I visited Evolving Realms on the last day of my trip to Honolulu while visiting from the Bay Area…read more I'm a longtime Pokémon card collector and had spent several days checking out other local card shops (Aloha, Nocturnal, etc.), all of which were welcoming experiences. Based on the strong reviews here, I decided to stop by despite the extremely windy and rainy weather, especially since the store is only open a few days a week. Unfortunately, my experience didn't align with what's described in some of the positive reviews. When my wife and I entered, there was no greeting, despite the store not being busy. The lady staff member remained on their phone. That alone is something I could easily overlook, since everyone has off moments, but it set the tone for what followed. I spent time browsing and identified a few cards I was interested in, noting that prices were generally above TCGPlayer market values. I fully understand that brick-and-mortar stores can price however they choose, and I'm never expecting exact market matches, but I did ask if a $27 card could be adjusted to $24 to align with TCGPlayer. The response was a firm no, followed by comments such as "you can buy online instead" and "it's only $3 difference." Being told to shop online rubbed me the wrong way, especially considering I had made the effort to visit in person on the very last day of my trip, through rough weather, specifically to support a local store. Wanting to understand the pricing flexibility, I then asked about another card priced at $5 that was around $1.75 on TCGPlayer. While the dollar difference was still small, the percentage markup was significant, which is why I asked. At that point, the explanations began to feel inconsistent. I was told they weren't going to "waste time repricing cards," which didn't really address the question, and that "nobody prices at market... unless they're a vendor," which directly contradicted my experiences at other local card shops earlier that same week. I was also told pricing could be flexible "if you're buying a lot," but by then the interaction felt more tense than welcoming. I decided it was best to thank him for his time and leave. Separately, my wife mentioned afterward that there was a noticeable odor in the store that made her feel dizzy, which prevented her from browsing at all. To be clear, this review isn't about expecting market pricing. Stores are absolutely entitled to set their own prices, and customers are free to buy or walk away. As a matter of fact, I had already paid above market at other Honolulu card shops earlier in the week without issue. What stood out here was the tone of the interaction and the lack of hospitality, which didn't match the welcoming, passionate "mom and pop" experience described in many other reviews. In hindsight, I'm glad I visited this store last. Had this been my first card shop experience in Honolulu, I might have been hesitant to visit others, something that would've been unfortunate, given how positive the rest of the local card scene turned out to be. If the store responds by saying this was simply about price, I'd encourage readers to consider the overall customer experience being described. That said, as we were walking out, I did receive a "thank you." and I guess that alone deserves at least a star.

Best card shop in the island. Always a great selection and great customer service. Pokemon cards,…read moretoys, plushies,stickers and a selection of sodas and juices.

Oh, I wish I had taken pics of this place! It wasn't majestic or anything, but they had such a…read moregood supply of cards. Hopefully, you'll go and see it yourself. It was located in an unnoticeable building and the store wasn't noticeable either, but they had a good crowd inside playing. More importantly, they had a nice selection of both sealed product and individual packs and cards. Prices were reasonable, especially in this market. Best of all the people who ran the shop were friendly and helpful. SELECTION: Pokemon and Magic the Gathering are plentiful here. They had more than most shops and a good selection of Japanese Pokemon. Sadly no Japanese MTG in stock, but a really good selection otherwise. SERVICE: Excellent! Very helpful staff and friendly. Definitely would shop here if we lived in the area. COST: Reasonable. The service makes it even more worthwhile.

Great place for Pokémon cards. Generally most things are regular retail pricing, but if it…read moresomething highly sought after like the Charizard Ultra Premium Collection, it is more expensive than retail. The two times that I have gone there, the employees were really nice. I am a little sad that they have moved locations and that the parking there is not as readily available though.

Kawaii and cuteness overload…read more.. JQ Store Hawaii found it's new home here in the International Marketplace from the former Ala Moana Plaza and aren't we all thrilled that they did. Filled with all things Japanese it's not limited to the plushies and stationaries we all grown to love and miss as many Japanese stops have slowly disappeared JQ has a great variety to please all levels of anime lovers. Located on the second level right above the Kuhio Avenue Food Hall the first thing I saw as soon as I walked in was some discounted holiday items which is a great time to stock up and find unique decor that area so cute and fun. They do have a huge stock of plushies so fluffy and cute all covered in plastic so that you have no worries of cleanliness along with mystery boxes, huge choices of pens and model kits which are items that can be pricey but are hard to find items even in Japan. A great place with staff that are always willing to help you find items that they may help you to find or just a question, here at JQ Store its a fun trip without the long travel plans. Thank you!

Very cool store with a lot of unique items that you can't find easily. The staff was friendly and…read morethe prices were reasonable.

Not much has changed since covid slowed it down. Same location at the Ala Moana Hotel. Admission…read moreis $3. The focus is, and has always been Comic Books, toys and all things related. Similar sizes to what was there in the past, if you are looking for something related this is a nice place to come. It's comparable in size to the antique show they have at the Blaisdell but with more focus on Comics and toys. They usually have this expo at the Ala Moana Hotel twice a year, the other one was held in May this year. Pretty standard set up and fun things to buy. Parking in the area was at a premium as the " Made in Hawaii" show is also today ( 11/13) Come by to support this locally organized expo. Support local- buy local.

In the last few years Honolulu has seen a large increase in collectible and toy shows. This is one…read moreof the first and is still going strong! As of this writing, the show is in its third year and has gotten bigger and better each time. Keep an eye on their website or Yelp events page for the dates and times. The show is held in Ala Moana Hotel's ballrooms on the second floor. Each year it has taken larger floor space and added dealers. Around 40 dealers/table participate bringing all manner of toys and collectables for kids of all ages. Admission is $3 per person, kids are free. Cosplayers also receive free entry! Tickets are sold at the door, cash only. It's laid out like an trade show with dealer booths and tables along the walls and center of the main room. Who participates changes from year to year, but it's typically the same local people; both from stores and hobbyists. The hotel provides water stations around the show, which is appreciated. The selection is not limited to: LEGO, action figures, video games, anime, DVDs, plush toys, Japanese imports, Funko Pop! figures, high-end statues, and comics. Basically, if it was or is popular, you'll find it! Most dealers handle exclusively in cash, but more are taking credit these days. To be safe, bring small bills for good deals. I'm a big fan of the "junk" bins on the floor; there are tons of deals to be had as sometimes people are just looking to get rid of merchandise. Thank you to the organizers for making this a fun must-attend event!

An OG when it comes to sports cards and collectibles. The service here is nothing short of aloha,…read moreand you can tell there's a lot of passion and knowledge behind what she does. The prices can be a little on the higher side, but the value comes from the incredible selection and variety of inventory they carry. From sports cards to Pokémon and everything in between, chances are they have something you're looking for. Overall, it's a great spot for collectors of all kinds and definitely worth checking out if you're into cards and collectibles.

Lots of inventory, especially on the sport cards side. She does have a good selection of Pokemon…read moresealed products some current & older sets. I would highly recommend you drop by for a visit! Just be aware that she is located on the second floor accessible only via the stairs.

Have been in the store yesterday. Great service. The moment I walked in the store I felt the…read moreattention for my needs. I was looking for something specific but the employees there helped me get something much better! Will be back to this store every time I need something. Highly recommended!

My sister and I were visiting Honolulu and stopped in just to browse. We were quickly approached by…read morea salesperson who talked nonstop and applied constant pressure to buy. Every time I declined one product, she immediately moved to another without giving me time to think or compare prices. I felt rushed into making decisions I wasn't prepared to make. I ended up buying five sets of headphones. Looking back, I believe I was overwhelmed by the high-pressure sales tactics and agreed to a purchase I never would have made under normal circumstances. Within two days, after thinking about what had happened, I called the store and asked to return everything. The headphones were unopened and in brand-new condition. Shiraz refused the return, explaining that the store only offers exchanges. When I told her no one had informed me that all sales were final, she replied, "I'm not supposed to tell if you don't ask." That response was very disappointing because I believe a policy as important as "all sales are final" should be clearly disclosed before a customer makes a purchase, not left for them to discover after the sale. I disputed the charge with my credit card company, but because I had signed the receipt, the dispute was ultimately denied. I was left with products I deeply regretted purchasing and eventually gave all five sets away because I didn't even want to be reminded of the experience. If you're considering buying anything from IQ Gadgets, I encourage you to read the reviews first and ask about the return policy before making a purchase. Most importantly, don't let yourself be rushed into making an expensive decision. I walked into the store intending only to browse. I walked out with five pairs of headphones I never planned to buy and an experience I regretted almost immediately. Based on my experience, I would not recommend IQ Gadgets.