The Weekly Rip 9.1.24 [Sellers]

In this week's newsletter Brett discusses the seller dynamic and overcoming roadblocks to get the right cards in your collection.

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. 

You've spent countless hours meticulously researching and curating your sports card collection, only to stumble upon the coveted gem you've been seeking. Excitement courses through your veins as you reach out to the seller, eager to negotiate a fair deal. But instead of a pleasant transaction, you find yourself trapped in a nightmarish scenario – a greedy seller demanding an exorbitant price, refusing to budge despite irrefutable market data, and employing manipulative tactics to justify their outrageous asking price.

You are trying to reason with a seller who is creating their own price, trying to create their own market value, and trying to create narratives to get us to believe that the car that they're selling is worth and valued whatever they're asking for.

For many passionate collectors, this frustrating experience is all too familiar, tainting the joy of acquiring new additions to their cherished collections. In a hobby fueled by passion and driven by the thrill of the chase, unpleasant transactions with unreasonable sellers can leave a bitter aftertaste, almost diminishing the value of the cards themselves.

When we buy the card, the experience was so bad that it almost takes away from the card itself, which is not good. Navigating the world of sports card buying and selling is a complex landscape, rife with a spectrum of experiences ranging from exhilarating to downright infuriating.

We collect in a universe where there’s a  spectrum of buying experiences

Not all transactions are created equal in the realm of sports card collecting. From the sublime to the subpar, each buying experience can be categorized along a continuum of satisfaction.

1. The Great Experience

At the pinnacle of the spectrum lies the coveted "great experience" – a transaction facilitated by trust, mutual respect, and fair pricing. Buying from an individual who we know and trust, 0 friction on those deals, reasonable, asking price, very little negotiation. These encounters foster long-lasting relationships between buyers and sellers, creating positive associations and a desire for future collaborations.

2. The Acceptable Experience

Then there are the "just fine" deals – transactions that, while not exceptional, are relatively straightforward and leave the buyer content with their purchase. You find a card that you've been looking for and the seller, it's, the communication's okay. These interactions may not forge lasting bonds, but they're nonetheless satisfactory, with reasonable prices and minimal friction.

3. The Nightmare Experience

At the opposite end of the spectrum lurks the dreaded “nightmare experience" – a harrowing ordeal in which sellers demand astronomical prices, refuse to acknowledge market data, and employ manipulative tactics to convince buyers of the supposed value of their cards.

You are trying to reason with a seller who is creating their own price, trying to create their own market value, and trying to create narratives to get us to believe that the card that they're selling is worth and valued whatever they're asking for.

These encounters often leave collectors feeling deflated, with the negative experience overshadowing the joy of acquiring the desired card.

The Sellers to Avoid

Within the realm of nightmare experiences, two distinct types of sellers emerge as particularly problematic: the "wannabe dealers" and the "priceless listers."

The Wannabe Dealers

Wannabe dealers are greedy. Wannabe dealers offer 0 value to the hobby, and they don't contribute at all, but they're just there. These individuals possess overpriced collections and stubbornly refuse reasonable offers, opting instead to relist cards at even higher prices in hopes of exploiting interested buyers.

And the wannabe dealers are individuals who have a collection of overpriced cards, and they're trying to sell it on a platform and they don't sell. And then when you give them a reasonable offer, they not only decline the offer, but then they don't make a comment, and then they decide to relist the card because there was someone interested in it for like 40 or 50% price increase which is insane.

The Priceless Listers

Equally frustrating are the "priceless listers" – sellers who intentionally omit pricing information from their listings, creating an imbalance of power and forcing buyers into an unfavorable negotiating position.

If I see cards listed for sale without a price, it's an automatic disqualification for me. These tactics are often employed to either shop around offers or conceal exorbitant asking prices, ultimately wasting the time and effort of interested buyers.

Amidst the minefield of unpleasant transactions, it's crucial to recognize the value of positive buying and selling experiences. By fostering a supportive community built on trust and respect, collectors can elevate the hobby as a whole.

Sharing positive encounters can guide fellow enthusiasts toward reputable individuals and steer them away from undesirable sellers. Open communication and feedback create a feedback loop that improves the overall experience for collectors.

I think the best thing we can do as we're trying to navigate all of these different scenarios and roadblocks and hurdles is to continue to share the good experiences and elevate the people who are delivering those great selling, buying and selling experiences.

While frustrations are inevitable, focusing on the positive aspects and connections formed through sports card collecting is crucial. By prioritizing relationships with trustworthy individuals and being discerning when encountering dubious sellers, collectors can shape a more enjoyable and fulfilling hobby.

This hobby is not perfect. If everything was straightforward, it wouldn't be interesting to me.

The imperfect nature of the hobby is part of what makes it intriguing and engaging for passionate collectors. By supporting ethical sellers, calling out exploitative practices, and fostering a community of mutual respect, the sports card world can become a more rewarding landscape for all involved.

So, the next time you encounter a greedy seller or an unpleasant transaction, remember – your passion for the hobby extends beyond the cards themselves. It's a journey filled with connections, shared experiences, and the pursuit of a more enriching collecting experience for all.

SSP on The YouTube Machine 

We’re taking old episodes from the archive and outfitting them for the YouTube Machine. We’ve been dropping 3 episodes a week. If you like the video format make sure you subscribe to SSP YouTube today. 

A Weekly Content Roundup 

Team collecting can be a beast. There’s so many eras, products, players, parallels, and the list goes on. On this week’s flagship episode I discuss how I’m shrinking the sea around team collecting and having the most fun I’ve ever had collecting cards. 

I loved the discussion with Nic (@thewharfsportscards) around the value of cards bought via auctions vs. buy it now. It really shined a light for me on all of the dynamics that are in play when we’re trying to navigate the ever winding roads of buying and selling cards. 

Joe (@henry_rowengartner_cards) is one of the most thoughtful and passionate team collectors I’ve had a chance to speak with recently. His love for the Chicago Cubs is undeniable and his ability to express that in his collection is unmatched. 

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

This week I dropped a Collector Showcase where Drake (@drakes_pc) walked through the highlights of his Peyton Manning collection. To say it was stunning would be a complete understatement. I love hosting these collector showcases and they all start in the Patreon. 

A Collector To Follow 

Recently, I dropped a video covering 06 Finest Football. I had no idea that I’d have someone reach out to me that I didn’t already know that has been in the process of collecting the entire set…parallels and all over the last decade. David @06finestcollector just opened up his IG page and his collection is glorious. If you like shiny cards from this era his page is for you. 

I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs. 

Thanks for reading and see you 

Take care,

Brett