Stacking Slabs Collector Nuggets: Issue 2
We dig through a month's worth of Stacking Slabs content to unearth the nuggets for collectors.
Stacking Slabs Collector Nuggets: January 2025
Table of Contents
A Letter to Collectors
Introduction: A New Year of Collecting
Key Trends and Insights
Unlocking Your Collector Potential in 2025
The GM Mindset: Managing Your Collection
The Psychology of Letting Go and Reinvestment
Mastering Card Acquisition: Auctions, Buy-It-Now, and Private Deals
The Role of Collector Communities
Card Ladder Confidential: Key Market Trends
Passion to Profession: Insights from the Business Side
Broader Trends in the Hobby
January by the Numbers
Closing Thoughts: What's Ahead
A Letter to Collectors
January is a time to reset.
We look at our collections and ask questions.
What do I love?
What no longer fits?
Where do I want to go next?
The best way to make those decisions is to understand why we collect in the first place.
Every move we make in the hobby is driven by something deeper. It’s big topics like nostalgia, competition, curiosity, the thrill of the chase. When you understand why you collect, the what becomes a lot clearer.
This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about that.
I’ve also been working to shape Stacking Slabs into something bigger. More focused. More segmented. More valuable.
We launched Passion to Profession, a new series on Stacking Slabs that gets into the business side of collecting. I’m talking to top eBay sellers and full-time entrepreneurs who turned cards into their career.
Their stories aren’t just about selling. They’re about building.
Whether you’re looking to make money in the hobby or simply sharpen your focus as a collector, I hope this series gives you something to think about.
January kicked off 2025 with a renewed sense of energy in the hobby. Conversations in the Stacking Slabs community were centered around strategy, discipline, and opportunity.
We explored what it means to be the GM of your collection, why selling isn't losing, and how reinvesting can create momentum for the next big purchase. We talked about buying strategies, auctions vs. direct deals and why community-driven collecting is shaping the way cards move in today's market.
Collector Nuggets Issue 2 captures all of those insights. Whether you’re refining your collection, figuring out your next move, or learning from the experiences of other collectors, there’s something here for you.
Appreciate your engagement and support for what we’re building.
Take care,
Brett
Introduction: A New Year of Collecting
January is a time to reset. Collectors are reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and where to go next. This month’s themes revolved around focus, reinvestment, and staying engaged even when you're not buying cards.
We heard from collectors making tough choices about letting go of cards that no longer fit their vision and others taking calculated risks on auctions and private deals. Card Ladder Confidential gave us insights into a shifting market, where private transactions are becoming more important than ever. And the launch of Passion to Profession with eBay highlighted how different people are turning the hobby into a business.
Let’s break it down.
Key Trends and Insights
Collectors are treating their collections like portfolios, constantly assessing value, opportunity, and alignment with their long-term goals.
More direct 1:1 deals are happening between collectors, reducing dependency on auctions and marketplaces.
Selling is becoming a tool for reinvestment, not just a way to liquidate unwanted cards.
Community engagement is a competitive advantage, those who actively connect with other collectors gain access to better deals and insights.
Set-based collecting is on the rise, as collectors seek structure and long-term satisfaction over speculation.
Unlocking Your Collector Potential in 2025
Collectors who had success in 2024 are setting clearer goals for the new year. The mindset shift is happening:
If your collection isn’t exciting you, something needs to change.
Some collectors are narrowing their focus to player-specific collections, while others are chasing grails that have been long-term targets.
Collectors who documented their 2024 wins and losses are entering 2025 with more discipline and fewer impulse purchases.
Collector Nugget: Review your collection and ask, Which cards still excite me? If the answer is unclear, it may be time for a shift.
The GM Mindset: Managing Your Collection
The best collectors operate like general managers—balancing acquisitions, trades, and sales to build something meaningful.
You are the GM of your collection. You make the calls. You set the direction.
The best collectors know when to consolidate, when to hold, and when to let go.
Private deals continue to be a major way grail cards change hands, often outside of auction sites.
Collector Nugget: Treat your collection like a long-term project. Every move should serve a greater goal.
The Psychology of Letting Go and Reinvestment
Letting go of a card is one of the hardest things a collector can do. But it’s also one of the most powerful.
"Selling isn’t losing. It’s repositioning." - a comment made by me during a recent flagship episode
Liquidity leads to better opportunities—being ready when the right card becomes available.
Many collectors mistakenly hold onto cards out of emotional attachment rather than strategic reasoning.
Collector Nugget: Selling isn’t the end of a journey, it’s creating space for the next one.
Mastering Card Acquisition: Auctions, Buy-It-Now, and Private Deals
Every collector faces the challenge of where and how to acquire cards. The landscape of buying continues to evolve, and collectors are adapting their strategies based on what works best for them.
Understanding the Different Buying Methods
Auctions – Provide transparency and competitive bidding but require patience and discipline. Bidders often battle market hype, leading to overpayment.
Buy-It-Now (BIN) & Offers – Allow collectors to lock in purchases quickly, but many listings are overpriced, requiring strong negotiation skills.
Private 1:1 Deals – Often the best way to land key cards at fair prices, especially when relationships are built within collector communities.
Collector Insights on Buying Strategies
Auction hype is real. You have to know your limit before bidding starts, or you’ll pay more than you should.
“If a card sits too long on Buy-It-Now, it’s usually overpriced. Message the seller and negotiate.” – Nic (@thewharfsportscards)
“The best deals happen privately. Build relationships, and you’ll get access to cards before they hit the market.” – Chris (@chris_hoj)
When to Use Each Method
Use auctions for hard-to-find cards where demand will dictate fair market value.
Negotiate on Buy-It-Now listings when you see pricing flexibility.
Leverage private deals for key acquisitions where trust and relationships provide an advantage.
Collector Nugget: The best collectors adapt to different buying methods, staying flexible based on availability, pricing, and timing.
The Role of Collector Communities
Engaging with other collectors isn’t just about networking—it’s about access. The best deals, insights, and long-term plays come from within strong collector communities.
"Being part of a collector community is like having an inside track. The best deals and insights come from real conversations, not just scrolling through listings." – Nic (@thewharfsportscards)
More collectors are shifting their networking efforts from traditional marketplaces to private groups, Discords, and direct Instagram connections.
The best collections are often built through relationships, not transactions.
Collector Nugget: If you’re not engaging with other collectors, you’re missing out on opportunities that aren’t available to the public.
Card Ladder Confidential: Key Market Trends
January’s Card Ladder Confidential episode provided insight into trends shaping the market.
"Collectors are getting smarter. They’re targeting key cards and avoiding overhyped, overproduced inventory." – Chris (@chris_hoj)
Some of the biggest sales happened outside of traditional platforms, showing how private transactions are gaining momentum.
Set-based collecting continues to hold strong, with legacy brands like Topps Chrome, Prizm, and Exquisite maintaining demand.
Collector Nugget: The best plays aren’t always obvious. Research, planning, and patience win in the long run.
Passion to Profession: Insights from the Business Side
The Passion to Profession series with eBay launched this month, highlighting collectors who have turned their hobby into a business.
"Turning a hobby into a profession requires patience, strategy, and an understanding of the market." – Mike (@MCSportsCards)
Collectors who sell effectively are the ones who understand liquidity and timing.
Some of the biggest sales happen in private deals rather than public auctions.
Collector Nugget: Even if you’re not selling, understanding the market makes you a smarter collector.
Broader Trends in the Hobby
Increased market efficiency: Pricing data is more accessible, making it harder for sellers to overprice cards without justification.
Private transactions are growing: Many major deals are happening off eBay and auction houses, through Instagram DMs, Discord groups, and direct collector networks.
Collectors are getting smarter: More collectors are researching sets, player history, and rarity before making purchases, leading to more calculated acquisitions.
More focus on liquidity: Collectors are prioritizing flexibility, ensuring they have funds available when grail opportunities arise.
January by the Numbers
Total Episodes Released: 17
5 Weekly Flagship Episodes
5 Auction Talk Episodes
4 Collector Conversations
1 SSP Spotlight Auction
1 Card Ladder Confidential Episode
1 Passion to Profession Episode (eBay)
Total Minutes of Content: 890 minutes
Most Discussed Topic: The GM Mindset & Consolidation Strategies
Biggest Market Trend: Shift to Private Transactions Over Auctions
Closing Thoughts: What's Ahead
Every episode this month pointed back to one central question: What do you want from this hobby?
Collectors are getting more strategic, more connected, and more intentional with their purchases. Whether it's building a focused collection, acquiring grail-level pieces, or selling strategically to reinvest in cards with more personal meaning, 2025 is about clarity and execution.
Next Steps:
Define your collecting strategy. What’s your next move?
Engage with collector communities. The best opportunities happen through connections.
Be open to selling. If something no longer excites you, turn it into something that does.
Stay adaptable. Market trends shift—your approach should too.
Happy Collecting!
Nice read Brett!