5) Guide to get One Piece boxes

Introduction

I'm writing this post mainly because of the sentiments I see on the networks regarding box prices and the dissatisfaction of many people who feel excluded from the market. I'm going to share everything I've found useful, tools, tips, as well as things to watch out for, including the issue of sourcing. I've managed to get boxes at every release at reasonable prices, and I know there are people who won't be happy with me explaining these strategies to everyone, but whatever.

Pre-Order - The Best Way to Get Boxes at Reasonable Prices

The best guaranteed way to get boxes close to the recommended retail price is to pre-order. I understand that it can be a bit stressful to have to order boxes months in advance, but it is by far the best option to not pay more than 100 CHF for a box. With more and more local stores inflating their prices, I only pre-order online now.

I know some people are going to moan and say they would if only they could find the boxes before they sold out. Unfortunately, there's no real way to tell when stores will be releasing their first waves of pre-orders, and some sites are set to automatically raise prices when a certain number of products sell out, or when other stores raise theirs. So you have to act fast.

When to Order: Two Waves of Pre-Orders

The process is divided into two waves of pre-orders. I've noticed that 3-4 weeks after a set is announced in Japan, pre-orders for that set start to go live in the US and then in Europe. So there are two waves of pre-orders: one 3-4 weeks after the announcement and another closer to the release date. The BEST time to pre-order is during the 3-4 weeks after the announcement in Japan.

Subscribe to newsletters: stores that announce pre-orders

Another great strategy for staying on top of pre-orders and sales is to sign up for retailer newsletters. Many online stores send subscribers alerts when a new product goes up for pre-order or when supplies are restocked. This gives you a head start on other shoppers and increases your chances of securing boxes at close to the cheapest possible price before they sell out. Keep in mind that signing up for newsletters doesn’t guarantee you a box, but it’s still a great way to get first-hand information and a chance to secure your pre-orders early.

Installment Payments: A Common, but Controversial Practice

Another point I have to make, and which will probably irritate some people, is the installment payment option available on some sites. This option allows some users to purchase multiple boxes or cases at once. For example, a CHF 100 box could be paid for with a small initial payment, then monthly payments of CHF 30 for four months. This means that you are paying CHF 120 for a CHF 100 box at the lowest possible price, which seems reasonable.

However, with the huge demand and rising prices, these boxes can be resold for over 230 CHF, offering a quick profit of 110 CHF. Many people who have no interest in gambling use it to speculate. This system exists for everyone, not just a specific group of wealthy people. One must be aware of this and use these options responsibly.

Supply Issues: The Impact of Demand

When it comes to supply, the situation is not ideal. While many people point the finger at Bandai, it is not entirely their fault, although they are the ones to blame for most of the problems. The One Piece TCG game is very successful, even surpassing Yu-Gi-Oh! in terms of sales. Bandai also produces games for Digimon and Dragon Ball Super (DBS), and sales of these games are strong, but Bandai does not have its own printing plant, unlike companies like Pokémon. They have everything printed by Cardass.

Where the problem arises is that Bandai handles 12 different card games. The demand is huge, but their logistics did not anticipate such a success. I think the situation will improve in the long run, but they will probably have to reduce production of one of their product lines or increase their production capacity, which will take time. In the short term, the situation is likely to remain complicated, so it is important to order your products as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Good luck to all in your box searches, and above all, stay vigilant! And if you have any good tips or other interesting stores, don't hesitate to share your discoveries in the comments.