AZ (117 Full Art) Canada Buy: Honest Value Review for Collectors
At CA$24.44, AZ (117 Full Art) is a strong Canadian binder buy—but only after HST, shipping, condition, and grading economics are checked.
AZ (117 Full Art) is not an automatic buy at every Canadian price—at CA$24.44, it is attractive only if condition and purpose line up. That distinction matters because this older Pokémon card sits in an awkward middle ground: affordable enough for casual collectors, but not scarce or iconic enough to justify ignoring whitening, off-centering, or inflated marketplace prices.
What is AZ (117 Full Art) worth in Canada?
For a raw, near-mint copy, CA$24.44 is a reasonable Canadian entry price. It is not a guaranteed bargain, but it is competitive for a full-art Supporter from the XY-era marketplace. An AZ (117 Full Art) Canada buy makes the most sense when you want a visually appealing binder card, are completing its set, or prefer a character-focused collection over only chasing headline Pokémon.
Canadian buyers should compare the displayed price with the landed cost. Ontario HST adds 13% to many taxable purchases, taking CA$24.44 to about CA$27.62 before shipping. A separate tracked shipment can add roughly CA$5–$15, depending on the seller and order size. That makes a local or consolidated purchase through ARCardZ more compelling than a seemingly cheaper cross-border listing that later picks up exchange conversion, shipping, and import friction.
Why collectors still consider it
- Distinctive artwork: Full-art Supporters remain an important part of Pokémon Cards collecting, especially for binders organized by character or trainer.
- Accessible price: It costs far less than premium full-art chase cards, leaving room in the budget for sleeves, a binder, or another set target.
- Older-set appeal: AZ belongs to an earlier design era, giving it a different visual identity from current Scarlet & Violet cards.
- Set-completion utility: A collector who needs this specific slot values it more than a buyer judging the card only by broad market liquidity.
The limitation is demand depth. AZ has recognition among committed collectors, but it does not have the universal pull of a major Pokémon or a top-tier alternate art. If you are buying strictly for quick resale, the card may sit longer than a more liquid chase card. The best AZ (117 Full Art) Canada buy is therefore a collection purchase first, investment purchase second.
Condition, grading, and resale reality
Inspect the four corners, back-edge whitening, surface scratches, and centering before paying a premium. Older full-art cards can show handling wear that is hard to see in a small listing photo. A raw copy that looks “near mint” online may grade below the collector’s expected threshold once the back and holo surface are examined under direct light.
Grading only works financially when the card has exceptional condition and meaningful upside. In Canada, submission fees, insured shipping, return shipping, and currency conversion can easily push the all-in cost well above CA$50 before the card comes back. Turnaround times also vary by service tier and can stretch from several weeks to multiple months. At this price point, a PSA 10 or equivalent may command a substantial multiplier over raw NM, but a lower grade often does not cover the grading and shipping bill. Do not grade AZ simply because it is full art.
For resale research, compare eBay.ca sold listings rather than active asking prices, and separate raw copies from graded examples. TCGPlayer prices can be useful as a reference, but Canadian availability, seller location, shipping, and currency treatment can make a direct comparison misleading. Facebook Marketplace Canada may produce lower prices, though condition disputes and counterfeit risk are higher when there is no established return process.
How AZ compares with nearby buying options
At ARCardZ, the decision becomes clearer when AZ is compared with cards at similar price points rather than judged in isolation. AZ (117 Full Art) is the balanced choice for an older full-art trainer. The Exploud ex costs slightly more and suits collectors who prioritize playable ex-era variety, while Enhanced Hammer (162 Secret Rare) offers secret-rare appeal at a lower price.
| Product | Price (CAD) | Best For | Value Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ (117 Full Art) | CA$24.44 | Trainer and older-set binders | ★★★★☆ | Best balanced buy if raw condition is clean |
| Exploud ex | CA$27.91 | Players and ex-card collectors | ★★★☆☆ | More niche, but worthwhile for the right collection |
| Enhanced Hammer (162 Secret Rare) | CA$22.74 | Secret-rare and trainer-item collectors | ★★★★☆ | Strong alternative when rarity matters more than character |
| Dwebble | CA$9.15 | Budget set completion | ★★★☆☆ | Low-risk add-on, not a comparable centrepiece |
Who should buy AZ?
- Buy it if you collect full-art Supporters, need the card for a set, or want a distinctive older Pokémon card under CA$30.
- Wait or negotiate if the listing shows whitening, vague condition photos, or a total price that rises above the mid-CA$30s after tax and shipping.
- Skip it if your goal is maximum resale speed or guaranteed grading profit.
Collectors seeking a higher-end centrepiece may prefer the M Gardevoir EX (Full Art) at CA$94.07, but that is a different budget and risk category. It should not be used as the benchmark for whether AZ is fairly priced.
Our Pick
Our pick is AZ (117 Full Art) at CA$24.44, provided the copy is raw near mint and the final Ontario checkout total remains sensible. It offers a strong visual return per dollar without pretending to be a blue-chip investment. For an AZ (117 Full Art) Canada buy, purchase it as a long-term binder card, confirm the condition before ordering, and combine it with other singles to reduce shipping. Check the current copy at ARCardZ and make your decision from the actual photos and landed cost—not from an optimistic marketplace asking price.