Collectors (PSA) Acquired SGC

[hcv123]

This is so bad for so many reasons! I hope those emergency lights on Jeff's post indicate he or someone in a position to challenge this from a monopolistic perspective (potentially hurts Beckett and CGC the most) are going to do so. How can a single company be allowed to own 85% of a given market?

[topcat61]

Originally Posted by hcv123

This is so bad for so many reasons! I hope those emergency lights on Jeff's post indicate he or someone in a position to challenge this from a monopolistic perspective (potentially hurts Beckett and CGC the most) are going to do so. How can a single company be allowed to own 85% of a given market?

The Federal Trade Commission would or could study to see if there's a potential impact on consumers through a formula they use to determine monopolization. Personally, I think the data is there to warrant an investigation by the FTC. According to the Gemerate numbers, PSA\Collector's Universe has 78% of the grading market while SGC has 10%. You can file an inquiry with the FTC at ant time but the problem the hobby may run into is getting the FTC to understand how this affects consumers. I don't think Lina Khan is a collector of Sports cards but the FTC has investigated the hobby's inner-workings on 3 seperate occasions.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by topcat61

The Federal Trade Commission would or could study to see if there's a potential impact on consumers through a formula they use to determine monopolization. Personally, I think the data is there to warrant an investigation by the FTC. According to the Gemerate numbers, PSA\Collector's Universe has 78% of the grading market while SGC has 10%. You can file an inquiry with the FTC at ant time but the problem the hobby may run into is getting the FTC to understand how this affects consumers. I don't think Lina Khan is a collector of Sports cards but the FTC has investigated the hobby's inner-workings on 3 seperate occasions.

As I posted on either this or the other thread, the increase in the HHI index (sum of the squares of market shares) certainly suggests a significant increase in market concentration in an already highly concentrated market. But being below reporting thresholds, and involving discretionary spending on sportscards, not sure the government would care.

[JimC]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

As I posted on either this or the other thread, the increase in the HHI index (sum of the squares of market shares) certainly suggests a significant increase in market concentration in an already highly concentrated market. But being below reporting thresholds, and involving discretionary spending on sportscards, not sure the government would care.

To piggyback on Peter's comments - - discretionary spending by an overwhelmingly white, middle aged and economically healthy (we hope) demographic. I'm not sure I see the folks at DOJ wringing their hands trying to figure out how to protect us from Big Grading!