The Truth About OOP, RARE, and HTF:
What sellers say vs. what collectors should believe
In the world of tarot resale, certain words are used like gold leaf: OOP (Out Of Print), RARE, and HTF (Hard to Find). You'll see them in listings, hear them in BST (Buy Sale Trade) groups, and maybe even feel a little rush of urgency when they pop up on a deck you've been eyeing.
But here's the truth: Just because something is called rare doesn't mean it is rare — or valuable.
Let's unpack what these terms actually mean (and don't mean), how they affect perceived value, and why transparency matters when reselling tarot decks.
What These Terms Actually Mean
OOP (Out of Print): The publisher or creator is no longer printing or selling the deck. This is a factual label, but not all OOP decks are in demand or valuable. Some are discontinued because they didn't sell well.
RARE: Used frequently, but often without real backing. A rare deck should mean there are very few in circulation, especially in good condition. But sometimes, people say "rare" just because it's not currently listed on the first page of eBay or Amazon.
HTF (Hard to Find): This usually means the deck isn't widely available. But again, it doesn't mean people want it — just that it's not mass distributed. "Hard to find" could also mean it's simply not popular enough for many people to be reselling it.
Perception vs. Reality
The biggest issue with these terms is that they create a vanity illusion — an inflated sense of value based on language, not facts.
Just because someone calls a deck RARE doesn't mean:
It has sold at a high price recently
Collectors are looking for it
It has long-term value
It's difficult to acquire (I've seen decks called "HTF" while having multiple copies in stock!)
When these words are used loosely or dishonestly, they can mislead buyers and inflate expectations. It also creates tension in the marketplace when someone lists a deck as a "grail" item… and you quietly know it's been sitting unsold for months.
How These Terms Can Backfire
For sellers: Overusing these terms can erode trust. If someone buys a "rare" deck and then sees it pop up in 5 other shops, it can lead to returns, bad reviews, or loss of credibility.
For buyers: FOMO is real — and expensive. Just because something looks rare or is labeled "HTF" doesn't mean you need to overpay for it.
For collectors: These labels can distort the true value of a deck. A better indicator is always what people are willing to pay — not what words someone adds to the listing title.
A Real-World Example:
Let's say someone lists a deck as-
"RARE! OOP! Sacred Lunar Oracle – Complete!"
But there are two copies sitting on your shelf for weeks. It's not rare — it's just not widely available on large marketplaces. And it's not HTF — because it's right here, twice over.
It may still be a beautiful or valuable deck, but the label doesn't change its actual market demand.
How to Check Before You Believe the Label
A label is a claim. Here's how to test it in about five minutes:
Check sold listings, not asking prices. On eBay, filter to sold listings for that exact deck and edition. Asking prices are wishes; sold prices are what people actually paid.
Count the copies currently listed. Search the deck across marketplaces right now. If five copies are sitting unsold, it's not rare — no matter what the title says.
Find the print run or edition. Is it a first run, a Kickstarter edition, a mass-market reprint? The publisher, print year, and edition tell you more about scarcity than any buzzword.
Check condition and completeness. A complete deck in its original box with the guidebook is worth more than the same deck missing cards — label or no label.
If a listing can't answer those four questions, the label is doing all the work, and that's exactly when to slow down.
Better Ways to Talk About Tarot Decks
Instead of leaning on buzzwords, sellers and collectors can focus on facts:
"Out of print since 2021"
"Indie Kickstarter edition – first run"
"Complete with guidebook, box, and certificate"
This kind of transparency builds trust — and helps protect the community from price gouging and misinformation.
Quick Checklist: Labels to Trust, Labels to Question
Red flags:
All three terms stacked in one title with no facts behind them
No sold-price history to back up the price
"Rare" on a deck with multiple copies currently listed
Green flags:
The OOP year or edition is named
Completeness is stated (cards, guidebook, box)
Sold prices are cited, not just asking prices
FAQ
Does out of print automatically mean valuable?
No. OOP only means it's no longer being printed. If nobody is looking for it, an OOP deck can sit unsold for months.
Can a deck be hard to find and still cheap?
Yes. Hard to find means low availability, not high demand. Plenty of HTF decks sell for modest prices because few collectors are chasing them.
What actually makes a deck valuable?
Demand, scarcity, condition, and completeness — in that order. A deck people want, in a small print run, complete and in great shape, is what holds value. The label alone adds nothing.
I already own a deck labeled "rare." How do I check what it's worth?
Run the four checks above, starting with eBay sold listings for your exact edition. If you'd like a second opinion, I'm always happy to offer a research-backed one.
If you're ever unsure about a deck's real market worth, I'm always happy to offer a friendly, research-backed opinion.
See a deck labeled "rare" that didn't quite live up to the hype? Let's talk about it.
Want help pricing or identifying your collection? I'm always here to help.