Data Sources
Candidate feeds for replacing empty states with real market data. API and CSV sources should be prioritised over scraping.
Scraping must respect each source's terms, robots policy and rate limits. Sold-listing data is the main bottleneck; active listings are much easier than completed sales.
Active
2| Source | Type | Coverage | Fills | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PokémonTCG.io | API | Card metadata plus TCGplayer and Cardmarket price fields where available. | sets, cards, card_prices |
Already wired for chase singles. Optional API key improves rate limits. |
| Manual CSV imports | CSV | Any source we can export manually: eBay solds, Cardmarket, retailer stock checks, PriceCharting CSV. | product_prices, card_prices, retail_stock_checks, grading_population, market_events |
Fastest reliable path for sealed products while we negotiate/obtain API credentials. |
Candidate
8| Source | Type | Coverage | Fills | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCGdex | API | Free/open card and set database across languages and printings. | sets, cards |
Good metadata backfill; not primarily a market-pricing feed. |
| SoldComps | Paid API | Real-time eBay completed/sold listing API. | sold_listing_count, median_sold_price, average_sold_price |
Could unlock liquidity metrics quickly if pricing fits. |
| Poketrace | API | TCGPlayer, eBay sold listings, CardMarket trends and active listings in one response. | card_prices, sold_listing_count, active_listing_count |
Worth testing if we want one consolidated paid source. |
| TCGFast | API | Real-time TCG prices; claims eBay sold listings updated daily. | card_prices, sold_listing_count |
Check Pokémon coverage and pricing before wiring. |
| PokemonPriceTracker API | API | TCGPlayer, eBay, Cardmarket, historical trends, graded card values depending on plan. | card_prices, sold_listing_count, grading_population proxy fields |
Candidate for singles/slabs if terms and cost work. |
| Poké Tracker UK | Stock tracker | UK retail stock across 15+ retailers including Argos, Smyths, GAME, Amazon UK, John Lewis, Chaos Cards and Total Cards. | retail_stock_checks, retail_availability |
Check whether they provide an API or export. Do not scrape logged-in/premium features without permission. |
| TCGCompare | Price comparison app | Sealed product prices across many retailers/countries. | product_prices, lowest_available_price |
No public API found yet; likely partnership/export request or manual CSV route. |
| TCGDeckVault | UK market tracker | UK singles, sealed and graded values from eBay UK and Vinted UK sold listings. | card_prices, product_prices, sold_listing_count |
Interesting UK-specific source; need API/export permission. |
Needs Token
2| Source | Type | Coverage | Fills | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PriceCharting | Paid API / CSV | Current raw and graded values for cards and related products. | card_prices, grading_population proxy fields |
API requires paid subscription. Current values only; historic prices and historic sales are not supported by their API docs. |
| Cardmarket API / partner APIs | Paid API | European pricing, active listings, trends, and sometimes graded/eBay aggregates depending on provider. | card_prices, product_prices, active_listing_count |
Prefer official/paid API access over page scraping. |
Needs Credentials
1| Source | Type | Coverage | Fills | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay APIs | API | Active listings through Browse API. Sold/completed data generally needs restricted Marketplace Insights or a third-party sold-comps provider. | active_listing_count, lowest_available_price |
Browse is useful for active supply; sold listings are the hard part. |
Scrape Cautiously
3| Source | Type | Coverage | Fills | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Center UK | Retail page | Official MSRP and stock state for sealed products and Pokémon Center exclusives. | products, retail_stock_checks, msrp |
High-value scarcity signal. Monitor respectfully and slowly if terms allow. |
| Smyths Toys UK | Retail page | Retail availability and store stock indicators for Pokémon products. | retail_stock_checks, price |
Useful for MSRP availability and restock frequency. Respect rate limits and robots/terms. |
| Magic Madhouse | Retail page | UK sealed product listings, price and stock status. | product_prices, retail_stock_checks |
Good sealed-price candidate when official/price-comparison feeds are unavailable. |
Recommended Order
- Keep PokémonTCG.io running daily for singles metadata and prices.
- Add one paid sold-listing source for eBay/Cardmarket sales volume.
- Import or connect UK retail stock checks for Pokémon Center, Smyths and major shops.
- Only then calculate full sealed-product market health, Hot Potato and collapse indicators.