2025 Topps Chrome VeeFriends

[Chrominator]

https://i.ibb.co/sprSZJZR/Gk-Li-Gs-VW4-AIq-R-e.jpg (https://ibb.co/sprSZJZR)


Collect 100 Base Set cards across a variety of Chrome parallels, and look to collect the entire colorful Manga Speckle Set showcasing all 100 Base Set characters!

Be sure to keep an eye out for a variety of unique chase cards including Sketch Cards from artists and top influencers, as well as special Blank Canvas sketch cards from GaryVee himself!


3 #’d Parallels or Short Prints guaranteed per box!

18 packs per box - 4 cards per pack

12 boxes per case


Where: Topps.com powered by EQL
When:
— Opens: April 8 at 9AM ET
— Closes: April 8 at 5PM ET

[eastbayak]

2 da m00n

[cmixer]

Funny story.
In 2021, I ran the Twitter handle @sketchcards
Gary Vee slid into my DM's to discuss the future of sketch cards
(this was before the first VeeFriends drop).

Unrelated, but my Twitter account was later hacked & hijacked so I never really got to connect on a good level; but it's interesting to see he is still into sketch cards.

[Scottish Punk]

2 da m00n

ha, ha.

Pump and Dump incoming....

[The Accountant]

didn't see that coming!

[eastbayak]

ha, ha.

Pump and Dump incoming....

Why can't we VeeFriends?
Why can't we VeeFriends?
Why can't we VeeFriends?
Why can't we VeeFriends?

[eastbayak]

Heads up, for those actually interested, there's a Sapphire Edition too.

I came across the details (to be eligible for them) on another site the other day, can't remember where but you can probably find it with a simple search.

[LittleJimmies]

Heads up, for those actually interested, there's a Sapphire Edition too.

I came across the details (to be eligible for them) on another site the other day, can't remember where but you can probably find it with a simple search.

If you are a Gift Goat holder, you can already claim your 1 pre-order box. I don't have any idea what that means.

[LittleJimmies]

https://i.ibb.co/sprSZJZR/Gk-Li-Gs-VW4-AIq-R-e.jpg (https://ibb.co/sprSZJZR)


Collect 100 Base Set cards across a variety of Chrome parallels, and look to collect the entire colorful Manga Speckle Set showcasing all 100 Base Set characters!

Be sure to keep an eye out for a variety of unique chase cards including Sketch Cards from artists and top influencers, as well as special Blank Canvas sketch cards from GaryVee himself!


3 #’d Parallels or Short Prints guaranteed per box!

18 packs per box - 4 cards per pack

12 boxes per case


Where: Topps.com powered by EQL
When:
— Opens: April 8 at 9AM ET
— Closes: April 8 at 5PM ET

I think this product is so so stupid, but there are a lot of stupid people out there and the bolded part could provide some rocket fuel for pumpers depending on who draws. Influencers are masters at selling stupidity as entertainment and this could be a pinnacle stupidity moment for all.

It's a product designed for kids, but meant to be sold to adults to sell to other adults under the pretense that kids want it, even though none will make it into kids hands. Fun.

[eastbayak]

If you are a Gift Goat holder, you can already claim your 1 pre-order box. I don't have any idea what that means.

Haha yeah, that sounds like what I read.

Like you, I have no clue what it means.

[Wolverine011]

Haha yeah, that sounds like what I read.

Like you, I have no clue what it means.

Gift Goat is one of the VeeFriends NFTs. Holders of that NFT are entitled to one free Sapphire box.

[bub838]

ha, ha.

Pump and Dump incoming....

Gary Vee is the pumpiest and dumpiest of them all!

[LittleJimmies]

Gift Goat is one of the VeeFriends NFTs. Holders of that NFT are entitled to one free Sapphire box.

From what I found on the Google machine, a Gift Goat NFT is now selling for upwards of 3.2 WETH, which is . . . gulp . . . $5000 :confused:

I also found this amazing video of Gary V creating the Gift Goat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt9ErmRkZ5c . Really, just incredible amazing quality stuff :D

[eastbayak]

From what I found on the Google machine, a Gift Goat NFT is now selling for upwards of 3.2 WETH, which is . . . gulp . . . $5000 :confused:

I also found this amazing video of Gary V creating the Gift Goat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt9ErmRkZ5c . Really, just incredible amazing quality stuff :D

LOL!!

Gotta give it to the guy, using his influence to make bank on his 1-minute doodles.

Incredible hustler!

[ATLOTP]

It's a product designed for kids, but meant to be sold to adults to sell to other adults under the pretense that kids want it, even though none will make it into kids hands. Fun.

This is a perfect summary. Gary Vee is trying to engineer the next SpongeBob. The problem is that Gary Vee cannot create SpongeBob, even if he wants to and has hired people to help him, even if he spends money creating content based on his characters, even if he gets his product in stores.

[eastbayak]

This is a perfect summary. Gary Vee is trying to engineer the next SpongeBob. The problem is that Gary Vee cannot create SpongeBob, even if he wants to and has hired people to help him, even if he spends money creating content based on his characters, even if he gets his product in stores.

He’s a hustler. He doesn’t care as long as what he’s getting out is more than what he’s putting in.

#MugLife

[glorbgorb]

Things like this make me hate being a collector. It's so eye-rolling. I know on a fundamental level it doesn't impact me whatsoever because I will never buy any of it. But I still hate it.

[Scrub]

...also they put it behind EQL so everyone has a "fair shot" at it, yet the releases that have actual demand they just feed to the bots.

[PrinceVegeta]

...also they put it behind EQL so everyone has a "fair shot" at it, yet the releases that have actual demand they just feed to the bots.

That is actually insane lol..are we having fun yet

[premium1981]

The term pump and dump will not come close to describing what will happen with these. We need new words for what is coming. I'll be watching for the fun factor.

[rysportguy]

Feels like a bad time to be dropping these, crypto people are all poor right now which I think is the main buyers (not entirely sure). Price point isn't too bad though. I'll take a shot on 2.

[premium1981]

Feels like a bad time to be dropping these, crypto people are all poor right now which I think is the main buyers (not entirely sure). Price point isn't too bad though. I'll take a shot on 2.

Any crypto person who didn't cash out (at least temporarily) when Bitcoin hit 100k is a moron. Who knows, it may go to a million, but it was obviously going to take a dip after hitting that mark. That is how the smart ones are making money. Running it up, selling when new heights are met, and then waiting for the pullback to buy more and do it again.

[nabzy28]

Haven't all the other EQL offerings had a 1 hour window to enter?

[bub838]

Haven't all the other EQL offerings had a 1 hour window to enter?

Yes they have- keeping it open this long gives ample time for new customers.

[eastbayak]

Haven't all the other EQL offerings had a 1 hour window to enter?

Yes they have- keeping it open this long gives ample time for new customers.

They likely expanded the EQL window because they knew 1 hour wouldn't be enough time to sell enough boxes (and couldn't offload enough of the leftovers to the other retailers).

[The Accountant]

Dang, I didn't see the case listing. Was it not on topps site? closed 4 hours ago

[waterdog]

Dang, I didn't see the case listing. Was it not on topps site? closed 4 hours ago 2 box limit

[Howie7107]

No dice on the case. Got 2 boxes. 2 DA MOOOOOOOOOON!

[Bob Ross]

Where was the case link? I didn't see it at all. WTF.

Hit boxes on 2 separate accounts. That can't be a good sign.

[Rozarks]

So do we like this more or less than Metazoo Topps Chrome?

[kyle1707]

If people are dumb enough to buy it

They deserve what they get

Although in this market it would not surprise me if the boxes go up in value

[The Accountant]

Where was the case link? I didn't see it at all. WTF.

Hit boxes on 2 separate accounts. That can't be a good sign.

they didn't advertise it. bummed...

[ricebellypanda]

Case link was up early and then closed like an hour later. Hit 2 boxes but seems a bunch of people didn't get it. Not sure what I'm going to do with it...

[bub838]

Odds https://www.topps.com/media/amasty/amfile/attach/qMu4uEekHCm0UECnGnYgr7nGqa4sza7P.pdf

I didn't hit on EQL.

[dd316]

I can't wait for a whole new round of videos with dudes getting excited for Empathetic Elephant.

[finfangfan]

Here’s a link to the Blowout Zerocool thread started a few years ago around the original Veefriends release. It would have been interesting to see what other types of products Zerocool would have released via the Dutch Auction format had Fanatics not acquired Topps and made Zerocool redundant.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1509926

[YayNJ]

proof people will buy any old shitt

[crdbored]

Odds https://www.topps.com/media/amasty/amfile/attach/qMu4uEekHCm0UECnGnYgr7nGqa4sza7P.pdf



About 2,900 cases going 2 da moon.

[armyml]

This dude Gary was in the Topps Town Hall meeting for Hobby Stores and talked for 10-15 minutes.

-Sounds like they want this to compete with Pokemon(Good luck)
-He mentioned if Hobby Shops are going to carry the product he is going to send his "followers" to the store. I don't know if this is something as basic as calling out a store on social media, or if Topps will eventually have a database similar to Warhammer where people could put in their zip codes and it would spit out stores within X radius that carry this product.
-Mentioned Topps limited print run to ensure success
-Hobby stores will get offered if they have purchased Star Wars/Entertainment products in the past.
-Whether we believe in this dude or not, Topps does so there's money behind it.

Make of it what you will. To me, as a store owner, it's just another product to put on the shelf.

[bub838]

This dude Gary was in the Topps Town Hall meeting for Hobby Stores and talked for 10-15 minutes.

-Sounds like they want this to compete with Pokemon(Good luck)


lol, Pokemon still has a basic utility in that people actually play the game, a lot of people. He will never compete with Pokemon. What a moron.

[glorbgorb]

He's not dumb enough to think it could compete with Pokémon. He just needs his bros to believe he believes it can. This will sell well because of his name alone. And that's the sad state of the hobby these days.

[YayNJ]

After his shenanigans in sports cards, I'm surprised people still fall for his shameless grifting.

then again....

https://media2.giphy.com/media/6L015gMEW3pFC/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952kmbjxtytg0wuh6jehynx44n9yjxbj3kduby3w21a&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

[eastbayak]

GV is only saying what he needs to sell/hype the product. I highly doubt he actually believes it'd compete with Pokemon. But if you share a "vision" of the product's future, you'll have more people (especially "investors") willingly spend money on your product (and, especially, the 1st release).

[Bob Ross]

Wait a second.

Fanatics raised the price of Hobby boxes of this for the main release to $139.99 from the $99.99 preorder price?

https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMjJnd29iYWIzOW5ieG53Mmgyd2RjbGRvZWJoMGV1Y3Znd3JqZmlmciZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/1dNLLlpEUbeD8peO4e/giphy.gif

Thanks, Fanatics! Keep up the great work!

[premium1981]

Wait a second.

Fanatics raised the price of Hobby boxes of this for the main release to $139.99 from the $99.99 preorder price?

Thanks, Fanatics! Keep up the great work!

Well, considering they are selling for over $300 I don't think thats too bad honestly. Surprised they didn't go higher. I have seen Gary V pop up in multiple places pumping this stuff. I don't understand the appeal but I think its going to rocket ship up and rocket ship back down.

[BamBam22]

Well, considering they are selling for over $300 I don't think thats too bad honestly. Surprised they didn't go higher. I have seen Gary V pop up in multiple places pumping this stuff. I don't understand the appeal but I think its going to rocket ship up and rocket ship back down.

Its for the kids though right?

[premium1981]

Its for the kids though right?

I'm really not sure who the end consumer would be for something like this. I guess his social followers?

[crdbored]

I guess this is what all the pumping is about..

https://x.com/Topps/status/1918406385336799595?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[cmixer]

LOL ... an entrepreneur's favorite entrepreneur

[ZappBrannigan]

Veer must have had to bend Rubin over a couple times to get this out.

[Rictor]

Veefriends has a Whatnot account where they draw comics live and give out free stuff. I couldn't even suffer through their content for the free giveaways.

[ZappBrannigan]

Pure crap.Gary needs a new boat.

[IndySportsCards]

$325 a box for me locally. I passed.

[premium1981]

$325 a box for me locally. I passed.

You were wanting to open some? That seems to be market price. I find this release to be very fascinating. I think its almost solely Vee Peeps buying it. Are there enough of them to run it up? I think thats what they are trying to do. I also wonder if Gary V has too big of an ego to let it fail. Does he buy his own boxes up and create a floor? I love watching "different" types of card releases and trying to figure out what will happen.

[glorbgorb]

I think its almost solely Vee Peeps buying it. Are there enough of them to run it up? I think thats what they are trying to do. I also wonder if Gary V has too big of an ego to let it fail. Does he buy his own boxes up and create a floor?

I would say "yes" to all those statements and questions.

[crdbored]

You were wanting to open some? That seems to be market price. I find this release to be very fascinating. I think its almost solely Vee Peeps buying it. Are there enough of them to run it up? I think thats what they are trying to do. I also wonder if Gary V has too big of an ego to let it fail. Does he buy his own boxes up and create a floor? I love watching "different" types of card releases and trying to figure out what will happen.

The fact he named this product after himself tells me all i need to know.
Some are trying to compare this to pokemon LOL

Gary's friends ARE buying these boxes and a breaker put out a 25k bounty on the Rubin 1/1 auto.
They are pushing certain characters to be "chase" chards.
Clearly a grift. Boxes are droppin at 139.99 on wed and resales are trying to push this at $300+.

This product is a "hobby" circle jerk lol what a joke!
Fanatics 10x :flex:

[bub838]

You were wanting to open some? That seems to be market price. I find this release to be very fascinating. I think its almost solely Vee Peeps buying it. Are there enough of them to run it up? I think thats what they are trying to do. I also wonder if Gary V has too big of an ego to let it fail. Does he buy his own boxes up and create a floor? I love watching "different" types of card releases and trying to figure out what will happen.

Thought the same thing about him buying his own product, and I would 100% believe it's going to happen.

[glorbgorb]

Well, if we can all agree that the Veebros are the ones mainly pumping and buying, then at least they are shuffling around money amongst themselves.

[IndySportsCards]

You were wanting to open some?

Not at all. I don't see a market for it outside of those influenced by Gary. I don't see it growing. I see no future for it.

[premium1981]

Not at all. I don't see a market for it outside of those influenced by Gary. I don't see it growing. I see no future for it.

Ah ok. I misunderstood your post. I thought you inquired wanting to buy some but passed based on price.

[CicadaMound]

The cartoons and comics aren't all utter dreck but they aren't good either. They're too didactic, which is a problem with media built around an ideology first - except here instead of a religion, it's hustle culture.

[kingofsnake]

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExcW1qNmFlM21nMnEyaTRsbnpvYTBjcGliY2JydGtpaGJjZXlja3BucyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/l0HlE1f2qNA8paMak/giphy.gif

[CicadaMound]

That gif has more soul than any of the Veefriends media I've seen.

[Chrominator]

EQL Launch is now open

https://launches.topps.com/en-US/launch/2025-topps-chromer-veefriends-hobby-box

[mossoholic]

If they were going to limit this to 1 box, why in the world is it EQL?

[Chrominator]

Just read all of the EQL info...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54503730440_8b26fd4244_z.jpg

It's interesting that you have better chances every time you enter.

[Chrominator]

If they were going to limit this to 1 box, why in the world is it EQL?

I'm sure bots can handle anything, even at one at a time.

[DioBrando]

So what is the market for this garbage? Who does this crap even appeal to?

[Chrominator]

So what is the market for this garbage? Who does this crap even appeal to?

Mostly to those who suffer from FOMO ;)

[oldgoldy97]

So what is the market for this garbage? Who does this crap even appeal to?

:cry:

Great point.

[Chrominator]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54503895700_5539a14b85.jpg


At least I boosted my chances for next drop.

[Mattsurewood]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54503895700_5539a14b85.jpg


At least I boosted my chances for next drop.

Yes--I just got the same email.

[Gidtheson]

Seeing Gary V on GMFB this morning was cringe

[bamafan244]

Got my one blaster at GameStop. Happy with my one . https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250507/6f61bf2ad5b1e90e5efca469468136c4.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kyle1707]

Grading
Breaking
Quadruple box prices and make them worse
Raccoon cards

Sports and non sport card collectors are the easiest prey

[CicadaMound]

me when u insult raccoon cards

https://img.comc.com/i/Non-Sports/1994/Pleasant-American-Girl---Kirsten-Base/53/Changes-for-Kirsten-(The-Little-Raccoon).jpg?id=c8504f44-49c5-45f3-a180-dc83069e6d20&size=original (https://www.comc.com/Cards/Non-Sports/1994/Pleasant_American_Girl_-_Kirsten_Base/53/Changes_for_Kirsten_(The_Little_Raccoon)/13673384)
1994 Pleasant American Girl - Kirsten [Base] #53 - Changes for Kirsten (The Little Raccoon)
Courtesy of COMC.com (https://www.comc.com)

[MotorboatJones]

Wow. This is absolute garbage

[premium1981]

Wow. This is absolute garbage

One man's garbage is sometimes truly garbage and not another man's treasure. I would love to read the internal discord dialogue between the people in this "VeeFriends" circle.

[cmixer]

I have to imagine if a collector gets 30% ROI from selling singles on eBay (because the secondary market does not support this product) then Gary V moves on to another project?

[FatButcher]

I have to imagine if a collector gets 30% ROI from selling singles on eBay (because the secondary market does not support this product) then Gary V moves on to another project?

Only if that collector then stops buying the grift. More likely is they get burned but touch the stove a few more times and Gary Vee will be happy to keep it lit for them.

[oldgoldy97]

Never forget a guy talked people into drinking kool aid.

[crdbored]

I have to imagine if a collector gets 30% ROI from selling singles on eBay (because the secondary market does not support this product) then Gary V moves on to another project?

Unfortunately, this is a multi-year partnership or whatever.
Topps/Fanatics/Rubin will continue making griftfriends sets in the future.
Chrome, Sapphire, Bowman, Ben Baller, Dynasty, Midnight, Cosmic, etc.

I've also heard that this year's will be the shortest printed set lol
10x! :coffee:

[premium1981]

Unfortunately, this is a multi-year partnership or whatever.
Topps/Fanatics/Rubin will continue making griftfriends sets in the future.
Chrome, Sapphire, Bowman, Ben Baller, Dynasty, Midnight, Cosmic, etc.

I've also heard that this year's will be the shortest printed set lol
10x! :coffee:

I think thats the key to this game plan. Even if Gary V or Fanatics has to buy up cards and boxes on the secondary market, I don't think they will allow this to fail. If they can send this one to "da moon" then it will allow them to print 400% more boxes for 2026 VeeFriends and more than cover their costs on this one. Gary V is a used car salesman who is taking advantage of his platform, but he isn't dumb. Heck, if he really wanted to create a buzz he would tell his minions to help him run up box prices to a grand.

I saw there were a couple of Shark Tank autographs on ebay. I haven't looked at the checklist, but he should of pulled whatever strings he has and gotten all of them to sign. That would have been a big selling point for a lot of people. As someone who works for themselves, I love that show. They should have gotten all of the regular hosts, and even some more of the guest hosts. Shaq has been on the show, among many others.

[notoriousrmb]

BO is already selling blasters at 100...

[oldgoldy97]

I think thats the key to this game plan. Even if Gary V or Fanatics has to buy up cards and boxes on the secondary market, I don't think they will allow this to fail. If they can send this one to "da moon" then it will allow them to print 400% more boxes for 2026 VeeFriends and more than cover their costs on this one. Gary V is a used car salesman who is taking advantage of his platform, but he isn't dumb. Heck, if he really wanted to create a buzz he would tell his minions to help him run up box prices to a grand.

I saw there were a couple of Shark Tank autographs on ebay. I haven't looked at the checklist, but he should of pulled whatever strings he has and gotten all of them to sign. That would have been a big selling point for a lot of people. As someone who works for themselves, I love that show. They should have gotten all of the regular hosts, and even some more of the guest hosts. Shaq has been on the show, among many others.

Why can’t he do this with Apple stock?

[PurplesaurusRex]

So when is the kid's book dropping? 5 year olds are gonna eat this up.

[Carrbeaz]

I didn't read the rest of the thread, but did anyone say this is just Metazoo 2.0?

This looks utterly terrible.

[crdbored]

I didn't read the rest of the thread, but did anyone say this is just Metazoo 2.0?

This looks utterly terrible.

I was in a breaker room where I mentioned this was the new Metazoo and was quickly told it was not LOL

No real market for this. Straight up meme coin material.
People getting told what the "chase" cards are screams GRIFT.

[Brobocop]

I have to laugh at Gary and Rubin signing some of their cards with their doo-doo GPAs on them, as if that's some kind of flex. I know the type of person who sees that and thinks it's appealing are the same people who spend hundreds of dollars on Entrepreneur Elf parallels.

[PrinceVegeta]

Got 8 boxes coming from lids..just waiting for them to get delivered to flip them

[ATLOTP]

did some math with the odds and came out with approximately 31k blasters and 24k hobby boxes. not a lot of the product out there, but also, who actually wants this? four pages of posts and no one is a fan of Veefriends. the most a tweet about this product gets is sixty likes. Veefriends YouTube channel gets like a thousand views per video. Gary Vee believes in his new Pokemon Marvel whatever IP, people believe in him, but why?

[maneonemo]

did some math with the odds and came out with approximately 31k blasters and 24k hobby boxes. not a lot of the product out there, but also, who actually wants this?

Since when is this not a lot of the product? Rittenhouse Archives releases like 3k well thought out boxes for actually strong IPs and the secondary market can't even support that. And you are talking about over 10x++ that.

[ATLOTP]

Since when is this not a lot of the product? Rittenhouse Archives releases like 3k well thought out boxes for actually strong IPs and the secondary market can't even support that. And you are talking about over 10x++ that.

Yeah, ok, the number is large compared to Rittenhouse Archives, it's not large compared to Heritage. It's not large compared to Bundesliga Chrome. It's not large compared to 1992 Donruss.

[bub838]

I don’t know who’s buying this but the hobby boxes are drying up quickly. They’re heading for $400

[premium1981]

I don’t know who’s buying this but the hobby boxes are drying up quickly. They’re heading for $400

I still don't know who is buying, but someone is. But I am still of the mind that the Vee Army won't let this fail and Gary V won't let it fail. According to Terapeak, there were 15 cards sold for $400 or more yesterday alone (a single card to cover the current box price). Of those 15, 10 of them covered more than double the cost of a box. And that does not even consider the handful of massive bounties that are out there on cards in the range of $25k. That blows most other sports releases out of the water.

I still personally think they are the stupidest cards I have ever seen, but I'm starting to think the demand (only within his following) might be real. Stupid, but real. Maybe comparable to a cult defending its leader. With the completed sales showing on top of the bounties in the breaks that will continue to drive demand these may dry up fast and the stupidity will reach new levels. And these completed listings aren't just shilled auctions, a lot of BIN and BO being hit. Crazy to watch, but fun to try and predict. Its also interested that the big sellers haven't or aren't putting much up for sale. They are holding onto their stashes. That usually says something too.

[Bob Ross]

I don’t know who’s buying this but the hobby boxes are drying up quickly. They’re heading for $400

The lack of Hobby boxes available is more a sign of how backdoored this product was and basically none available on the 2nd EQL release. The preorder price of $99 and 2qty was before the fix was in.

[armyml]

Boxes up to 460 a box on DA. People don't seem to have a problem buying $23 dollar packs at my store. Recently listed a /25 card for $750. I don't get it, but I don't have to in order for something to be popular.

Learned that very early when I opened my store. Had I only have done it the way I wanted instead of listening to the market I would be a strictly sports store and wouldn't have any Pokemon/Magic. Turns out I'm still around after 4 years BECAUSE of Pokemon.

[bub838]

Buffalo has a buy offer of 3k for a box of sapphire.

[fabiani12333]

Products like this expose how much manipulation there is in the market.

[Tim]

The usual BO naysaying going on and while I am not going to defend this product I'm also going to monitor it and hold off on making an opinion right now. There are obvious red flags to think this product is bad. But I see some things that I normally don't see with bad products too that are surprisingly encouraging.

Tons of negative comments without any real substance behind them in this thread.

[premium1981]

Boxes up to 460 a box on DA. People don't seem to have a problem buying $23 dollar packs at my store. Recently listed a /25 card for $750. I don't get it, but I don't have to in order for something to be popular.

Learned that very early when I opened my store. Had I only have done it the way I wanted instead of listening to the market I would be a strictly sports store and wouldn't have any Pokemon/Magic. Turns out I'm still around after 4 years BECAUSE of Pokemon.

This. The vast majority of new stuff that becomes popular wasn't looked at favorably when first released. That is one of the reasons I enjoy following new products. I like to challenge myself with numbers and my own predictions (up or down) and see how close I can get to being accurate. I'm mainly a baseball guy, and I can predict those products with my eyes closed. These kinds of releases challenge me and I have to really dig into the market to pull my predictions together. I love the challenge. For the record, I still think these are stupid. I don't think its all market manipulation though. I'm thinking this is more cult manipulation than market manipulation. I think there are a number of people in this circle that actually think these are cool. Go figure. After lunch yesterday I did a quick look for breakers streaming this and was surprised by how many were breaking it at the same time.

[premium1981]

The usual BO naysaying going on and while I am not going to defend this product I'm also going to monitor it and hold off on making an opinion right now. There are obvious red flags to think this product is bad. But I see some things that I normally don't see with bad products too that are surprisingly encouraging.

Tons of negative comments without any real substance behind them in this thread.

These members opinions are pretty much worthless. Because its always the same. They go through life and have the same negative outlook on everything. This could end up crashing off a cliff (like I first thought) and they would be right, but it still wouldn't really mean anything. If you think everything is good or if you think everything is bad, you are going to be correct a few times. I've also found that most of these opinions, as you have already stated, have nothing behind them. I like to actually look and see what is happening. Look at sales of sealed, singles, breaking demand, future outlook, etc. With this one specifically, I still think it will not be allowed to fail, even if it starts trending that way.

[bub838]

These members opinions are pretty much worthless. Because its always the same. They go through life and have the same negative outlook on everything. This could end up crashing off a cliff (like I first thought) and they would be right, but it still wouldn't really mean anything. If you think everything is good or if you think everything is bad, you are going to be correct a few times. I've also found that most of these opinions, as you have already stated, have nothing behind them. I like to actually look and see what is happening. Look at sales of sealed, singles, breaking demand, future outlook, etc. With this one specifically, I still think it will not be allowed to fail, even if it starts trending that way.

Yup, if this product starts to dip I’m sure they’ll release more bounties or announce some sort of future utility to a specific card. People with a specific veefriends NFT were able to turn it in for a Sapphire preorder, which gives some insight into the fanbase we’re looking at.

You’ve touched on it, but this product is a prime example that there’s whole parts of the hobby that exist outside of the BO bubble.

[premium1981]

Yup, if this product starts to dip I’m sure they’ll release more bounties or announce some sort of future utility to a specific card. People with a specific veefriends NFT were able to turn it in for a Sapphire preorder, which gives some insight into the fanbase we’re looking at.

You’ve touched on it, but this product is a prime example that there’s whole parts of the hobby that exist outside of the BO bubble.

Bounties do wonders for product demand through breakers. I'm not in that circle of people, but from what I have seen/heard through my random clicks into breaks, it looks like there are at least 3 massive bounties. That means the demand won't ease till those are hit. At least 2 of them to slow it down. Any time a gambler can drop $50-$100 with chance of a $25,000 payout they will do it. I feel like a broken record when I say it, but the fractionilzation of costs in this hobby has truly changed the game (breakers). People will say $500 is too much for a box of cards. Yes, probably is for one person. But $25 a spot for 20 people isn't too much. Hence prices getting to levels that do not make sense on the surface. This applies to any product that has demand, not just this one.

[Brobocop]

Yup, if this product starts to dip I’m sure they’ll release more bounties or announce some sort of future utility to a specific card. People with a specific veefriends NFT were able to turn it in for a Sapphire preorder, which gives some insight into the fanbase we’re looking at.

You’ve touched on it, but this product is a prime example that there’s whole parts of the hobby that exist outside of the BO bubble.

Back when I went to an LCS close to my ex, I told him all the time he needed to be more open minded to products like this or even Pokemon. Not sure if he ever did but I'm not shocked that a new store opened right around the corner from him who has a massive section dedicated to Pokemon. This product is pure slop and garbage in my eyes, but you can't be blind to things like this when operating a store.

I told him a million times that he needed to join this board and frequent it just to get an idea of what was coming down the pike. Never did that either.

[Chrominator]

Closed minded = closed doors

[49erRCCollector]

If there is an organic market for this that exists outside the BO bubble, then I freely admit I am not part of it.

I also suspect even the ones here condemning the “I hate everything” BO gang don’t get it either.

We did this dance with Gary and graded base cards and NFTs five years ago, yeah? Sometimes things are what they seem.

[PumpnDumpling]

Closed minded = closed doors


Opened Minded = Spread those Cheeks

[crdbored]

If there is an organic market for this that exists outside the BO bubble, then I freely admit I am not part of it.

I also suspect even the ones here condemning the “I hate everything” BO gang don’t get it either.

We did this dance with Gary and graded base cards and NFTs five years ago, yeah? Sometimes things are what they seem.

This is the biggest thing for this product. How organic the growth can be.
Bounties and lists with "chase" characters don't really show it's organic.

Breakers and buyers are comparing it to Pokemon at launched but that's such a bad comparison
because Pokemon had so many things going for it. Characters grew followings over time.

These VeeFriends characters are getting pushed into becoming a thing when the art and names are so unimaginative.
The product itself will not fail though. Topps has too much into this with their multi-year partnership.

Maybe $30 packs will seem like a steal in 5 years....lol

[Chrominator]

Opened Minded = Spread those Cheeks

Even Minded = Open doors w/ closed cheeks :)!

[YayNJ]

It's amazing seeing adults do anything to defend steaming piles of shitt if money can be made.

[premium1981]

It's amazing seeing adults do anything to defend steaming piles of shitt if money can be made.

I don't think anyone is defending the product. Its a joke and I truly believe my 12 year old son could draw better cards. Unless I overlooked it, I don't think anyone says they like it here and will be buying. The only conversation really happening is around demand. Is there demand, is it real, and who is it from? Before release I had the opinion that it would sky rocket up and lose its boosters and fall straight back down. But that was just my initial gut. The data since release has shown that might not be the case. I tracked a case break today at noon on whatnot to add to my data points. 103 total spots, all auctioned off at $1. Total bids when all was tallied (not counting fees) was $8,400. That is $700 a box. This ins't an opinion, this isn't crapping on the product, and it isn't pumping the product. Its just factual information. I clicked on another random 10 box blaster break and the bids from it tallied to $1,600. And after getting my calculator out, that comes to $160 a blaster box. That is why prices continue to rise. People are buying it.

[Chrominator]

I only started this thread bc I thought it was funny

[YayNJ]

We live in a society where kids aspire to be 'influencers' and teens see flipping and grifting as career paths. I understand why it's 'going up' and that's why it's so depressing.

[Chrominator]

I think you're going a little overboard.

Yes, this is the most ridiculous thing since NFTs.

But it's new and shiny.

[premium1981]

We live in a society where kids aspire to be 'influencers' and teens see flipping and grifting as career paths. I understand why it's 'going up' and that's why it's so depressing.

The whole "I'm a part of something" is a big reason it happens. My family had this discussion recently. About how kids and young people don't hang out and do things like previous generations did. Instead of going home with a friend from school, there is much more "meeting online" for that connection. Even if its with a friend from school. They meet online to play minecraft or some other random game or meet in breaks to enjoy their hobby together. Its strange, its sad to a degree, but its the world we now live in. And I think people like Gary V can really prey on those kinds of people with characters like the Erect Elephant.

[Chrominator]

Dude... tell me you're joking about the elephant

edit: I think you are; I mean, you gotta be, right?

[crdbored]

The whole "I'm a part of something" is a big reason it happens. My family had this discussion recently. About how kids and young people don't hang out and do things like previous generations did. Instead of going home with a friend from school, there is much more "meeting online" for that connection. Even if its with a friend from school. They meet online to play minecraft or some other random game or meet in breaks to enjoy their hobby together. Its strange, its sad to a degree, but its the world we now live in. And I think people like Gary V can really prey on those kinds of people with characters like the Erect Elephant.

THAT's the chase right there.

:)!

[premium1981]

Dude... tell me you're joking about the elephant

edit: I think you are; I mean, you gotta be, right?

I pretty sure its in there but I am not positive. I know there are a lot of rare cards, so maybe its a hard one.

[al3xmac10]

A 5-box lot just sold on FB for $2k

[al3xmac10]

i just searched vee friends elephant on ebay

[CicadaMound]

This has organic appeal within the Veedome but it's too full of impenetrable in-jokes for anyone else to fully grasp, and unlike Pokémon in the 90's, where the associated media was actually good, the best stuff Gary puts out is in years of YouTube videos and hourslong livestream hangouts that you can't familiarize yourself with quickly.

[Tim]

A 5-box lot just sold on FB for $2k

That's cheap compared to actual sales from earlier today.

[fabiani12333]

We live in a society where kids aspire to be 'influencers' and teens see flipping and grifting as career paths. I understand why it's 'going up' and that's why it's so depressing.

Is TC VeeFriends one of the seven signs of the apocalypse?

[bub838]

i just searched vee friends elephant on ebay

Now try “Erect Elephant” on Google

[PurplesaurusRex]

Now try “Erect Elephant” on Google

No thanks, not interested in trying it. :cry:

[armyml]

I list a lot of cards on Ebay for my store. I've got over 7k feedback and running. Today I listed 6 Veefriends cards. I had 4 offers within 10 minutes(all lowball). Eventually BINS just got smashed on them all. Base card for 19 bucks(some cat) Variation of the cat with blue eyes instead of yellow for $120. And a beetle /25 for $300.

I don't know who these people are but people are buying the singles as well as the boxes. Even listing Bowman baseball singles on release day I didnt get offers that quick.

[bub838]

Sales on terapeak at $450.
This is fascinating to watch.

[dd316]

I don't know who these people are but people are buying the singles as well as the boxes. Even listing Bowman baseball singles on release day I didnt get offers that quick.

FOMO - gotta get em now before they go up up up!! At least it sounds like you made some money off it, can't say that about many products nowadays.

Curious, does the boom of this set drive interest in the older stuff?

[Spinz]

All I’m going to say is I understand release strategy, I understand the target market, and I understand what Gary and Rubes are tryna do. But the fact that they made it damn near impossible to get ahold of without having the money for a VeeFriends NFT helps no one

[49erRCCollector]

I list a lot of cards on Ebay for my store. I've got over 7k feedback and running. Today I listed 6 Veefriends cards. I had 4 offers within 10 minutes(all lowball). Eventually BINS just got smashed on them all. Base card for 19 bucks(some cat) Variation of the cat with blue eyes instead of yellow for $120. And a beetle /25 for $300.

I don't know who these people are but people are buying the singles as well as the boxes. Even listing Bowman baseball singles on release day I didnt get offers that quick.

I don’t think anyone is questioning that this is happening.

They are questioning why.

[crdbored]

All I’m going to say is I understand release strategy, I understand the target market, and I understand what Gary and Rubes are tryna do. But the fact that they made it damn near impossible to get ahold of without having the money for a VeeFriends NFT helps no one

This is a tactic to ensure the product "sells out" and creates FOMO for all the fanatics live and whatnot bois.

I've heard they tried to keep this print run on the lower side and the following editions will get bigger and bigger print runs.
This first year product "scarcity" just means the following editions will "sellout" because FOMO.

[oldgoldy97]

I only started this thread bc I thought it was funny

:cry:

Now you see how the most innocent of intentions spiral out of control.

[premium1981]

HALF case break running right now on whatnot. Total bids tally to $5,733. Holy freaking cow that is crazy. $11k case equivalent. Daaaaang. Breakers are making so much money. No wonder so many people do it.

[CicadaMound]

In interviews Gary claims he wanted a higher print run but Topps vetoed that. If base Chrome is like this, the even shorter printed Sapphire is going to be nuts.

[PumpnDumpling]

Gary gives off all kinds of 10X pdf vibes - Bookmark it

When the Docuseries on your fav streaming plat debuts he'll make the toybox killer look like Mrs Doubtfire

[fabiani12333]

For those who believe or claim to believe in this product -- what is your best sales pitch for it? That Gary has loyal followers who will buy what he tells them to buy?

The truth is, yes, Gary and Topps probably won't let this product fail, even if it's dog crap. Gary is an influencer who's brand is based around being able to move markets. If this product fails, it reflects poorly on him. If the product succeeds, it could help bolster his image.

So those people who bought at release know it's rigged and will only go up in price, and therefore are guaranteed a return on their investment.

Like I said -- products like these expose how much manipulation there is in the hobby.

[Tim]

For those who believe or claim to believe in this product -- what is your best sales pitch for it?

The truth is, yes, Gary and Topps probably won't let this product fail.

You know you just answered your own question, right?

[fabiani12333]

You know you just answered your own question, right?

Yeah, that was my point. The sales pitch wouldn't be based around the product itself -- because it's transparently crap and we all know it -- but the rigging and market manipulation.

And no, it's not Pokemon 2.0 -- that is such a shallow comparison. Pokemon is a TCG that had a proving ground in Japan before coming to the US in conjunction with a popular animated show.

[Tim]

Yeah, that was my point. The sales pitch wouldn't be based around the product itself -- because it's transparently crap and we all know it -- but the rigging and market manipulation.

And no, it's not Pokemon 2.0 -- that is such a shallow comparison. Pokemon is a TCG that had a proving ground in Japan before coming to the US in conjunction with a popular animated show.

I don't disagree with anything you are saying, but I'm a collector and an investor. Sometimes separately and sometimes, as with Disney chrome, simultaneously. I wouldn't touch this product as a collector, but as an investor, I have gotten to a different place.

[premium1981]

I wouldn't touch this product as a collector, but as an investor, I have gotten to a different place.

This is the way. If something is obviously going to go up in price, why not buy a little and let it pay for something you really like? I know, someone will come in and have something to say about evil flippers, but that is capitalism. That is literally how our world runs. People will put money into stocks to hopefully pay for retirement. When half the country decided to take the "Elon is evil" approach and attack Tesla the stock plummeted to levels that were not normal. I don't care if people like him or not, but I saw an opportunity. I put money into Tesla stock and have made 30% returns since I did it. In approximately 1 month. Even the people who hate Elon could have done that. But they chose to just hate instead. Heres a tip, you can hate and still make money when the opportunity presents itself. This is why some people can never move up in the world. They choose to complain instead of do something. Separate what you like, and what is a good opportunity. Your finances will thank you.

And in summary, I still think VeeFriends is one of the stupidest things I have ever seen. But when you see case breaks bringing in $7,000 - $11,000 each it doesn't take a rocket scientist to come to a conclusion about demand. And its happening in multiple places at the same time by multiple breakers. Does anyone think box prices stay close to $400 if breakers are getting returns like above? And here is the good part, you can keep watching and see if demand falls off. If buy ins fall to $5,000-$6,000 per break then maybe the demand is softening. But that isn't happening right now. Rare cards are still selling for four figures, and there are multiple five figure bounties out there. There is nothing that says this will fail other than the people who just choose to not look at the facts. And I still remain steadfast in my opinion that the product will not be allowed to fail. And also, as a reminder, I though it would be nothing but a pump and dump to start. Data has changed my mind.

[premium1981]

I don’t think anyone is questioning that this is happening.

They are questioning why.

A youtube video was upload yesterday of him making his rounds and this is the top comment:

"So happy Daily Vee is back! Feels like everything is finally starting to get back to normal & I mean me. Veefriends is a community I never knew I needed so this means a lot to me a collector/buyer of all things. Veefriends is taking over the 🌎 🐱"

He has an entire army that has bought into his schtick. The craziest part to me is how he keeps saying over and over that he is doing this for kids and families. But he has one of the foulest mouths I have ever heard. F bombs 3 times in some sentences. There is nothing kid friendly about him. But his circle of influence is strong. They soak it up.

[maneonemo]

I don't care if people like him or not, but I saw an opportunity. I put money into Tesla stock and have made 30% returns since I did it.

It doesn't count if you announce it after the fact after you saw the outcome play out. All the paper excel traders on youtube do what you just did, shout to the rooftops about how much they made after the fact cherry picking data that makes them look good.


But when you see case breaks bringing in $7,000 - $11,000 each it doesn't take a rocket scientist to come to a conclusion about demand.

You are looking at the left side of the chart, the past. It's of little interest, tell us about the future before waiting for it to see it play out.

Does anyone think box prices stay close to $400 if breakers are getting returns like above?

There is no way for me to short boxes and singles. Why shouldn't the singles go down bigly long term?

and there are multiple five figure bounties out there

And what legal guarantee do I have that I'll be able to get paid from such a bounty?

There is nothing that says this will fail other than the people who just choose to not look at the facts.

Similar things were said by LUNA, stamps (as in stamp collectors), coins fanboys. Or if we need to look closer to home, look at performance of pretty much nearly all singles from non-sport releases of the last couple of years. Wasn't the hype for Topps Marvel Chrome even bigger? Where are the boxes now compared to shortly after the release? How much did the biggest chase of the product - Frank Miller sketches sell for? Measly 1k for an Elektra sketch, compared to ~$700 boxes on release.


A youtube video was upload yesterday
He has an entire army that has bought into his schtick.

Dude has 4.6M youtube followers and his last cards videos only pulled 17k and 29k views. Some army that is.

[Chrominator]

:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:
:coffee:

[DynaEtch]

Like I said -- products like these expose how much manipulation there is in the hobby.

So, so true. I can see the sports crowd is going hard on this. Level of manipulation off the charts.

[Bob Ross]

Where was the case link? I didn't see it at all. WTF.

Hit boxes on 2 separate accounts. That can't be a good sign.

Fun to look back on my post on page 2.

[Tim]

So, so true. I can see the sports crowd is going hard on this. Level of manipulation off the charts.

Lol, you haven't learned i see from your similar Disney chrome falsehoods. :rolleyes:

[DynaEtch]

Lol, you haven't learned i see from your similar Disney chrome falsehoods. :rolleyes:

Usual suspects in here to jump onto any chrome release to make a buck…everything checking out as expected. And no- the manipulation in sports with Disney Chrome isn’t false. :rolleyes:

Fabiani you are right on with your posts- some people just don’t call ducks ducks though

[Chrominator]

Anyone here open any of this yet?


Would love to start seeing some pics but no larger than 640px wide pls :cool:

[premium1981]

It doesn't count if you announce it after the fact after you saw the outcome play out. All the paper excel traders on youtube do what you just did, shout to the rooftops about how much they made after the fact cherry picking data that makes them look good.


Way too much to respond to point by point, because it isn't worth the hassle. But just to hit the first two points before moving on. I did "announce" the trade ahead of time. I said it in one of the baseball threads where someone was complaining about something and said there has to be easier ways to make money. Tesla was rock bottom and I said it was about as easy of a slam dunk as any stock purchase ever made. Because the deflated price had nothing to do with anything other than raw emotions. The Elon hatred arrived quickly after and it turned political so everything go deleted by the mods. I don't think that I have ever made a declaration of something being a good place to put money without doing it myself.



You are looking at the left side of the chart, the past. It's of little interest, tell us about the future before waiting for it to see it play out.



You can't do that here. Then all you hear are the people claiming you are pumping it to the moon. A couple of years ago I would make actual dollar predictions but quickly learned how that played out. The responses got really old and I stopped because it wasn't worth it. The second thing that happens is market followers when someone has a track record of being correct. All of us are wrong from time to time, but I have a very solid track record of picking the correct products that have demand and go up in value. So good actually, that I have watched members here run to make the same play which hurt my buying. So put those two together and I just stopped. Now I give a little insight here and there but it is almost never with specifics for that reason.

The rest of your comments are just mouth diarrhea. Pretty much all singles of everything go down over time with very few exceptions. That has almost zero to do with sealed product value.

[premium1981]

So, so true. I can see the sports crowd is going hard on this. Level of manipulation off the charts.

Instead of yelling at the clouds, tell us how exactly its being manipulated. Outside of the obvious Gary V marketing. What is actually being done to manipulate the prices? Be specific. I have given specific information about the market activity with hard numbers and data. I would love to be shown how its all wrong. Because like you, I thought that is exactly what would happen at release. But unlike you apparently, I keep an open mind and actually look for data once a product hits the market. Then I go strictly off what is happening.

[sketchopolix]

...But unlike you apparently, I keep an open mind and actually look for data once a product hits the market. Data is a four letter word.

[crdbored]

Instead of yelling at the clouds, tell us how exactly its being manipulated. Outside of the obvious Gary V marketing. What is actually being done to manipulate the prices? Be specific. I have given specific information about the market activity with hard numbers and data. I would love to be shown how its all wrong. Because like you, I thought that is exactly what would happen at release. But unlike you apparently, I keep an open mind and actually look for data once a product hits the market. Then I go strictly off what is happening.

Fanatics has been manipulating it's releases lately. The most obvious one being the '24 Heritage High.

At release, boxes dropped on the Topps site for $100 and quickly "sold out."
Secondary prices subsequently shot up. Some time later, Fanatics must have found extra stock lying around or printed more (sarcasm) and put it up on their Fanatics site for $159.99 adjusting it to the secondary prices they fueled.
It basically ensured that HN would not go down in price.
HN is still up and readily available.

Across other releases, Topps has been limiting allocation to their site. Since moving to the Shopify site, some users have been able to see the little inventory stock on some product. (probably using a browser extension)

Topps got smart with the TC VeeFriends and put it behing an EQL drop.
It would not be surprising if some LCS and breakers get more product at a "market" price or if Fanatics puts up boxes on their site at $399.99.

[fabiani12333]

Dude has 4.6M youtube followers and his last cards videos only pulled 17k and 29k views. Some army that is.

Google AI -- Google and YouTube share the same parent company, Alphabet -- has this to say about possible fake YouTube subscriber counts:

Fake subscriber counts on YouTube can be identified through various indicators, including high subscriber counts with low engagement, sudden spikes in subscriber numbers without corresponding content activity, generic or irrelevant comments, and inconsistent audience demographics. Tools like Influencer Hero's Fake Follower Checker, Modash, and HypeAuditor can help analyze influencer accounts and detect fake subscribers.

Here's a discussion on YouTubers possibly paying for fake subscribers: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewTubers/comments/1bimnte/do_you_think_people_secretly_pay_for_subsviews/

You too can instantly gain thousands of fake subs for twenty bucks:

Paid $20 each on 3 vids and gained over 3000 subs.

[premium1981]

Fanatics has been manipulating it's releases lately. The most obvious one being the '24 Heritage High.

At release, boxes dropped on the Topps site for $100 and quickly "sold out."
Secondary prices subsequently shot up. Some time later, Fanatics must have found extra stock lying around or printed more (sarcasm) and put it up on their Fanatics site for $159.99 adjusting it to the secondary prices they fueled.
It basically ensured that HN would not go down in price.
HN is still up and readily available.

Across other releases, Topps has been limiting allocation to their site. Since moving to the Shopify site, some users have been able to see the little inventory stock on some product. (probably using a browser extension)

Topps got smart with the TC VeeFriends and put it behing an EQL drop.
It would not be surprising if some LCS and breakers get more product at a "market" price or if Fanatics puts up boxes on their site at $399.99.

I get your point, but I don't see that as manipulating the prices. I see it as them wanting more of the actual value as opposed to blowing it all out at their first cheap price for presales. This is nothing new, distributors have always done this. You just couldn't see it unless you had that direct pricing. The only thing that has changed is Fanatics doing it on the front end.

But again, I don't see that as manipulating prices. Heritage High was going to go up in price regardless. The secondary market was going to dictate that. If I own every Ohtani rookie autograph, and they are worth $1,000 each, it would be a stupid business move to sell them all at $400 knowing they are worth far more.

I understand the hatred towards Fanatics, but at the end of the day it isn't changing secondary prices. As the saying goes, "the market is going to market". If you were to take over Fanatics tomorrow as their CEO and decided to do a release like HHN as a straight $99 a box until sold out, you would be a horrible CEO.

When I hear the term "manipulating prices" I think more along the lines of Gary V releasing this set, and then Gary V buying up all the boxes and running up all the auctions. That is market manipulation. And although I'm sure that was probably a play in his playbook that could have been deployed, I don't think it was needed here.

[premium1981]

Google AI -- Google and YouTube share the same parent company, Alphabet -- has this to say about possible fake YouTube subscriber counts:


Fake subscribers or not, crappy videos don't go viral often. Even when I am watching market videos on other topics like Pokemon or TCG the big guys even admit that they have to use click bait to get views. Guys like Rudy have to tell the world Pokemon is crashing in the title to get views. So I take subscribers, and also views with a grain of salt. It doesn't mean much. Especially not when there are so many other things to go off of that have merit.

[armyml]

Fanatics has been manipulating it's releases lately. The most obvious one being the '24 Heritage High.

At release, boxes dropped on the Topps site for $100 and quickly "sold out."
Secondary prices subsequently shot up. Some time later, Fanatics must have found extra stock lying around or printed more (sarcasm) and put it up on their Fanatics site for $159.99 adjusting it to the secondary prices they fueled.
It basically ensured that HN would not go down in price.
HN is still up and readily available.


Fanatics has been running releases the same since they took over regardless of product. High Number had massive hype because it was Skenes AND the 1975 year. Started around 200, got to 220 or so, now its 150.

As a store owner I see it every release. Topps does their little EQL drops on their website but they have no say on what the price to customer is going to be on products that sell out on their website(which is like 90% of them).

I don't care what cost is from Topps for my cases, I have to wait to see what the Big 3 price stuff at for sports or TCGplayer for gaming to see whether I'm going to make a profit or lose my ass.

MSRP on Veefriends is like what...120 bucks or something? Far as I can see its places like Dave and Adams and BO that put boxes up for pre-order at 400 dollars and everyone just kind of follows suit. It isn't Topps/Fanatics manipulating at that level. Now talking bounties/artificial scarcity is a different story. Thats just good marketing on their part and people seem to drink the Kool Aid. Don't hate the player hate the game.

[bub838]

I've been watching box prices with morbid curiosity. Congrats to anyone who's held on, hobby boxes have hit $500.

[Tim]

I've been watching box prices with morbid curiosity. Congrats to anyone who's held on, hobby boxes have hit $500.

Yup, and blasters up nearly 100% from initial pricing too.

[PrinceVegeta]

Sold my boxes at $400 and blasters at $100. Actually insane

[sketchopolix]

Sold my boxes at $400 and blasters at $100. Actually insaneAnd right now you could sell boxes for $450 to DA who wants to sell them for 30% more

Kudos to Tim on calling this waaaay back.

Now I'm just waiting for two influencers to crack open their wallets and buy their supers. It's gotta be worth a bunch of views to post your own super on your socials, right???

[DynaEtch]

Instead of yelling at the clouds, tell us how exactly its being manipulated. Outside of the obvious Gary V marketing. What is actually being done to manipulate the prices? Be specific. I have given specific information about the market activity with hard numbers and data. I would love to be shown how its all wrong. Because like you, I thought that is exactly what would happen at release. But unlike you apparently, I keep an open mind and actually look for data once a product hits the market. Then I go strictly off what is happening.

Data is a four letter word.

I think there is misunderstanding here what is even being discussed. The price data itself does not reveal the motivations behind demand and what people are doing with a product. This is like me saying back during the pandemic the escalating prices themselves of 90 Marvel Universe boxes proves there is no manipulation (wut).

The question is are people buying this up at $400-500 a box because they are big collectors of Gary VeeFriends….or they think they can sell it for $750 a little later and because it’s a Topps Chrome release, which as usual is dominated by the sports crowd….and to keep the whole game going. Will let the reader decide for themself.

[bub838]

I think there is misunderstanding here what is even being discussed. The price data itself does not reveal the motivations behind demand and what people are doing with a product. This is like me saying back during the pandemic the escalating prices themselves of 90 Marvel Universe boxes proves there is no manipulation (wut).

The question is are people buying this up at $400-500 a box because they are big collectors of Gary VeeFriends….or they think they can sell it for $750 a little later and because it’s a Topps Chrome release, which as usual is dominated by the sports crowd….and to keep the whole game going. Will let the reader decide for themself.

Probably a little of both. The cult is real.

[armyml]

I think there is misunderstanding here what is even being discussed. The price data itself does not reveal the motivations behind demand and what people are doing with a product. This is like me saying back during the pandemic the escalating prices themselves of 90 Marvel Universe boxes proves there is no manipulation (wut).

The question is are people buying this up at $400-500 a box because they are big collectors of Gary VeeFriends….or they think they can sell it for $750 a little later and because it’s a Topps Chrome release, which as usual is dominated by the sports crowd….and to keep the whole game going. Will let the reader decide for themself.

What would be a good set to look at the data and compare the amount of singles sold for X amount of time vs. sealed boxes. I'm trying to think of something that was somewhat limited that people jumped on boxes to flip but didn't open too much of. Dune maybe or was that too limited?

[DynaEtch]

What would be a good set to look at the data and compare the amount of singles sold for X amount of time vs. sealed boxes. I'm trying to think of something that was somewhat limited that people jumped on boxes to flip but didn't open too much of. Dune maybe or was that too limited?

Dune is the first thing that came to mind as well. Some of these sets like Dune, and presumably this, will have drastic price discrepancies between sealed boxes and singles.

[armyml]

Dune is the first thing that came to mind as well. Some of these sets like Dune, and presumably this, will have drastic price discrepancies between sealed boxes and singles.

And whats crazy is the boxes never come back down to Earth as the singles prices do. Combining that with boxes getting "aged" ie out of print they just never really come down to reality. I don't know if this is the best example but stuff like 2017 FUSM where the box is sitting at almost 3k now but PMGs and Marvel singles have definitely cooled off significantly from where they were during the bubble/boom.

[PrinceVegeta]

And right now you could sell boxes for $450 to DA who wants to sell them for 30% more

Kudos to Tim on calling this waaaay back.

Now I'm just waiting for two influencers to crack open their wallets and buy their supers. It's gotta be worth a bunch of views to post your own super on your socials, right???

I'm not complaining easy money in a hard market

[bub838]

Recent hobby sales: 580, 625, 550, 483, 516, 550
Blasters: 135, 125, 129, 121

[Xiarmadillo]

Metazoo 2.0

If you like to collect these for whatever reason great!

but mostly just hot potato/burger flips for a quick cash grab, primary and secondary market alike

[premium1981]

I think there is misunderstanding here what is even being discussed. The price data itself does not reveal the motivations behind demand and what people are doing with a product. This is like me saying back during the pandemic the escalating prices themselves of 90 Marvel Universe boxes proves there is no manipulation (wut).

The question is are people buying this up at $400-500 a box because they are big collectors of Gary VeeFriends….or they think they can sell it for $750 a little later and because it’s a Topps Chrome release, which as usual is dominated by the sports crowd….and to keep the whole game going. Will let the reader decide for themself.

It doesn't matter, both still has end user demand. You can cut the middle man out of car sales too. It doesn't change the fact that there is end user demand.

Your example A: Someone buys a box for $500 because they are big collectors of VeeFriends. That is front end obvious demand.

Your example B: A flipper buys a box for $400 a month ago thinking they could get $500 now. Or $500 now thinking they can get $700 later. Who buys from them? Yes, there may be other flippers thinking they can go even higher, but you can actually look to see if that is whats happening or not. Especially now with how easy it is to find information on the internet.

I said many months ago that I actually looked at the numbers and made my judgements off of that. The pump and dump products happen really fast and that house of cards quickly tumbles. Demand products usually just show tiny pullbacks but overall a trend up upwards movement. That is what happened with this product. Why you ask? Because of breakers. Todays card market is not the same as a year ago, much less 5 years ago. There are so many breakers fractionalizing the costs of these products that its a vacuum in the sealed product market. They can't get enough, and because of that the prices for products that have demand are usually only up. Going back to my previous comment, I saw the actual end user demand weeks ago and even put it in here. Breakers were pulling in $10k in revenue on these case breaks. I haven't looked in the last week or so, but these breaks were being filled with no problem at all and on multiples channels and platforms. You cannot have boxes remaining at $400 when 12 box case breaks are brining in $8k, $9k, and $10k in revenue. That is why they are now $500. And I don't see anything making that trend line reverse.

Here is my questions though. when something is this obvious and people still refuse to admit it, why is that? Is it a fear of admitting being wrong? Is it an ignorance towards reality? I really don't understand. No one knows what the future holds 6 months, a year, or 5 years down the road, but if this was strictly a pump and dump it would have shown itself already. As stupid as the product is in my mind, the demand is there. There are people out there who still refuse to admit our Earth isn't flat, so I guess no matter what the discussion is there will always be people who refuse to see reality. To each their own.

[Xiarmadillo]

These cards released early April, I don't think you can say 'if it is a pump and dump it would have shown itself already", for all we know its still in the pump stage

If you made money flipping great, and you are right, it matters NOT to flippers who the end user is, as long as its flippable/scalpable who cares.

If you like the cards to collect at the prices now and dont care if it goes up or down then it also doesnt matter just buy it at what price you are happy and can afford

If you are looking to get in to hold for appreciation I would say there are enough red flags you should stay the F away as there are better risk rewards elsewhere. But hey your money can do whatever you like

[premium1981]

These cards released early April, I don't think you can say 'if it is a pump and dump it would have shown itself already", for all we know its still in the pump stage


You conveniently left off everything that I posted about why its not "in the pump stage". For some odd reason, no one ever argues the actual data/numbers. The actual spots that are being purchased every single day in these breaks. The actual amount breakers are pulling in. The only argument is basically "I don't like it".

[Xiarmadillo]

You conveniently left off everything that I posted about why its not "in the pump stage". For some odd reason, no one ever argues the actual data/numbers. The actual spots that are being purchased every single day in these breaks. The actual amount breakers are pulling in. The only argument is basically "I don't like it".

What evidence? that there are degenerate gamblers out there willing to cha ching away their cash as long as there is a subgroup of 'bountied' card as lottery to fulfil the 'chase'?
That is as part of the pump as anything. By disproportionally bid up the top draws you get a larger delta in price/value for the uninformed gambler to chase

[premium1981]

What evidence? that there are degenerate gamblers out there willing to cha ching away their cash as long as there is a subgroup of 'bountied' card as lottery to fulfil the 'chase'?
That is as part of the pump as anything. By disproportionally bid up the top draws you get a larger delta in price/value for the uninformed gambler to chase

The majority of the all the card market is based around "gambling". A $100 box of cards is a gamble as much as a $1,000 box of cards is. Opening it yourself is as much of a gamble as buying into a break is. Bounties are part of demand, as they are in other industries. Its called marketing, to drive sales. That is the entire purpose. "We are giving away a free xxxx to one lucky customer who shops here today". You are describing demand in your argument saying there is no demand. You just don't like kind of demand.

"Yes, people are buying boxes at high prices, breaks are selling for high prices, singles are selling for high prices. But its all phantom demand. No one really wants it." :doh::doh::doh: Ok :rolleyes:

[oldgoldy97]

What evidence? that there are degenerate gamblers out there willing to cha ching away their cash as long as there is a subgroup of 'bountied' card as lottery to fulfil the 'chase'?
That is as part of the pump as anything. By disproportionally bid up the top draws you get a larger delta in price/value for the uninformed gambler to chase

No reason trying to explain.

[Chrominator]

Let's see some pulls!

[PumpnDumpling]

Let's see some pulls!

lol, yeah lets

[bub838]

Hobby prices dipped over the weekend.

[dd316]

Once the product dries up and is no longer actively being opened by breakers, I suspect interest will fall off a cliff.

[Tim]

Hobby prices dipped over the weekend.

Not sure what you are looking at but D/A went through - again - all their hobby supply at $600 per box. They are now aggressively buying at $450 per. That is the true barometer of current market conditions.

[Tim]

Here is my questions though. when something is this obvious and people still refuse to admit it, why is that? Is it a fear of admitting being wrong? Is it an ignorance towards reality? I really don't understand. There are people out there who still refuse to admit our Earth isn't flat, so I guess no matter what the discussion is there will always be people who refuse to see reality. To each their own.

Yup, all you have to do is read through the 2023 Disney thread to see this weird phenomenon in an even more egregious and shocking light.:confused:

[bub838]

Not sure what you are looking at but D/A went through - again - all their hobby supply at $600 per box. They are now aggressively buying at $450 per. That is the true barometer of current market conditions.

I'm just looking at ebay completed and current asks.

DA's buy price isn't new, it's been $450 since at least Wednesday of last week. We also don't know if they sold out or "sold out" over the weekend. The quantity buying was 33 hobby heading into the weekend and it's down to 9 as of right now, so someone decided over the weekend to unload at $450.

I don't know if its going up, down or leveling off. I don't have any boxes so I don't care either way. I'm just following it for fun.

[crdbored]

Boxes will surely go up singles will not.

[DynaEtch]

Here is my questions though. when something is this obvious and people still refuse to admit it, why is that? Is it a fear of admitting being wrong? Is it an ignorance towards reality? I really don't understand. No one knows what the future holds 6 months, a year, or 5 years down the road, but if this was strictly a pump and dump it would have shown itself already. As stupid as the product is in my mind, the demand is there. There are people out there who still refuse to admit our Earth isn't flat, so I guess no matter what the discussion is there will always be people who refuse to see reality. To each their own.

The irony of this paragraph is quite amusing. If you cant see that so much of a release like this is artificial- not sure what to tell you. I disagree with you. It does serve its purpose of the usual gambling and flipping though.

Who are you collecting in this- Fearless Fairy, Hustling Hamster, Empathy Elephant? Who is anyone collecting in it, and why is there essentially no talk of that anywhere in this thread? It’s oddly all just about who got in during the box drops, what box prices are doing. Dealers and people from sports. I’m debating this with someone presumably from sports whether this is product is being manipulated by the usual sports crowd…sigh. Check out most sellers on eBay of this stuff and what else they are selling: hint it’s very commonly ultra modern sports across the board hopping onto a Chrome release whatever it is. (I’m half convinced you could have “Topps Chrome Sack of Dirt” as a new novel set and it would eventually get the usual box escalation game and flipping treatment, and go through the artificial cycles.)

There is the usual contingent of a small few posters who will fully support such a release since it can make them a buck. It’s the same thing from them in all these nonsports Chrome threads. One important thing to remember: collectors don’t want high prices- they want low prices. The glee at rising prices of boxes etc in such threads is very telling in itself, whether these people are actually collecting this stuff or not.

[premium1981]

Who are you collecting in this- Fearless Fairy, Hustling Hamster, Empathy Elephant? Who is anyone collecting in it, and why is there essentially no talk of that anywhere in this thread?

Here is your flaw my friend. Blowout is an antiquated message board. It does not represent the hobby anymore. A huge chunk of what is left are the collectors from yesteryear. They don't like change, they don't like new things, they think everything is wrong because it doesn't fit into what has always been. I've been here longer than almost anyone, I know what the board is and who is here. Don't believe me? Find some "new and hip" discords or facebook groups and compare the topics and people posting. You think the Vee cult doesn't exist because they aren't posting here? Tom Brady doesn't post here either, but it doesn't mean he isn't actively participating in the hobby. Things are so much bigger and wider than what blowout posters with blinders on like to accept. And once more, as I feel like it needs to repeated, I think this product is ridiculous and shouldn't have demand. But my opinion doesn't change the facts. And neither does a yard full of "true collectors" out on the lawn shaking their fists at the clouds as they roll past.

[premium1981]

collectors don’t want high prices- they want low prices.

We get it, collectors want rock bottom prices and for everyone else to stay out of their sandbox. If "true collectors" had their way the hobby would only have about 100 people in it total and they would be able to buy all the products they want for $25 a case with every case yielding an abundance of everything. Also, no one new would ever be invited into this exclusive club of 100 people full of such knowledge and wisdom that no one else could ever match.

[DynaEtch]

Better things to do than debate with a sports seller who thinks “Chrome VeeFriends” is mostly organic demand. Keep thinking this is the case…I disagree

[Xiarmadillo]

going down the rabbit hole:

https://mariolongtin.substack.com/p/gary-vee-vaynerchuck-exposed

[premium1981]

going down the rabbit hole:

https://mariolongtin.substack.com/p/gary-vee-vaynerchuck-exposed

Way too much info in there, but I will absolutely agree with anyone and everyone who says he is a scamer, grifter, fraud, and any other word you want to use for him. I wouldn't trust him with anything. But, as we have all seen through time, these kinds of people often have a whole lot of people who believe them and believe in them. You can throw the cult leaders who claim they are Jesus, and are so good at their deception that people will literally kill themselves because they are told to. Or someone like Bernie Madoff who was the same type of person, just better at hiding it for a period of time and milking his investors into bankruptcy. The list goes on and on. But all of these type of people have something in common. A group (or cult) that fully believes in them. I feel like that is similar to what has happened with VeeFriends.

[Tim]

I'm just looking at ebay completed and current asks.

DA's buy price isn't new, it's been $450 since at least Wednesday of last week. We also don't know if they sold out or "sold out" over the weekend. The quantity buying was 33 hobby heading into the weekend and it's down to 9 as of right now, so someone decided over the weekend to unload at $450.

I don't know if its going up, down or leveling off. I don't have any boxes so I don't care either way. I'm just following it for fun.

Another case listed and sold instantly today, and this one at a higher price point. Ditto for their blaster case today too.

[bub838]

Hobby boxes selling $500-$550, while blasters are touching $160. DA still buying at $450 without much movement.

[sketchopolix]

Blaster case sold for 7k

[Tim]

Blaster case sold for 7k

That was mine. Sold one for 6k and then7k. Made 5k not counting fees in a month's time on 2 blaster cases.

Have ZERO interest in these cards or brand but saw this coming. Happy to move on!

[Chrominator]

That was mine. Sold one for 6k and then7k. Made 5k not counting fees in a month's time on 2 blaster cases.

Have ZERO interest in these cards or brand but saw this coming. Happy to move on!

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/520ed800e4b0229123208764/55a9c80d-3aac-4e0f-9fed-24cf6ce8cbd5/geto+boys+fire.gif

[Tim]

6IJCFc_qkHw


Opening verse:


Same theory applies

Really? How so?

[Chrominator]

It was just a compliment to your gangsta ways, that's all.


Bold moves = bold prizes

I wasn't trying to be confusing — it was just the first thing that I thought of.

[Tim]

It was just a compliment to your gangsta ways, that's all.


Bold moves = bold prizes

I wasn't trying to be confusing — it was just the first thing that I thought of.

I'm old, need an 80's reference instead lol.

[finfangfan]

I'm old, need an 80's reference instead lol.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ifD3S4fAL._UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

Or did you mean 1980’s?

[bub838]

Blasters hitting $175 and hobby hitting $600 on ebay. They're still rising but slowly. Buffalo finally raised their hobby buy price to $480.

Side note, every single hobby box on auction has been won and paid for by the same bidder.

[Xiarmadillo]

Blasters hitting $175 and hobby hitting $600 on ebay. They're still rising but slowly. Buffalo finally raised their hobby buy price to $480.

Side note, every single hobby box on auction has been won and paid for by the same bidder.

A true veefriend, deserving of a 1/1 in the next set, and maybe a special dinner

[eastbayak]

Blasters hitting $175 and hobby hitting $600 on ebay. They're still rising but slowly. Buffalo finally raised their hobby buy price to $480.

Side note, every single hobby box on auction has been won and paid for by the same bidder.

Would be funny if it were Gary V (and even funnier if he's sitting on a stash of boxes).

[LionsJets1323]

I actually won the EQL yesterday for 2 boxes of the Veefriends sticker collection with the Steph Curry autos that happened yesterday. Interested to see how popular these are?

[notoriousrmb]

Here is your flaw my friend. Blowout is an antiquated message board. It does not represent the hobby anymore. A huge chunk of what is left are the collectors from yesteryear. They don't like change, they don't like new things, they think everything is wrong because it doesn't fit into what has always been. I've been here longer than almost anyone, I know what the board is and who is here. Don't believe me? Find some "new and hip" discords or facebook groups and compare the topics and people posting. You think the Vee cult doesn't exist because they aren't posting here? Tom Brady doesn't post here either, but it doesn't mean he isn't actively participating in the hobby. Things are so much bigger and wider than what blowout posters with blinders on like to accept. And once more, as I feel like it needs to repeated, I think this product is ridiculous and shouldn't have demand. But my opinion doesn't change the facts. And neither does a yard full of "true collectors" out on the lawn shaking their fists at the clouds as they roll past.

This is the most accurate statement of the year. I'd say 90% of the hobby has no interest in message boards - its tiktok, instagram and whatever other social media of the moment is making the rounds. So many hot takes on this board that may have been true 15 years ago that no longer apply to the card industry.

[bub838]

Would be funny if it were Gary V (and even funnier if he's sitting on a stash of boxes).

That was my first thought as well, or atleast someone connected to him.

[armyml]

This is the most accurate statement of the year. I'd say 90% of the hobby has no interest in message boards - its tiktok, instagram and whatever other social media of the moment is making the rounds. So many hot takes on this board that may have been true 15 years ago that no longer apply to the card industry.

"Card Twitter" is unfortunately a term I hear a lot and wish it wasn't a thing. I don't have a Twitter or X or whatever it is now so if some big story in the card world happens I normally have to wait for a random FB group to talk about it or wait for it to show up on reddit.

[bub838]

"Card Twitter" is unfortunately a term I hear a lot and wish it wasn't a thing. I don't have a Twitter or X or whatever it is now so if some big story in the card world happens I normally have to wait for a random FB group to talk about it or wait for it to show up on reddit.

I don't think "Card Twitter" is any better or worse then "Card Facebook" or "Card Reddit" tbh.

[Xiarmadillo]

Get ready for Chrome Sapphire Veefriends!
LAWLS

Only 600 (although there are 775 boxes of hits) boxes and ....

Box content, 32 cards including 4 parallels to 25 or less....all for the cheap price ('preselling' on bay for $8200 a box)

1) Almost no chance any joe blow can get box at preorder
2) Post release expect big pump to induce FOMO
3) Profit and we are all friends

[Americards]

Get ready for Chrome Sapphire Veefriends!
LAWLS

Only 775 boxes and ....

Box content, 32 cards including 4 parallels to 25 or less....all for the cheap price ('preselling' on bay for $8200 a box)

1) Almost no chance any joe blow can get box at preorder
2) Post release expect big pump to induce FOMO
3) Profit and we are all friends


EQL

https://veefriends.runfair.com/en-US/us/topps-veefriends-chrome-2025-sapphire-edition

[Xiarmadillo]

So I guess they will have 10-20 boxes available for EQL. save the rest for VIP breakers/direct at 5 times mark ups like Marvel Chrome Hobby
A seller on bay supposedly already got box ready to ship....Real or not who knows

[bub838]

So I guess they will have 10-20 boxes available for EQL. save the rest for VIP breakers/direct at 5 times mark ups like Marvel Chrome Hobby
A seller on bay supposedly already got box ready to ship....Real or not who knows

I thought the NFT holders received most of the boxes. They’ve started receiving their boxes, singles have been popping up.

[kakarot12]

Well….I didn’t win. I had to try. D&A are literally currently buying these for $5K so that would’ve been a quick, huge profit.

[kingofsnake]

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMmpiMXljaXUyZXdtMDEzb2ZycXhkZmI0ZjdrcGlrdzJmOHRvemI2eCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/fxwnsAUBYw3sc/giphy.gif

[bub838]

Preorder case of stickers sold for $2000.