HBO's Real Sports Will Cover Baseball Card Boom

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I hope they covered all the massive manipulation behind the surge in prices. Even if one loves cards and collecting, to participate in the hobby these days--- especially in the expensive end-- makes one feel like a mark at worst or in desperate need of a shower at best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvLFEh7V18A

Agree but doubt they will. That would have to be on an American Greed Show.

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Agree but doubt they will. That would have to be on an American Greed Show.

Yep, as well it should be. Things just don't surge naturally the way so many cards have. But enthusiastic participants want to believe they are making savvy buys on an ever upward slope— and that belief is seemingly supported by a reality created by the AH's and TPGs that are in cahoots (and now even incestuously co-owned).

We all long knew of the cozy relationship between AHs and TPGs. The favorable grades given. The direct lines of contact between the AH heads and Orlando. The "Invitationals" where high-volume submitters/doctors were granted physical audience with the graders, where the doctors were actually told what to fix on a card, to get the card into a higher graded holder. All this shade has long been out in the open, so it amazes me there are people who believe the price surges of the past two years are due solely to natural demand and new money. After all, one part of creating a trap/bubble is the drawing in of new money who believe there is a real market developing. That belief is nutured and fostered by the prices that the AHs record.

Is there genuine demand at some level? Of course; it's the mass of collectors who form that key backbone of genuine demand; then the shady AHs and TPGs stand on that backbone to take things to where they are now.

We can only hope something happens to catalyze a massive correction; that may only be collectors all abstaining, which is impossible, LOL. Theoretically, if collectors left the sordid sandbox, that would leave just a bunch of manipulators passing the hot potato around with no marks in sight. Then maybe they'd just leave— and we'd see what prices look like then.

Of course, when collectors returned, so would the manipulators. And as prices rose once again, too many myopic mark collectors would break out their pom-poms to cheer their rising card values, not realizing all else they're cheering for— which includes more money out of their pockets due to higher prices, LOL.

[MattyC]

By the way, that video on manipulation was just poofed on the PSA boards. Unsurprisingly, LOL.

But what do we expect when the same guys own the TPGs and the AHs.

God Forbid we collector marks get wise and discuss how these guys are using our love of collecting to fuel steroidal prices and line their pockets.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yep, as well it should be. Things just don't surge naturally the way so many cards have. But enthusiastic participants want to believe they are making savvy buys on an ever upward slope— and that belief is seemingly supported by a reality created by the AH's and TPGs that are in cahoots (and now even incestuously co-owned).

We all long knew of the cozy relationship between AHs and TPGs. The favorable grades given. The direct lines of contact between the AH heads and Orlando. The "Invitationals" where high-volume submitters/doctors were granted physical audience with the graders, where the doctors were actually told what to fix on a card, to get the card into a higher graded holder. All this shade has long been out in the open, so it amazes me there are people who believe the price surges of the past two years are due solely to natural demand and new money. After all, one part of creating a trap/bubble is the drawing in of new money who believe there is a real market developing. That belief is nutured and fostered by the prices that the AHs record.

Is there genuine demand at some level? Of course; it's the mass of collectors who form that key backbone of genuine demand; then the shady AHs and TPGs stand on that backbone to take things to where they are now.

We can only hope something happens to catalyze a massive correction; that may only be collectors all abstaining, which is impossible, LOL. Theoretically, if collectors left the sordid sandbox, that would leave just a bunch of manipulators passing the hot potato around with no marks in sight. Then maybe they'd just leave— and we'd see what prices look like then.

Of course, when collectors returned, so would the manipulators. And as prices rose once again, too many myopic mark collectors would break out their pom-poms to cheer their rising card values, not realizing all else they're cheering for— which includes more money out of their pockets due to higher prices, LOL.

+1 you’re the only other guy I’ve seen on here mention invitationals being able to sit and talk one on one with the grader how shady was that. I hope they stoped doing those.

[Seven]

I'll say this much:

We've seen prices come down on everything with the exception of high end vintage. Interest in the hobby is always a good thing, I will never complain about that. What I don't like is cards being looked at as an investment, that just isn't for me. I don't "invest" in cards, I collect them. This is something I've said time and time again. It would take a lot for me to part with one of my cards. That could also be because my collection is smaller in comparison to most of the users on here.

The sky high prices, are what they are. Me complaining about them, won't change it. I still enjoy the hobby, I plan on collecting for a long time, this is a hobby of patience and time. Deal with the good and the bad.

[Exhibitman]

The guy with the jet was taking millions in inventory and $500K in cash with him. If I had that sort of stuff to haul a private jet would be the way to do it. Hell, if I ever decide to move farther than a drive away thats how my modest by comparison collection will go with me. With armed logistics at both ends of the trip and a safe deposit box waiting at the destination city.

As far as the boom (and bust), you know what they say: never wrong, only early.

I don't buy the it is all manipulated stuff. The prices we saw over the weekend in Love of the Game were not shilled, they were real collectors buying cards. Al is as proactive and honest as it gets when it comes to shilling and other games. I trust his integrity to run a clean auction. I've already spoken with some of the winners and underbidders of some of the expensive cards and they are all legit. There is definitely a degree of thievery out there but it is not all-encompassing. If you believe otherwise, just walk away, because this obviously is causing you more distress than enjoyment.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The guy with the jet was taking millions in inventory and $500K in cash with him. If I had that sort of stuff to haul a private jet would be the way to do it. Hell, if I ever decide to move farther than a drive away thats how my modest by comparison collection will go with me. With armed logistics at both ends of the trip and a safe deposit box waiting at the destination city.

As far as the boom (and bust), you know what they say: never wrong, only early.

I don't buy the it is all manipulated stuff. The prices we saw over the weekend in Love of the Game were not shilled, they were real collectors buying cards. Al is as proactive and honest as it gets when it comes to shilling and other games. I trust his integrity to run a clean auction. I've already spoken with some of the winners and underbidders of some of the expensive cards and they are all legit. There is definitely a degree of thievery out there but it is not all-encompassing. If you believe otherwise, just walk away, because this obviously is causing you more distress than enjoyment.

I think the time has come for an "index" or list of the most commonly shilled cards.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Agree but doubt they will. That would have to be on an American Greed Show.

Anyone know those directors to get a show produced?

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