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Getting Started


The TCGplayer mobile app is a great tool available for use on both Apple and Android devices. The power behind this app's use is the ability it gives stores to have individuals scan through stacks of TCG singles and export CSVs to later be input into your store's inventory. While the use of this app is beneficial, there are a few steps that need to be taken before using the app to its fullest potential. This article will focus on explaining how to set up and use the TCGplayer app for the most time and labor efficient use.


For a brief video overview, check out the following:



App Setup

While the application structure and setup is identical across both Apple and Android Operating Systems, the images used in this article will be taken from an iOS Device. Please rest assured that both the iOS and Android apps are identical.


Once the TCGplayer application has been found on the respective App Store and downloaded, the app will need to be opened and updated. These updates will occur without any prompting. Following this, setup will begin:

  1. From the opening page of the app, select the You tab on the bottom task bar
  2. From here, please log in to your store's account
  3. After logging in, please select the Settings tab
  4. In the Settings tab, scroll down and:
    1.  Select Email Export. Switch this setting from Plain Text > CSV
    2. Enable Export Email as Attachment
    3. Open CSV Output Settings and enable any CSV columns for export
  5. Return to Settings and the Close in order to open the Scan tab on the bottom task bar
  6. Prepare to scan your cards > See the bottom of this article for more information


If using an iOS device the device is set to Dark Mode, some of the settings in the TCGplayer App will be unreadable. Please change the device to Light Mode for use with this app



Preparations Before Scanning

While the following steps are not necessary for beginning the process for scanning cards into the TCGplayer app, we recommend following the advice in this section for a more efficient scanning process. Before beginning to scan singles into the TCGplayer app, we recommend:

  • Organize the Cards Being Scanned
  • Create Collections


Organizing Cards

While this may seem like a simple bit of advice, it may be the largest time-saving step in this entire process. By organizing the cards ahead of time, whether by set, condition, color, rarity, etc., the people scanning the cards will have a much easier and quicker time correctly adding the cards to the app.


Creating Collections

Another useful bit of advice that goes hand-in-hand with card organization is: Create Collections! These collections will ideally match with the organization parameters. For example, if dividing cards by set, color, rarity, condition, etc., create collections specific to each of those divisions. Furthermore, creating collections is a quick and hassle-free process. In order to do so, follow these steps:

  1. From the TCGplayer app opening page, select the Collection tab on the taskbar
  2. In the Collection tab, click Create New List
  3. In the pop-up, enter the collection name and select Create
  4. From here, created collections can be opened and have cards scanned and added to them



Scanning Cards

As mentioned in the above video, scanning cards is fairly simple with the TCGplayer app. After organizing cards, creating corresponding card lists, and enabling CSV export, the actual card scanning can begin! When doing so, consider these tips and tricks:

  • Scan over a blank background, such as white
  • Try to keep the phone around 6-8 inches away from the card for best reading results
  • Keep the card well lit, as shadows or glares might affect the reading ability
  • Carefully review the cards after scanning each
    • This includes the amount, set, foiling, condition, and language 
  • If feeling a bit daring, consider scanning multiple cards at one time


Exporting Card Lists

After all of the cards have been scanned into the appropriate lists, the final step is exportation. The goal here is to create a CSV list of all of the scanned cards. This list can be sent to your store's computer and easily uploaded into BinderPOS and your store's inventory. If the TCGplayer App's Email Export settings have not been switched from Plain Text > CSV, please review App Setup above. In order to export cards lists as CSVs, follow these steps:

  1. From the app homepage, select Collection tab on the lower task bar
  2. From the Collection tab, open the list being exported and select the three dot menu (kebab) in the top right
  3. From the kebab menu, select Send via Email
  4. This should open the email app in the phone, please check that a CSV spreadsheet is attached. If not, please refer back to App Setup above
  5. Send the email when ready





Importing CSVs into BinderPOS

Once the CSVs have been exported from the TCGplayer App's scanned card lists, the next and final step is to Import CSVs into BinderPOS. Please also consider reviewing How to Format BinderPOS CSVs and Importing an External CSV into BinderPOS.


For help and information with Shopify, check out How to Import Products Using CSVs.