Comments on: Sports Cards on the Decline? Guess Again. http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/ Opinions, News and Info from Sports Industry Insiders Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:25:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rob S. http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-4448 Rob S. Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:44:31 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-4448 I think that it's great that kids are still interested in baseball card collecting. I think the high dollar cards with autographs, game used fabric, etc. are great and keep the investors satisfied while kids can focus on collecting team sets, and common cards of favorite players like we used to when we were kids. 5% decline in this economy in any industry is doing good, especially in a hobby market. I think that it’s great that kids are still interested in baseball card collecting. I think the high dollar cards with autographs, game used fabric, etc. are great and keep the investors satisfied while kids can focus on collecting team sets, and common cards of favorite players like we used to when we were kids.
5% decline in this economy in any industry is doing good, especially in a hobby market.

]]> By: George of Manila http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2776 George of Manila Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:16:17 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2776 I used to be an avid collector back in the 1990's but my passion for collecting died after college thus I gave my collection to a kid who was just starting to collect at that time. Recently, I've been looking into the lone hobby shop (like what Ramesh mentioned) and thinking of going back into card collecting. I was quite surprised that the retail sale of a pack is not as affordable as it used to be back in the college days (considering that I am now working). I guess it's probably due to the fact that most of the shops in the 1990s have closed and there is only one left behind which makes the price a bit costly. I guess I am gonna look into buying online from reputable card dealers. Hoping to have my son into it as well :) I used to be an avid collector back in the 1990’s but my passion for collecting died after college thus I gave my collection to a kid who was just starting to collect at that time.

Recently, I’ve been looking into the lone hobby shop (like what Ramesh mentioned) and thinking of going back into card collecting. I was quite surprised that the retail sale of a pack is not as affordable as it used to be back in the college days (considering that I am now working). I guess it’s probably due to the fact that most of the shops in the 1990s have closed and there is only one left behind which makes the price a bit costly.

I guess I am gonna look into buying online from reputable card dealers. Hoping to have my son into it as well :)

]]> By: Tim http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2692 Tim Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:27:36 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2692 Great article. Every industry hits road blocks. But sports always bust through those road blocks. There's a reason they've been around for one hundred years. <a href="http://canadacardworld.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Canada Card World - The Blog</a> <a href="http://hockeycardheaven.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Hockey Card Heaven</a> Great article. Every industry hits road blocks. But sports always bust through those road blocks.
There’s a reason they’ve been around for one hundred years.
Canada Card World – The Blog
Hockey Card Heaven

]]> By: Tom Johnson http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2284 Tom Johnson Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:55:43 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2284 The problem I see is the generation gap that's approaching. The average kid can't afford the packs today, nevermind boxes. I remember when I was 8-10 years old (I am now 26) going to card shows, flea markets, card shops, etc and could get packs for under $2 and come away with cool looking cards. My parents would buy me boxes of cards for under $75. In the 90's, there weren't many sets and it was easier to collect. These days, there seem to be hundreds of sets and it's tough to keep track. The hobby is getting to be really expensive and is geared more towards adults. What happens when the current generations of adults leave the hobby due to passing away or moving on from the hobby? The kids of today don't hold as much interest. I go to card shows and see mainly adults buying cards for investments. I don't see kids going to have fun pulling cards from packs. Kids today are more interested in PS3, Xbox and other gaming systems along with fantasy sports. The hobby of collecting sports won't die completely, but the baseball card industry needs to work on getting kids back. They need to stop producing 100's of different sets. It's sad when a no-name player's rookie card is worth more than Ken Griffey Jr's. I think Richard Hall (made a comment on this message board) made very good statements with strong merit. I also collect the cards that I care to purchase rather than buy packs and boxes. The prices these days are outrageous to the average collector. The problem I see is the generation gap that’s approaching. The average kid can’t afford the packs today, nevermind boxes. I remember when I was 8-10 years old (I am now 26) going to card shows, flea markets, card shops, etc and could get packs for under $2 and come away with cool looking cards. My parents would buy me boxes of cards for under $75. In the 90’s, there weren’t many sets and it was easier to collect. These days, there seem to be hundreds of sets and it’s tough to keep track.

The hobby is getting to be really expensive and is geared more towards adults. What happens when the current generations of adults leave the hobby due to passing away or moving on from the hobby? The kids of today don’t hold as much interest. I go to card shows and see mainly adults buying cards for investments. I don’t see kids going to have fun pulling cards from packs. Kids today are more interested in PS3, Xbox and other gaming systems along with fantasy sports.

The hobby of collecting sports won’t die completely, but the baseball card industry needs to work on getting kids back. They need to stop producing 100’s of different sets. It’s sad when a no-name player’s rookie card is worth more than Ken Griffey Jr’s.

I think Richard Hall (made a comment on this message board) made very good statements with strong merit. I also collect the cards that I care to purchase rather than buy packs and boxes. The prices these days are outrageous to the average collector.

]]> By: Dan http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2225 Dan Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:29:35 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2225 While I'm not at all surprised that SCD got their information wrong, I'm stunned that SI did nothing to fact-check the data. I have a current subscription to SI that I will most likely let expire now, as I find this type of reporting to be nothing more than tabloid journalism. I am an avid card collector myself. And I know there are 10's of thousands of us still in Southern California. Collecting has changed with the online availability of cards, but we're still out here in pretty strong numbers! While I’m not at all surprised that SCD got their information wrong, I’m stunned that SI did nothing to fact-check the data. I have a current subscription to SI that I will most likely let expire now, as I find this type of reporting to be nothing more than tabloid journalism.

I am an avid card collector myself. And I know there are 10’s of thousands of us still in Southern California. Collecting has changed with the online availability of cards, but we’re still out here in pretty strong numbers!

]]> By: Rich "New York Fan" B http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2149 Rich "New York Fan" B Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:56:57 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2149 I met TS about 10 years ago and have had several conversations with him about this amazing hobby of OURS. TS does know the Vintage cards but, He did not seem to updated about newer issues. I am a ripper of these new products. Baseball, Hockey, Football Basketball or Golf If it comes in a pack I love to open it. This is not a dead hobby by any means. Look at the newer products and the prices they are demanding. Hobby stores have gone out of business because of mismanagement and greed. Honest dealers are alive and doing well. Don't knock the hobby unless you are in it and support it. Trading cards are alive and well. I use to really enoy reading SCD. Untill they became auction central. Let me ask TS one simple question. Why does SCD not cover the newer issues with previews the way it use to? SCD went in another direction becoming an auction house magazine. TS you should really check some of these auction houses you allow in your magazines before you knock Sports Card Collecting and the people who collect. I met TS about 10 years ago and have had several conversations with him about this amazing hobby of OURS. TS does know the Vintage cards but, He did not seem to updated about newer issues. I am a ripper of these new products. Baseball, Hockey, Football Basketball or Golf If it comes in a pack I love to open it. This is not a dead hobby by any means. Look at the newer products and the prices they are demanding. Hobby stores have gone out of business because of mismanagement and greed. Honest dealers are alive and doing well. Don’t knock the hobby unless you are in it and support it. Trading cards are alive and well.
I use to really enoy reading SCD. Untill they became auction central. Let me ask TS one simple question. Why does SCD not cover the newer issues with previews the way it use to? SCD went in another direction becoming an auction house magazine. TS you should really check some of these auction houses you allow in your magazines before you knock Sports Card Collecting and the people who collect.

]]> By: Albert K Legaspi, Ph.D. http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2126 Albert K Legaspi, Ph.D. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:21:28 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2126 I do not concur with TS O'Connell as he fails to understand the dynamics of sports card collecting. I have been busting boxes/cases since 1971. I use to save my allowance back then to pull that special Willie Mays card that everyone one on my baseball team wanted. Back then I remember seeing fathers/son at card shows and that's what I still see at card shows...father, son and daughter. Collecting will always be here. Yes, card stores have been closing in cities that I visited (I travel over 100K per year) but that is happening with many businesses...and yes the economy is bad but part of the decline in the number of shops was having a robust internet market. Shops that surviving today, especially in San Diego, Los Angeles, Hawaii (places I frequent), have more business. These survivors provide more services to collectors such as grading, trading activities, internet service, redemption service, autograph signing sessions, contents...yes, the majority of the stores that went away, especially in San Diego, I can say with confidence were nothing more than a man behind a counter with shelves of packs. The number of collectors are still here and continues to grow...giving up on sports card collecting is like giving up on sports. Cannot be done. In addition, Upper Deck has been responsible for the injection of excitement with revolutionary releases that forces the competitors work harder. Its tough to keep up with UD robust ingenuity that creates more collectors in the sports card business. Its their mission. I do not concur with TS O’Connell as he fails to understand the dynamics of sports card collecting. I have been busting boxes/cases since 1971. I use to save my allowance back then to pull that special Willie Mays card that everyone one on my baseball team wanted. Back then I remember seeing fathers/son at card shows and that’s what I still see at card shows…father, son and daughter. Collecting will always be here. Yes, card stores have been closing in cities that I visited (I travel over 100K per year) but that is happening with many businesses…and yes the economy is bad but part of the decline in the number of shops was having a robust internet market. Shops that surviving today, especially in San Diego, Los Angeles, Hawaii (places I frequent), have more business. These survivors provide more services to collectors such as grading, trading activities, internet service, redemption service, autograph signing sessions, contents…yes, the majority of the stores that went away, especially in San Diego, I can say with confidence were nothing more than a man behind a counter with shelves of packs.

The number of collectors are still here and continues to grow…giving up on sports card collecting is like giving up on sports. Cannot be done. In addition, Upper Deck has been responsible for the injection of excitement with revolutionary releases that forces the competitors work harder. Its tough to keep up with UD robust ingenuity that creates more collectors in the sports card business. Its their mission.

]]> By: Eric J http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2054 Eric J Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:13:11 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2054 I do not believe that the industry is dead. Although someone in my office saw a piece on TV last night that it was dead because the younger generation is staying away. He also said that only one company is making baseball cards. I explained that yhe 2 licenses split next year and that UD is still making baseball cards. He realized that the media put there spin on it just as they do for many other stories that are covered. My local shop had a UD SPx NFL tailgate party last night. The winners of the grand prize and other prizes were folks that I had not seen in the store before. As they were leaving they commented on coming back again. Through trade nights, emails, Facebook and other outlets, stores in my area reach out to many folks who are keeping the hobby alive and well. I do not believe that the industry is dead. Although someone in my office saw a piece on TV last night that it was dead because the younger generation is staying away. He also said that only one company is making baseball cards. I explained that yhe 2 licenses split next year and that UD is still making baseball cards. He realized that the media put there spin on it just as they do for many other stories that are covered.

My local shop had a UD SPx NFL tailgate party last night. The winners of the grand prize and other prizes were folks that I had not seen in the store before. As they were leaving they commented on coming back again. Through trade nights, emails, Facebook and other outlets, stores in my area reach out to many folks who are keeping the hobby alive and well.

]]> By: Gabe D. http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2050 Gabe D. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:06:24 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2050 The card industry is far from dead. Collecting sports cards is my #1 hobby and it has become a passion over the years. The hobby continues to evolve every year and keep collectors interested and coming back for more. For true sports fans, there is no better way to get closer to the action than collecting sports cards and having the opportunity to own autographs and game used items from our favorite players. I have been collecting for over 20 years and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. The card industry is far from dead. Collecting sports cards is my #1 hobby and it has become a passion over the years. The hobby continues to evolve every year and keep collectors interested and coming back for more.

For true sports fans, there is no better way to get closer to the action than collecting sports cards and having the opportunity to own autographs and game used items from our favorite players.

I have been collecting for over 20 years and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

]]> By: ronfir http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/10/sports-cards-on-the-decline-guess-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2049 ronfir Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:16:50 +0000 http://upperdeckblog.com/?p=2174#comment-2049 I have been collecting cards for 50 years and it is as fun today as it was when I started as a nine year old. I collect because each card is a piece of the history for that sport. Living the Dallas area, when I go to the card stores I still see people ripping wax and enjoying the fun of the rip. As stated above, don't believe everything you read, lots of writers have an angle they want to push and make the story read from only their point of view. Card collecting is live and well in North Texas. I have been collecting cards for 50 years and it is as fun today as it was when I started as a nine year old. I collect because each card is a piece of the history for that sport. Living the Dallas area, when I go to the card stores I still see people ripping wax and enjoying the fun of the rip.

As stated above, don’t believe everything you read, lots of writers have an angle they want to push and make the story read from only their point of view.

Card collecting is live and well in North Texas.

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