Where does everyone buy their decks these days? My local metaphysical shop closed, and I miss being able to see decks in person before buying. Looking for trustworthy online sources with good prices and authentic decks.
I want to support creators directly but not sure where to find them and of course a good price and delivery is good too.
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I used to always get my decks on Etsy, but there are so many stories of Tarot scams on Etsy now.
Decks showing up with missing cards, if they show up at all. Shoddy quality and knock-off prints allll the time.
And it turned out that a lot of times, you weren’t even supporting any original creators. They were all crappy AI art stolen from the real creators.
In short: please don’t buy Tarot decks or readings on Etsy.
My last decks I got from this thread. You’re buying direct from the deck owners through their store and you’re getting them cheap and fast. I’d rather go into a store but or buy them at a fair face to face but it’s just not viable any more.
I totally get missing that in-person experience. After my local shop closed last year, I had to figure out the online thing too.
For most of the popular decks, I get from our own lists like this. I’d rather trust a Tarot reader to pick out the good quality decks than a salesperson. I don’t mind if the deck comes from Amazon, yeah, it’s boring, but zero counterfeit risk. For indie decks though, it can get tricky. Etsy can be solid if you check for Star Seller badges and read reviews carefully because there’s a lot of scams there too.
I’ve gotten some beautiful limited editions from TarotArts too - they’re pricier but Beth actually knows her stuff and everything’s authentic. Instagram is where I find most indie creators now. Follow the artist directly, buy from their Shopify or when they launch on Kickstarter. Just backed one last month that hit 500% funding. Supporting creators directly means they get way more money than going through retailers.
You don’t have to handle a deck in person to get a feel for it. Full flip-through videos and good photos or scans show the symbolism well.
Most of the time, I don’t mind going through Amazon because you are supporting creators, they’re just selling their decks through Amazon. Just avoid buying from third party merchants so you don’t get weird copies and you’re getting the original that comes from the creator.
For reliable sources, buy straight from the publisher-US Games, Llewellyn, Lo Scarabeo, or Hay House-and match the ISBN on their site with any listing you see elsewhere. If you’re using big marketplaces, stick to the publisher’s official storefront and double-check the card count and the guidebook length to avoid fakes.
I learned this the hard way DO NOT buy from Temu, Wish, AliExpress, any of those sites. bought what I thought was the Wild Unknown for $12, and it’s literally printed on paper thinner than playing cards. Couldn’t believe I fell for something like that.
The corners were sharp, not rounded, colors all washed out, and I swear the deck has weird energy. Threw it out and bought the real one.
It’s so tough when a local shop closes, that feeling of being able to handle a deck before you commit is something special. I’m sorry you’re missing that connection.
I really like getting them through Kickstarter if I’m just looking for a random deck. There’s nothing like backing a project from the start and getting a first edition. You have to be patient because it can take a year or more to get the deck, but you’re directly helping an artist make their vision real. Plus, you get a deck that might be impossible to find later.
If there’s a specific deck I want, then I’ll find their store or go through Amazon - it’s usually them selling there anyway.
If there’s no Kickstarter I like and there’s no specific deck I have my eye on, then I look for threads like this and wait for you guys to give me deck FOMO.
Almost as bad as Etsy! Yes AliExpress you might as well just print the cards yourself on the printer 
If you want to support creators but also need to watch your budget, signing up for deck artists’ newsletters can help, they usually send out 15-20% discount codes when they launch new decks. Or, better yet, make sure you’re on the Tarot Guru emails and you’ll get alerts for various creators from the newsletter.
You might want to check out threads like the cheap Tarot decks or popular Tarot cards because readers like @Sploots will share some links to good deals for decks there.
Have you tried checking nearby towns? Sometimes there are metaphysical shops in random strip malls or downtown areas you wouldn’t expect. Even if it’s a drive, most shops will order specific decks if you ask. I really like getting my cards locally (and impulse buying who knows what else in their store).
For online, I’ve bought from sellers on Etsy before, lots of independent creators sell there. Llewellyn and Hay House sell directly to if you want to make sure you’re getting authentic decks. They have sales sometimes.
Barnes & Noble has been carrying more tarot decks lately. At least you can look through the guidebooks there and see if you like the art style before buying online. I still check my local shop when I’m in the area to see what’s new, but I end up ordering most of mine online these days.
I see a lot of people focused on expensive indie decks, but don’t sleep on mass-market ones. I don’t want to see the Tarot community wind up as some kind of hipster thing where we ignore good decks just because they’re popular. They’re popular for a reason!
They’re affordable, the guidebooks are usually really solid for beginners, and you can find them easily. My mass-market Crow Tarot gets more use than some of my pricey decks.
I’ve been ordering from Tarot Arts lately and they do this nice thing where they wrap each deck in tissue paper with a handwritten note. They also throw in a free sample of incense. What I really like is their photo galleries, they show every card in natural lighting, which helps when you’re trying to decide on a deck.
Apollo Tarot in the UK is good too. They show when each deck arrives and the print run details. Their packaging has these little protective corner guards that I’ve been keeping (I have a bunch now). Little Red Tarot sometimes includes random freebies like crystal chips or mini guidebooks from other decks. It’s a nice surprise when you open the package.
I’ve found a lot of new decks on Kickstarter. You can often grab early-bird deals and special editions. I only buy from Kickstarter campaigns now, but I have more than enough decks. I don’t actively look to get more.
Yeah, you wait 6-12 months for fulfillment, but you get exclusive editions, sometimes signed, and know your money goes straight to the artist. Plus, watching the campaign updates and being part of the creation process feels special. The Literary Tarot campaign was cool and I was there from the early days. This really only works if you already have your decks and you’re just slowly collecting.
If you want to support artists directly, check their own websites first; plenty sell through their personal shops. If not, Etsy or Big Cartel are common spots for indie decks. You get the real thing and the money goes straight to the artist.
When you see those suspiciously cheap decks on sites like AliExpress, they’re always counterfeits that hurt the creators who work hard on these designs.
Save up and buy directly from the artist’s website or their authorized retailers. The deck arrives with better energy for readings, and you’re supporting the artists so they can keep creating. Check the deck creator’s official social media for their list of legitimate sellers. Many indie artists will even do payment plans if you message them directly.
I’ve gotten really into the second-hand market. There are a couple of great Facebook groups, “Tarot Marketplace” where people buy, sell, and trade. It’s a good way to find out-of-print decks or just pass along a deck that didn’t connect with you to someone who will love it.
When local tarot shops closed, I started looking online for decks.
Facebook Marketplace and Mercari are surprisingly good for out-of-print decks if you know what questions to ask sellers. Always request photos of the actual deck, not stock images and make sure you ask about the guidebook, corner shape and cardstock thickness. I found a first edition Dreaming Way for $45 when it’s going for $200 on eBay. Some people just don’t know what they have