First Buzz: 2025 Topps Chrome baseball cards

[tyrith]

Originally Posted by ObanMontecristo

I have. But I’m still pissed that by changing the distribution model and the trading card market, Fanatics has taken away a significant part of the hobby that I used to enjoy very much, which was ripping a box of cards at an affordable/sane price. I used to LOVE opening wax, it was something I looked forward to, now I just feel like a chump every time I do.

Yes, collectors can share some blame for going along with it, in an attempt to keep doing what they love, but those greedy vultures (who had no prior history with trading cards) figured out how they can make more money, came in and turned the hobby on its ear into a much worse version. For you to keep saying Fanatics is completely, totally, 100% innocent in all this is total BS and reeks of a corporate shill.

I feel the same frustration you do, but it's not Fanatics fault. There's too much demand for this stuff, too many people that are willing to get absolutely destroyed financially opening wax. Until that changes, wax ROI is going to remain in the pooper. Fanatics could dump their entire inventory at half what they sell it for now, and the only way it helps you is if you can beat the bot/flipper horde online or by camping out for a store restock. Once it moves away from the originally seller, the prices will go right back to where they are now.

[boxbuster7]

I'm not seeing much demand for topps chrome boxes

and I know the singles market already sucks

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by ObanMontecristo

I have. But I’m still pissed that by changing the distribution model and the trading card market, Fanatics has taken away a significant part of the hobby that I used to enjoy very much, which was ripping a box of cards at an affordable/sane price. I used to LOVE opening wax, it was something I looked forward to, now I just feel like a chump every time I do.



Yes, collectors can share some blame for going along with it, in an attempt to keep doing what they love, but those greedy vultures (who had no prior history with trading cards) figured out how they can make more money, came in and turned the hobby on its ear into a much worse version. For you to keep saying Fanatics is completely, totally, 100% innocent in all this is total BS and reeks of a corporate shill.

Still blame shifting, I see.

These things started before Fanatics took over Topps. It has little to do with them. It's all the gamblers and breakers and others driving prices up. It has nothing to do with being a shill. It's understanding basic economics. Fanatics will do whatever they can get away with to turn the most profit. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at those who let them get away with the things you don't like.

And certainly stop calling people who want to give you back the hobby you love a shill. That's ignorant and unproductive. Nothing will change while people pay these prices and participate in overpriced breaks.

[hermanotarjeta]

Fanatics is in the sealed wax business and they are simply catering to their target audience - the degenerate gamblers.

The breaker culture has enabled fanatics/topps to do this, and I agree with the others above, that fanatics should not get the primary blame for taking away what we all used to love to do - open boxes.

Blame the other hobbyists we share this pastime with - the folks with impulse control issues and the innumerate. Breaking open boxes is their hobby now, and collecting singles is ours.

[boxbuster7]

can we just call a spade a spade?

it is addiction

nothing more. nothing less.

anybody who isn't addicted would NEVER spend $300 for 1 autograph

[ObanMontecristo]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Still blame shifting, I see.

These things started before Fanatics took over Topps. It has little to do with them. It's all the gamblers and breakers and others driving prices up. It has nothing to do with being a shill. It's understanding basic economics. Fanatics will do whatever they can get away with to turn the most profit. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at those who let them get away with the things you don't like.

And certainly stop calling people who want to give you back the hobby you love a shill. That's ignorant and unproductive. Nothing will change while people pay these prices and participate in overpriced breaks.

It’s never changing back. Fanatics has built the system that has people hooked and will continue to reel in more, and they’re not going to give it up. LCS’s have also been cut out and many aren’t long for this world. The part of the hobby I used to love is gone. RIP

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by ObanMontecristo

It’s never changing back. Fanatics has built the system that has people hooked and will continue to reel in more, and they’re not going to give it up. LCS’s have also been cut out and many aren’t long for this world. The part of the hobby I used to love is gone. RIP

While true, the blame lies with the consumers that let it happen.

[boxbuster7]

like most situations it isn't black and white like you are saying

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

like most situations it isn't black and white like you are saying

Yes and no. I agree Fanatics has done all those greedy things to maximize their profits and sales. I just disagree that you can blame a for-proft company for that. It's literally why they exist. The only thing that can keep corporate greed in check is a rational consumer market. And hobby consumers have let it happen.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by ObanMontecristo

It’s never changing back. Fanatics has built the system that has people hooked and will continue to reel in more, and they’re not going to give it up. LCS’s have also been cut out and many aren’t long for this world. The part of the hobby I used to love is gone. RIP

Be glad we got to enjoy it while we could.

If it’s not fun anymore, take a break. Explore other facets of the hobby.

Not everyone likes going to the casino, and they’ve managed to enjoy the hobby without the box opening aspect.

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Be glad we got to enjoy it while we could.

If it’s not fun anymore, take a break. Explore other facets of the hobby.

Not everyone likes going to the casino, and they’ve managed to enjoy the hobby without the box opening aspect.

100% agree.


I bought my one $39 blaster today at Walmart and left the other 19 there.

I used to buy at least 10+ blasters in the previous years until the price run up. I'm not mad, I've just shifted my focus to older products that carry more value to me.

[Derek2011]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

100% agree.


I bought my one $39 blaster today at Walmart and left the other 19 there.

I used to buy at least 10+ blasters in the previous years until the price run up. I'm not mad, I've just shifted my focus to older products that carry more value to me.

This is EXACTLY the same for me. 2 blasters of the 40 sitting there, and other than getting lucky with a Brooks Lee Refractor /499 autograph, they were horrendous. Pick and choose what YOU truly are into. There are many other areas of the hobby to find value. Let the others waste their money

[bustsomewax]

This is easily the worst release of Chrome ever.

The watered down auto list is stinging more than ever and ROI on sealed wax of this is a kick in the nuts. Has to change for the better next year.

[livfreely]

Originally Posted by bustsomewax

This is easily the worst release of Chrome ever.

The watered down auto list is stinging more than ever and ROI on sealed wax of this is a kick in the nuts. Has to change for the better next year.

The “atmosphere” in the TC breaks is horrendous . It’s laughable seeing the breakers try and talk up the breaks. I was feeling good today and picked the Dodgers. I shouldn’t have …

I enjoy the card designs, and am looking forward to picking them up off of eBay

I like the fanatical cards, and the SSP’s. The Ohtani SSP looks waaaay better than Judge’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mikejones]

Originally Posted by bustsomewax

This is easily the worst release of Chrome ever.

The watered down auto list is stinging more than ever and ROI on sealed wax of this is a kick in the nuts. Has to change for the better next year.

Hi

I know 2022 Topps Chrome Baseball wont be out until July..


Currently Wander Franco Rookie cards will be in this product and we could possibly see BOBBY WITT JR / JULIO RODRIGUEZ / RILEY GREENE / ADLEY RUTSCHMAN and a few others if they get called up soon.
at $250 / hobby box doesnt it sound to good to be true?

Francos Base Rookie will probably sell for $50-$75 while Witt-Jrod could be in the $25-50 range.

By this time PSA should have a $35-50 grading level


Any thoughts on the potential of this product as well as the current price?

I think it could be one of the hottest products if not the hottest of these past years.

[sandyfrank]

Hilarious

Originally Posted by mikejones

Hi

I know 2022 Topps Chrome Baseball wont be out until July..


Currently Wander Franco Rookie cards will be in this product and we could possibly see BOBBY WITT JR / JULIO RODRIGUEZ / RILEY GREENE / ADLEY RUTSCHMAN and a few others if they get called up soon.
at $250 / hobby box doesnt it sound to good to be true?

Francos Base Rookie will probably sell for $50-$75 while Witt-Jrod could be in the $25-50 range.

By this time PSA should have a $35-50 grading level


Any thoughts on the potential of this product as well as the current price?

I think it could be one of the hottest products if not the hottest of these past years.

[mikejones]

Originally Posted by sandyfrank

Hilarious

Franco chrome psa 10 $9.
Auto psa 10 $22.


Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by mikejones

Hi

I know 2022 Topps Chrome Baseball wont be out until July..


Currently Wander Franco Rookie cards will be in this product and we could possibly see BOBBY WITT JR / JULIO RODRIGUEZ / RILEY GREENE / ADLEY RUTSCHMAN and a few others if they get called up soon.
at $250 / hobby box doesnt it sound to good to be true?

Francos Base Rookie will probably sell for $50-$75 while Witt-Jrod could be in the $25-50 range.

By this time PSA should have a $35-50 grading level


Any thoughts on the potential of this product as well as the current price?

I think it could be one of the hottest products if not the hottest of these past years.

Will never get old. LOL.

Never.

[boxbuster7]

little did we know that 3 years later wander would be in prison

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Rooftop

Wonder what people thought in 1978 when the price went to $.30 a pack? It was $0.15 a pack in 1977..

Except that it didn't.....price didn't even hit .25 a pack until the mid-80's....I remember buying wax boxes for $9 each when I was a teenager in the mid-80's.

Get your facts straight.....

[boxbuster7]

jacob wilson blue lava auto /150 sold for 1.5 boxes

lmao

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by ObanMontecristo

I have. But I’m still pissed that by changing the distribution model and the trading card market, Fanatics has taken away a significant part of the hobby that I used to enjoy very much, which was ripping a box of cards at an affordable/sane price. I used to LOVE opening wax, it was something I looked forward to, now I just feel like a chump every time I do.

Yes, collectors can share some blame for going along with it, in an attempt to keep doing what they love, but those greedy vultures (who had no prior history with trading cards) figured out how they can make more money, came in and turned the hobby on its ear into a much worse version. For you to keep saying Fanatics is completely, totally, 100% innocent in all this is total BS and reeks of a corporate shill.

When all is said and done, MLB and the MLBPA are just as much to blame, because they gave Fanatics the monopoly. This wouldn't be happening if Fanatics didn't have a monopoly.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Fanatics is in the sealed wax business and they are simply catering to their target audience - the degenerate gamblers.

The question is what will happen when all the degenerate gamblers run out of money?

Given the ROI on buying into breaks, at some point many of these gamblers are going to go bust. What will Fanatics do then?

As I've noted on other threads, it's now been 16 years since the last major recession.....which means that most people under 40 have NEVER had to manage their finances during one. And Rubin/Fanatics have never had to manage a company through a recession either.

[Cavs16]

Man....some really angry / depressed people in here. My goodness

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by mfw13

The question is what will happen when all the degenerate gamblers run out of money?

Given the ROI on buying into breaks, at some point many of these gamblers are going to go bust. What will Fanatics do then?

As I've noted on other threads, it's now been 16 years since the last major recession.....which means that most people under 40 have NEVER had to manage their finances during one. And Rubin/Fanatics have never had to manage a company through a recession either.

Well, that’s when the big implosion in the hobby that everyone says will happen will happen.

But this bull run could continue for another decade or two - so those who have never had to manage their finances in a recession may not have to deal with it until close to their retirement, or ever in their lives.

But when it comes, there will be a crapload of excess inventory for sure.