The new breed of collectors...

BobC · #1 05-12-2022, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Bob, I always enjoy reading your well-thoughtout and detailed posts. Tony

Thanks Tony, appreciate that. But you are likely in a very small minority. LOL

Could also add that another reason for the "old-timers" always seeming to complain about these younger collectors, and how they collect and view the hobby, is that seeing these changes and differences reminds and reinforces the fact that they are getting older and not going to be around forever. And along with that, they may no longer be the main driving force behind the hobby anymore, and thus they don't as often see the hobby industry as worried about or catering much to their collecting needs and desires. And human nature and instinct is such that most all people, whether they'll admit it or not, have and harbor some instinctual and/or inherent fear, or at least a disdain, for change and things they are not familiar with.

This does go both ways though, as younger generations, overall, do not seem to carry and hold the older generation in at least the same/similar level of esteem, respect, and appreciation as Baby Boomers do/did for their parents and grandparents. They can often look to Baby Boomers and lay blame to them for a lot of the problems and issues of today. All while seeming to forget all the things they have to thank the Baby Boomers, and preceding generation, for that they simply take for granted. With the advent and advances in technology involved in travel and the media, especially social media, the world is literally getting smaller every single day. And yet, personal connections and direct interactions among people appear to be going the opposite direction. Plus the internet emboldens people to say and do what they want to others, without having to actually say/do something to someone's face so there is no potential threat of a direct reprisal? That could only serve to desensitize at least some people from fearing they'll hurt/harm others, and care and ever being apologetic or remorseful about having done so. And by extension, if such people over time become so desensitized to treating and acting so horribly towards others online, you know it is only a matter of time before some become so emboldened that they start doing the same demeaning and defaming things in real life, to real people. And it will likely only get worse.

I'll end with this. When I was in school, I was taught to respect my elders, not go talking back, and disobeying. If I got in trouble in school and ended up getting a swat from a teacher, I was even more afraid my parents would find out, and I'd get greeted by my Dad, with a belt and an additional whupping, when he got home from work. Nowadays, you accidently touch a school age child, or say or do something they may take in the wrong way or context, and you end up with screaming parents at the school, wanting the teacher immediately fired, and threatening to sue the school, and everything front and center on the internet and social media for all the world to see. My how times have changed, and we have only ourselves to blame!

Hordfest · #2 05-12-2022, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobC

This does go both ways though, as younger generations, overall, do not seem to carry and hold the older generation in at least the same/similar level of esteem, respect, and appreciation as Baby Boomers do/did for their parents and grandparents.

It would be much easier to respect the older generation if so many of them at shows didn't act like I was easy pickings! LOL On here, there are many people like you who are more fatherly and willing to share their expertise.

In the real world, I tend to have much better experiences with younger dealers. A lot of the old guys get dollar signs in their eyes when they find out I'm new with valuable cards. It's just evident in their body language and it makes me distrustful. Most of the younger guard is far more transparent about why they will offer a certain dollar amount for a card or lot and act less like used car salesmen. That's how it has been in my, admittedly limited, experience at least.

BobC · #3 05-13-2022, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hordfest

It would be much easier to respect the older generation if so many of them at shows didn't act like I was easy pickings! LOL On here, there are many people like you who are more fatherly and willing to share their expertise.

In the real world, I tend to have much better experiences with younger dealers. A lot of the old guys get dollar signs in their eyes when they find out I'm new with valuable cards. It's just evident in their body language and it makes me distrustful. Most of the younger guard is far more transparent about why they will offer a certain dollar amount for a card or lot and act less like used car salesmen. That's how it has been in my, admittedly limited, experience at least.

I hear you Brandon, that is why I said it goes both ways. There is good, and not so good on both sides. And trust me, when I was younger, I had older dealers treat me basically the same as you described. LOL Still get treated the same occasionally from some dealers online who can't tell how young or old you are. They just assume they are a dealer, and therefore they figure they know more than you. I just try to ignore them. Most people are good, young and old, but the younger generations are being brought up and taught much differently than Baby Boomers and older generations were.

There will always be a fan base for the major US sports, which should be enough to keep the sports card hobby around and going strong for longer than either of us can likely imagine. It has changed a lot over the past few decades, and will continue to do in the decades to come. But the vintage side will be okay. Regardless of how newer generations are brought up, people are people, and many people like to collect, and have that collecting bug that infects so many of us on this forum. When you combine all the history of the game and the stories behind the players, there should be more than enough to entice a sufficient number of the younger generations to carry things on.

Good luck, and good collecting to you.

Frankish · #4 05-13-2022, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobC

Thanks Tony, appreciate that. But you are likely in a very small minority. LOL

Not that small. I enjoyed your response a great deal, as well!

I'm smack dab in the middle of Gen X and inherited (as many of us mid-70s collectors did) the Boomer perspective on collecting. My parents were part of the Silent Generation and didn't collect much, as their parents had grown up or spent their early careers in the Great Depression.

For one, I love the new breed of collectors' interest in and attitude towards the hobby. Maybe I bridge the gap a bit, but having worked at hedge funds early in my career, I can appreciate their transactional and/or statistical take on the hobby, even if I tend to focus on the idols of my youth and the obscure rookie cards that may never hit the mainstream (just a quirk of my personality).

Cheers!

RCMcKenzie · #5 05-13-2022, 03:08 PM

When I was a kid, I got a Cobb for $75 from mowing the grass. Today's generation must get $1,000,000 for mowing the grass to buy a Lucas Doncic.

JollyElm · #6 05-13-2022, 03:19 PM

561. Wear is Over (If You Want it)
Since modern day pack rippers completely ignore everything but the �money� cards, which are immediately put into protective toploaders or albums before quickly being sent off to be graded, there will never again be stacks of cards showing the traditional wear and tear from kids excitedly, repeatedly handling them.

See also: Packslabbing - removing new cards from packs and immediately getting them ready to be sent off for grading.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Branch Rickey - #42 - Vintage Ball Collectors - Collectors of the Unique	Shoeless Moe	Baseball Memorabilia B/S/T	0	10-30-2020 06:09 PM
Jewish collectors Cubs collectors Scorecard collectors	Shoeless Moe	Baseball Memorabilia B/S/T	0	10-09-2020 02:40 PM
O/t -- I learned about a dog breed today	Rich Klein	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	5	03-06-2018 06:40 PM
A new breed of whale	Yankeefan51	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	26	06-23-2011 10:33 PM
New Breed Of T206 Counterfeits	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	5	09-04-2005 11:09 AM