Implications of "cleaning up the hobby?"

[ullmandds]

So you'd think more people would enter the hobby because it would be perceived as "safer"...so would this add more competition for quality pieces hence driving up prices? IF so...then auction houses wouldn't have to "cheat" and "steal" from us...as they'd be making more $$$ themselves as a result of being honest...hmmm...novel idea?

[jhs5120]

Prices would plummet and casual collectors would exit the hobby if we experienced a "clensing period" across the board. As much as I hate to admit it, I think the fraudsters, the scandals, the jerks, the AH's, the shill bidding and the forgers all play a necessary role in our delicate ecosystem.

[ullmandds]

It IS a delicate ecosystem...this hobby...isn't it!!!!!

I'm starting to feel like that dude who used to be on here who was eventually limited to 10 posts/day...responding to everyones' posts!!!!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

It IS a delicate ecosystem...this hobby...isn't it!!!!!

I'm starting to feel like that dude who used to be on here who was eventually limited to 10 posts/day...responding to everyones' posts!!!!

Don't worry about it Pete. You will never catch me and probably not Barry either, as far as number of posts go.
As for cleansing the hobby.... It would be great and I think it is better today than it has been in the last 10-15 yrs. Status quo though regardless of cleansing or not, imo...

[barrysloate]

I don't think I will stay in second place for long....don't post as much as I used to.

[the 'stache]

It took me forever to jump into the pre-war and vintage eras for this very reason. If I was going to be spending a good chunk of change on really old cardboard, I wanted to make sure that I knew what I was doing, that I was equipped to buy safely. Without this place, and the help I've received from all of you, I honestly don't know if I would have ever done it. And that's really a shame, because even though I've just really started, I'm having a blast.

Pete, I know this is a hypothetical, so I'll just say that I'd love to see some of the bad element removed from the hobby, but at the same time, I know now that if I exercise due diligence, and buy from reputable sellers, my chances of getting burned drops dramatically. Then, when I receive my cards, I always give them a good looking over. So, in being proactive, I'm avoiding a lot of the people that would try to scam me, or other enthusiasts.

Would the value of the cards I have and will buy drop? Maybe. I actually think that if the market were cleansed you'd see more people come back, and demand would go up. Maybe I wouldn't be able to get the cards I want at all. Imagine how many other people out there who love baseball cards would love to own a Ty Cobb, or a Walter Johnson tobacco card. It's possible you'd see people leave again for a very different reason: not enough supply to meet demand.

It is indeed a very delicate balance. I wish I could tell some of the people that would love to jump into pre-war and vintage to come here, and learn, but at the same time, I realize that in doing so, there would be more people wanting to buy the same cards I want.

[cincyredlegs]

Great topic. Let's compare the evils of the hobby today vs the late 80's/early 90's:

Common

People trimmed cards
People re-colored cards
People counterfeited cards
People pressed out creases
People re-built corners
People were un-ethical
People cheated people


Different

The value of cards

I guess what I am saying is that there always have been this element in the hobby and probably always will be. The main difference I see is the value of the cards have increased exponentially and people have more to lose.

This doesn't mean we shouldn't do everything we can to try and clean the hobby.

Mark

[autocut]

Integrity and greed are a huge issue in the hobby. To dump money into speculation is a big gamble. Even graders could be wrong.