This hobby is not fun. Come here to vent or rant!

[ucLAkers]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

The hobby is also not fun when fellow BO members outbid you on Yordan Flashback Refractors

I just can believe I dropped the ball on the Red last week....got stuck in traffic in Calabasas and decided it was safer to stay off my phone so I missed my snipe which would have been $600. It was even a Saturday

[BBases31]

Not fun losing out on just about every target on EBay the past few days

[TheGZA]

I got back into cards in 2018 after not even thinking about cards for 20 years, and that was fun. Buying tons of hoops and baseball cards and opening packs and I remembered why it was so fun when I was a kid.

I still enjoy the idea of the hobby but the closest I get to cards is mostly through this forum now.


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[PDCCollectibles]

Originally Posted by Dbacksbaseball

As the guy above me said- If you are miserable, walk away from it. Entitlement is so rampant in this industry.

There are guys on here who busted hundreds of thousands of dollars in wax pre-2019 that cant even get it anymore from distributors. Yet you showed up last year, with everyone else who had no interest in cards, and want the same treatment guys were getting back when hobby boxes wouldn't instantly shoot up 50%, and the hot rookie base card sold for 50 cents instead of $50 at release. Need to think a little on that.......because to anyone around more then a year or two its comical.

110% this…

[cmnova04]

Originally Posted by BigSeph

I used to rip a lot of wax, buy a lot of retail, and it was fun while it lasted.

But it was almost always a financial LOSER in the end, because if I paid $20 for a blaster I'd struggle to get $10 worth of cards from it.

When the sports card market changed, I changed, and I started buying graded singles.

Best decision I ever made, it funded the down payment on the home I live in, and I'm currently sitting on hundreds of Bowman 1st Autos of certain guys, waiting for them to "pop" so I can sell them as well.

You have to zig when others zag, buy low sell high, and think about all of the absolute morons chasing after Austin Martin in 2021 Bowman and paying $500 for the Blue Jays in a case - they are more likely to get $10 worth of cards back rather than a base auto (which still doesn't cover the buy-in price). Or guys spending $1k+ on Flawless FB spots.

If you love Austin Martin then go buy a base auto for $480, it's cheaper than buying the Blue Jays in 1 case.

You will never beat out the most desperate degenerate gambler in the world to a buy-in, or the crustiest guy who rolls out of his trailer to be at Target at 4am.

Let them take the loss.

Buy the fruits of their misfortune - the singles you want.

I have over 60 Jeferson Espinal Bowman autos already, and it was just a little more than joining 1/2 of Houdini's 100-case player break. They didn't hit that many Espinals.

And if you want to join group breaks still for the thrill of the chase, go ahead, but I went from buying $200 teams to buying $60 teams and I only use "fun" money to chase stuff in breaks.

It's hard to change your approach to collecting when you got the joy of opening wax and hitting nice cards in the past. I remember hitting a Bryce Harper blue auto out of 2011 Bowman Chrome and it was one of the best feelings I've ever had in card collecting. But every time I get a Victor Mesa Jr PSA 10 in my hands now, I get that same positive vibe.

The hobby changed. Change your approach or join the guys who will eventually burn out of cash gambling on overpriced wax.

This was fantastic advice and great to hear, even though its everything I already knew. The comparison to how many Espinal's you have vs 50 case player break, etc... just perfect perspective. Can we be best friends? I need you in my corner haha.

[cmnova04]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

The hobby is not fun when:

Won an eBay auction for a tough 2020 Finest Flashback Refractor for a great price, paid immediately, seller printed a label and then refunded my money the next morning. Didn't even bother with an excuse. >)

Then randomly searching the ebay username, I find out the seller is an active long-time member here on Blowout. Still waiting on a reply to my PM

Yeah, I feel that.

I bought a 1st bowman orange BGS 9.5 for a great price this weekend, only to hear a day later that it was sold earlier that night at a card show and it wasn't removed from the site I bought it on.

Entirely possible, and frankly it happens to the best of us. But with the entire state of things, and the fact that it was at least $400 under its current value, I'm left with thinking it's nothing but seller's remorse.

Stinks to think that, especially when you know the seller is usually 100%.

To me that's the only bad part of the hobby right now. Lack of integrity and how cutthroat it is.

[HalfNipponese]

I learned these lessons from this forum.

1. Don’t ask any questions unless you already know the answer. If you do, expect to be called a scammer and viciously attacked. Let’s face it, you deserve it for being new.
2. You’re not allowed to post anything unless you have 1000 posts. Otherwise you’re a know nothing shiller and you deserve the absolute harshest treatment.
3. 4 years of high school and 2 years of working at the local Circle K makes you a industry expert. That’s a fact so listen up.
4. Absolutely no change or new innovations allowed. These forums are full of secret card police. Everything you say is a lie and they know. I’ll be in baseball card jail shortly.
5. Most important, no jokes or humor. Card collecting is serious business and only someone who wants to lose money would dare have a sense of humor.

Live by those 5 rules and you’ll be tolerated. Maybe...

I’m sure there are some more commandments I’m missing.

[BBases31]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

The hobby is not fun when:

Won an eBay auction for a tough 2020 Finest Flashback Refractor for a great price, paid immediately, seller printed a label and then refunded my money the next morning. Didn't even bother with an excuse. >)

Then randomly searching the ebay username, I find out the seller is an active long-time member here on Blowout. Still waiting on a reply to my PM

Yordan Red? He already refunded, name and shame the douche.

Edit: if it's the Yordan Red, his name here is Reverend Ghost based on a post in the archives naming his EBay name which matches the seller of that auction. I've seen that guy post. Start a new thread with his name front and center

[Cavaliercards]

Originally Posted by BlowoutBuzz

(The hobby is about more than opening current-year wax.)

Excellent point, my PC of a future HOFer has grown dramatically over the past 16 months. Some of their stuff has gone up, but most has stayed even and people have been selling more.

If the hobby is that negative for someone, sounds like they need to practice mindfulness and leave.

[pewe]

Originally Posted by ScooterMcRibs

We all need to face the facts that this is no longer a niche hobby, it's a multi-billion dollar industry. There is enough room here for collectors, investors, and anyone else who wants to join. It's one of the best times to be in the hobby right now, and it's only going to get better.

It’s been a multi-$B industry since the 80s...


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[pewe]

Originally Posted by HalfNipponese

I learned these lessons from this forum.

1. Don’t ask any questions unless you already know the answer. If you do, expect to be called a scammer and viciously attacked. Let’s face it, you deserve it for being new.
2. You’re not allowed to post anything unless you have 1000 posts. Otherwise you’re a know nothing shiller and you deserve the absolute harshest treatment.
3. 4 years of high school and 2 years of working at the local Circle K makes you a industry expert. That’s a fact so listen up.
4. Absolutely no change or new innovations allowed. These forums are full of secret card police. Everything you say is a lie and they know. I’ll be in baseball card jail shortly.
5. Most important, no jokes or humor. Card collecting is serious business and only someone who wants to lose money would dare have a sense of humor.

Live by those 5 rules and you’ll be tolerated. Maybe...

I’m sure there are some more commandments I’m missing.

I feel sad this is your experience. I’ve had a more positive experience - lots of great people in the baseball forum. Plenty of fun inane conversation.

I also just checked your recent threads, and they seem helpful / civil towards you. So hopefully your perspective is evolving to the more pleasant???


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[HalfNipponese]

Originally Posted by pewe

I feel sad this is your experience. I’ve had a more positive experience - lots of great people in the baseball forum. Plenty of fun inane conversation.

I also just checked your recent threads, and they seem helpful / civil towards you. So hopefully your perspective is evolving to the more pleasant???


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I was exaggerating a bit but the vibe is pretty real. The shows and shops are great but the forums can be rough.


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[AstrosFan17]

Originally Posted by Robles Fan

If I were you I would avoid all the more popular sets like Topps flagship/Chrome/Sapphire, Bowman/Chrome, Heritage, etc. and target the lower end products like Donruss, Topps Opening Day, and Topps Big League Baseball. These products are priced the way they are to specifically cater to people like yourself. As such, the MSRP for all of these card products will likely always be low. So there is still some way to find fun in this hobby.

Topps Flagship, Bowman and Heritage ARE supposed to be the low end products. All MSRP between $70 and $90 per box. I will NEVER collect Opening Day, but I do miss Score Baseball... I always loved that set back in the day. The prices on Donruss are also crazy... that is a $60 per box product yet they’re selling it for $165 a box?!?!?!?! If that’s low end then people have lost their minds.

[BaseballKing]

Originally Posted by griffan15

Yeah, I feel bad for people who got into this at the start of the pandemic and thought this was going to be easy money.

They probably flipped a few cards and thought this was the new gold rush.

Newsflash for the guys who bought in late, the rest of us bought in years ago for pennies, so it only looks easy now. But for the YEARS that led up to this point, not many people made money in cards.

I could never feel bad for those people.

[BaseballKing]

Originally Posted by jthomas541

This hobby is not fun.

I am not a regular forum user, but got back into the hobby like many people did during the start of the pandemic. I collected during my childhood, during peak-junk-wax, from 1990-1996 or so. Then came high school, college, work, marriage, dogs, mortgage, kids, and all that other stuff that leaves little discretionary income for putting into photos of professional athletes.

I actually want to collect these cards, however:

This hobby is not fun.

I can't go to a store on a random trip to pick up a gallon of milk and get a few packs of cards to open. If they have anything, I can only buy 1 pack.

This hobby is not fun.

I can go lineup at Target on Friday morning at 8am, but if I don't get there before 4am, there isn't enough stock for me to get a mega box of Select football which are just being flipped.

This hobby is not fun.

"Just go to your LCS or buy something on Blowout." $75 for a 2020 Topps Chrome Jumbo pack? $170 for a mega box of 2020 Bowman? GTFOH.

This hobby is not fun.

This is worse than junk wax. At least then you could buy all you wanted and have worthless photos of professional athletes. Flippers, "investors", bots, and the rest have ruined this hobby in the hopes of hitting a jackpot. Is the next Trout or Lebron in every single release?

This hobby is not fun.

I know, I know - supply and demand. When does it end?

This hobby is not fun.

The hobby has changed drastically in just the last 3 years( i got back into in late 2017) but just like life you have to adapt.

There will always be ways to make the hobby fun. Always.

[BaseballKing]

Originally Posted by PSA2Pac

Having the time of my life.

Gotta evolve or adjust your perspective.

This.

[CubKings]

I mean.... he's not wrong. This sh!t has gotten straight retarded.... am I still allowed to say that? Or am I cancelled and banned? Whatever.

The part that is even the most ridiculous to me... is the retar... I mean idio... I mean the less intellig...I mean... what can we say these days?

The people who pay $80+ for a blaster deserve it. But they are the... insert whatever is culture friendly, and they are who should lose, and deserve blame.

I mean, come on. Retail blasters mostly, always suck. Even $20 for 98% is too much. So yes,this hobby has gone shitty. It might go back to what it was, and if not... well, there's always singles and other avenues.

In fact I was always a guy who would say to myself, I'd rather buy a HOF auto instead of a blaster... guess how many autos I have? And how many blasters I've bought? Yep.

[cardsin47]

OP - sounds like you’re suffering from a case of stinking thinking, which can lead to hardening of the attitudes!

Pull it together Man, or get out all together and find something you like! This Hobby is, always has been, and always will be AWESOME ( if you let it ..... )

[MoreToppsPlease]

Originally Posted by cardsin47

OP - sounds like you’re suffering from a case of stinking thinking, which can lead to hardening of the attitudes!

Pull it together Man, or get out all together and find something you like! This Hobby is, always has been, and always will be AWESOME ( if you let it ..... )

Your last sentence can apply to absolutely anything...curious you said “hobby” and not COLLECTING.

Because collectors don’t like financially supporting flippers. Supporting flippers isn’t a hobby...it’s stupidity.

[LVDan]

That’s me on the lower left. I support flippers




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[MoreToppsPlease]

Originally Posted by LVDan

That’s me on the lower left. I support flippers

[jjcan]

The hobby now is really fun. There is so much immediate news and pricing and lot of industry reactions everyday.

Great time to even collect a little and learn alot. So much different from 1980s 1990s collecting, with magazines and friday night card show, using money orders to buy cards from SCD.

SO Much more of the hobby to share is a short amount of time.

You tube. podcasts, old school boards, so much content, video breaks. made to order Topps, Panini, all sports are hot! Tennis and Golf, soccer's growing staying power.

It sucks to a degree because we wish it was easier to get new stuff at reasonable prices. But the singles world, the autograph memorabilia world are still great value outside of the graded card world.

Find the players, teams you have passion for and collect stuff that falls in your price range. As long as you love it and value it, then the hobby is worth your time. If its a hassle and its a "I can never afford that" and then it will just make you miserable. Just find something else that you love to do with sports.

[Rlessary]

Originally Posted by PSA2Pac

Truth. Hobby is filled with a bunch of holier-than-thou, disgruntled/entitled humans.



Couldn't agree more.

Every day the same people wake up and log onto BO to display their misery. Like clockwork.

To be fair, this is not relegated to the hobby, their are so many entitled morons out there. I literally read countless people demanding refunds from Robinhood for the app crashing and them losing money, including one extremely angry person demanding anyone who challenged his ridiculous notion he is owed money if "Are you going to repay the $70 I lost because of Robinhood?". It didn't matter that I explained to him that part of the reason for the large gains to be made is the volatility of what he was investing in, and that it ridiculous to assume because you and tens of thousands of other idiots panic sell a very volatile crypto coin at the moment Elon Musk utters a word and like ANY site would under that sudden load, it crashed and that it was because of his lack of knowledge and the rest of the FOMO "investors" risky gamble that it happened. He didn't care and outright stated Robinhood owed him his $70 and he needed it, to which I along with many others stopped bothering talking sense into him. I have lost thousands because a decision by the NYSE to halt trading simply due to it going up too quick for their comfort, which I had no idea was even a thing. During that 30 min period you can't do anything, you can't sell and must wait for30 minutes to pass, and if it was at $100 when it was halted, it can be at anything when it starts and it is almost always down, in my case by more than 60%. There is literally no way to not lose your ass when that happens and even then nobody expects to be reimbursed and you suck it up, it is a part of the risk.

[Chicosbailbonds]

This thread shows the seismic shift as many do use the word hobby - but its got all the feel of day trading. Sucks when only a couple of set collectors posted in here, and basically got shot down. The grass roots of collecting was always collecting your favorite team or that year's set, not looking for gradable rookies that are in a prospect set or hoarding all of the unopened stuff. I can go to the local card store that just opened up, chockful of the stuff that was sitting at Meijer at 2-3x the price. Pretty neat finding.

[Timsterino]

Originally Posted by jthomas541

This hobby is not fun.

I am not a regular forum user, but got back into the hobby like many people did during the start of the pandemic. I collected during my childhood, during peak-junk-wax, from 1990-1996 or so. Then came high school, college, work, marriage, dogs, mortgage, kids, and all that other stuff that leaves little discretionary income for putting into photos of professional athletes.

I actually want to collect these cards, however:

This hobby is not fun.

I can't go to a store on a random trip to pick up a gallon of milk and get a few packs of cards to open. If they have anything, I can only buy 1 pack.

This hobby is not fun.

I can go lineup at Target on Friday morning at 8am, but if I don't get there before 4am, there isn't enough stock for me to get a mega box of Select football which are just being flipped.

This hobby is not fun.

"Just go to your LCS or buy something on Blowout." $75 for a 2020 Topps Chrome Jumbo pack? $170 for a mega box of 2020 Bowman? GTFOH.

This hobby is not fun.

This is worse than junk wax. At least then you could buy all you wanted and have worthless photos of professional athletes. Flippers, "investors", bots, and the rest have ruined this hobby in the hopes of hitting a jackpot. Is the next Trout or Lebron in every single release?

This hobby is not fun.

I know, I know - supply and demand. When does it end?

This hobby is not fun.

This hobby isn’t and shouldn’t just be about new wax. Open your horizons a bit.