What I Don't Understand about Baseball Card Economics

[Dpeck100]

PWCC has 8,282 listings running right now.

From what I can tell it appears it is 100% business as usual.

There is no doubt there is something to this recent scandal and even those wearing the most rose collared glasses will see that but it is going to take much more I believe to derail the hobby.

I read someone say that many collectors live by the ignorance is bliss moto and that may very well be true.

There are quite a few people out there that have dealt with infidelity in a relationship. Probably said to their friends if that bit++ ever cheats on me she is gone. It happens and just a few months later they are explaining to their friends she made a mistake and we all make mistakes and she is sorry. Humans are very complex that is for sure.

I watched the entire Brent interview. He made it out to be like conservation was common knowledge and everyone knows it. Many of the examples we see popping up fit his description and have simply been improved. I think there is a very real chance that many of these cards will be reviewed by PSA and they will deem them to be good because they are grading the card in front of them not the card that used to exist. Brent also indicated he was going to bring in an expert and offer this as a service and if they alter cards where there is no discernible evidence upon inspection this crisis of confidence could easily subside. I don't think all parties will be happy but the market will move forward.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

The market is so easily manipulated that there's very little disincentive to a deep pocket investor with, shall we say, moral flexibility.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve B

That the vast majority of people - even the "smart" ones with degrees etc. are quite often stupid.

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

The market is so easily manipulated that there's very little disincentive to a deep pocket investor with, shall we say, moral flexibility.

These 2 posts describe baseball card economics perfectly. It is fun to watch the pump and dump manipulation that goes on in the forums.

[RollieFingers]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

PWCC has 8,282 listings running right now.

From what I can tell it appears it is 100% business as usual.

There is no doubt there is something to this recent scandal and even those wearing the most rose collared glasses will see that but it is going to take much more I believe to derail the hobby.

I read someone say that many collectors live by the ignorance is bliss moto and that may very well be true.

There are quite a few people out there that have dealt with infidelity in a relationship. Probably said to their friends if that bit++ ever cheats on me she is gone. It happens and just a few months later they are explaining to their friends she made a mistake and we all make mistakes and she is sorry. Humans are very complex that is for sure.

I watched the entire Brent interview. He made it out to be like conservation was common knowledge and everyone knows it. Many of the examples we see popping up fit his description and have simply been improved. I think there is a very real chance that many of these cards will be reviewed by PSA and they will deem them to be good because they are grading the card in front of them not the card that used to exist. Brent also indicated he was going to bring in an expert and offer this as a service and if they alter cards where there is no discernible evidence upon inspection this crisis of confidence could easily subside. I don't think all parties will be happy but the market will move forward.

Where's this interview, please.

[Dpeck100]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f3k5VSqVt4

[RollieFingers]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f3k5VSqVt4

Woohoo!! Thanks!

[Peter_Spaeth]

It would take a huge sum of money to get me to watch more than 1 minute of that lol.

[Dpeck100]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It would take a huge sum of money to get me to watch more than 1 minute of that lol.

Peter you might like the comment section. Haha

Not a very well received video that is for sure. 56 up votes and 95 down votes and some blistering opinions expressed.

Either way I think he really feels this way and while I totally understand why many disagree I think much of what he is saying has been happening and will continue to happen.

I have a client that has close to 20 refurbished 50's collector cars. If they can get the cars to look exactly like they did when they were brand new I don't doubt for a minute there are folks out there who can work magic on cards and go undetected.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

Peter you might like the comment section. Haha

Not a very well received video that is for sure. 56 up votes and 95 down votes and some blistering opinions expressed.

Either way I think he really feels this way and while I totally understand why many disagree I think much of what he is saying has been happening and will continue to happen.

I have a client that has close to 20 refurbished 50's collector cars. If they can get the cars to look exactly like they did when they were brand new I don't doubt for a minute there are folks out there who can work magic on cards and go undetected.

I would need a heavy dose of blood pressure meds to watch him for any length of time. Were it someone objective, sure. But not someone who has worked hand in glove with a major card doctor or maybe more than one for over a decade. Pass.

[barrysloate]

Restoration has a different level of acceptance in different hobbies. It is understood that cars will be restored. If you want to drive it and the engine is dead, you replace it. If the chrome is rusted you polish it. Collectors know that.

Coins, stamps, and baseball cards are viewed differently. It is best to leave them in their original condition. You can't compare automobiles and baseball cards with regard to restoration.

[Rich Klein]

Just as an FYI, I ran one of small Plano card shows this weekend. Out of the 125-150 people who were in the room at some point, maybe 3 even mentioned this subject and maybe one really cared. This "IS" an important issue but remember we're a very small percent of the hobby as an whole.

[RollieFingers]

Not everyone pays attention to facebook or even card forums. I didn't think much of this till someone said there was an article in wall street journal.
Unless it shows up on national news tv.. I don't know if it causes grading to plummet or not. I've never graded. I'm a junk wax dealer.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by RollieFingers

Not everyone pays attention to facebook or even card forums. I didn't think much of this till someone said there was an article in wall street journal.
Unless it shows up on national news tv.. I don't know if it causes grading to plummet or not. I've never graded. I'm a junk wax dealer.

If it hits a major newspaper it will spread, I believe.

[Goudey77]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

PWCC has 8,282 listings running right now.

From what I can tell it appears it is 100% business as usual.

There is no doubt there is something to this recent scandal and even those wearing the most rose collared glasses will see that but it is going to take much more I believe to derail the hobby.

I read someone say that many collectors live by the ignorance is bliss moto and that may very well be true.

There are quite a few people out there that have dealt with infidelity in a relationship. Probably said to their friends if that bit++ ever cheats on me she is gone. It happens and just a few months later they are explaining to their friends she made a mistake and we all make mistakes and she is sorry. Humans are very complex that is for sure.

I watched the entire Brent interview. He made it out to be like conservation was common knowledge and everyone knows it. Many of the examples we see popping up fit his description and have simply been improved. I think there is a very real chance that many of these cards will be reviewed by PSA and they will deem them to be good because they are grading the card in front of them not the card that used to exist. Brent also indicated he was going to bring in an expert and offer this as a service and if they alter cards where there is no discernible evidence upon inspection this crisis of confidence could easily subside. I don't think all parties will be happy but the market will move forward.

Good write up David. 100% business as usual is right. I'll add that I believe the market gets stronger from this point. Investors with their assets are expecting profits on the flip. They won't have fire sales at a loss because they got scared. Cards are relatively cheap compared to most investments.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Goudey77

Good write up David. 100% business as usual is right. I'll add that I believe the market gets stronger from this point. Investors with their assets are expecting profits on the flip. They won't have fire sales at a loss because they got scared. Cards are relatively cheap compared to most investments.

While I've heard a divergence of opinions, many people agree with this, Martin. I think it will be a little while before we know because I doubt the word has spread very far. But it may not change much if and when it does. I'm not panic selling certainly.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

PWCC has 8,282 listings running right now.

From what I can tell it appears it is 100% business as usual.

Legendary continued on the elevated Mastro path for awhile, but as time went on their auctions became less impressive and seemed to have weaker results as a result of the cloud of suspicion of wrongdoing that surrounded the operation.

I figure the same will happen to PWCC...more and more collectors will lose confidence in their business, and their business will suffer, even if no criminal charges are levied upon them.

BrianP(arker)-beme