleeves and binders. I will include pictures of them. I since looked up prices to get them graded with it being a 25 minimum at 18 a pop. What is your guys opinion. Would it be worth to invest the 2.5k and get the good cards graded and then resell on eBay? Thanks again.

 

[icycatelf]

Maybe if there were more 1st Editions here, but based on what I'm seeing, I wouldn't think so.

Just doing a quick glance over eBay's recently sold listings, I doubt you're looking at more than $200 for Machamp, and Charizard isn't 1st Edition so probably no more than $400 there unless gem mint or really close. Around $100 for Blastoise, maybe $60 for Feraligatr. Nothing else seems particularly desirable.

 

[Rawstank]

Ok, so I realized now that yea that isn't a 1st edition. I did some reading, but I've been using this site to price out the cards and this says if it trade 9+ it could be worth that.

pricecharting/game/pokemon-base-set/charizard-4

And I'd I got lucky enough to get it graded at a 10. It would be worth a lot. Is that website a good website to use?

 

[icycatelf]

That looks like a very good website, actually. I'd be tempted to use it from now on if it included on-page thumbnails.

It could be worth it if Charizard does grade a 9.5 or 10, but that's a big if. It could've gotten scratches, however tiny, at the factory, when it was pulled from the pack, or when it was sleeved. Realistically, you're probably looking at less than 9, which based on these prices wouldn't give you a return on your investment even with the other cards (unless there are more desirable cards you're not showing here).