Far enough to set their own prices, with connections to the manufacturer of this card game. Ideal808, for example, is a site that ships products in the same location where the cards are made and distributed to America. They have a simple, easy access to the cards we want. But when you rely on websites that make their own prices, you never really know if you're losing a deal through these sources. In truth, the community you cannot trust is your most reliable source.
eBay, for starters, does not tax. That is because the community cannot tax you. The most they can offer in terms of tax is the fee for shipping and handling; money they won't even receive. The other end is how prices of cards are never fixed. Among the community, the prices of cards drift and adjust towards their state in the game; their playability. Whenever a new pack is released, and the Banned/Restricted List is changed, it opens up new and different possibilities towards the Metagame. If you are a seller of cards, it's what you follow to know what it is that you sell, and if you are a researcher of the card game then you are in benefit of pricing cards in the future.
Many of you may not use eBay, simply because you don't trust it. However, the problem with such is declaring a certain value for the card when it is of no real value to the dueling community. I'll take into example again, on Ideal808. A certain card that sees no play in the Metagame, but looks nice.
Demanded price from Ideal808.com: Link
Demanded price from players: Link
Completed purchases from players(for those who have eBay accounts): Link
As you can see, this card only makes, at most, $15. Every price higher than that on those lists are simply purchases that no one will ever make. Ideal808 demands $65. This is, indeed, an outrageous price. If you pull this card, and demand that price, you will get nothing but a blank stare and a cold shoulder.
Even so that eBay cannot be trusted, there are ways of getting a good deal, and preventing the purchase to be a fraud. All you have to do is read and keep in contact with your supplier. Look into their history and ratings. Read all of their feedback to make sure there were no dire mistakes or situations with that user. Keep contact information, such as a telephone number or an e-mail; two sources of contact, if possible. Test this contact information before the official purchase is made. Discuss with your provider, and make sure your purchase is a real one. All of this can prevent fraud.
So next time you wish to purchase cards, make sure what you're getting is worth what you're spending.
That is all. A bit of information I thought should be shared with you. 3nodding
