Where to buy Pokémon merchandise
Sites I use
Because I'm on a budget, I use many different sources to get my Pokémon merch. Here are my preferred ones.
I live in the United States, so this guide may not be applicable for those who live elsewhere.
I live in the United States, so this guide may not be applicable for those who live elsewhere.
PKMNCollectors Livejournal community
Type: In-hand & pickups | Goods type: Used & New | Merch origin: USA, Japan, worldwide | Typical cost: Low
While it's not super active nowadays, this community is always an excellent place to buy and sell Pokémon merchandise with other collectors. You can usually find a much better price here than elsewhere, because many people are much more comfortable selling to fellow collectors than strangers. You never know what you'll find there, and it's a great place to show off your collection and view others too!
Pokémon Center (US)
Type: In-hand | Goods type: New | Merch origin: United States | Typical cost: Low
Usually the best place to get new US-exclusive releases. Buying from here is also a good way to save money if what you want is sold in both Japan and the US (since buying from overseas is usually at least 1.5-2x the cost.) Be aware that this site is affiliated with Amazon, so if you avoid Amazon you may want to not use this one either.
Plaza Japan
Type: In-hand | Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: Moderate-Low
I've found that this site usually has lower prices than other similar stores. It's my preferred place to buy new releases if no one on PKMNCollectors is doing pickups. I have had nothing but good experiences with customer service on this site.
Japan Stuffs
Type: Pickups & In-hand| Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: Moderate
Another good option if Plaza Japan doesn't have what you want. Newer items tend to be pickups.
Sunyshore PokéMart (closed indefinitely)
Type: Pickups | Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: Moderate-High
Primarily lists new items that are still carried in Pokémon Center stores, since it's based almost exclusively on pickups. This store has been going since 2006! (Also fun fact: I made the favicon for this site. :3c) Occasionally has older goods available for direct purchase as the shop owner weeds out her collection. Customer service is excellent.
Pokévault
Type: In-hand | Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: High
Pokévault tends to have significantly higher prices than other stores, especially for high-demand goods. However, it's excellent as a last resort, or if the goods you're after are older/less popular. (I've gotten good deals on Zangoose stuff here.) They also offer coupon codes and have sales fairly often, so it's a good idea to watch for those. This store carries a large variety of both new and old merchandise, all in mint or near-mint condition, and customer service is excellent as well.
eBay
Type: In-hand | Goods type: Used & New | Merch origin: USA, Japan, worldwide | Typical cost: Varies
eBay is generally worth checking whether you're looking for something new or old. You can find things for cheap, especially if they're in a lot, but people like to list things way overpriced too. You can view sold items and see what prices the item has recently sold for to make sure you're not overpaying, and you can check other websites (like the ones I listed above) too. You never know what you'll find on eBay, and sometimes you can get surprised with a really good deal or just a rare item that doesn't come up anywhere else.
Type: In-hand & pickups | Goods type: Used & New | Merch origin: USA, Japan, worldwide | Typical cost: Low
While it's not super active nowadays, this community is always an excellent place to buy and sell Pokémon merchandise with other collectors. You can usually find a much better price here than elsewhere, because many people are much more comfortable selling to fellow collectors than strangers. You never know what you'll find there, and it's a great place to show off your collection and view others too!
Pokémon Center (US)
Type: In-hand | Goods type: New | Merch origin: United States | Typical cost: Low
Usually the best place to get new US-exclusive releases. Buying from here is also a good way to save money if what you want is sold in both Japan and the US (since buying from overseas is usually at least 1.5-2x the cost.) Be aware that this site is affiliated with Amazon, so if you avoid Amazon you may want to not use this one either.
Plaza Japan
Type: In-hand | Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: Moderate-Low
I've found that this site usually has lower prices than other similar stores. It's my preferred place to buy new releases if no one on PKMNCollectors is doing pickups. I have had nothing but good experiences with customer service on this site.
Japan Stuffs
Type: Pickups & In-hand| Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: Moderate
Another good option if Plaza Japan doesn't have what you want. Newer items tend to be pickups.
Sunyshore PokéMart (closed indefinitely)
Type: Pickups | Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: Moderate-High
Primarily lists new items that are still carried in Pokémon Center stores, since it's based almost exclusively on pickups. This store has been going since 2006! (Also fun fact: I made the favicon for this site. :3c) Occasionally has older goods available for direct purchase as the shop owner weeds out her collection. Customer service is excellent.
Pokévault
Type: In-hand | Goods type: New | Merch origin: Japan | Typical cost: High
Pokévault tends to have significantly higher prices than other stores, especially for high-demand goods. However, it's excellent as a last resort, or if the goods you're after are older/less popular. (I've gotten good deals on Zangoose stuff here.) They also offer coupon codes and have sales fairly often, so it's a good idea to watch for those. This store carries a large variety of both new and old merchandise, all in mint or near-mint condition, and customer service is excellent as well.
eBay
Type: In-hand | Goods type: Used & New | Merch origin: USA, Japan, worldwide | Typical cost: Varies
eBay is generally worth checking whether you're looking for something new or old. You can find things for cheap, especially if they're in a lot, but people like to list things way overpriced too. You can view sold items and see what prices the item has recently sold for to make sure you're not overpaying, and you can check other websites (like the ones I listed above) too. You never know what you'll find on eBay, and sometimes you can get surprised with a really good deal or just a rare item that doesn't come up anywhere else.