First Buzz: 2025 Topps Chrome baseball cards

[Soxrule111]

I miss $20 Blasters, I want to open some but cant do $40

[Chrominator]

Originally Posted by Soxrule111

I miss $20 Blasters, I want to open some but cant do $40

Feel that

[GaryPayton]

Judge is hurt all the AJ buybacks breakers are pulling and calculating into their "hits" might just be regular cards.

[letsgoredwings9]

Originally Posted by premium1981

So much to unpack here, but I'll give brief bullet points:

A) For every person that leaves the hobby because of pricing/unhappiness there are multiple more coming into the market. What they see is the norm for them, because they were not around in years past. So the market is not taking a hit from anyone leaving. And if $250 or $300 is where they started in the hobby with a product like this they don't see it as a rip off. They see it as the price.

B) Anyone comparing anything in todays hobby to 2017 products loses all credibility immediately. There is nothing to compare. Nothing is the same. You might as well be comparing a Chevy Silverado to a VW Van.

C) Your point about 40% markup is funny. So you don't care if someone makes a profit, you just don't want it to be Topps? I know when I sell something I'm not kind enough to knock 40% off retail and let them have my profit. Furthermore, even if Topps sold to LCS at the exact same price as the public offering there is still plenty to be made. I was busy when the Topps put the listings up for this product. I was late to the party and missed out on jumbos. But I easily got 2 hobby cases and after all taxes, fees, and shipping I sold them for $800 profit. $400 each. How much more margins do card stores need? I'd say thats pretty solid for a few minutes of work.

D) Sounds like you are a hobby shop? At least that is the feeling I get reading your posts. So from where I sit, you are just upset that your gravy train isn't as lucrative as it once was. You were able to pull nice profits on your low cost wax at one point, but now that playing field is leveled out a little you don't like it. Understandable, because we all like easy money. But just because you lost your easy money doesn't make things unfair. Most shops have taken advantage of their customers for many years. I don't feel bad for you.

There's a reason why business monopolies are a bad thing for consumers. Why are you rooting for one person to make all the money, instead of a solid hobby with a national network?

[tyrith]

Originally Posted by letsgoredwings9

There's a reason why business monopolies are a bad thing for consumers. Why are you rooting for one person to make all the money, instead of a solid hobby with a national network?

Its not up to Fanatics to cut the LCS scene in on the action if they aren't actually adding value. That's just how business works. Not having a monopoly would mean Fanatics not having an exclusive license; that helps Panini or Upper Deck, not the LCSes. Every business has the right to configure its distribution chain as it sees fit.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by GaryPayton

Judge is hurt all the AJ buybacks breakers are pulling and calculating into their "hits" might just be regular cards.

Cal Raleigh to the moon

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by tyrith

Its not up to Fanatics to cut the LCS scene in on the action if they aren't actually adding value.

Which begs the question....what value do LCS' add to the hobby in this day and age.

- their wax prices generally are (at best) equivalent to what you can get online, but usually higher.

- their selection of singles is a miniscule fraction of what can be found online on EBay, COMC, or social media platforms.

I don't think I've bought a single card/box from a LCS in 10+ years....the only thing I buy from them is supplies.

[boxbuster7]

it is fun to hang out at a LCS but if you're looking for value best to avoid them entirely

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by mfw13

But gamblers aren't spending $10....they're likely spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a month buying spots in breaks.

And if they have to cut their spending by even 20-25%, then the whole "sell to breakers" business model starts to collapse.

Even if the economy stays relatively healthy, gambling addicts are going to get tired of getting reamed and cut back their spending. Because there are LOTS of different ways people can gamble, and almost ALL OF THEM offer a better ROI than buying spots in breaks. Heck, even being a horrible sports bettor offers a better ROI than buying into sports card breaks!

The ROI just isn't there for collectors or gamblers at current wax prices. Eventually, people are going to wise up and Fanatics is going to have to either adjust their release prices or increase the content value of wax boxes. Or else all those gamblers propping up the breakers are going to find some other way to gamble that offers a better ROI.

You are trying to come up with a rational reason why people are going to cut back. The "gamblers" you are referring to are not rational thinking people. To repeat, a few people cutting back or running out of money changes nothing. Plenty more coming in and taking their place. I really don't think that some people realize how huge our hobby has become, and how fast it is continuing to grow. Even some of the regular posters here. Its why even at higher prices, and higher print runs, and less value everything continues to be consumed at an unthinkable velocity.

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by letsgoredwings9

There's a reason why business monopolies are a bad thing for consumers. Why are you rooting for one person to make all the money, instead of a solid hobby with a national network?

I'm not rooting for anyone. Explaining why something is happening isn't rooting for it. I'm a 100% capitalist. Business is business. The complaints I was replying to are most likely coming from a local card store who has had it easy for years. They get cheap product, and mark it up beyond what it should be on any consumer that walks in. Its happened in thousands of stores across the country for many years. That's their right, and more power to them. But those people shouldn't be complaining about someone else doing it to them. I like the same set of rules across the board. I am not entitled to anything, nor is anyone else.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by premium1981

For every person that leaves the hobby because of pricing/unhappiness there are multiple more coming into the market. What they see is the norm for them, because they were not around in years past. So the market is not taking a hit from anyone leaving. And if $250 or $300 is where they started in the hobby with a product like this they don't see it as a rip off. They see it as the price.

You make it seem like pricing and value are only a matter of perception. But pricing and value are also based on practical matters. Continually sinking money into a loss-leader like sports card gambling is not a sustainable hobby for 99% of the population. This is why Fanatics must use celebrities and social media influencers to market to the general public and trick people into thinking big hits and valuable chase cards are easier to obtain than they actually are.

[hermanotarjeta]

Fanatics has certainly 10x the number of professional athletes who collect.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

There will always be gamblers. When one leaves, another will take his place. Fanatics knows they don't need an end consumer.

No kidding. But considering sports cards are a relatively terrible form of gambling and are generally unrewarding to gamblers, you'd think its popularity with gamblers will diminish over time. Especially when it finally cycles through the general population and the novelty wears off. Remember, the hyper-focus on gambling in sports cards is still a fairly new phenomenon -- it has traditionally been a collectible.

[hermanotarjeta]

The high prices in the hobby will be sustained by millennials who finally receive inheritances from their parents.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

No kidding. But considering sports cards are a relatively terrible form of gambling and are generally unrewarding to gamblers, you'd think its popularity with gamblers will diminish over time. Especially when it finally cycles through the general population and the novelty wears off. Remember, the hyper-focus on gambling in sports cards is still a fairly new phenomenon -- it has traditionally been a collectible.

have you heard of being tilted?

[letsgoredwings9]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Cal Raleigh to the moon

The Big Dumper isn't included in the set, presumably to hold him back for Chrome Update and effectively make that a Series 2. Same with Elly and PCA, among others.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

have you heard of being tilted?

Yes, I've seen the 2014 film The Gambler, starring Mark Wahlberg.

[PDCCollectibles]

Originally Posted by anusinha

$600 for a base auto redemption..... todays game single handedly saved Topps Chrome

Sell 'em quick

[davidantx]

Originally Posted by Soxrule111

I miss $20 Blasters, I want to open some but cant do $40

you and me both my friend.

[msink28]

yeah, miss those days

Originally Posted by Soxrule111

I miss $20 Blasters, I want to open some but cant do $40

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

have you heard of being tilted?

Gamblers might go on tilt for a short period of time.....after which they usually run out of money.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by premium1981

Plenty more coming in and taking their place. I really don't think that some people realize how huge our hobby has become, and how fast it is continuing to grow.

Three counterarguments:

- many of those people entering the hobby are not collectors....they're flippers trying to make a quick buck. And they'll leave the hobby just as fast as they entered once their easy profits disappear.

- nothing goes up forever.....while there almost certain are some new collectors entering the hobby at any given time, it's not a given that that will continue indefinitely into the future.

- lastly, irrespective of whether someone is a flipper or a collector, they do not have an endless amount of capital to sink into the hobby. If we have a recession, the hobby will NOT be immune.

[solt0131]

The judge/Ohtani dual Logoman was pulled in northeast Ohio

[NHRonin]

Originally Posted by Americards

Remember though. Buying by the box always saved you money than buying by the pack so packs could have been 30¢ each but still be able to buy boxes for $9

36 packs per box were standard back then too.

[The Accountant]

Originally Posted by solt0131

The judge/Ohtani dual Logoman was pulled in northeast Ohio

Redemption or live ? Also what sku?

Thanks