Life Changing Events - Looking to Diversify

[Rememberthepast]

Members,

2023 will be the good, the bad and the ugly for me; awesome new job, divorce and recent death of my mom. I’m currently a low end sports card collector & flipper, but with these life transitions I’ll be able to increase my financial contribution within the collecting world.

I would like to diversify my future collecting experiences into the non-sport card markets. I understand whatever direction I go it’ll take time, research, conversations, failures, etc.. to grasp the knowledge base. To be straight with you, a positive financial return is the goal understanding it’ll take time, hard work, dedication and sitting on items to realize a gain.

Budget will go from $500-$1000 per year to ~$25k-35k per year and I’ll reinvest any profits back into the hobby. So my question is what two or three directions do I go? What do you believe has the potential for a positive return, both short & long term? I listed a few options below in no particular order and they are not the end all-be all, so any additional options are welcomed:

Pokémon (1990’s or new)
Magic the Gathering (90’s or new)
Garbage Pail Kids (80’s or new)
Comics (vintage or new)
Finko Pops
Video Games (Atari, Nintendo, etc..)
Air Jordans (or any big names)

Everyone has their own beliefs, thus wanting to hear your points and counter points. Much thanks for your time and consideration!

[mjohnatgt]

1) Do not bust wax. Buy and sell singles/lots or unopened.
2) Market is still losing steam after COVID/2021 peak. I would not recommend increasing investment at this time. The buy-in cost is much higher, and the downside risk is too. Maybe now is a time to hold a cash position, while you learn this side of the market.
3) Marvel was screaming hot, so it's got to be a consideration. Cooled off a little since the Avengers movie arc has passed.
4) COMC is a great place for flipping, especially nonsports.
5) Keep a record of all your transactions for your taxes in the future.

[PumpnDumpling]

VOO and VT > speculative nonsense (that a nooby like you will likely lose your ass on)

[dd316]

I would say start with what you would like to collect yourself. Get a REALLY good handle on that segment and the use knowledge you gain there to figure out what would be worth delving into as far as value and what you'd like an increased return on your investment.

[KhalDrogo]

I would recommend not investing in any segment that you are not well versed in. Non-sports has more nuance to it than sports.

[tomahawk]

From your list, I am very bullish on vintage MtG and Pokemon. Those IPs are having zero problem attracting newer and younger generations of fans, and they'll be relevant for a long time to come. I love Garbage Pail Kids on all levels but I worry that the rabid and high spending fan base is made up solely of nostalgia trippers who grew up with it and are now making good money professionally. I have a hard time seeing where this IP is attracting younger fans, so I am hesitant on GPK as a long term hold.

By video games, I assume you are referring to graded and sealed cartridges? I will always be wary of investing in any physical media that can be digitized and still retain its original use. Sealed video games, vinyl or CD, VHS tapes, etc., will always be super niche and increasingly so as streaming cements itself as the primary mode of consumption.

I think Funko will be completely irrelevant in the next half dozen years.

The only thing in the non-sports trading card sphere that I have been actively buying with any mind towards long-term holding is celebrity/pop-culture autos from companies like Leaf, Rittenhouse, Inkworks etc. Especially the stuff from very relevant cultural figures/icons who do not sign anymore.

[Gambit C10]

If long-term is your goal, invest is whatever the kids like now which means magic (to an extent), garbage pail, and comics (to an extent) may not be a great idea.

For video games, atari and OG nintendo are soft in values with exception to certain titles. What has gotten hot are mid 90s era gaming and then this will get soft as the PS/xbox eras may take off next. Anything nintendo that is handheld is probably a safe bet along with most other handheld machines/games.

Pokemon and nintendo switch are probably the safest bets.

Edit: Add lego to the list. There is a market for sealed popular sets or those that are opened.

[wubh]

First, hope the rest of 2023 treats you well.

If the goal is investment, would it make more sense to double down on areas you already know really well as others have suggested? You probably have more knowledge about Detroit Tigers cards than 95-99% of the hobby so there would absolutely be ways to buy low and sell higher just in that segment alone if you’re disciplined and profit was the goal.

I just started collecting Star Trek because I love the franchise and was lucky enough to pull sketches from both cases that I bought since I also love ripping wax even though it’s a money sink.

Beyond knowing that these 2 cards are rare and have a collector base, I really wouldn’t be able to accurately price these cards if I was at a show or even to list as BIN and would either lose out in value or overprice it so much that it wouldn’t move.

Things also change. I used to be really into sneakers and still have some pairs with collectibility. But I have been out of that market for so long that I would be lost from a pure investment perspective but could definitely immediately buy things that I want to use and enjoy and feel fine about the price I paid (even if it’s on the high side).

Given how broad your list is, I imagine there would be some major, major legwork and lots of costly mistakes along the way before you could more reasonably ‘invest’.

[webjon]

Dude wants to invest in non-sport cards. . .

from list that contains almost no non-sport cards.

[PurplesaurusRex]

Why would you want to invest in non-sports cards just to make money? It's a long and hard road with minimal gains. Most of us love collecting and don't think too much about the long term value.

I'd also recommend against collecting shoes. A friend of mine hoarded Nikes in his closet for 15 years, most of them were new in box. He pulled a couple pairs out last year and the soles were falling apart. They'd probably crumble to dust if someone wore them.

[Archangel1775]

Originally Posted by Rememberthepast

Members,

2023 will be the good, the bad and the ugly for me; awesome new job, divorce and recent death of my mom. I’m currently a low end sports card collector & flipper, but with these life transitions I’ll be able to increase my financial contribution within the collecting world.

I would like to diversify my future collecting experiences into the non-sport card markets. I understand whatever direction I go it’ll take time, research, conversations, failures, etc.. to grasp the knowledge base. To be straight with you, a positive financial return is the goal understanding it’ll take time, hard work, dedication and sitting on items to realize a gain.

Budget will go from $500-$1000 per year to ~$25k-35k per year and I’ll reinvest any profits back into the hobby. So my question is what two or three directions do I go? What do you believe has the potential for a positive return, both short & long term? I listed a few options below in no particular order and they are not the end all-be all, so any additional options are welcomed:

Pokémon (1990’s or new)
Magic the Gathering (90’s or new)
Garbage Pail Kids (80’s or new)
Comics (vintage or new)
Finko Pops
Video Games (Atari, Nintendo, etc..)
Air Jordans (or any big names)

Everyone has their own beliefs, thus wanting to hear your points and counter points. Much thanks for your time and consideration!

First, my condolences to you on the loss of your mom.

For new releases, maybe stay away from Pokemon and Magic. First Edition Flesh & Blood may be a solid buy. Look at estimated production numbers on those. For comics, Spiderman particularly Spider Gwen and Miles Morales is probably a decent bet but a lot of money has already been pushed into their FA books. I'd stay away from Funko Pops. Video games are interesting, no idea on those right now except collecting what I like. Maybe go with games that have physical discs and are exclusive? For shoes, it's a tough market with small margins unless you can grab limited editions. Consider Kobe Bryant releases and non-Nike retro shoes.

[Rictor]

Put that money in a 401K or IRA. Trading cards are not a good investment. They're a hobby. Same with all other collectibles. They're not liquid, they're hard/time consuming to sell, and there are tax concerns when you are selling tens of thousands of dollars worth. You're running a small business at that point.

I think the thing most people don't factor in when spending hundreds of hours buying/selling collectibles is the value of their time.

[Dukefett]

Garbage Pail Kids are a money pit, unless you’re looking for Superfractors there’s almost no reason not to just wait and buy the parallels or sketches you want. Even if you get lucky, people low ball you for everything and honestly value is just going down a few months after release. If you’re going to sell, sell fast.

[Rememberthepast]

I appreciate everyone’s input and completely understand your concerns in regards to ‘return on investment’. To be clear, by non-sport cards I was eluding to anything that’s not the 4 major U.S. sports, so pretty much anything. And ‘investment’ should’ve been clarified to be the least amount of risk over time knowing that losses are inevitable in the collecting world.

By no means this is the direction I’ll take, but I’m thinking along the lines of 1st and/or early editions of MTG and Pokémon, original Star Wars figures, original Nintendo games and really curious about the Lego market. I’ll never leave the baseball card market, but the non sport world journey will be fun. I’m looking forward to this fall!

[mjohnatgt]

Those seems like the Blue Chip historically, so I think if you're going to jump in, that makes sense to me.

[webjon]

Originally Posted by Rememberthepast

By no means this is the direction I’ll take, but I’m thinking along the lines of 1st and/or early editions of MTG and Pokémon, original Star Wars figures, original Nintendo games and really curious about the Lego market. I

Just so you are aware literally none of what you listed is considered non-sports.

Non-sports are specifically cards.

MTG and Pokemon are gaming cards -- you might have better discussion about them in the sections for gaming cards.

Star Wars figures, Legos and Video games would be discussed in the Toys, Action Figures, Consoles section.

[Rememberthepast]

Originally Posted by webjon

Just so you are aware literally none of what you listed is considered non-sports.

Non-sports are specifically cards.

MTG and Pokemon are gaming cards -- you might have better discussion about them in the sections for gaming cards.

Star Wars figures, Legos and Video games would be discussed in the Toys, Action Figures, Consoles section.

I appreciate you setting me straight on the lingo. Much thanks!

[PumpnDumpling]

If you are not incredibly well versed in these markets you will get slapped in the face with a stale donut if trying to speculate

Action figures: can be a pita to store properly depending on space, if you display these out in the open you will never have sex in your house again

Legos: are everywhere and everyone already has them, best used as caltrops

Funko Pops: caused the East Palestine Train Derailment, also taking up space in landfills causing ozone depletion

Nintendo/Famicom Games: The time to buy into these was literally 20 years ago, i feel you are trolling us here

Atari: I mean i like Missile Command as much as the next guy but seriously......You want to "invest" in Atari 2600 games......this market peaked 20 years ago..... maybe you aren't trolling, if so seek help

[Dukefett]

Originally Posted by PumpnDumpling

If you are not incredibly well versed in these markets you will get slapped in the face with a stale donut if trying to speculate

Action figures: can be a pita to store properly depending on space, if you display these out in the open you will never have sex in your house again

Legos: are everywhere and everyone already has them, best used as caltrops

Funko Pops: caused the East Palestine Train Derailment, also taking up space in landfills causing ozone depletion

Nintendo/Famicom Games: The time to buy into these was literally 20 years ago, i feel you are trolling us here

Atari: I mean i like Missile Command as much as the next guy but seriously......You want to "invest" in Atari 2600 games......this market peaked 20 years ago..... maybe you aren't trolling, if so seek help

I can verify that claim is false.

[Brobocop]

Originally Posted by Dukefett

I can verify that claim is false.

Can also confirm.

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by Brobocop

Can also confirm.

How many men/women have you worked your magic with that infinity gauntlet?

[JoshMN]

The prospect of getting fisted by that infinity gauntlet should certainly make people take you more seriously. Threat or kink- either way.

[PurplesaurusRex]

Originally Posted by PumpnDumpling

Action figures: can be a pita to store properly depending on space, if you display these out in the open you will never have sex in your house again

Legos: are everywhere and everyone already has them, best used as caltrops

Funko Pops: caused the East Palestine Train Derailment, also taking up space in landfills causing ozone depletion

Nintendo/Famicom Games: The time to buy into these was literally 20 years ago, i feel you are trolling us here

Atari: I mean i like Missile Command as much as the next guy but seriously......You want to "invest" in Atari 2600 games......this market peaked 20 years ago..... maybe you aren't trolling, if so seek help

LOL!

[Gambit C10]

Originally Posted by JoshMN

The prospect of getting fisted by that infinity gauntlet should certainly make people take you more seriously. Threat or kink- either way.

There are certain comments that could never predicted when a new post is created. Bravo!

On that note, I have statistical evidence proving that the rate of hanky panky increased after displaying the bowen design captain america vs red skull statutes prominently about 3 feet away from the bed.

[Brobocop]

Originally Posted by JoshMN

The prospect of getting fisted by that infinity gauntlet should certainly make people take you more seriously. Threat or kink- either way.

As it should, damn thing weights almost 40 pounds. Cost me $200 to have it shipped.