A big thank you to the Card Ladder team for being the official data sponsor of Stacking Slabs. Card Ladder makes me a better creator and collector. If you’re looking to make more data-driven collecting decisions make sure you give the app a spin.
The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
March 9, 2025
There’s never been a better time to be a collector. The hobby is thriving. New releases drop weekly, market trends shift overnight, and collectors are more connected than ever before.
But with all this information flying around, one thing remains true: you can’t go at it alone.
Conversations are currency in this hobby.
Every collector you talk to, every discussion you have whether in person, on a podcast, in a group chat, or through a simple DM adds value to your collecting journey. Without these interactions, you’re operating at a disadvantage. You’re leaving knowledge, insight, and opportunity on the table.
Next week on Stacking Slabs, I’m diving deep into this idea. But before that episode drops, I want to set the stage. If you’re serious about collecting, it’s time to make conversations a priority.
The hobby moves too fast to keep up on your own.
New products drop constantly. Trends shift. What was hot last month might be cooling off today.
Market data is everywhere. Prices fluctuate. Supply and demand change. But numbers alone don’t tell the full story.
Collector preferences evolve. The way people think about certain sets, parallels, and players changes over time.
If you’re not talking to other collectors, you’re missing the real-time insights that shape smart decisions.
I’ve had conversations that completely changed the way I collect.
Some taught me patience like a few years ago when a seasoned collector told me that a card I thought was rare actually transacts lot privately.
Others helped me refine my strategy like learning from a collector like Joey (@the.e.trader) who organizes his collection into two simple categories: “long-term holds” and “cards I’m willing to move.”
These lessons don’t come from scrolling Instagram or tracking sales data alone. They come from real conversations.
I spend a lot of time thinking about where the best conversations in the hobby happen.
Podcasts: Long-form conversations that go beyond surface-level takes.
DMs: The easiest way to build direct relationships with collectors.
Group Chats: Constant knowledge flow from people who are deep in specific areas.
Card Shows: Where you get the most unfiltered takes in real time.
You don’t need to be in all of these channels. But if you’re serious about collecting, you should be in at least one or two.
I’ve built Stacking Slabs around these conversations. Every week, I talk to collectors, industry leaders, and business owners who bring different perspectives. I learn something new in every one of these conversations.
And because I have these conversations, my passion for collecting has only grown.
Some collectors operate in a vacuum. They rely only on their own knowledge, small slices of data, or what’s trending in the moment.
That’s dangerous.
You risk overpaying for cards you could have gotten cheaper.
You might buy into short-term hype instead of long-term value.
You limit yourself from discovering opportunities you never would have found on your own.
Comps and pop reports tell part of the story. But the why behind those numbers? That comes from talking to people who truly understand the market.
If you want to level up as a collector, start talking to more collectors.
I’ll leave you with this, what’s one lesson you’ve learned from another collector that changed the way you collect?
Think about it.
Then, if you’re not already doing it, start having more conversations.
The best collectors don’t just buy and sell cards. They talk. They ask questions. They listen. They build relationships.
That’s how you get better. That’s how you make smarter decisions. That’s how you maximize your enjoyment in this hobby.
Conversations are currency. Start spending more of them.
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
If you’ve ever thought about the Patreon make sure you come for the Cool Cards. Each week I’m highlighting 10 cards from 10 collectors across Instagram. The format is simple, but the recognition is paramount. There’s some dope conversations happening in the Patreon. We’d love to see you there.
Auction to Follow
Many collectors view 2018 Gold Kabooms as the most coveted parallel of the entire Panini era. The Kaboom market has taken on a life of its own. Collectors, investors, and flippers are all scrambling to get access to Kabooms. I think it’s undeniable at this point that there will never be a more significant set of Kabooms than the first. Because the Kaboom craze started with basketball we didn’t see the first Kabooms in football until 2018. You drill down and see that 2018 was the first year of gold Kabooms to boot…and tonight there’s a 2018 Gold Kaboom available at auction on Fanatics Weekly of my favorite player of all-time.
2018 Panini Kaboom! Gold Peyton Manning /10 #K-PM PSA 9 MINT
Check out the 2018 Panini Kaboom Peyton Manning Gold Kaboom /10 PSA 9
One of the benefits of joining the Patreon community is access to auction coverage through SSP channels. The best part about this on my side is that I get to see so many amazing cards right as they’re hitting the open market. This week is no different.
A Collector to Follow
If you take a moment to scroll on @tastycardsandwich’s page you’ll instantly get hit with 2 things: 1. A heavy dose of nostalgia 2. A whole lot of shine. I love seeing diversity amongst collector pages. Check out tasty’s page and enjoy his diverse collection!
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs. Tell a damn friend.
Take care,
Brett
It's all about building those relationships!