State Of The Hobby - San Antonio Express Article.

[Guest]

hey guys, i have been contacted by the San Antonio Express to write a column on the state of the hobby. As part of the column, i would like to get your opinions on the state of the hobby. thanks

 

[brouthercard]

New baseball card collecting recruits are non-existent. Kids collect other cards nowadays, like football, basketball or non-sport stuff.

High end stuff will always sell for high cause there are still enough wealthy collectors in the hobby to support this.

The medium to low range market is essentially dead with the economy. If you can't afford your house payments or have been laid off, you are not buying pieces of cardboard at today's prices.

Game used has been overdone.

Set collectors are few and far between.

People who purchase baseball cards are 20-45 year old guys who have expendable income, and who like to gamble on wax. Maybe only adults over 21 years of age should be able to purchase boxes that cost more than $100.

People who used to collect in the late 80's/early 90's are becoming increasingly discouraged when they go to their local shop to try to sell cards, and no one will take them, or they are shocked at how worthless what was once expensive their cards are now.

Most "collectors" nowadays are wanna be day-traders - the only people buying cards at shows are those who intend on flipping them for a profit in the near future.

It can look pretty grim from the general populace's point of view.

The only people who are truly enjoying the hobby are specialists who have some cash to spend.

 

[jimmyjam1973]

Wow, surprized they didn't ask Bruce from What's on Second card shop. He's pretty much been the only "real" shop in town for close to 20 years.

 

[muchuckwagon]

hey guys, i have been contacted by the San Antonio Express to write a column on the state of the hobby. As part of the column, i would like to get your opinions on the state of the hobby. thanks

Do you know why they fell compelled to report to their readers on the state of the hobby...and why now?

Like most discretionary items, the hobby has been significantly impacted by the economic downturn. This fact has to cast a shadow over any hobby related story as collectors, the distribution chain and manufactures are all struggling.

 

[mchenrycards]

You should write that like most other collectables where people were investing, the people who lost money are leaving the hobby and leaving the true hobbyist to collect the items they enjoy for the fun of it at prices that are becoming more affordable.

Emphasize this is a hobby and the hobby should only be entered by people who are willing to be happy with their collections regardless if the value drops out of it! This might rub some people wrong but it is still a hobby to me and not a means to make money!

Edited to add that I dont mind seeing the investors leave as it allows me to pick up cards I want for my collection at prices that are more reasonable and affordable

 

[BunchOBull]

They sought you out huh? You're gonna be a hobby big wig yet.

 

[Guest]

They sought you out huh? You're gonna be a hobby big wig yet.

humm...

 

[011873]

Looking for some opinions? Here you go and so you know where they are coming from, I go to the largest NY shows EVERY SINGLE TIME for the past several years, plus other smaller shows and the National every year.

Not saying theres a TON of kids in the Hobby but there certainly are a lot who go to the big shows in NY. Ive seen a single person bring in a bunch of kids many times.

Gu cards are only "dead" to those looking for big money cards but I assure you, go to card shows and see where the crowds are. They are hovering around the GU boxes. I have seen, many times, a whole BOOTH mobbed by people and what is the dealer selling? Cheap GU cards.

GU cards are the main driving force behind wax. First thing my customers ask is "How many GU are in the box". They know for the most part there will probably be an auto per box but for the most part, itll be mostly GU. A product with NO GU or autos per box will not sell except at the extreme retail level. See: Total, First Pitch, Opening Day, Bio, etc.

Rookies/prospect/mlb logo whatever you like to call them, they still rule. "Rookie" is a golden term in this Hobby.

Everyone loves autos, plain and simple.

Numbered cards are a dime a dozen but people STILL love seeing a numbered card instead of a reg insert or base card (except short prints maybe)

Box toppers are collector favorites and always sell asap

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT LOOK AT WHAT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, FOX WROTE ABOUT THE HOBBY., IT HAS PROVEN TO BE BS AND WRONG FOR THE MOST PART.