Fanatics keeps on raising prices, yet people continue to buy....why?

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

Haven’t gotten into that yet but I will eventually.

It is incredibly disturbing and not the type of show I would normally watch, but you can't stop once you start. You'll blow through 2 seasons in one day with no sleep and then Google when season 3 is coming.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

It is incredibly disturbing and not the type of show I would normally watch, but you can't stop once you start. You'll blow through 2 seasons in one day with no sleep and then Google when season 3 is coming.

I will check it out because most people I know that are into it give it good reviews.

[RainCityShecks]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

Retitle this thread "Old guys shaking their fist at the clouds".

Hahahaha. I think so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Patsfan]

So how many years do we think it will take for A LOT of "collectors" to have to file bankruptcy because they overextended themselves on these products that don't provide nearly the return they invested?

[PuddleMonkey]

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by Patsfan

So how many years do we think it will take for A LOT of "collectors" to have to file bankruptcy because they overextended themselves on these products that don't provide nearly the return they invested?

Lets see if we can estimate it, everyone post their credit card balances. Go!

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

Thing is buying cards for the ultra rich will never be gambling as they have the disposable income, it also must take away some of the thrill of a big hit. Say a multi millionaire hits the Skenes debut patch autograph after spending 100 grand on products the feeling will be fun but not as life changing as somebody who spends what they can afford and pulls the same card. I always tell my wife there would be no fun in collecting if you already had more than enough money to buy any card you wanted.

If you are buying cards chasing that life changing money card, you aren't in the hobby and you aren't collecting. If the monetary value of a card is the only reason there's a thrill of pulling a card, it's not a hobby and it's not collecting.

And if it weren't for those multi-millionaires collecting and buying cards, that life changing money card isn't selling for life changing money.

[seanbros55]

Originally Posted by Patsfan

So how many years do we think it will take for A LOT of "collectors" to have to file bankruptcy because they overextended themselves on these products that don't provide nearly the return they invested?

Not soon enough…

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

Puddlemonkey collects harder than you do

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

And there you are in the peanut gallery every time. Never adding anything of value, just making snarky comments from the sidelines.

I really haven't been on this forum that much in the last month so not exactly sure what you are talking about Ohio Lawyer

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by whitmm

If you are buying cards chasing that life changing money card, you aren't in the hobby and you aren't collecting. If the monetary value of a card is the only reason there's a thrill of pulling a card, it's not a hobby and it's not collecting.

And if it weren't for those multi-millionaires collecting and buying cards, that life changing money card isn't selling for life changing money.

No I am not buying cards for a life changing card. I am buying them to get players and teams I like which is why I collect but there are chances to pull that card. Nobody goes into this thinking they will ever pull a life changing card but it could happen. And as far as those multi millionaires if it weren’t for them maybe the hobby wouldn’t be about nothing but money. Does anybody even put sets together anymore or has it become centered around who can pull the rarest bells and whistles card. The hobby would survive without either group it would just be shared by more people if it were still a hobby but those days are long gone.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by Patsfan

So how many years do we think it will take for A LOT of "collectors" to have to file bankruptcy because they overextended themselves on these products that don't provide nearly the return they invested?

I would love to see the credit card bills of a lot of collectors I am sure that is how a lot of people can pay for their habit but eventually it’s time to pay the piper.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

No I am not buying cards for a life changing card. I am buying them to get players and teams I like which is why I collect but there are chances to pull that card. Nobody goes into this thinking they will ever pull a life changing card but it could happen. And as far as those multi millionaires if it weren’t for them maybe the hobby wouldn’t be about nothing but money. Does anybody even put sets together anymore or has it become centered around who can pull the rarest bells and whistles card. The hobby would survive without either group it would just be shared by more people if it were still a hobby but those days are long gone.

Since you missed that it was a general statement about what you said, I'll answer the same way

I build sets.

There are different types of joy and thrills in this. And from a hobby or collecting perspective, what's a bigger thrill: acquiring a big card to add to your collection, or a card that you can sell for a bunch of money?

Money was in this hobby long before breakers and Fanatics ever came along. Take a look at vintage.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

The hobby would survive without either group it would just be shared by more people if it were still a hobby but those days are long gone.

Would it? The hobby was dying. Fewer and fewer kids were getting into collecting. There was no next generation of collectors coming along. Without the money coming in, the 52 Mantle would fade into nothingness.

I hope you realize that you are that old man shaking your fist at the clouds.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Since you missed that it was a general statement about what you said, I'll answer the same way

I build sets.

There are different types of joy and thrills in this. And from a hobby or collecting perspective, what's a bigger thrill: acquiring a big card to add to your collection, or a card that you can sell for a bunch of money?

Money was in this hobby long before breakers and Fanatics ever came along. Take a look at vintage.

Was just looking at that, the big reason vintage became worth so much is most of them were thrown away by mothers and the ones that managed to survive would rarely be in mint condition. It was scarcity without being artificial. Today could you picture a mother throwing away a triple threads triple autograph jersey. And to answer your question I would rather pull a player I pc but if I do pull a big money card that’s okay also as the money I make from selling it would allow me to buy more PC Cards without having to spend anything extra. Collecting today is a lot harder than it was before the inserts and parallels game used and autographs came around. Even topps flagship has so many different parallels and shortprints that even putting that set together. We have the advantage of finding cards on eBay or at shows or on sites such as blowout but kids back in the day only had to worry about one or two cards of their favorite player in a set. My latest cheap card addiction is the 2024 toppps update hangers, they let me still enjoy the hobby but not get out of hand spending wise. I used to treat myself to a hobby box every once in awhile but it just doesn’t seem like the value is there anymore but like anything else it’s a gamble and you could get lucky. Nice chatting with you, always fun discussing the hobby or whatever it is called nowadays.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Would it? The hobby was dying. Fewer and fewer kids were getting into collecting. There was no next generation of collectors coming along. Without the money coming in, the 52 Mantle would fade into nothingness.

I hope you realize that you are that old man shaking your fist at the clouds.

Wrong the hobby became too expensive for kids to afford and they were spending their money on things like video games and cards like Pokemon which were still affordable in comparison. Why is it always the old man shaking his fist at clouds comparison a discussion is a discussion. Doesn’t have to be about age, just remember you will be the old man one day too.

[Poorboy]

Reaching here …
Is some of what drives these insane prices entitlement?
I want it I deserve it !
Like kids these days wanting mom and dad to fork over their inheritance
Now.
The clouds thing may have a basis as it appears we do think differently.
Or as I was educated lol is it purely about perception?
There”s a disconnect here somewhere in the process ?

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

Reaching here …
Is some of what drives these insane prices entitlement?
I want it I deserve it !
Like kids these days wanting mom and dad to fork over their inheritance
Now.
The clouds thing may have a basis as it appears we do think differently.
Or as I was educated lol is it purely about perception?
There”s a disconnect here somewhere in the process ?

Either fork over their inheritance or let them live in your house for free till whenever. Different times and you are right different perceptions and a definite disconnect.

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

Either fork over their inheritance or let them live in your house for free till whenever. Different times and you are right different perceptions and a definite disconnect.

Ok so it’s not just me?
I’m not cray cray ? Lol

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

Ok so it’s not just me?
I’m not cray cray ? Lol

No speaking from experience. I have a 27 year old son still at home, he works and he is almost through with his college courses so there is hope. I am retired and he doesn’t drive yet been bothering him about that for 2 years now so I get to drive him to work. I will say when it comes to technology he is who I go to as I wouldn’t have a clue. He doesn’t like Sportscards but he likes one piece to collect and gaming with friends online. Definitely a different situation from when I was 27.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

Wrong the hobby became too expensive for kids to afford and they were spending their money on things like video games and cards like Pokemon which were still affordable in comparison. Why is it always the old man shaking his fist at clouds comparison a discussion is a discussion. Doesn’t have to be about age, just remember you will be the old man one day too.

A booster box of the newest Pokemon set is $160. So don't tell me that Pokemon is still affordable when this thread started with complaining that Archives was up to $130 a box.

The hobby was not becoming too expensive for kids in the 90s and early 2000s. The price explosion in sports cards happened in the last 10 years, well after the kids had moved on.

You aren't discussing, you're complaining that the sports card world has changed. The old man line has nothing to do with actual age.

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

I would love to see the credit card bills of a lot of collectors I am sure that is how a lot of people can pay for their habit but eventually it’s time to pay the piper.

My piper is gonna show up with a trident.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by whitmm

A booster box of the newest Pokemon set is $160. So don't tell me that Pokemon is still affordable when this thread started with complaining that Archives was up to $130 a box.

The hobby was not becoming too expensive for kids in the 90s and early 2000s. The price explosion in sports cards happened in the last 10 years, well after the kids had moved on.

You aren't discussing, you're complaining that the sports card world has changed. The old man line has nothing to do with actual age.

No II am not complaining I was pointing out how the landscape changed back then where kids would rather spend their money on things that gave them more enjoyment. And you want to know why Pokémon is so expensive now, those same kids have grown up and they are still into Pokémon cards just like us kids in the 70’s grew up and were still into baseball cards. Every hobby is much more expensive so it would only stand to reason that baseball would be the same way. I never complained that I was out priced out of the hobby just said I had to change the way I collect but I guess that’s complaining nowadays. Just adding you might want to check your timeline of when baseball cards started climbing in price.

[spuds1961]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

My piper is gonna show up with a trident.

Oh my.!!!!

[dodgerfanjohn]

Originally Posted by spuds1961

No II am not complaining I was pointing out how the landscape changed back then where kids would rather spend their money on things that gave them more enjoyment. And you want to know why Pokémon is so expensive now, those same kids have grown up and they are still into Pokémon cards just like us kids in the 70’s grew up and were still into baseball cards. Every hobby is much more expensive so it would only stand to reason that baseball would be the same way. I never complained that I was out priced out of the hobby just said I had to change the way I collect but I guess that’s complaining nowadays. Just adding you might want to check your timeline of when baseball cards started climbing in price.

So…..

I’m gonna go with a small history lesson about Los Angeles suburbs and it’s relative here.

I grew up as a kid in the 70’s and 80’s in the San Gabriel Valley. It goes from about 6 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles to about 30 miles out. It’s a huge place basically stretching from Monterey Park out to Walnut and from Montebello or so out to Pasadena. It’s a huge ethnic mix with Hispanic being the largest ethnic group then probably Asian and Caucasian. It’s the largest Asian population in the country and perhaps the largest Asian population in the world outside Asia. I could only find US census numbers for 2000 (1.5 million population). I’d guess currently there are 2 million people living there. Keep in mind this is only one of many 1 million plus population bases in the Los Angeles metro area (total pop around 20 million, with 10 million in LA county, 3.5 million in neighboring Orange County, and I dunno how many dirt people in SB and Riverside Counties.

All this to say that the SGV was collector central for the nation in the late 80’s and early 90’s. By 1991 there were about 20+ card shops within a 15 minute drive of my house. Not to mention Frank an Sons, the largest continually running collectible show in the nation. Seriously, they started once a week in a trucking warehouse in City of Industry with mostly trading cards and now has evolved into they bought a SAMs Club warehouse and run the show every Wednesday night and Saturday and Sunday, with far more focus nowdays on toys and other collectibles.

So another dynamic about SGV. Due to many large homes and due to very large immigrant populations, by the early 80’s, multi family and/or multi generational homes were a real thing. One of the houses on the small cul de sac I grew up on had 3 families of immigrants from Hong Kong living in it starting around 1981. Now, due to rents, housing prices(absurd…my parents sold their 1800 sq ft 3 bd 2ba home in 2002 for $218k, now it would sell over $900k). So kids stay living at home despite making very healthy incomes, even in the very low $100k range. This is not uncommon at all as there are several employees where I work who are in their 20’s and 30’s who still live with parents despite a starting salary in the mid $40kish range and many making as much as $80-90k. And they likely will never move out unless they get married and maybe not even then.

I should note, the SGV also has very wealthy communities, including Bradbury, one of the richest neighborhoods in the nation(owner of In N Out lives there), San Marino, parts of Pasadena, and La Canada(where Shohei lives). But even the more modest locations have people with lots of money.

Now think about it. You live at home. You have zero hope of ever buying a home. You will inherit your paid off parents home as well as their original tax basis(yay prop 13). And you have tens of thousands in disposable take home income. Your $80k a year is around $60k after taxes and deduction. You don’t pay for the house, you may not pay for groceries. Cars run forever. Even if they don’t you can get a decent used car with low milleage for $15-25k. Car insurance stinks, but other than car and insurance, what are you paying for? And oh yeah, you grew up with instant gratification at Frank and Sons. What is exactly stopping these people from buying whatever they please? From taking vacation whenever wherever(the 15 from LA to LV has become infinitely more crowded than it ever was in the past.)

What we( Gen X) grew up with was kind of wondrous. My Grandparents were greatest generation and immigrated to the US under dire circumstances in post WWI Germany and pre Bolshevik Russia. They lived as young adults through the Great Depression and fought in WW2. My parents were tail end Silent Generation. They were frugal and personally conservative. My dad was the first well educated person I’m not only his family, but in the entire religion/ethnic enclave. Yet despite this(he was literally a rocket scientist) and a good income, he worked on his own cars, he made me and my brother mow the lawn, take out the trash, work on the yard and the house, took us camping, fishing, and hunting. And of course to Dodgers games. But the different…we had an Atari 2600 when I was 8 years old at the end of 1980 and a Commodore 64 by the time I started high school in 1986. It’s curious, but living in that time…bridging the gap between manual everything and modern technology…and the way I grew up, the values I obtained. I still see it in some immigrant families. Not so much everyone else. Kids born after about 1990 grew up differently.

Anyway, new cards are expensive. I like collecting and will continue to do so. Chasing expensive wax is foreign to me as it is to others in this thread.but it exists and the financial technological, and cultural changes that have occurred during the past few decades contribute greatly to that. I cited just one LA suburb but the same dynamic exists all over LA, and repeats itself throughout large metro areas in the US, of which there are plenty. I mean I know of two 4 generation households in Las Vegas. Things are different now and I can’t blame Fanatics for making a profit.