For those who believe today’s values are up……

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

But more importantly, the only relevant thing to an owner is what price he bought a card at and what price he sells the card at.

And not even that if he's happy to just buy and hold.

Originally Posted by oldjudge

There is no intrinsic value, there is no dividend stream; values are at the whim of the current collecting public.

Precisely! Which is why I don't look at my cards as any kind of an investment.

A psychologist might therefore say that I buy them as an exercise in self-fulfillment. (See Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.) I dunno. But they bring me delight in the short term and a sense of comfort/satisfaction in the longer term.

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

What do values from 60 years ago have anything to do with Phil's post?

It's called "perspective". It's useful when looking at prices.

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

He is simply restating what others have done in many other threads.

Yes, I've noticed. I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds it tiresome.

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

The market has adjusted dramatically since 2021 and that never feels great to anyone but you, I suppose.

You're incorrect. Here's a quick counter-example:

Originally Posted by jingram058

But for those of us who just collect, who cares? If cards go down, it's great news for us.

And you do realize that those of us such as Jingram058 and myself who are happy with lower prices are on the side of plenty for all. It's those who agitate for high prices who are on the side of scarcity. Would you cheer for scarcity if we were talking about corn or soybeans?

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

There are a lot of collectors who are upside down on their purchases. Hopefully it will not take 60 years for those who bought in 20 and 21 to be in the black.

"Hopefully"? Why? Is there some natural right to be "in the black" on purchases of anything? Do you expect to be in the black on your car, refrigerator, stereo, etc? Those are for use you say? What about the stuff you never use, e.g. the socks you bought twenty years ago that you've never used? You say those aren't investments? Well neither are cards. See the lack of a dividend stream referenced by the previous poster.

Looking at it another way, do you pity the speculator on Wall Street who lost money buying at stock at a silly price because he was hoping somebody would quickly pay an even sillier price? I don't. That's the risk you take buying something which derives "value" only from the whim of other buyers.