Cheap lots buy the room; the top tiers make the money. Every show carries all four in a deliberate mix — so great value stops meaning no margin.
Dead stock, common duplicates, beat-up cards. Loss-leaders on purpose: they buy bids, energy and followers.
Solid mainlines, recent hits, themed 5- and 10-packs. The workhorse that keeps turnover moving and earns the value reputation.
Premiums, Real Riders, Kaido House, M2, series cars. Where the show actually pays — protected so the deal crowd can’t drag it down.
Super Treasure Hunts, chases, vintage, high-value. Headline draws that hype the room and protect their own value.
People rave about the show — the curation, the energy, the hunt — not just the prices. Lean the brand there so buyers stay loyal to you, not to the lowest number, and higher tiers hold their price.
Tier 1 nets about $0. Tiers 2–4 have to cover every fee, your shipping time, cost basis and your profit. If hooks are ~30% of lots and you’re still only breaking even, your Tier 3–4 reserves and floors are too low — that’s the lever.