OT:Auction sales hit record $15 billion as young, wealthy collectors enter the market

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Tell me again how this is in any way a hobby.

You said it yourself, it's an investment asset class.

I am in the insignificant minority. I do care about the cards. Only the cards. I'll create an investment portfolio some other way.

I tend to agree with you both. And I am a collector and I do care about the cards and long term I do also care about it as a potential investment portfolio. Because I can both enjoy my hobby while having an investment portfolio.

Additionally many "collectors" and hobbyist fund their collections and upgrades on the flipping of their existing cards are cards that they intentionally buy to flip for this fund source.

[Fred]

I have a difficult time looking at my cardboard as an asset class. If it gets uber-stupid, I'll be cashing out and finding something else to do for a hobby.

For now, I guess the trick will be to figure out what's going to sky rocket next and try to stay ahead of the curve. Any guesses on what's next?

When you see the BST offering one Bitcoin for a VG '33 Goudey Ruth, we'll know N54 has been infiltrated...

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by Fred

I have a difficult time looking at my cardboard as an asset class.

This sometimes heard "it's just cardboard, so it's silly that it's an asset" outlook never considers the basics of why some intangible goods can be worth so much.

People obviously enjoy looking at (and owning) those goods enough to drive prices up. Art, sportscards, comic books, and many other examples. They elicit positive feelings of nostalgia, escapism, learning about history, and so much else.

A lot more to it than it just being "cardboard" or "silly cartoon drawings"

[Schlesinj]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

This sometimes heard "it's just cardboard, so it's silly that it's an asset" outlook never considers the basics of why some intangible goods can be worth so much.

People obviously enjoy looking at (and owning) those goods enough to drive prices up. Art, sportscards, comic books, and many other examples. They elicit positive feelings of nostalgia, escapism, learning about history, and so much else.

A lot more to it than it just being "cardboard" or "silly cartoon drawings"

I am pretty certain we all use paper to pay for things.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I am a collector and I do care about the cards and long term I do also care about it as a potential investment portfolio. Because I can both enjoy my hobby while having an investment portfolio.

Ditto.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I tend to agree with you both. And I am a collector and I do care about the cards and long term I do also care about it as a potential investment portfolio. Because I can both enjoy my hobby while having an investment portfolio.

Additionally many "collectors" and hobbyist fund their collections and upgrades on the flipping of their existing cards are cards that they intentionally buy to flip for this fund source.

I concur. I have been buying and selling stocks for years in spare time, but it's not very gratifying. Collecting vintage/pre-war cards is fun and potentially a decent investment. I feel like I am having my cake and eating it too.

And I do try to help fund my investment by occasionally selling cards for a profit. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

What I fear though is that too much money will drive investment in algorithms or other market manipulation to try to find and exploit potentially undervalued cards on ebay/auction houses and then snatch them up, thereby reducing the ability to bargain hunt. My nightmare is a bot that quickly compares prices to VCP/130Point/wherever and then buy up all bargains. Wherever there is a lot of money to be had, there will be effort to exploit potential profit, and we are at the point now where there is a lot of money to be had.