The Weekly Rip 6.1.25 [Silent Chase]
In this week's newsletter Brett discusses the approach to land cards that aren't available, but you need.
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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
June 1, 2025
The Silent Chase
There’s a big difference between a card that exists and a card that’s available.
Collectors know this. But sometimes, we still forget.
You see the card show up on Instagram. It’s everything you want. Right player. Right parallel.
But that doesn’t mean it’s for sale. Most of the time, it isn’t.
And that’s where things get interesting.
This week on the podcast, I’m talking about the dynamic between buyers and sellers on cards that aren’t listed, aren’t available, and aren’t even up for discussion—unless you make the move.
Cards like that don’t show up in saved eBay searches.
They don’t surface at auction.
They’re already in collections.
So what do you do when the card you want lives in someone else’s PC?
You don’t settle.
You don’t wait.
You show how much it means.
The truth is, the cards I’m proudest to own are the ones I had to work the hardest to get. Not because they were priced high, but because they weren’t available at all. I knew who had them. I knew they weren’t selling. I made the decision to try anyway.
And not with a “What would it take?”
That’s not an offer. That’s a deflection.
If the card isn’t available, it’s your job to make it available.
That means showing—not telling—how serious you are.
I’ve been on both sides. I’ve ignored messages that felt pushy or transactional. But I’ve responded to collectors who came correct: honest, direct, and respectful.
If you want to go after a card like this, here’s what matters:
Acknowledge it’s not for sale.
Be curious before you’re transactional.
Share why it matters to you.
Don’t lowball. Come with strength.
Accept a no with grace. Follow up later.
You’re not chasing a deal. You’re chasing the card.
And if your offer creates tension—real tension—that’s how conversations begin.
The best part?
Whether you get the card or not, people remember how you handled it.
Strong offers tell stories. They communicate clarity.
They let others know who you are as a collector.
That’s the difference between hoping and building.
Between collecting passively and collecting with intent.
I know it’s tempting to buy a few cards here and there while you wait for your white whale to surface. But I’ll tell you from experience—it’s more fulfilling to go all-in on one grail than to fill your mailbox with maybes.
Because when that grail finally arrives, the story comes with it.
The friction.
The communication.
The moment when someone said, “It’s not for sale,” and you found a way.
Let that story be yours.
Stacking Slabs + PSA = W
Episode 2 of Vaulted dropped last week. I’m pumped to be partnering back up with PSA on the Vaulted series. The first episode was released this week. You’ll learn how I’ve gone from zero vault usage to a hybrid approach and the reasons why. Make sure you check out the episode. For further information learn more about the PSA Vault and PSA Consignment.
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
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A Collector to Follow
I love the way some collectors display their cards on their Instagram page. The curation from hilo24cards is second to none. You’ll find a page full of amazing basketball cards and autographs spanning eras. Brandon formerly ran @bka24collectables, but it was hacked. This is his new page and a great opportunity to get that follower count up!
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs. Tell a damn friend.
Take care,
Brett