The Hobby is Dead

[scottkoz20]

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

its one thing to do this when you have no bills, quite another to forgo a mortgage payment to crack the Cup (I do have my limits)

[gregmal05]

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.

I suppose it is a matter of opinion. People do it for the thrill of it. Each person's thrill is deferent I suppose. There is no thrill opening a pack of Victory for me, period. It is like a lottery ticket only in the sense that you are paying $2 for the ticket, when the jackpot is only $3.25 and the odds of winning it are 5%. Then again I solely collect singles so perhaps I am speaking from that perspective and not that of somebody who only cares of opening a mystery box so to speak. The dynamics of it do not seem healthy to me. I would essentially say comparing it to a casino is the best way to go. Some go there naively thinking they can make money, while some go because they like the atmosphere/thrill; full well knowing they will likely lose whatever they chose to wager. Perhaps like with casinos, the state of the business is more cyclical and economically sensitive in that it relies on disposable income. Thus right now, it's had better days.

[RGM81]

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.

Both excellent points - it definitely helps to have friends in high places.

[scottkoz20]

Both excellent points - it definitely helps to have friends in high places.

more strategically located :)

[eliteco3]

The hobby is not dead. Upper Deck hockey products are on fire.

[KingKuba]

The hobby is not dead. Upper Deck hockey products are on fire.

Where???

[japhi]

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

I assume that's the PSA 10 that just sold? Congrats!

I mentioned this earlier in the thread but vintage is doing very well, especially at the high end. I'm putting together a HOF rookie PSA set, only at 25% and will probably take a lifetime but fun as heck and should have lasting value.

[rustyisin]

that's the BGS 10.
The PSA 10 sold over 7K


Sellers have until Nov4th before flat selling rate of $250 goes up to $750
If I waited to sell the card after that date it would have cost me $570 in fees instead of $250

I assume that's the PSA 10 that just sold? Congrats!

I mentioned this earlier in the thread but vintage is doing very well, especially at the high end. I'm putting together a HOF rookie PSA set, only at 25% and will probably take a lifetime but fun as heck and should have lasting value.

[30ranfordfan]

On fire, or filled with errors? I've been following a thread on another forum that's showing that this year's installment of The Cup (for $500/pack, and was delayed by 2 months) may be the hockey set with the most errors since 1990-91 Pro Set.

The hobby is not dead. Upper Deck hockey products are on fire.

[scottkoz20]

The hobby is not dead. Upper Deck hockey products are on fire.

Where???

Here : http://upperdeckblog.com/wp-content/...acuation-1.jpg


note --> this is from a UD blog post discussing the wildfires in SoCal. Actually is a very good read.

http://upperdeckblog.com/2014/05/upp...arlsbad-fires/