CAN WE SOLVE THIS HOBBY (SPORTS CARD) CRISIS? Video and Discussion

[bmattioli]

The Covid Era reminds me of late 80's early 90's where the thought of baseball cards were going to make you rich overnight.. Did it?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by bmattioli

The Covid Era reminds me of late 80's early 90's where the thought of baseball cards were going to make you rich overnight.. Did it?

The people who got in and got out quickly and flipped their proceeds into marquee vintage cards at the time.

The guys who sold the supplies--Levi Strauss didn't get rich with a tin pan.

And the guys who founded Upper Deck. Dewayne Buice made way more on his Upper Deck stock than he ever did playing for Anaheim.

This is cyclical stuff. The newbs are crapping themselves because they've never been through the cycle before and if they didn't take profits or diversify, their fortunes are sinking faster than a mammoth in the La Brea Tar Pits. At a card show this August some shmuck tried to trade me a whole case of super-high-end shiny inserts...of Walker Buehler...d'oh!

[G1911]

Originally Posted by bmattioli

The Covid Era reminds me of late 80's early 90's where the thought of baseball cards were going to make you rich overnight.. Did it?

It did. Not in a fiscal way, but I am rich in 1988 Donruss. 1988 Donruss is more colorful than the Benjamins.

[doug.goodman]

I hope the hobby can't be saved.

Then, when all the dorks are gone, the rest of us can enjoy again.

Doug

[raulus]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

I hope the hobby can't be saved.

Then, when all the dorks are gone, the rest of us can enjoy again.

Doug

^This.

How do we accelerate the process of hastening the exit of the goons?

I’m open to ideas. There’s no such thing as a bad idea when it comes to the de-goonification of the hobby.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by raulus

^This.

How do we accelerate the process of hastening the exit of the goons?

I’m open to ideas. There’s no such thing as a bad idea when it comes to the de-goonification of the hobby.

I don't think there's any area of American life that couldn't use some de-goonification these days.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

I hope the hobby can't be saved.

Then, when all the dorks are gone, the rest of us can enjoy again.

Doug

Uhhh... yeah! Nailed it.

[bbcard1]

Ya know, I get everyone saying that the modern is in trouble, but where I see trouble I the low grade, ceased cards that are selling (or at least being offered) for $1, $2, $3 K+ each, especially the 1950s stuff. I could see a softening in low/mid grade.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

Ya know, I get everyone saying that the modern is in trouble, but where I see trouble I the low grade, ceased cards that are selling (or at least being offered) for $1, $2, $3 K+ each, especially the 1950s stuff. I could see a softening in low/mid grade.

Agree it’s happening low grade and beat up vintage is everywhere it’s not difficult to find. Demand in the dumpster division of vintage is down.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Agree it’s happening low grade and beat up vintage is everywhere it’s not difficult to find. Demand in the dumpster division of vintage is down.

Every veteran of pre war has said for years "buy the highest grade you can afford ", "and buy the Hofers first".

it's always been good advice.