Sports Card Dealers on the Triumphs and Challenges of 2024

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

I sure haven't witnessed this downward trend on the pre war material that I'm buying.

It only applies to cards we sell.

[brunswickreeves]

Per request for examples, below are some of each for pre and post-war per player. This is a point in time over the ‘18-‘24 horizon, so there may have been better returns outside the scope of this data set (excludes significant outliers such as 52 Topps Mantle and T206 Wagner).

[Rhotchkiss]

From someone who has sold a shit-ton of blue(er) chip, prewar vintage this year (2024), I can tell you almost everything is down from this time last year, and likely 20% from 2022. And I think prices have come down over the course of 2024 (the same card sold for more in February than in November). This includes Cobb, Wagner, Ruth, and other big names. Other than super-high grades, all t206s are down and rare backs are down a ton from 2021-2022; likely thanks first to the David Hall auctions and then from the Brady Hill floods of 2023 in PWCC and Heritage.

Some things are up, however. These include 1914 and 1915 cracker jacks, D304s, super tough backs and/or rare cards of blue chip HOFers (other than t206), and super high grade examples of key sets, like t206 and 33 Goudey.

I think the “white glove collector” is still buying and paying whatever it takes to get what they want. Otherwise, I think things have come down a good deal over the past year. Demand remains strong, which means values remain solid - so hardly a bubble or a crash.

I did very well selling this year, but mostly because of profits made on pre 2020 purchases. I think I took a loss on half the items I acquired in the past two years.

[theshowandme]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

From someone who has sold a shit-ton of blue(er) chip, prewar vintage this year (2024), I can tell you almost everything is down from this time last year, and likely 20% from 2022. And I think prices have come down over the course of 2024 (the same card sold for more in February than in November). This includes Cobb, Wagner, Ruth, and other big names. Other than super-high grades, all t206s are down and rare backs are down a ton from 2021-2022; likely thanks first to the David Hall auctions and then from the Brady Hill floods of 2023 in PWCC and Heritage.

Some things are up, however. These include 1914 and 1915 cracker jacks, D304s, super tough backs and/or rare cards of blue chip HOFers (other than t206), and super high grade examples of key sets, like t206 and 33 Goudey.

I think the “white glove collector” is still buying and paying whatever it takes to get what they want. Otherwise, I think things have come down a good deal over the past year. Demand remains strong, which means values remain solid - so hardly a bubble or a crash.

I did very well selling this year, but mostly because of profits made on pre 2020 purchases. I think I took a loss on half the items I acquired in the past two years.

Ryan, thank you for your insight. Your transparency is a gift for this board. Data, charts, etc. is great. First hand lived experience is unmatched.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It only applies to cards we sell.

All day long.