Man, finding these FF Tarot decks, it was a whole thing, you know? I remember first stumbling onto them, probably saw a picture pop up on my feed, one of those digital rabbit holes you fall down. Immediately, I was hooked. The art, the vibe, it just spoke to me in a way other decks hadn’t. I mean, I’ve collected a fair few over the years, but these, they felt special. My first thought, like anyone’s, was, “Where in the world do I grab one of these?”
So, I started where most people do, right? The big-name online stores. You type in “FF Tarot deck” and boom, a million results. But man, navigating that was a nightmare. So many listings, some looked great, some looked… well, sketchy as hell. I saw prices all over the map, too. Some were dirt cheap, which instantly made me suspicious, because I knew these weren’t just mass-produced junk. I learned pretty quickly that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I almost pulled the trigger on a couple of those super cheap ones, luckily, I held back.
That initial browsing session made it clear: I couldn’t just blindly buy the first thing I saw. I had to actually dig. My first real step was hitting up some forums. I’m talking about the old-school kind, not just quick social media comments. I sought out communities dedicated to tarot, and specifically, to these more unique, indie decks. I wanted to hear from folks who actually owned them, who’d been through the wringer. I posted a few questions, something like, “Hey, where do you guys get your FF decks? Any trusted sellers?”
The responses started trickling in, and that’s when the real learning began. People were talking about things like “indie artists,” “small press runs,” and “kickstarter campaigns.” It hit me: these weren’t just standard Rider-Waite clones you could grab at any bookstore. These were often passion projects, limited editions. That explained the price variations and the scarcity. It also explained why my usual big-box online searches were turning up so much questionable stuff.
My first actual purchase was a bit of a flop, I won’t lie. I found a listing on a popular marketplace that looked legit enough, good photos, decent description. The price was middle-of-the-road, not too cheap, not crazy expensive. I figured, okay, this must be it. I clicked purchase, waited patiently, and when it arrived… sigh. The card stock felt flimsy, the colors were a bit washed out, and there were some blurry edges on the art. It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t the crisp, vibrant deck I’d seen others rave about. That was a clear sign: I’d probably bought a knock-off, or at least a poorer quality reprint. Lesson learned, the hard way, with my wallet crying a little.
After that, I got serious. I started looking for specific artists’ websites. A lot of these FF decks are created by independent artists, and often, they sell directly from their own shops. This was a game-changer. I found a few artists whose work I absolutely adored, followed their social media, and signed up for their newsletters. This way, I was in the loop for new releases, restocks, and pre-orders. It felt way more reliable. I was actually supporting the creator directly, which felt good too.
My Go-To Spots for Getting These Decks
Once I figured out the lay of the land, I developed a few trusted ways to get my hands on these beauties. These aren’t just random searches anymore; these are methods that have worked for me, time and time again:
- Direct from the Artist’s Website: This is probably my absolute top pick. If you know who created the deck you want, go straight to their site. It’s the best way to ensure authenticity and quality. Plus, you’re supporting the artist directly, which is a big win. A lot of times, they’ll announce new decks or restocks there first.
- Specialty Tarot and Oracle Shops: Not the giant marketplaces, but those smaller, curated shops that focus specifically on unique and indie decks. These shops usually vet their products carefully. They know their stuff, and they often stock decks that are harder to find elsewhere. I’ve found some real gems this way. You usually discover these through recommendations in those online communities or through word of mouth.
- Crowdfunding Platforms (like Kickstarter): A significant number of new FF decks kick off here. If you’re willing to back a project and wait for it to be produced, this is a fantastic way to get a first-edition deck, often with exclusive extras. I’ve backed a few and it’s always exciting to watch the project unfold and finally receive the deck. It’s a bit of a waiting game, but totally worth it for the unique stuff.
- Dedicated Buy/Sell/Trade Groups on Social Media: This is a slightly riskier but potentially rewarding option. There are Facebook groups and other online communities specifically for buying, selling, and trading tarot decks, including FF ones. You can often find decks that are out of print or hard to acquire. You just have to be smart, ask for lots of pictures, verify seller reputations, and always use protection like PayPal Goods & Services. I’ve scored a couple of rare decks this way, but you gotta be careful.
So yeah, it was a journey, not just a simple click-and-buy situation. It involved some research, a little bit of a financial hit from a bad buy, and a whole lot of patience. But once I figured out these channels, my collection really started to grow with decks I truly love. It’s much more satisfying knowing where they came from and that they’re the real deal.
