The Hobby is Dead

[rustyisin]

I just sold an OPC Lemieux rookie card for nearly 6K.
What would the sell be on this if the hobby were alive? LOL

[RGM81]

The shipping rate argument is legitimate. I know that I am buying MUCH less from the US than I was a year ago at this time. I enjoy building my collection, but I don't enjoy paying $8-$10 (and I will NEVER purchase an item through eBay's Global Shipping Program, so that whole $20+ thing ain't gonna happen) very much unless there's substantial value to the trade. Unless it's very specific circumstances, I'm not going to drop that type of coin for a $3 card. It's one thing if I'm "getting a steal" on a card because it's some rare Gorges thing that nobody else wants or a card that should be worth a lot more, but there's a lot of nice parallels out there that I'm just not buying because of the shipping charge.

It's a hobby, and accordingly for most of us there are budgetary restraints to consider. Envision a scenario in which you allot your hobby spending to be $50 over a short period of time, say 2 weeks. Do you want to spend $16 on shipping for a pair of packages from the US to Canada? Just like that you're limited to $34 on actual purchase prices. Given the nature of some releases that just hit the market and the popularity of some of the cards, how many items are you likely to score at that price? Not a lot.

[joshpackham]

another concern moving forward for us Canadians in the strength of the loonie, it keeps going down, with almost all ebay activity being in US dollars, it hurts just a little bit more when you see the price converted to Canadian dollars.

[cardscardscards]

After 123 comments (124 counting mine) and almost 7400 views, I think it's time to officially pronounce the hobby dead.

[gregmal05]

I think people are being far too protective of this idea of "the hobby". I love cards, and will continue to collect. That doesn't change the fact that there are absolutely some very unhealthy conditions. Conditions that if applied to other industries/areas would be consistent with what is called a secular decline. It is not just as simple as one member suggested before "just don't buy The Cup". First off, UD Series 1 etc does not appeal to me in the slightest. Second, the prices may be different but the percentage(roughly speaking) in which you burn money does not. If I buy a pack of cards for $200 and get $40 worth of cards, it is the same as buying a pack of UD Series 1 for $4 and getting back nothing that even covers the cost of mailing a single. Personally, I don't see why people are so adamant about not acknowledging this. I love the hobby as much as the next guy, but to sit here and say you are ok with willfully pissing money away is stupid. Especially when it comes to higher end. I was watching a Damien Brunner Cup Gold RC 12/12 last night on Ebay. Card sold for an astronomically low price, especially relative to what similar type and #'d Cup rc have gone for in the past. I was about to bid on it, but decided to pass. Why? Because I'll be able to buy it in 2 years for $15 DLVD. Sucks for the guy who presumably got that card as his $500 a box "hit".

[jsokol1626]

I think people are being far too protective of this idea of "the hobby". I love cards, and will continue to collect. That doesn't change the fact that there are absolutely some very unhealthy conditions. Conditions that if applied to other industries/areas would be consistent with what is called a secular decline. It is not just as simple as one member suggested before "just don't buy The Cup". First off, UD Series 1 etc does not appeal to me in the slightest. Second, the prices may be different but the percentage(roughly speaking) in which you burn money does not. If I buy a pack of cards for $200 and get $40 worth of cards, it is the same as buying a pack of UD Series 1 for $4 and getting back nothing that even covers the cost of mailing a single. Personally, I don't see why people are so adamant about not acknowledging this. I love the hobby as much as the next guy, but to sit here and say you are ok with willfully pissing money away is stupid. Especially when it comes to higher end. I was watching a Damien Brunner Cup Gold RC 12/12 last night on Ebay. Card sold for an astronomically low price, especially relative to what similar type and #'d Cup rc have gone for in the past. I was about to bid on it, but decided to pass. Why? Because I'll be able to buy it in 2 years for $15 DLVD. Sucks for the guy who presumably got that card as his $500 a box "hit".

The point you make about percentages is totally moot. I would buy a $2 lottery ticket without hesitation, realizing that I will probably get no return on my dollar. On the other hand, I would not buy a $20 lottery ticket. In either case a losing ticket produces the same rate of return, zero. So, no, it's not about percentages at all, it's about how much can you afford to spend for the thrill of opening packs or to own that card sitting in the dealers case (or at auction). Card companies know exactly what they're doing, Upper Deck and Topps have survived many years including one of the worst economic conditions of the last 100 years. Marketing is the key, and companies are very successful in convincing their customers that big hits await them if they just persevere. So, if you spend enough money and buy the right products chances are more than good that you will hit a big one. That, however, does not mean you will ever recoup your investment.
As i said years ago, and repeat here, today. The complaints reached a zenith when people began looking at cardboard and started seeing $ signs. That in turn, inspired the marketing gurus, to dangle bigger and bigger carrots that produced bigger and bigger sales.

Get used to the fact that there are plenty of people in this hobby with lots of disposable income. People drop tons of money on wax and never bat an eye if they don't get 'good value'.

The complaints I'm seeing here are older than most of the people doing the complaining. In 1960 I'd spend my nickel (25% of my weekly income at the time) on a pack of cards hoping for a Maris or Mantle and a fresh stick of gum. There were 2 certainties, 5 cards and gum. Nothing has changed, except for the absence of gum.

[scottkoz20]

The shipping rate argument is legitimate. I know that I am buying MUCH less from the US than I was a year ago at this time. I enjoy building my collection, but I don't enjoy paying $8-$10 (and I will NEVER purchase an item through eBay's Global Shipping Program, so that whole $20+ thing ain't gonna happen) very much unless there's substantial value to the trade. Unless it's very specific circumstances, I'm not going to drop that type of coin for a $3 card. It's one thing if I'm "getting a steal" on a card because it's some rare Gorges thing that nobody else wants or a card that should be worth a lot more, but there's a lot of nice parallels out there that I'm just not buying because of the shipping charge.

It's a hobby, and accordingly for most of us there are budgetary restraints to consider. Envision a scenario in which you allot your hobby spending to be $50 over a short period of time, say 2 weeks. Do you want to spend $16 on shipping for a pair of packages from the US to Canada? Just like that you're limited to $34 on actual purchase prices. Given the nature of some releases that just hit the market and the popularity of some of the cards, how many items are you likely to score at that price? Not a lot.

Its funny you mention this Richard.

2 things

1) If you want to avoid the Global Program (which is something I will never do with my auctions), then find yourself a friend on the other side of the border that can help facilitate this. I know you have in the past Richard and I'm hoping that I can put something together on a side project that I have started to work on.

2) I have accidentally stumbled upon paypal shipping to Canada that is not going to cost $7 per package to ship (testing with 2 packages now). This is something only seems to be an option when you sell privately (SCF, HI, etc.) as eBay will charge $6+ for 2oz package. I hate that I have to add more $$ to ship to Canada/Europe, it detracts from people buying, which gives the impression that the hobby is dying.

[scottkoz20]

In 1960 I'd spend my nickel (25% of my weekly income at the time) on a pack of cards hoping for a Maris or Mantle and a fresh stick of gum. There were 2 certainties, 5 cards and gum. Nothing has changed, except for the absence of gum.

25% of your income? I was more like 110% of my income went to cards in the 80's/90's.

And I think we are all better off w/o the gum :)

[piper1]

25% of your income? I was more like 110% of my income went to cards in the 80's/90's.

And I think we are all better off w/o the gum :)

I think there is a direct correlation between the buying of OPC packs in the sixties/ early seventies and when I stopped getting cavities

[jsokol1626]

25% of your income? I was more like 110% of my income went to cards in the 80's/90's.

And I think we are all better off w/o the gum :)

And better off not spending 25-110% of our income, as well.