The Weekly Rip 8.11.24 [Instant Access]
In this week’s edition of The Weekly Rip Newsletter Brett discusses the impact that accessibility has on the hobby.
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.
We can get answers to any question that we’ve got with one search.
Your kids diapers running low and you missed it? 2 clicks later you got a monster box of Huggies on your doorstep before the next blowout.
We can listen to any song or watch any movie any time we want.
We live in a world where instant satisfaction is at and all time high. Our lives are full of access. The crazy thing is that as our lives become more accessible by the second the more we take that access for granted. I think a lot about the dynamics between instant access and hobby participation. It’s a wild rabbit hole to go down if you’re an active participant. The best vantage point to see it action requires a quick pause on all of your other hobby activities and a step back to process all of that you observe online or in-person at shows. Recently, I got the opportunity to explore this topic and came up with some of my own observations.
Here’s what came to my mind:
The more accessible something is in the hobby the least interesting it becomes to long time collectors - confident collectors value the challenges, obstacles, and conflict that comes with landing key cards
The more accessible cards become the more opportunity is created for arbitrage - the seekers of arbitrage typically value money over cards
The contrast in participation styles between collectors and arbitrage seekers creates 2 separate ecosystems inside the same community
The melting pot of hobby participation is generally good for the hobby, however, an over surplus of arbitrage seekers creates greed
More greed that exists the more opportunities for fraud
Stories have come out this week about CT Scanners being used to find product hits inside hobby boxes and even cases. There was the Dallas Card Show theft. A day doesn’t go by on Instagram where someone in my inner community isn’t bringing awareness to a scammer or got scammed themselves. Hell, I had someone on Instagram reach out to me this week letting me know that someone was using my 2017 Prizm Andrew Luck Black Finite 1/1 photo to sell a card that I owned. It was easy for them to do. They were greedy and had access to my photos on my page.
I’ve convinced when we’re all gone people will still be collecting sports cards and there will always be someone trying to take advantage of them. The best part about the conflict is that the community of collectors has always been passionate enough to protect our escape. It’s through content, conversations, and community that collecting will always be protected. There’s going to be some shitty days where it seems like the bad guys won, but rest assured the collector is always the one standing tall long term.
I try not to spend too much time thinking about the transactional participants in our hobby. They’re focused on what’s accessible and frankly that’s not interesting to me.
I’ve got too much on my brain. I’m a long game player.
I’ve got information to source about the next key card for my collection.
I’ve got content to create that explores topics, sets, and collectors that make the hobby go.
I’ve got a collection to appreciate and admire.
It’s the greatest escape for those who are playing the long game.
A short ride for those with transactional intentions.
A Weekly Content Roundup
The flagship episode of SSP this week talked about using The Wharf Sports Cards funding service for the first time and the benefits of funding services.
Auction Talk #24 with Nic (@thewharfsportscards) dropped where we discussed the 98 Crusade Baseball, took listener questions, and explored the auctions that were catching out attention this week.
This week’s collector conversation was with Joaquin (@livedrevil_sports_cards) where he discussed the challenges of collecting a player like Patrick Mahomes and how he completed his entire Gold Prizm run.
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
We dropped a new Prizm Talk episode in the Patreon Group this week. Patreon has really become a testing ground of new SSP content series and topics. A series like Prizm Talk gives me the opportunity to get really specific on a product and explore it’s story across a decade plus of releases.
Auctions To Follow
I reserve space in The Weekly Rip to share auction listings from members of the group. There’s some fun cards up for auction that end Sunday night.
2006 Finest Gold Refractor Drew Brees /49 #70 PSA 10 GEM MINT
There’s been a lot of momentum around Finest Football. Collectors covet 2006 for it’s design and fun parallel structure. The Gold Refractor /49 PSA 10 from Brees is a Pop 3.
2003 Topps Pristine Refractor Peyton Manning /99 #45 PSA 10 GEM MINT
I’ve always thought Topps Pristine presented a good value opportunity if you were trying to dip your toe in collecting a new player from this set. These cards won’t cost you an arm or a leg and present a good entry point into a new collection.
2002 Topps Pristine Gold Refractor Peyton Manning /79 #1 PSA 10 GEM MINT
The 2002 Pristine Gold Refractor is a fun card. The perforated edges make for a challenging grade. I’ve always enjoyed the big team logo in the back behind the player. The Gold Refractor Manning is a Pop 2.
2012 Panini Prizm Red Die-Cut Peyton Manning #60 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT
The interest in 2012 Prizm continues to rise. It’s next to impossible to find the lower numbered parallels of your favorite player. Whether it’s Manning or another player you collect the Red Die Cuts can serve as a good opportunity to dip your toe into the set.
2020 Finest WWE Red Refractor The Rock /5 #118 PSA 9 MINT
The second lowest parallel in The Rock’s first Finest card ever. A key card for fans of shiny ultra modern wrestling cards.
1998 Stadium Club Co-Signers Dan Marino Peyton Manning ROOKIE AUTO #CO9 BGS 9.5
I’ve always enjoyed this card. Peyton has always said his favorite quarterback ever was his Dad. After that Manning was always quick to say Dan Marino. This is a great opportunity to get autos of 2 of the best quarterbacks of all time on the same card.
A Collector To Follow
This page had me it by it’s handle: @marvin_harrison_collector . Harrison was one of my favorite players growing up and easily my favorite wide receiver of all-time. When I close my eyes and think about all of the great Manning moments so many of them were accompanied by marvelous catches from #88. It’s awesome to see a page fully dedicated to his cards and legacy.
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs.
Thanks for reading and following along.
Take care,
Brett