The Weekly Rip 3.23.25 [collector types]
We explore the evolution of collector types and the overlap that exists between them.
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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
March 23, 2025
If you’ve been in the hobby long enough, you’ve probably noticed something: your collecting journey isn’t the same as it was when you started. It changes. It evolves. And if you’re doing it right, it should.
This week on Stacking Slabs, I’m diving into the many paths of collecting—how our interests shift, our priorities realign, and our approach matures over time. The truth is, there is no single way to collect. There’s no right way, no rulebook, no universal definition of what makes a collection meaningful. The only thing that truly matters is what feels right to you.
Think about where you started. Maybe you were flipping cards, chasing quick gains. Maybe you built a PC around a player you loved watching. Maybe you fell into a rabbit hole of vintage, oddballs, or parallels. Whatever that entry point was, it was just that, an entry. What excites you today might not be what excites you a year from now, and that’s okay.
The biggest mistake I see collectors make? Forcing themselves into a box that doesn’t fit. They see what’s popular and assume they need to follow the same path. But here’s the thing, some of the happiest collectors I know don’t collect what’s trendy. They collect what they love.
Some are player collectors, devoted to a single athlete, chasing rare cards that tell the story of their career.
Some are team collectors, building something that represents their city, their fandom, their connection to the game.
Some are set builders, locked in on completion, where the last missing piece means more than any price guide ever could.
Some chase specific parallels, drawn to a certain color, design, or rarity that scratches a particular itch.
Some are category explorers, bouncing between eras and sports, finding energy in trying something new.
Some are nostalgia collectors, hunting for pieces of their childhood, reconnecting with memories that never faded.
No two collectors are exactly alike, yet all these paths overlap in ways we don’t always recognize. The player collector bidding against a team collector. The set builder pushing prices higher than any comp would suggest. The investor who starts out chasing profits but gets hooked on the history behind a card.
If you’ve ever felt lost in your collecting journey, know you’re not alone. Every collector goes through moments where they question what they’re doing. The key is to recognize when your collecting habits don’t match your enjoyment.
Ask yourself:
Am I buying cards that make me feel something, or just cards I think I’m supposed to want?
Am I chasing what excites me, or am I following the herd?
Do I feel energized by my collection, or am I stuck in a cycle of buying and selling with no real direction?
When I look at my own collecting evolution, I see clear phases. I started out caught in the investor mindset like buying with the hope that prices would rise. But I wasn’t truly connected to those cards. Over time, I found my rhythm. I leaned into collecting Peyton Manning, then into my Colts Prizm collection. And now? I’m branching out again, exploring WNBA cards with the same passion I had when I first came back into the hobby.
Change is a good thing. Growth is a necessary part of this hobby. The only rule you should follow is this: collect what makes you happy.
What kind of collector are you? How has your collecting evolved? What was the moment that shaped your collecting style?
Let’s talk about it.
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A Collector to Follow
Wondering what Luka collectors are doing right now? You can follow @sweat47 on IG and see it in full force. Formally, a Mavs fan and collector has transitioned onto the Lake Show with Luka. I love being able to spot fan trends through collecting. Mark has an amazing collection. Make sure you give him a follow.
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Take care,
Brett