Money in the Hobby

Originally Posted by packs

You can plan all you want. The fact is there are many 60 plus collectors, boomers if you will, who won't be around. I will turn 60 in 2045. If my parents are around they'll be nearly 100, as will the rest of their generation. Collections will be long gone by that point. And that's when you'll need this tech kid to buy your cards.

I won't need the tech kid. All my key pre-war cards (Cobb, Wagner, Ruth, etc.) are in the VG range and all my mid-50's star RC's are in mid-grade 5-6 range. All I need is two guys who'd like to own a nice presentable piece of history. I'm pretty sure they'll be around, and this is coming from a 43-year old guy who doesn't even watch modern baseball

[packs]

I sincerely hope you're right. I have a stake in that future too. I'm just more pessimistic.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

I sincerely hope you're right. I have a stake in that future too. I'm just more pessimistic.

If this bothers you so much, maybe you should sell your collection and enjoy your life. Or buy art. For me, I enjoy cards. I have had far more ups than downs. I try to learn from my mistakes. I am content with how I am collecting. If I wasn't, I would sell out. Life is too short.

[packs]

Originally Posted by rats60

If this bothers you so much, maybe you should sell your collection and enjoy your life. Or buy art. For me, I enjoy cards. I have had far more ups than downs. I try to learn from my mistakes. I am content with how I am collecting. If I wasn't, I would sell out. Life is too short.

I have no idea where this comment comes from or what it means. This is a discussion about the future. When did I say I cared if the money dried up? I'm simply discussing what I think the future holds. My cards could fall to nothing and I'd be happy about it. I could then buy any card I want.

And for the last time, what does art have to do with baseball cards?

[joshuanip]

Originally Posted by packs

I have no idea where this comment comes from or what it means. This is a discussion about the future. When did I say I cared if the money dried up? I'm simply discussing what I think the future holds. My cards could fall to nothing and I'd be happy about it. I could then buy any card I want.

And for the last time, what does art have to do with baseball cards?

Please fall, I do not have enough Ty Cobbs...

[albrshbr]

I am still looking for a reasonably priced Chilly Beanie Baby for my daughter.

[nat]

An idea was floated above that these threads get started out of fear. That sounds right. But if your hobby is making you afraid, something has gone wrong. It's a hobby, it's supposed to be fun.

For my part, I don't know what the baseball card market is going to do, but I sincerely hope for a sharp drop. I'd be happy to buy Ruths and Gehrigs all day, once their prices fall enough that they cost "just for fun" money and not "double check to make sure that I can make the car payment" money.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by nat

An idea was floated above that these threads get started out of fear. That sounds right. But if your hobby is making you afraid, something has gone wrong. It's a hobby, it's supposed to be fun.

For my part, I don't know what the baseball card market is going to do, but I sincerely hope for a sharp drop. I'd be happy to buy Ruths and Gehrigs all day, once their prices fall enough that they cost "just for fun" money and not "double check to make sure that I can make the car payment" money.

Ah, but there are so many of you pure collectors for the moment that it wouldn't be long before their prices started rising at a substantial rate again! Simply demand vs supply once more reaching their natural equilibrium again. Which is a good thing!

Best to all,

Larry

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

I have no idea where this comment comes from or what it means. This is a discussion about the future. When did I say I cared if the money dried up? I'm simply discussing what I think the future holds. My cards could fall to nothing and I'd be happy about it. I could then buy any card I want.

And for the last time, what does art have to do with baseball cards?

I have no idea where any of your posts are coming from.This thread started with the OP posting his opinion and you posting your doom and gloom vision of the hobby followed by a bunch of people disagreeing with you. Your negativity isn't going to change people's minds. Just agree to disagree.

[packs]

Originally Posted by rats60

I have no idea where any of your posts are coming from.This thread started with the OP posting his opinion and you posting your doom and gloom vision of the hobby followed by a bunch of people disagreeing with you. Your negativity isn't going to change people's minds. Just agree to disagree.

Again, I'm lost. Plenty of people brought up what the future holds for the hobby. In fact, it's a topic frequently discussed. I'm not trying to change your mind. I don't care what you do with your cards. I'm sharing my opinions because I'm a collector who has thought about these things too.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

Again, I'm lost. Plenty of people brought up what the future holds for the hobby. In fact, it's a topic frequently discussed. I'm not trying to change your mind. I don't care what you do with your cards. I'm sharing my opinions because I'm a collector who has thought about these things too.

In the second half of the 80s, multi-millionaires and billionaires entered the hobby. People who own their own companies, some who own sports teams. Dealers called them "whales." It doesn't matter that baby boomers are dying off. Your posts and negativity make no sense. This thread is about Heritage Platinum Night and the prices their auction brings. The top 1% is the primary audience for this auction, not baby boomers or your average collector. It doesn't matter if there are 5 or 5 millions average collectors, it won't change these prices at all.

Barring a complete collapse of the US economy, this dynamic is never changing. There will always be super rich. There will always be sports. The hobby will be fine. The number of people watching baseball has been on the decline over the last ~20 years. Yet still salaries continue to rise. Values of franchises continue to rise. Values of quality cards and collectibles like in Heritage will continue to rise. Your collapse is not happening.

[Yoda]

As the thread bearer for this eclectic narrative, I was optimistic for the future of our segment of the hobby when reading that the younger generations, which sadly does not include me anymore, are into pre-war cards and are just waiting for more disposable income to enhance their collections. I hadn't realized this was the case and was gratified to learn it.

[MVSNYC]

Smalls: I was gonna put the ball back.

Squints: But it was signed by Babe Ruth!

Smalls: Yeah, you keep telling me that! Who is she?

Ham Porter: WHAT? WHAT?

Kenny: The sultan of swat!

Bertram: The king of crash!

Timmy: The colossus of clout!

Tommy: The colossus of clout!

All: BABE RUTH!

Ham Porter: THE GREAT BAMBINO!

Smalls: Oh my god! You mean that's the same guy?

All: YES!

Benny Rodriguez: Smalls, Babe Ruth is the greatest baseball player that ever lived. People say he was less than a god but more than a man. You know, like Hercules or something. That ball you just aced to The Beast is worth, well, more than your whole life.

Smalls: [Falls to the ground and clutches his stomach, groaning] I don't feel so good.

All: [Fanning Scott with their caps] Give him air, give him air.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Gobucsmagic74

I won't need the tech kid. All my key pre-war cards (Cobb, Wagner, Ruth, etc.) are in the VG range and all my mid-50's star RC's are in mid-grade 5-6 range. All I need is two guys who'd like to own a nice presentable piece of history. I'm pretty sure they'll be around, and this is coming from a 43-year old guy who doesn't even watch modern baseball

me too!!!!!!