Collectors’ demeanor in 2021

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Has anyone else noticed a souring of collectors demeanor in 2021?I have been collecting a long time and it just seems like recently some collectors have a bad attitude. Not necessarily on net54, but just online in general.

There are definitely good people out there, but a small group are “me first” and could care less about people. Very frustrating.

I work in the veterinary field and this has been the case since Covid hit. People have been just down right mean. Basically for no reason at all in my opinion. We were doing curbside service and people were just rude about is when this was being done o protect our staff.

[Hankphenom]

The most depressing thing for me about being old right now is not that I will die soon, but that a large portion of my beloved country has decided the more they stick their ideas and opinions "in the face" of those that don't agree with them, the better. That was called "rude" when I was growing up. And I'm not talking about any particular groups, I see it happening on all sides of the political spectrum. Having it pour forth nonstop from the top in the last few years, however, did seem to validate this behavior for a lot of people and open up just about every arena, including ours, to some nasty and contentious discussions. I don't know how you put this genie back in the bottle, but until that process gets underway, this is not going to be a pleasant place to live, no matter how "great" anybody thinks we are or how much wealth we generate.

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

The most depressing thing for me about being old right now is not that I will die soon, but that a large portion of my beloved country has decided the more they stick their ideas and opinions "in the face" of those that don't agree with them, the better. That was called "rude" when I was growing up. And I'm not talking about any particular groups, I see it happening on all sides of the political spectrum. Having it pour forth nonstop from the top in the last few years, however, did seem to validate this behavior for a lot of people and open up just about every arena, including ours, to some nasty and contentious discussions. I don't know how you put this genie back in the bottle, but until that process gets underway, this is not going to be a pleasant place to live, no matter how "great" anybody thinks we are or how much wealth we generate.

Very well put Hank

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

The most depressing thing for me about being old right now is not that I will die soon, but that a large portion of my beloved country has decided the more they stick their ideas and opinions "in the face" of those that don't agree with them, the better. That was called "rude" when I was growing up. And I'm not talking about any particular groups, I see it happening on all sides of the political spectrum. Having it pour forth nonstop from the top in the last few years, however, did seem to validate this behavior for a lot of people and open up just about every arena, including ours, to some nasty and contentious discussions. I don't know how you put this genie back in the bottle, but until that process gets underway, this is not going to be a pleasant place to live, no matter how "great" anybody thinks we are or how much wealth we generate.

Well said. Here, here. Civility to all has to make a comeback and become the societal norm once again.

[Snowman]

I don't think the shifting tide is hobby specific.

[ClementeFanOh]

Interesting observations. I stopped being amazed by the lack of people-
even on net54- who don't discuss the actual sport involved with their cards.
The truly concerning thing is the diminishing number of folks who no longer
grasp hobby history itself. Examples are those who say "It's only a PSA 8
and I want 9 or higher", "raw cards are all trimmed", " I don't like shows I
do everything online", "Who is this Beckett guy?" and the like. Heck, they
can't even tell you about their Ja Morant Triple Platinum Refractor Titanium
PSA 12- they just "need" double what they paid for it, so "it's worth the t
time". There are lots of folks who fell like they belong in the game even
though they've not put in the practice...

The saving grace is the cards we enjoy, and the actual good people out
there. Just a few names- Eric Perry, Kris Sweckard, Jason Bisping, Derek
Hogue. The key is finding them in the first place

Trent King

[uyu906]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Well said. Here, here. Civility to all has to make a comeback and become the societal norm once again.

Amen to that!

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Well said. Here, here. Civility to all has to make a comeback and become the societal norm once again.

While I hope that becomes the norm, I doubt it. Not with what I have seen over the last few years and especially this year.

[Exhibitman]

It's stress. More experienced collectors are simultaneously suffering sticker shock, a dawning realization that they will not be able to afford the cards they want, and anxiety over whether to take profits on the cards they already have.

Oh, and the COVID thing.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

It's stress. More experienced collectors are simultaneously suffering sticker shock, a dawning realization that they will not be able to afford the cards they want, and anxiety over whether to take profits on the cards they already have.

Oh, and the COVID thing.

I think this is a good point. I will add to it that a lot of sellers are not only seeking unrealistic prices on quality items, but they also seem more firm than ever. I’ve noticed a lot more “pay my ask or move on” mentality.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by conor912

I’ve noticed a lot more “pay my ask or move on” mentality.

I am guilty of that. A rapidly rising market means that I can hold on to a tough card unless/until I wring out the maximum profit from it. I sold a bunch of cards a few years back at 'exorbitant' prices only to have them shoot past what I got for them. I also don't see a point to discounting Babe Ruth. Harold Baines, sure, but not the Big Fella or others of his caliber.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by kmac32

I work in the veterinary field and this has been the case since Covid hit. People have been just down right mean. Basically for no reason at all in my opinion. We were doing curbside service and people were just rude about is when this was being done o protect our staff.

I honestly was hoping for the opposite. More people cooking at home, less stress, more friendly to fellow humans, less shopping for unnecessary crap.

I just dont get, and go out of my way to be more friendly in person, but will call people out on certain stuff. Littering, and no saying "excuse me" will get you a comment!

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by kmac32

…this has been the case since Covid hit. People have been just down right mean. Basically for no reason at all in my opinion…

I have also seen this shift with a significant number of people with whom I’ve interacted. My theory (really just a wild guess) regarding an explanation is this:

Many people are social, by nature. They often take behavioral cues from nonverbal indicators given to them by others. Without the crowds to which they had become accustomed, they aren’t receiving constant feedback and reinforcement. Because of this, more than a few of them have become introverted; people operating with an “island unto themself” mentality.

This can lead to some social awkwardness, bitterness, and altogether outlandish behavior. Some (not all) people are in “keyboard warrior” mode 24/7 at the present time. Hopefully, when there is an opportunity to step away from the keyboard more frequently, they’ll revert back to they way they behaved pre-pandemic.

Now, whether that’s good bad…

[BobC]

Not a complete explanation for all different activity, but could some of the negative vibes be due to collectors seeing some of the big price surges since the pandemic started now putting more and more cards and sets they were working on pre-pandemic out of their reach financially? If so, I can definitely see it making many people somewhat bitter towards a lot of these new collectors/investors and their money who are entering the hobby and turning it more into a business/investment activity, while at the same time ruining the hobby enjoyment for many long time collectors.