First Buzz: 2025-26 Topps Finest basketball cards

[mossoholic]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Your concept is only true if a bulk of the product is available - if Topps goes to auctions but only has 5% allocated to the public it's not going to change a thing. Only the most wealthy will buy, they will pay $800 for the $400 box since that amount doesn't matter to them and there wont be enough product for the price to drop lower to the crowd that wants to pay $400 for the $400 box.

For the wealthiest buyers, there is no difference between a $400 box and an $800 box. For the 18 yr old wanting to partake in the hobby after saving up his summer job money, its a deal breaker.

There is a big difference between 5% and the bulk. The auction they already ran for 1st Day Issue boxes was around 50% or closer to 85% depending on who you talk to. I would beg for them to do that going forward. Things didn't go the way they wanted so very few if any more auctions. Which means 99.99% of the general public has no chance now.

You're 100% wrong on everything you listed. We have the better part of a decade of evidence from Panini auctions that what you're saying is not true. Just because people want something doesn't mean they are willing to pay more than the market dictates for it. There have been countless great buys with Panini auctions the last 6+ years. There have been countless good products for less than $500 a box. That's even with all but the low numbered sets and some online exclusives being manipulated for 4+ years straight.

We now know for sure how things are going to go with Fanatics and the general public. Everything in demand you either won't get or a few boxes at best. You will never be able to buy a case of anything in demand ever again. You'll never be able to buy in bulk anything in demand from them ever again.

[JAMSC]

They could make 100% of the product available to the public at MSRP and make as much or more money than they are now.

There is no reason to keep backstopping the rent seeking middle men in this hobby that add zero value.

[oldgoldy97]

Fanatics cares about the collector. Just look at the way they keep reducing content in their products. Soon we’ll be back to nothing but base cards.

[BayAreaChris]

Originally Posted by JAMSC

They could make 100% of the product available to the public at MSRP and make as much or more money than they are now.

There is no reason to keep backstopping the rent seeking middle men in this hobby that add zero value.

There is for sure a reason.

With breakers, Fanatics:
1. Gets free guaranteed marketing. You break something and you might post but most likely won’t have a video.
2. They get their cut on the break too.
3. They are building up breaking as experience.

[Andy5]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Fanatics cares about the collector. Just look at the way they keep reducing content in their products. Soon we’ll be back to nothing but base cards.

#makebasecardsrelevantagain

[cypher]

Don't forget the big 3 that have made a Kings ransom warehousing product for Fanatics. Back to Finest another awful AI designed product but they have logos now! 10x IT!

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by JAMSC

They could make 100% of the product available to the public at MSRP and make as much or more money than they are now.

There is no reason to keep backstopping the rent seeking middle men in this hobby that add zero value.

I don't think you understand much about how business works. So many reasons why this is false. Heck, if nothing else, think of how much they save in shipping by not sending these boxes and cases to thousands of random purchasers as opposed to on a pallet to Backyard. I could do a deep dive into this but it wouldn't change your mind about anything. But just know, that they do not "make as much or more money" by offering it all to you at MSRP. They aren't doing this because they are besties with the breakers. They are using the breakers just like the breakers are using them.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by premium1981

I don't think you understand much about how business works. So many reasons why this is false. Heck, if nothing else, think of how much they save in shipping by not sending these boxes and cases to thousands of random purchasers as opposed to on a pallet to Backyard. I could do a deep dive into this but it wouldn't change your mind about anything. But just know, that they do not "make as much or more money" by offering it all to you at MSRP. They aren't doing this because they are besties with the breakers. They are using the breakers just like the breakers are using them.

Topps forces the breakers to take the crap products if they want the good, in-demand products. The breakers buy in larger volume and support higher prices than individual buyers.

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Topps forces the breakers to take the crap products if they want the good, in-demand products. The breakers buy in larger volume and support higher prices than individual buyers.

Yep, that is absolutely another part of that equation. Its not as simple as JAMSC thinks it is. Everything is about perspective and understanding the bigger picture. Seeing it from one person on a limited budget wanting a cheap box versus seeing it from the perspective of a multi-billion corporation viewpoint is completely different. Something else that everyone may not know is that all breakers, shops, direct accounts do not pay the same price for product. Its all coming direct from Topps, but at different price levels.

[bub838]

Originally Posted by JAMSC

Topps/Fanatics has chosen to cater to a new type of customer. This isn’t about it turning into a luxury good like Rolex, it’s about catering to degenerate gamblers. That is their market now, no different than sports gambling. And let’s be clear about this, anyone who participates in a group break is doing so as a degenerate gambler.

Fanatics is using the same manipulative playbook that Rolex and other in demand brands to, it's not trying to turn it into a luxury good.

Manufactured scarcity foments FOMO.

[BlowoutBuzz]

Full parallel info added >> https://www.blowoutcards.com/blog/fi...sketball-cards