The Weekly Rip 6.29.35 [Leverage]
This week we're exploring that topic of leverage and how we should consider it when making deals in the hobby.
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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
June 29, 2025
The Quiet Power in Every Card Conversation
There’s a moment that every collector knows.
You see the card. It stops your scroll. You message the seller.
And then… they hit you with the dreaded, “Not really looking to move it right now.”
The energy shifts. You're on defense. Whether they realize it or not, they’ve taken control.
That’s leverage.
It’s not loud. It’s not always intentional. But it shapes nearly every deal in the hobby.
This week on Stacking Slabs, we’re talking about it.
Not the type of leverage you hear about in finance. I’m talking about hobby leverage. The subtle kind that exists in DMs, at showcases, and in story sales. The kind that flips the dynamic before anyone even mentions a price.
And most of the time, it starts with a single sentence.
I've been thinking a lot about this thanks to Michael (@roundtree13_cards), who sent a note that hit like an assist. He shared what many of us feel but rarely talk about — how leverage in the hobby isn’t about what you say, it’s about how you frame it.
Here’s the truth:
Leverage doesn’t come from the card. It comes from the communication.
Silence is not empty. It’s a signal.
The first person to frame the deal often shapes its outcome.
This isn’t about playing games or manipulating people. It’s about understanding the dynamics at play when we’re doing the thing we love — buying, selling, and trading cards.
It’s knowing that asking, “Is this available?” is a very different posture than saying, “Curious if you’re open to letting this one go.”
It’s recognizing that when someone says, “I’ve had a lot of interest in this one,” they might not be telling the full story — and that’s okay. That’s part of the dance.
And it’s understanding that sometimes, it’s worth giving up leverage entirely because the card means more to you than winning the negotiation.
That’s collecting with intention.
This essay isn’t about being cold. It’s about being aware.
Because if you’ve ever walked away from a deal feeling like something was off, it probably wasn’t the card — it was the context.
We’re going to get deep into this next week. We’ll talk story sales, seller silence, soft language, and how to recognize power dynamics — whether you’re buying or selling.
For now, I’ll leave you with this:
Leverage is always in the room.
And the better you understand how it moves, the better collector you become.
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Cool Cards at Auction
We reserve this space for members of the Stacking Slabs Patreon Community to highlight cards that are up for auctions. We’ve got 3 bangers to check out this week.
2007 Exquisite Ticket Match-Ups Peyton Manning/Drew Brees Auto /30 CGC Auth
Dual autos from two of the greatest to ever do it — on-card and from Exquisite. This set is all about matchups that defined an era, and this pairing is elite. A perfect piece for collectors who value quarterback legacy and hobby history.
2014 Bowman Chrome Superfractor Peyton Manning 1/1 (#24) PSA 10 Gem Mint
A true unicorn: Superfractor meets Gem Mint. Manning doesn’t have many 1/1s in this format, and this one carries the gold swirl and iconic refractor finish that makes Bowman Chrome special. It’s a top-tier piece for any Peyton collector or 1/1 hunter.
Reissue: The Leverage Is in the Work
Gunther on Pursuit, Preparation, and Making the Right Offer at the Right Time
What happens when you spend months chasing a card that no one even knows is available — and land it without ever bidding against another collector?
That’s the story Gunther (@guntherscards) shared on Episode 215 — and it’s not just about finding rare Tom Brady cards. It’s about how real leverage in collecting comes from time, patience, and persistence.
Gunther didn’t get lucky. He got ready.
He tracked pop reports. Built relationships. Knew exactly what he wanted and what he was willing to give up to get it.
When the moment came, he didn’t hesitate.
He had leverage — not because he had more money, but because he had more knowledge, more preparation, and more desire than anyone else.
Let’s break it down.
What We Learned from This Episode
Gunther didn’t stumble into a grail. He positioned for it.
Whether it was the 2006 Finest Gold Xfractor or the 2013 Select Black Prizm Peyton Manning 1/1, he never waited for listings to show up. He chased. He tracked. He connected dots most collectors don’t even know exist.
He kept spreadsheets. Studied pop reports. Memorized serials.
He messaged sellers over and over again. And when a deal didn’t happen right away, he stayed in the mix. Polite. Persistent. Patient.
That’s real leverage. Not overpaying in a live auction.
Not scrambling when the card shows up.
It’s leverage built from being the only one who truly knows what the card is, where it might be, and how much it matters.
One of the wildest stories from the episode:
Gunther tracked down a 2018 Tom Brady Prizm Black Finite 1/1 through an old YouTube video. He reverse-engineered the break date, hunted down usernames, and flew cross-country with cash to meet the seller in an airport baggage claim. The deal went down on a rocking chair at midnight.
That’s not luck. That’s preparation, hustle, and intent.
It’s not about having more cards.
It’s about being the right collector at the right moment — and being ready to make the offer that closes.
What This Means for Collecting in 2025
If you're serious about landing cards that never surface, you need to stop relying on listings.
Here’s the play:
If you want a card no one’s selling, build your web. Ask questions. DM collectors who might know something. The more people who know what you’re after, the more likely someone tips you off.
If you’re tracking a ghost card, dig into the data. Study pop reports. Use old eBay sales. Match serial numbers. Learn the history so you can spot the opportunity.
If you want leverage, do the work. Know what you’ll pay. Know what you’ll trade. Know what you’re willing to let go of to make it happen.
That’s how you find what’s not for sale — and make it yours.
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs. Tell a damn friend.
Take care,
Brett