The Weekly Rip 1.12.24 [new lanes]

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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
January 12, 2025

Opening a new collecting lane is one of those moments in the hobby that can change the entire way you look at your collection. It’s a chance to breathe new life into what you’re doing and open up new possibilities. But, like all things in collecting, it comes with its share of challenges.

For me, last year marked the beginning of a new collecting lane when I decided to explore WNBA Prizm. The Caitlin Clark effect was in full swing, and it caught my attention in a way that made me want to dive deeper. I was intrigued by the sets, the players, and the community surrounding the sport. Before I knew it, I found myself fully immersed in a new world of collecting. It was both exciting and challenging at the same time.

When you open a new collecting lane, there’s always that thrill of discovery. You’re entering into a space where you don’t have the same depth of knowledge that you do in your existing collections. The experience can feel like you’re starting over in a sense. It’s easy to feel like you’re late to the party, especially when there are collectors who have been involved much longer than you. That’s exactly how I felt when I started looking at WNBA cards, there were people with years of expertise, and I had to catch up quickly.

This raises an important question: Am I spreading myself too thin?

The fear of not being able to give your existing collection the attention it deserves is a real concern. You have to balance your excitement for this new lane with the fact that your established collections still need care and focus. It can feel like a tug-of-war between the old and the new, especially when you’re trying to navigate different markets, sets, and players. But here’s the thing: opening a new collecting lane doesn’t have to mean neglecting your first love. It’s more about adding a new layer to your collecting experience, giving yourself the opportunity to explore fresh territory while still cherishing what you’ve built.

And the positives? There are plenty. One of the most rewarding aspects of exploring a new lane is the learning experience. For me, diving into WNBA Prizm gave me the chance to dig into the details of the sets and the players in a way I never had before. I found myself spending hours on platforms like Card Ladder, researching the cards, learning about their rarity, and figuring out what kinds of profiles I wanted to focus on. The challenge of learning something new is part of what makes this so much fun. If you’re like me and enjoy the educational side of collecting, it’s an incredible opportunity to expand your knowledge.

But the benefits don’t stop there. One of the most exciting aspects of opening a new lane is the chance to connect with a whole new group of collectors. You’re entering a fresh community, and the people you meet are often some of the most welcoming, knowledgeable, and eager to share their insights. As a collector, building relationships is one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby. You learn from others, get advice, and gain new perspectives on what you’re collecting. It’s a way to expand your circle, share ideas, and get to know new people who share the same passion.

And let's not forget about the power of reinvigorating your collecting journey. For many of us, there are times when our collections start to feel stale. We’re still collecting, but it no longer feels as exciting as it once did. Opening a new lane offers a way to break free from that rut. It provides a burst of energy, a chance to refresh your collecting focus, and to engage with the hobby in a new and dynamic way.

As we go through this hobby, we’re constantly considering new possibilities. What if I started collecting this or that? What if I opened up a new lane? For some of us, these thoughts come and go quickly. For others, they linger in the background, keeping our collecting journeys interesting and ever-changing.

The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to start a new lane every month, or even every year. There’s no pressure to make this a regular part of your collecting process. But as long as that curiosity exists, and as long as the idea of opening up a new lane excites you, it’s a great way to keep your collection fresh and your passion for the hobby alive.

What about you? Have you been thinking about opening a new lane? Whether it’s a specific player, sport, or set, there’s always room for expansion in the hobby. The key is knowing when it’s the right time to dive in, and when you’re ready to make that leap. For me, it’s been a rewarding experience to step into new lanes each time it feels like I’m rediscovering my love for collecting all over again. And that, I think, is what makes this hobby so special.

SSP Exclusive Offers For You

I’m working with the PSA team to extend more offers to my audience. We’re kicking off the promotion by giving any first time PSA submitters a $25 discount on your first order. Take advantage of the promotion by using promo code SSP25 on your first submission today.

Joining the Stacking Slabs Patreon is The Best Way to Show Your Support

Collectors are joining Stacking Slabs Patreon to consume exclusive content, connect with other collectors, and promote their cards. I’m putting out new collector focused content in the group on a daily basis and it’s the hub for all of SSP’s video content. If you’re enjoying what I’m putting out on the main feeds check out what the group has to offer. I appreciate your attention and commitment to helping grow the damn brand. Join Today

I started running Prizm Talk in the Stacking Slabs Patreon group a few months ago. It’s fun to go all-in at covering a popular product like Prizm across multiple sports. Each week there is always something new and exciting to talk about. This week I dedicated an entire episode to WNBA Prizm to set the stage for the delayed release of the much anticipated 2024 WNBA Prizm product. There’s a ton of new and exclusive content being shared in the SSP Patreon on a daily basis. We’d to love you on board.

A Collector To Follow

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about WNBA cards in this one so it felt right to point you to a big collector and contributor to the WNBA card community. Garrett (@wnbacardscom) runs WNBAcards.com. His collection is vast and his coverage on the WNBA card front is premium. If you’re looking to learn more about WNBA cards check out his page and site.

I appreciate your support and passion for Stacking Slabs. Thanks for reading!

Take care,

Brett