A Firm Handshake in the TCG Wilds: Our First Weeks in Singles

When we first set out as a new seller of MTG and Lorcana singles, the path was quiet. For the first couple of weeks, sales trickled in like cautious explorers testing a rope bridge. A card here. A card there. Enough to confirm we were headed in the right direction — but not yet enough to declare victory.

Then came February 14th.

While the world busied itself with roses, chocolates, and declarations of affection, we found ourselves celebrating something entirely different: our best sales day yet. Valentine’s Day arrived not with heart-shaped boxes, but with a steady volley of order confirmations — the retail equivalent of Cupid’s arrows landing squarely on target.

Whether it was romance-fueled goodwill or simply impeccable deck-building instincts from our customers, the day proved an important truth: perseverance tends to bloom when you least expect it.

But the promising developments didn’t end there.

Behind the scenes, we’ve been negotiating with new suppliers — a process filled with observing new customs, bartering, careful listening, and more than a little patience. Through deliberate conversation and a willingness to observe before acting, we secured favorable agreements that will soon bring exciting new product lines to our shelves. Think of it as preparing for a new chapter of the expedition: more gear, better tools, and a few shiny treasures to share with the Club.

And that leads us back to the cautionary tale many of you may recall: the monkey’s handshake.

It bears repeating, especially now.

In that story — a tale told around many campfires — a well-meaning adventurer finds himself face-to-face with a friendly-looking monkey extending a hand. Tempted by the novelty of such a greeting, he returns the gesture without hesitation. But in the jungle, not all customs translate cleanly. The monkey, delighted, proceeds to shake with increasing enthusiasm. What began as charming quickly escalates, ending in a tug-of-war over a satchel of fruit the adventurer hadn’t meant to offer.

The lesson was simple:

Not every extended hand should be taken immediately. Not every smile signals safety. And not every bargain is truly a bargain.

In the world of business — much like in the thick of a foreign jungle — it pays to pause. To read the situation. To understand the customs. To ensure that the handshake being offered is a gesture of mutual benefit… and not the prelude to losing your figurative (or literal) fruit.

This time around, we are pleased to report that:

The handshakes were firm.

The terms were fair.

And no fruit was stolen in the process.

As always, thank you for supporting the Club’s ventures into new territories — commercial or otherwise.

Until the next dispatch - Grand Adventurers Club