Anger at vintage card prices?

[parkplace33]

I am in a few group chats with other collectors. Mostly, it is fun discussions, recent pickups, etc. But in the last few weeks (and mostly this year), I am getting a sense of anger toward vintage card prices. Either when an auction ends, for sale posts, or prices at cards shows, a few members just vent. Personally, I don’t understand this. I never get bent out of over a card sale, whether I think it was too high or too low. Cards prices go up and down and I adjust based on this. I never get angry.

Sometimes, I feel like I am in the minority on this. Anyone else sense this? Does this forum get angry at prices? And if so, why.

[Leon]

I don't get angry at the prices. I* just can't buy as much. The market is the market *(unless it's manipulated). On the other hand, from my observations, T206 Cobbs have come down a little along with some other popular cards....1921 Exhibits Ruth, Goudey Ruths...and some others.

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I am in a few group chats with other collectors. Mostly, it is fun discussions, recent pickups, etc. But in the last few weeks (and mostly this year), I am getting a sense of anger toward vintage card prices. Either when an auction ends, for sale posts, or prices at cards shows, a few members just vent. Personally, I don’t understand this. I never get bent out of over a card sale, whether I think it was too high or too low. Cards prices go up and down and I adjust based on this. I never get angry.

Sometimes, I feel like I am in the minority on this. Does this forum get angry at prices? And if so, why.

[gonefishin]

The only time I get upset, not angry, is when I think back on selling my 52 Mantle and complete set of 51 Bowman's for pennies on the dollar compared to what they're selling for today!

On the other side of the coin, I sold them for a heck of a lot more than I bought them for!

I'm not a flipper, I just needed the money at the time.

I think a lot of investors, flippers, whatever tag you hang on them, are the one's a little upset of the large fluctuations in the market. I'm not in that category, so I'm ok with the prices.

It's like real estate: If you own a home you don't care what the market does. If you own a house, you watch and worry every day about the market!

[Johnny630]

I think the anger comes from assumptions that a lot of the market is not the market/price as Leon said above. Thus pricing them out or making them pay more than they believe the card is worth. Many believe it could possibly be manipulated to drive up comps/vcp. I'm at stage 5 in my process of Grief over it...I'm at acceptance.

[butchie_t]

Bummed, or disappointed maybe but hardly angry. This is a hobby, I cannot get mad or angry about card prices or it is not worth having what I have.

Butch

[Touch'EmAll]

I hear ya, am at acceptance now myself. Years ago I would scoff at anything less then PSA 7 or 8 in Post War. Now I usually have to settle for the best looking PSA 3-6 I can get if I am after Mays/Aaron. So I still cruise ebay looking for those high end for the grade. And when I get 'em occasionally they put a smile on my face - so its all ok.

[BioCRN]

Pretty much every piece of vintage I've ever bought has eventually realized the value I paid and more.

Yes, there's opportunity cost missed in overpaying by not having more funds available for more things, but my personal finances tied to the hobby do not intersect with "real life" things. Also, my hobby is also not dependent on a business model of turning over inventory.

When compounded with realized deals and odd market opportunities to flip stagnant stuff (the COVID-era graded junk wax boom, for instance) I let time sort things out for me and they generally work out to my advantage.

Not everyone has their money flow set up in the hobby like this, though. The people that need inventory movement to keep cash fluid seem to have a lot more concern about the day-to-day/month-to-month.

[packs]

I get angry only at myself for my naive attitude toward cards. I thought I’d have forever to pick up some cards and when it came to other cards my philosophy was always “well I already have a Babe Ruth why do I need another”.

[cubman1941]

Originally Posted by packs

I get angry only at myself for my naive attitude toward cards. I thought I’d have forever to pick up some cards and when it came to other cards my philosophy was always “well I already have a Babe Ruth why do I need another”.

I can relate to this as, in the 80's, I lived in Denver and became good friends with a card shop owner. A stack of 52' s came in and I had first pick. They were all in great shape. First of all, I did not like the 52's at all; second of all, I am a Cub collector. So I just took all the Cubs out and left the rest. I don't remember what I paid but it was dirt cheap compared to todays prices.

[x2drich2000]

I think this is just an extension of the general discontent with the current cost of living. Folks are angry at the cost of rent, home prices, food, concert tickets, sporting events, you name it. We all remember when things were cheap. Now we pretty much can't afford the same level of things that we use to. I don't see the point in getting angry about it. Set your priorities and spend what you can afford. For me personally, I've found it really helpful to be thankful for what I do have and to celebrate with other collectors when they are able to add to their collections.

[ullmandds]

id guess this "anger" is more evident in younger...collector/investor types. Been in this hobby over 45 years. I've made some mistakes over the decades...but the vast majority of cards I've bought have appreciated significantly. This is because I buy...and hold. The few times I've attempted "investments" to "flip"...I've lost!

just a middle aged man's opinion!

[LEHR]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

I think this is just an extension of the general discontent with the current cost of living. Folks are angry at the cost of rent, home prices, food, concert tickets, sporting events, you name it. We all remember when things were cheap. Now we pretty much can't afford the same level of things that we use to. I don't see the point in getting angry about it. Set your priorities and spend what you can afford. For me personally, I've found it really helpful to be thankful for what I do have and to celebrate with other collectors when they are able to add to their collections.

This is my general take as well.
You can spend 10 minutes on any social media platform and see hundreds of posts from people complaining about the price of everything. It's a genuine struggle for a lot of people. It always has been, but it seems like things are magnified today. I may not get to buy everything I want, and may even be buying less; but overall I'm extremely grateful for what I do have, and that I'm basically in a better financial situation than a lot of people. I may not be buying $100k+ cards (congrats to those who are), but it would take a absolute catastrophe for me to be in a situation where I couldn't make the house payment, fill up the tank, or had to stop collecting. No anger here.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I am in a few group chats with other collectors. Mostly, it is fun discussions, recent pickups, etc. But in the last few weeks (and mostly this year), I am getting a sense of anger toward vintage card prices. Either when an auction ends, for sale posts, or prices at cards shows, a few members just vent. Personally, I don’t understand this. I never get bent out of over a card sale, whether I think it was too high or too low. Cards prices go up and down and I adjust based on this. I never get angry.

Sometimes, I feel like I am in the minority on this. Anyone else sense this? Does this forum get angry at prices? And if so, why.

Yeah hard to get angry if the weather is too hot or too cold. Best you can do is adapt and make adjustments. There are a few members here who get bent out of shape on a regular basis when a trend develops on a particular player or issue. I guess since we all collect cards like we did when we 7 years old we cannot be expected to act much older.

[BobbyStrawberry]

More bewilderment than anger for me. Some prices are just bizarre. As it is I've become more of a watcher and less of a collector recently. At least I can enjoy the items I have..

[Musashi]

Anytime I start to get upset at vintage prices, I look at what modern collectors I paying for guys who haven't accomplished anything yet, and that calms me right down. Next to 400k+ on a Jasson Dominguez card, even my overpays look like shrewd bargains.

[ALBB]

Were not gonna take it !!

[MBH65]

Originally Posted by ALBB

Were not gonna take it !!

Dating myself a bit, but this seems appropriate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwMVMbmQBug

[4815162342]

Looking at VCP values prior to COVID or 10 years ago makes me tear up, but I imagine we’ll be saying the same thing in a few years about this dip that we’re currently experiencing now.