Gas prices and buying cards
 

Will the rise in gas price affect collectors buying cards?

I think in the long term no, but short term, definitely. When you are paying $50 plus to fill up your tank, other areas have to get cut 😕

Inflation will definitely cut into card prices, not the biggies so much but cards in the $500-$2500 range will take a hit.

agreed...shipping will cost more too. This will affect the lower 2/3 of the market imo.

No, the well-heeled, as so many who frequent these threads are, will go right along, totally indifferent.

A while back I was buying gas for my Honda Civic. Fellow pulls in with a giant dualie truck, all black and chrome with an electric step that slid out for him to get out. He's dressed in black, with white shirt, cowboy hat and boots, string tie. I casually asked how he liked putting gas into that big rig. "Son", he says, looking at me over his Roy Orbison sun glasses, "I've reached that station in life where I can afford nice things, like this here truck. I'd pay $20 a gallon if that's what it goes to."

I doubt very much that the current increase in gas prices will hamper someone willing to pay $1,000 for a card. That said if gas hits $10 a gallon (which I think it will) I might have to up that to $2,500.

People are going to be very skirmish and tight with their moneys online, eBay and at shows...especially middle and low grade...it’s gonna be tight.

Auctions are a different animal especially for the higher end Graded Cards inflation and Rising Gas Prices Don’t really matter for the elite class.

You may be right on $10 a gallon- although that might be a bit high. If so, this country is in for a very bad time. Many products and services are derived from oil. That would mean massive inflation, and a hard pause for some of us collectors.

Psychology and the stock market are also factors. The stock market is down this year, and prices are up across the board. Even though the gains are only on paper, people feel richer and spend more when they see their retirement accounts rising. People typically tighten their belts when the market goes down.

Gas prices I just went to Boston chicken ,$20 for a half a chicken lol..time to sell my 66 orr😳

Gas prices going up will not effect most people buying cards the bigger issue would be what happens to their investments like their 401k and stocks. If they start losing money in the market to me that would have people slowing down or the card purchases or stepping back from the “bigger cards” they might have bought.

If someone here will be affected by gas prices, then I don't think they should be buying cards - especially at today's prices.

Will threads about world events affecting card prices affect card prices?

That is the real question.

It will affect the people who are younger collectors. As a grad student, I could still swing fitting a T206 into my budget every few weeks. With inflation, that budget space is definitely gone.
Plenty of other folks in my position who are now facing the same slash to their fun money.

Elections have consequences.

I agree. Everyone has different budgets and different situations.

I know a lot of executives at Chevron and some of them are saying oil will hit $200 a barrel by the end of this month if the conflict in Ukraine isn't resolved. If that happens, you'll definitely see $10/gallon gas real quick.

Personally, I love it! This month marks my 15th year in the oil and gas industry - business is great and my Chevron stock has almost doubled. It seems like its setting a new record high every day. Holding a bit longer before I sell.

You eat at Boston Market and the gas comes with the meal.

Now that’s funny and true love the exhibit man big fan

Gas Prices
 

Higher gas prices, who knows how high but 6-7 bucks seems plausible, will not only hit drivers but virtually everything you purchase. 95% of goods are moved via truck so look out consumers. On a side note, was talking with the queen yesterday and mentioned to her "our home heating oil contract will be coming up for renewal in May". Here in new England about 50+ % of homes are heated with oil. Usually your oil provider will send you a contract in May for your following year`s worth of oil, payments can be stretched out over 6 to 9 months. Last year we bought 600 gallons (keep heat at 63 degrees) at 2.50per gallon so 1500 dollars total. Today`s quote, and who knows what that`s worth, was 5.32 cents gallon. Looking at roughly 3200 dollars and possibly counting, OUCH. As mentioned, most N E oil providers make their offers in May so stay tuned.

Absolutely Correct - How many will remember in November?

BTW - Just filled up yesterday here in South Texas

$125

WTF

The vintage card market had a major correction 2007 2008 with the financial /housing crisis, it could happen again. The effects of this won’t be felt until 6 to 8 months down the road.

Remember it’s never a gain until you sell for a profit and it’s never a loss until you sell for a loss, it’s all unrealized, staying in the game is the key !

We need methane reduction, that's greenhouse gasses!

Yep. Those Russians need to stop electing Putin.

That's like blaming the cactus in the ground for us jumping on it naked. No...we have to blame ourselves for this one. Elections have consequences.

I think maybe he was talking about energy policies like shutting down the Keystone XL Pipeline on Day 1 and things like that.

But, hey, if that's what you got out of his statement, then so be it.

Inflation in general has cut/basically eliminated my hobby funds. It’s hard to justify even a $5.00 purchase when I have to make a conscious choice about whether a particular item at the grocery store is a justified expense. To the extent there was any remaining funds, gas prices will further squeeze them. Some things, however, are more important to me than collecting so I’m okay with the gas prices for now. I wish my microwave meals would go back to $3.00 though…

I'm a collector, so have to say I wouldn't necessarily mind a significant reset in vintage card values. It would allow me to finish work on my '67 and '72 sets, and add a lot of other things on my wantlists much easier.

I split my time mainly in SE Asia and normally in the US during baseball season.

In Manila yesterday, filled up the Toyota Fortuner which when converted to US dollars was $102.20. Average monthly salary in the country is around $400. This is true in many countries in the region.

The US needs leadership right now. Unfortunately, we don't have any. Those are your facts.

People Driving to Strongsville in a couple weeks are gonna be bitching about the gas prices there...should be interesting, I have a feeling a lot of dealers are gonna be getting the L&B along with let me think about it.... I'll circle back and then disappearing. Expect the dumpster diving $1 boxes to be busy with divers.

Bobby, one more comment about elections/this administration and you will get an infraction. Most know my leanings politically but this isn't the current administrations complete fault. And rising gas prices, as much as they suck, I support because of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Let's try not to get too political please. And I am sorry if my comment is somewhat political.

As for the gas prices, it hasn't stopped me from buying cards yet, but I have quit getting in the car to go get 1 item at the grocery store.
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why dont you guys take your political shit elsewhere.

:cool:

If anybody really thought my comment was a statement in the belief that Russia has truly free elections, well I have a nice T206 Wagner to sell you together with the Brooklyn Bridge.

A baseball card forum is not the place that people go to for serious political discourse. Unfortunately too many people vote for and root for the success of political leaders as if they are baseball teams -- where you support your chosen uniform no matter what.

And before anybody assumes I support one party unfailingly, know that I am a registered Independent who has voted for candidates from different parties depending on their platforms.

Stop just rooting solely for laundry and a symbol of a donkey or an elephant. Unless it's Yankee pinstripes or Packer Green and gold or Giants blue or whatever sports team you suppport. Then, by all means, go nuts.

I visited this thread to read how people were reacting to economic realities, in terms of sports card collecting. For the most part, that's what I got and I appreciate the different opinions about how prices will be impacted. The political stuff is a different story.

Yep, go to a politics site.

As for the OP, look at history. We've had several economic issues since collecting became a thing. Hell, the first few Nationals were held during a nasty recession. Don't forget 2007-2008, either. I came home from the 2007 National to find half my client base (real estate-related businesses) had collapsed. I had to sell cards that August to cover my expenses. Got better.

But I digress.

My $0.02 is that in times of economic downturn the super-expensive stuff moves independent of the news because the rich are basically immune from the sort of concerns that would affect sales. The art market is an example. It has no cyclical ties to the economy because the people buying are not reliant on the economy for their already-amassed wealth. The same is true of the low end. Guys who buy $1-$5 cards will still collect. It is cheaper and funner than a Starbucks. Even in the 2008-2009 recession, the dollar box tables at the National were hopping.

You also cannot forget the role of hybrid and electric cars in this. My wife has a Chevy Volt (electric) and I have a Ford C-Max. She puts in a small amount of gas once a year or so, and I fill up about once a month. At ten bucks a gallon my gas costs will go from $55 a month to $120 a month. Not an issue for me.

The part of the hobby that gets killed in a recession is the middle class of the hobby: the several hundred to low thousands segment. I wouldn't have an issue buying a $100 card in a downturn but definitely would have an issue buying a $5,000 card.

Retired, I don’t drive much, but it still sucks for the people that have to drive to low paying jobs.

This is how I feel 100%! What I have learned this past decade is that in order to stop this political insanity we (starting with "me") have to stop rooting for politicians like fanboys...our side, your side BS. I have chosen to completely tune out the "politics as theater" side of things. Until we all do this, there will be a market for our body politic to continue as they have been; like actors in kabuki theater.

If we all tune out to the "politics as entertainment" industry, politicians can go back to being boring bureaucrats, getting work done on behalf of all people.

Get with the 20s...rooting for political parties is over. Let's stop talking about it (I realize I am here).

That all being said, I do think the ME (Sauds, UAE) have more to do with the current oil issue than anything else. They have favorites in the west.

Edit to add: Some of my favorite people have completely opposite political views than I do...some people I detest have the same views. So I don't engage on political views bc life is better without doing so.

Yup.... Uber and Lyft Drivers are dropping like flies. When gas hits $6.00/gallon (I know it already has in many areas), Rideshare Driving becomes a losing proposition. The related expenses and depreciation outweigh the meager income. Very sad.

A couple years ago, two guys I used to work with who drove trucks and had killer commutes went out and bought Teslas. Even with a $500+ monthly payment and increased electric bill, the savings more than made up for it, and with gas prices now, I'm sure the math is even more in their favor.

I've read it depends on which electric utility market you're in. PacNW (for example) it makes sense bc electric costs are lower and gas prices higher.

The 100 mile range keeps me wary.

There is only one EV that has a 100 mi range, only six under 175. 90% are 200+ with the median around 260.

Interesting that the consensus is that inflation is negative to card prices. Well it definitely adds to volatility, but longer term, cards are a store of value. IMO, as the value of the dollar diminish, demand staying equal, the underlying value of the cards will rise along with inflation.

Increased gas prices will affect elastic goods, like retail and eating out. But veblen goods like gold, cards, jewelry, even purses (dear god dont tell my wife), should retain their value and actually increase.

Cards are a store of value only as long as people remain interested in cards.
Should the inflationary pressure on budgets reach a point where people start distancing themselves from the hobby, and that trend is sustained, the thesis behind cards as an investment vehicle starts to show cracks.

Give me a break.

How so? Are you saying they don't?

Inflation and high gas prices will probably affect the lower and middle income folks more. So I could see the $20.-$1,000. stuff not selling as much as they used to. But the big ticket cards probably will be still traded for high prices by the folks with high income. Personally, I am looking more than ever at raw cards of my youth to satisfy the collecting itch.

As far as gas prices are concerned, I think Americans have been spoiled for a long time when they go to fill up their large SUV's. I lived in the UK for nearly 20 years over two different time periods and wept every time I filled up my modest small car. When I left London in 2013 and returned to the hobby, a gallon of regular cost around $15 a gallon. Most of this, of course, is tax and, of course, our politicians don't dare talk about raising the gas tax. And, I believe until recently, Britain was a net exporter of petroleum thanks to their vast North S oil reserves. This awful war in the Ukraine is going to pound the Western European economies as their energy imports become even more dear.
I can't help but wonder, now that the US has cut off Russian oil, whether we could make up our shortfall from our nice neighbor to the north, Canada? Better than Venezuela (ugh) or Iran (double ugh).
I believe pre-war should hold its value unless the war widens, while I see '60's and 70's vintage under pressure. How modern basketball and all those red hot NFL quarterbacks end up is anyone's guess. If everything falls apart at least we still have our cards.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...us%20cards.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...e/franklin.jpg

On the 1970s issues, I've spoken with a number of middle-class vintage collectors who are starting to collect 1970s cards because of the high cost of earlier cards. It's fun and not a financial risk.