Quote:
Originally Posted by bender07
(Post 1242054)
So they don't cater to the right type of collectors based on our standards, so they're not worth doing business with?
I don't like the new shiny baseball cards but that doesn't mean those who currently collect it won't, one day, want to collect what we deem as the acceptable stuff?
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I get where you're going with that...BUT it's wrong. This stuff isn't opening doors for people to enter the legitimate collecting world. If anything it's hindering it. Bad experiences go a long way. Say one of these people thought about collecting on a more than just casual basis, the first thing they're gonna go do, is see how their "investment"(or in this case manufactured collectible) is doing value-wise. They're gonna see that the thing is worth half of what they paid, and they're not even gonna bother.
It's the same effect that the 80s and 90s have had on the hobby. EVERYONE lost money. It's typical for many to lose interest in their teens, and eventually come back to the hobby. Hell, it's why most of us are here. BUT for the casual guy, looking to feel it out, the second he sees that his '89 UD Griffey that was once over a hundred bucks, barely gets $15. Or that '85 McGwire Topps that he mowed lawns for a summer to buy for over $300(at one point) can be had for less than $10, sometimes $5. Or his $100+ '86 donruss Canseco, that he begged and pleaded to be his big Christmas gift as a child, often sells for less than $5, he's out..
Now on the flip side, my childhood collection wasn't all that great. Sure I liked the rookies, but most of my collection is what I got in packs.. I never had the big $ items. The chance to relive my childhood and get those once expensive cards for pennies on the dollar, is what drew me back in.. And then my collecting took a natural course to spending with reckless abandon again. But it's all in good fun, so who cares.
Now back to a Jeter auto. A kid or guy who gets one in person at a game, that's the guy that's may join the hobby. He sees that this awesome moment in his life, and cherished collectible from it, has some value. That's the guy that will continue to cherish it, and look to amass more items to cherish.. Not the guy who feels like he got ripped off..
This manufactured crap, not only ruins the experience for people over the long haul. BUT the contracts that the players sign for the exclusive rights to their autographs, often lead to players not signing. Thus removing and/or limiting the possibility of these cherished moments for young and/or inexperienced fans, that may ultimately lead them into the hobby.
As a kid, I could go to any game, and pretty much get just about any signature I wanted. Everyone signed, and it was always a memorable experience getting to meet your favorite players.. No matter how big and popular they were. Nowadays, forget about it. Kids these days have been robbed of these passing moments with their heroes.. And to an extent Steiner and others like them have stolen these opportunities from this and future generations..
