Gardevoir ex #245 Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Should You Grade It? PSA 10 ROI 2026
This post contains affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
I’ve been tracking Gardevoir ex #245 sold comps for months, and the numbers tell a specific story about whether it’s worth grading today. This iconic Psychic-type Pokémon, a standout from the Scarlet & Violet era, has seen consistent interest from collectors. As a valuable chase card within its set, understanding the financial implications of grading Gardevoir ex #245 is crucial for anyone looking to maximize their returns. My analysis dives deep into the current market data, factoring in grading fees, potential profit margins, and the inherent risks involved. At $80.00 raw and $239.00 PSA 10, grading this card yields $96.00 in expected profit at today’s fees.
-
Current Market Data for Gardevoir ex
-
The Break-Even Math
-
Multi-Grader Comparison
-
The Verdict
-
Where to Buy
-
Risks and Timing
-
Frequently Asked Questions
Current Market Data for Gardevoir ex
Here’s a snapshot of how Gardevoir ex #245 is performing across different grading tiers, based on recent sales data. This information is critical for any collector contemplating whether to slab their raw copies or purchase graded ones. The numbers below reflect a dynamic market where condition commands a significant premium.
| Grade | Median | Premium Over Raw | Transaction Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | $80.00 | N/A | N/A |
| PSA 9 | $80.00 | 0.0% | N/A |
| PSA 10 | $239.00 | 198.8% | N/A |
| BGS 9.5 | $98.23 | 22.8% | N/A |
| CGC 10 | $100.00 | 25.0% | N/A |
Sources: eBay sold data, PriceCharting (as of May 22, 2026).
The Break-Even Math
Calculating the potential profit from grading Gardevoir ex #245 involves a few key steps. We need to account for selling fees, shipping costs, the grading fee itself, and the potential premium a graded card commands over its raw counterpart. For this analysis, we’ll assume a PSA 10 is the target grade.
First, let’s determine the net proceeds from selling a graded card. This involves taking the median PSA 10 price and subtracting the selling platform’s fees (typically around 13%) and a small shipping cost.
-
Net graded proceeds = PSA 10 median × 0.87 - $5 shipping
-
$239.00 × 0.87 - $5 = $208.73 - $5 = $203.73
Next, we need to factor in the grading fee. For the purpose of this calculation, let’s use a common bulk submission rate for PSA, which can vary but we’ll estimate at $25 for this example. Alternatively, a standard value submission might be closer to $32.99. For maximum clarity and a slightly more conservative estimate, we’ll use the $32.99 figure.
- Grading fee: $32.99 (PSA Value)
Now we can calculate the expected profit by subtracting the grading fee and the initial raw card cost from the net graded proceeds.
-
Expected profit = Net graded proceeds - (Raw cost + Grading fee)
-
$203.73 - ($80.00 + $32.99) = $203.73 - $112.99 = $90.74
This $90.74 represents the profit if every card submitted comes back a PSA 10. However, a realistic approach must factor in the “hit rate” – the percentage of cards that actually achieve the top grade. A conservative estimate for a desirable card like Gardevoir ex #245, assuming you’re selecting good raw copies, might be around 40-60%. Let’s apply a 50% hit rate for Gardevoir ex #245:
-
Realistic expected profit = Expected profit × Hit Rate
-
$90.74 × 0.50 = $45.37
This revised profit figure is more indicative of what a collector might actually see.
Finally, let’s look at the break-even point for the raw card. This is the maximum price you could pay for a raw card and still make zero profit after grading and selling it as a PSA 10.
-
Break-even raw price = Net graded proceeds - Grading fee
-
$203.73 - $32.99 = $170.74
This means if you can acquire raw Gardevoir ex #245 for less than $170.74, there is theoretical profit potential when targeting a PSA 10 grade. Given the current raw price of $80.00, there’s a substantial margin to work with. The overall ROI for a PSA 10 grade, based on the initial profit calculation, is:
-
Grading ROI % = (Expected profit / (Raw cost + Grading fee)) × 100
-
($90.74 / ($80.00 + $32.99)) × 100 = ($90.74 / $112.99) × 100 ≈ 80.3%
This indicates a strong potential return, assuming you can consistently achieve PSA 10 grades. The true ROI will be lower when factoring in the hit rate. For example, with a 50% hit rate, your actual investment would be higher, leading to a lower realized ROI on capital deployed.
Multi-Grader Comparison
While PSA often leads the market in terms of pricing premiums for top grades, it’s always wise to consider other reputable grading companies like BGS (Beckett) and CGC (Certified Guaranty Company). For Gardevoir ex #245, the data shows some interesting divergences.
The median price for a BGS 9.5 stands at $98.23, offering a premium of just $18.23 over the raw card price. This is significantly less than the $159.00 premium for a PSA 10. Similarly, a CGC 10 commands a median of $100.00, providing a $20.00 premium over raw.
When comparing these, it’s clear that for Gardevoir ex #245, a PSA 10 grade offers by far the most substantial financial uplift. While BGS 9.5 and CGC 10 grades do provide a modest increase in value compared to a raw card, they don’t offer the same multiplier effect as a PSA 10. If your goal is pure profit maximization on this particular card, the focus should unequivocally be on achieving a PSA 10. Submitting to BGS or CGC at these price points might offer a quicker turnaround or a different market appeal, but the financial reward is considerably less significant. For a card like Gardevoir ex #245, aiming for PSA 10 is the clear strategy for those focused on ROI. This is similar to the trends observed in cards like Groudon #199 Pokemon Paradox Rift, where PSA 10 holds a dominant premium.
The Verdict
GRADE.
The numbers for Gardevoir ex #245 are compelling, presenting a strong case for grading. The median price for a PSA 10 ($239.00) is nearly triple the raw price ($80.00), translating to a significant profit margin even after accounting for grading fees and selling costs. While PSA 9 graded copies appear to be selling at the same price as raw copies, the allure of the PSA 10 gem mint grade is undeniable. The premium commanded by PSA 10s on this card suggests that collectors highly value the pristine condition and the assurance it provides.
My recommendation to grade Gardevoir ex #245 is contingent on your ability to source high-quality raw copies and your confidence in achieving a PSA 10 grade. The break-even math shows that as long as you’re acquiring the raw card for under approximately $170.74, there’s profit potential. Given the current market price of $80.00, this condition is easily met, making it an attractive investment. The substantial difference between raw and PSA 10 pricing for Gardevoir ex #245 is too significant to ignore for any serious collector looking to build value.
Where to Buy
For collectors looking to acquire raw copies of Gardevoir ex #245 to grade, or to purchase already graded PSA 10 versions, several platforms offer robust marketplaces. Your first stop should be checking active listings on eBay, where you can often find competitive pricing and a wide selection of cards from various sellers. Examining sold comps is crucial to understanding the current market value for both raw and graded examples.
Check active PSA 10 listings on eBay
For raw cards, Browse raw copies on TCGPlayer is an excellent resource. TCGPlayer aggregates listings from numerous vendors, allowing for price comparisons and often providing competitive offers on individual cards. This is particularly useful when you’re trying to acquire multiple raw copies for a grading submission. Remember to always check the condition of raw cards carefully, looking for potential flaws like whitening on edges, print defects, or poor centering that could prevent a top grade.
Risks and Timing
While the financial outlook for grading Gardevoir ex #245 is positive, it’s essential to acknowledge the inherent risks. The most significant is the condition risk: not every raw card will achieve a PSA 10. Centering, surface, edges, and corners must be nearly perfect. A PSA 9, while still graded, often sells for the same price as a raw card for Gardevoir ex #245, meaning no profit on the grading itself.
The grading turnaround time is another factor. If you submit your cards and the market shifts significantly while they are in transit or being graded, your potential profit could diminish. While the Scarlet & Violet set is relatively recent, the market for specific cards can fluctuate. For a card like Gardevoir ex #245, which is a popular chase card, the demand is generally strong, but it’s not immune to market downturns.
Alternative grading companies like BGS and CGC offer faster turnarounds and sometimes lower fees, but as the data shows, they typically don’t command the same price premium for top grades as PSA for this particular card. If speed is your primary concern or you have a specific preference for their slabs, they are an option, but be aware of the potential impact on resale value.
When to wait vs. submit is a strategic decision. If you are buying raw cards specifically for grading, aim to do so when prices are at their lowest, outside of major set releases or major tournament wins that might temporarily inflate demand. Submitting as soon as you acquire excellent raw copies minimizes the time your capital is tied up in raw stock and allows you to capitalize on current market premiums sooner. However, if you’re holding a raw copy you pulled yourself, patiently waiting for the right grading opportunity or a surge in the market might be beneficial. For this specific card, given the strong PSA 10 premium, submitting quality copies is generally advisable.
Pro Tip: When buying raw copies for grading, focus on cards that appear to have near-perfect centering and clean edges/corners visible in listing photos. High-resolution images are your best friend for assessing condition from afar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current raw price for Gardevoir ex #245?
As of May 22, 2026, the median raw price for Gardevoir ex #245 from the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet set is $80.00. This price point makes it an attractive candidate for grading, especially when compared to the value of graded copies.
How much profit can I expect from grading Gardevoir ex #245 to PSA 10?
With a raw price of $80.00 and a PSA 10 median of $239.00, after accounting for a $32.99 PSA grading fee and selling fees, the estimated profit for a PSA 10 Gardevoir ex #245 is approximately $90.74. However, this figure is reduced when factoring in a realistic hit rate for achieving a PSA 10 grade.
Is grading Gardevoir ex #245 worth it compared to BGS or CGC?
For Gardevoir ex #245, the data indicates that grading with PSA to achieve a PSA 10 yields the highest profit. A BGS 9.5 median is $98.23 and a CGC 10 median is $100.00, both offering significantly smaller premiums over the raw price of $80.00 compared to the PSA 10 premium.
What is the break-even price for a raw Gardevoir ex #245 graded as PSA 10?
The break-even price for a raw Gardevoir ex #245 to be graded as PSA 10 is approximately $170.74. This means if you can acquire raw copies for less than this amount, you have potential for profit when aiming for a PSA 10 grade, assuming current market prices and grading fees remain consistent.
Should I grade my PSA 9 Gardevoir ex #245?
Based on current data (as of May 22, 2026), PSA 9 Gardevoir ex #245 copies are selling at a median of $80.00, which is the same as the raw card price. Therefore, grading a card to a PSA 9 is unlikely to yield a profit and may even result in a loss after factoring in grading fees and selling costs for that tier.
When is the best time to submit Gardevoir ex #245 for grading?
The best time to submit Gardevoir ex #245 for grading is when you can acquire high-quality raw copies at or below current market prices and are confident in their condition. Submitting promptly after acquisition minimizes your capital’s exposure time and allows you to capitalize on current market premiums for PSA 10 grades before potential market shifts.
For those looking to delve deeper into the world of Pokémon card collecting and grading, our comprehensive guides on Pokemon Cards offer valuable insights. If you’re interested in maximizing your grading efforts, be sure to visit our card grading hub for more in-depth analysis and strategies.