General Forum

Found this article written by a guy who works at an LCS that also has a decent online business.  Discusses how supply for new product is increasing and demand appears to be decreasing. 

A contraction in the new card market isn't a bad thing, but it typically causes downward pressure on vintage card values, too.  Not always a bad thing, but not necessarily a good thing either (ie. if you are vintage seller).

We'll see how it plays out, but insights like this are helpful to understand where the market may be heading.

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/shop-talk-immovable-towers-of-topps-product-holiday-hustle/

I for one expect it to drop in 2024 like a falling balloon as with the economy. I for one am hoping the market crashes so I can bulk buy all kinds of things at crazy prices. Including sports cards I'm just sitting seeing where it goes with fingers crossed 😂

Let us pray, for the future of the industry. Shrinkflation LOOMS LARGE. 

and let us also Pray, for a Detroit Lions Superbowl Victory ...in my LIFETIME... SEAU THERE!! 

Fanatics is going to grow the hobby 10x !!!!

Maybe not.   But I don't think they are going to quit trying after less than 1 year of owning Topps and all of the licenses.

I think that the over production continues, and the prices stay up at the direct, LCS and retail level at first release, and whatever doesn't sell ends up as part of a Target / Walmart / Costco blaster product. 

In the short term, the Secondary market for SP's, chase cards, Autos and so on, on ebay will not change much.  Secondary market prices for commons on COMC and Sportlots will not change much.

Fanatics will increase the number of unaffordable premium products, as long as there are buyers. Increasingly more Immaculate & Flawless type products.  Very few TCDb members are ripping wax in that sandbox.

I am not surprised. The pandemic is getting further and further in the rearview, so some old 'hobbies' are falling by the wayside. I also liken the current card industry to Marvel movies, where some people are just tired of the oversaturation even if the industry keeps on putting things out there. 

Definitely,the economy is a huge part of it,but for me,I`ve stopped watching all pro-sports after the politicization of it all started 3 years ago---I`m done with it,and I`m never coming back,so THAT`S a giant "End All" for me.....Throw in the fact that the money these athletes are"earning", are akin to many of this planet`s countries national budgets;I mean,where does this stop?I`m done and am now just in this for the card itself and nothing more--Pro Sports,unfortunately to me,is dead,and they did it to themselves....Sorry for the tangent.......

It is odd.    Over the last year I have seen areas that it shows the hobby is slowing down.   Then there are areas that appear that the hobby is getting stronger.   Time will tell and no need to make a list of each area.

Personally it is slowing down.

Athletes are highly paid, yes.  But so are musicians, actors, other stars of other forms of entertainment.

I will still watch all eras of sports, music, and tv/movies regardless of the salary of the star.

I don't go to live games as much as I used to, but still pay big money (to me anyway) for the cable company to watch whatever sports are in season (and old vintage games)

Mark

Hmmm yeah I don't know about the poiticalization of sports. I watch a ton of baseball and never noticed too much of anything. The color guard, the flyovers, the national anthem, there was the kneeling stuff in football and a little in the NBA/MLB but that seemed to kinda blow over and I never had a problem with it. As far as athletes salaries that is just because sports became a mullti billion dollar industry. Jerry Jones paid 140 mil for the Cowboys in 1989. They are now worth almost 9 billion! The biggest probem with sport to me is that a regular family can't afford to go to the a ballgame. But with giant TVs and all the streaming we just have to have fun at home!

Just look at the NIL deals that are now showing up.