It has been 4 days since I started collecting the components of my UB control deck. during the first 24 hours, I was able to collect 95% of my deck. From the islands to the titans. At the end of day 1, I had only 4 cards left to obtain: 4 Jace The Mindsculptors. This is truly an awesome card. We are lucky to have lived in the time of Jace. Unfortunately the Philippines may not experience his true strength. This is why...
The Magic economy in the Philippines(most probably in other 3rd world countries as well) has always been different. Being that the cost of living here is cheap, all other prices tend to be cheaper as well. And this includes Magic. You can find the best deals in Magic every Grand Prix Manila. Players from other countries go here to find dual lands at $15 each, sol rings for $5 each, etc. good selling point for serious players eh? Not really. Globalization has now become our greatest enemy. All it takes now is a single profiteer to disrupt the whole magic scene. They will buy specific cards by the hundreds, going to different stores and hoarding everything they can sell for a lot more online. After that, they sell it to the global market and make a killing, easily doubling their money in the process. Take note that I call them profiteers rather than entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs act with integrity and think of the long run when it comes to making money, profiteers will do anything for a quick buck. What does this do to the local community? supply of good cards run low, prices go up(too high sometimes for the average player), supply gets too low that players go for other weaker decks just to play, and the overall skill level of players suffer. they did it before with cards like Exalted Angel, Kokusho, the Evening Star, Absorb, and the likes. their latest victim is Jace, buying them at around $50 each and selling them now for around $80 online.
Globalization now is inevitable. From our jobs we wake up early for, to the beds we sleep on at night. It is something we will have to adjust to. If i cannot find my Mindsculptors by next friday, I will have to buy them online. I just feel sorry for the other players who can't(or can't afford) do the same.
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