Episodes
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
1194 - Listener Questions on RC Ramblings
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Dr. Beckett reflects on his previous discussions with Victor Roman on the RC Ramblings episodes, delving into the nuances of what constitutes a 'junk wax' product and the transformative impact of grading on card values. Listeners are introduced to eclectic collecting preferences, like pursuing pre-rookie cards and the distinctions between pack-pulled and other types of cards. The discussion also touches on the significant influence of money in the hobby, suggesting that chaos in card categorizations can lead to financial gains for those with hard-earned knowledge. The debate continues over what should be considered a rookie card, given differences in distribution methods, such as Topps Tiffany's and vending box issues. Dr. Beckett shares a personal anecdote about his collection downsizing strategy, emphasizing a focus on reducing volume over financial gains. The conversation shifts to the evolving semantics surrounding rookie cards, the changing landscape of card availability due to digital advancements, and the ongoing debate over regional exclusivities and their impact on card values. Towards the end, the episode tackles the criteria for defining the 'best' rookie card, including the timing of release and its implications for collectors. Dr. Beckett advocates for clear guidelines in defining rookie cards, despite the challenges posed by the hobby's evolution. The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the importance of reasonable structures in understanding rookie cards, alongside a nod to the global expansion of the hobby. Dr. Beckett thanks Victor Roman for his contributions and promises more discussions in forthcoming episodes, emphasizing a commitment to clarity and structure amidst the hobby's intricacies.
01:23 Insights on Junk Wax and Grading
02:22 Exploring Pre-Rookie Cards
03:12 The Impact of Money on the Hobby
04:55 Debate on Topps Tiffany's and Vending Box Cards
06:40 The Semantics of Rookie Cards
07:47 The Evolution of Card Availability
08:25 Geographic Boundaries and Card Definitions
10:18 The Importance of Card Issuance Timing
Monday Mar 11, 2024
1193 - Nine Listener Questions 7.0
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
A wide array of listener questions are addressed, covering topics from the intricacies of trading on COMC, spotting celebrities on sports cards, to the aesthetic considerations of slab uniformity in collections. Discussions extend to the impact of personalities like Jeremy Lee on the sports card content atmosphere, alongside an insightful exploration into the collector mentality through an anthropological lens provided by a college survey project from Hannah Torres. Survey at:
Additionally, the episode navigates the nuances of the PSA and SGC acquisition, shedding light on its implications for the sports card industry, and reflects on the essence of promoting the hobby versus self-promoting, underscoring the importance of fostering a positive community around the hobby.
01:08 COMC Haggling?
02:32 Spotting Celebrities in Card Backgrounds
03:23 Addressing Negativity in the Hobby
04:31 The Uniformity of Slabs in Sets
05:49 Hannah Torres' Anthropological Study on Collecting
08:36 Addressing Criticism on Self-Promotion
09:31 Speculations on the PSA SGC Acquisition
Friday Mar 08, 2024
1192 - Dueling Questions with Joe Orlando, Part 3
Friday Mar 08, 2024
Friday Mar 08, 2024
The final part of this insightful and engaging conversation, we reflect on the evolution of card manufacturing since the 1980s and discuss the potential impacts of ongoing changes within the sector. A primary topic of discussion is the entry of Fanatics into the industry, and the potential for it to positively impact the sector if handled correctly, despite recent consolidation at the manufacturer level. However, we stress the importance of attracting more collectors, rather than just boosting card production, to ensure long-term growth and sustainability of the hobby. Meanwhile, we caution new companies against focusing solely on financial returns, and instead highlight the significance of embracing the love and passion for card trading. The conversation also includes a look at the rising participation of younger fans, as well as the challenging transitions companies face when going public, which is a potential path for Fanatics. The speakers nostalgically reflect on their personal connections with card collecting, before offering their perspective on the industry's power structures, arguing that a duopoly could prove to be more formidable than monopoly or single dominant entity. Lastly, they propose an untapped growth area within the hobby: the music, celebrity, and entertainment sector, which they believe could attract a broader demographic and instill a deep sense of nostalgia, similar to sports. They suggest that companies like Fanatics could leverage their marketing prowess to create structured collectables centered around musicians and actors, potentially fuelling a ten-fold growth in this niche. The conversation is a deep dive into the complexities, challenges, and opportunities within card and collectibles market, underscoring the need to balance profit motives with the core joy and love of collecting.
00:00 The Evolution of Card Manufacturing
00:20 The Impact of Fanatics on the Industry
00:48 The Importance of Growing the Collector Base
01:10 The Role of Fanatics in Expanding the Hobby
01:55 The Potential of Young Collectors
02:00 The Dangers of Overemphasizing Financial Returns
03:42 The Challenges of Going Public
05:41 The Origins of a Card Collector
07:21 The Dynamics of Monopolies and Duopolies
10:07 The Future of Collecting: Music and Celebrity Cards
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
1191 - Dueling Questions with Joe Orlando, Part 2
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
We start with an exploration of our personal journeys through sports card collecting including their collecting methods and preferences, from set collecting to chasing color variations and autographs. They also walk through how their professional backgrounds have been instrumental in their contributions to the industry. Dr. Beckett possesses a Ph.D. in statistics while Orlando holds a law degree, both of which have offered them unique perspectives in handling their collections and understanding the market dynamics. Furthermore, the duo delve into the current state of the sports cards industry, emphasizing the constant innovation and experimentation which keeps it dynamic and interesting. Key business aspects including branding, universal acceptance, and reputation are highlighted as crucial factors that differentiate a major grading company or a major auction company in this competitive market. They also shed light on the essential role that auction houses and dealers play in authenticating and representing sports card products in the market. As key intermediaries in the value chain, these entities contribute significantly to customer education and trust building in the industry. Lastly, they reinforce the importance of brand recognition and provide insights into the interaction between grading entities and auction platforms, highlighting the symbiosis that exists between these essential industry players.
01:05 Collecting Journey and Challenges
03:18 The Impact of Education on Career
06:51 Appreciating the Current State of the Hobby
09:14 Defining Major Auction and Grading Companies
12:00 The Role of Dealers and Auction Houses
Monday Mar 04, 2024
1190 - Out-Takes on PSA/SGC from Hobby Hotline 030224
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Dr. James Beckett, alongside Hobby Hotline co-hosts Danny Black and Victor Roman, explores the repercussions of PSA's acquisition of SGC in the sports card collecting and grading industry, analyzing it as a strategic business move reflective of the hobby's trend towards consolidation. The conversation extends to speculate on potential future acquisitions by Fanatics and its impact on grading and market dynamics. We preview the introduction of a universal checklist and registry, discussing how it might affect collectors. The potential harmonization of grading standards between PSA and SGC, considering the historical differences and how it might unfold moving forward. Implications on set registries with the merging of companies are debated, pondering how such changes could affect collectors ranked within these systems. Dr. Beckett and his guests also ponder how these developments could sway the future strategic directions of not just PSA and SGC, but also Beckett, CGC, and Fanatics.
00:25 Discussion on PSA Acquiring SGC
00:59 Potential Business Moves in the Hobby Industry
01:35 Concerns about Market Dominance and Pricing
02:26 Consumer Confidence and Job Security in Grading
03:34 Speculations on Future Consolidations and Branding
04:03 Discussion on Grading Standards and Market Leadership
07:32 Potential Changes in Grading Scale and Standards
09:47 Challenges and Possibilities of a Universal Registry
12:21 Potential Impact of Fanatics and Other Big Players
Friday Mar 01, 2024
1189 - Dueling Questions with Joe Orlando, Heritage
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Dr. James Beckett and Joe Orlando, respected industry veteran and former CEO of PSA, discuss the dynamic evolution, emerging trends, and future outlook of the sports card and collectibles industry. Touching on the exponential growth from the 1980s to the digital age, they delve into the significance of universal population reports and the transition from relational to transactional dealing. They express ambivalent sentiments about the idea of a universal registry system, citing the complexities arising due to it. The discussion also uncovers surprising trends in the industry, underlining the growing importance of tickets, photo matching and game-worn items. This conversation further explores the potential impact of universal auction listings on dominant companies like PSA and Heritage. Finally, emphasizing the collector's emotional attachment to the 'hunt' of collection, the dialogue ends on a high note considering the future shape of the industry.
01:04 Reflecting on the Past: The 1980s Boom
01:28 Regrets and Successes: A Look Back
01:46 The Impact of Digitalization on the Industry
02:01 The Evolution of Grading
02:27 The Pros and Cons of a Universal Pop Report
03:45 Current State of the Hobby
05:02 The Potential of a Universal Registry
09:15 Surprising Trends in Collectible Categories
11:18 The Future of Auction Listings
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
1188 - Dollar Box Travels, with Rich Klein
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
We delve into the enticing prospect of attending the Philadelphia sports card show to graze through the dollar boxes in search of nuggets. We offer advice and insights to our friend Kyle, who is contemplating his own attendance at the show.
We touch on the potential challenges of bringing back a substantial haul of cards from the show. Recognizing the limitations of luggage space and weight restrictions, we strategize various methods of packing and shipping cards to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. We stress the importance of being selective in our purchases, carefully considering the value and practicality of each card before adding it to our collection.
Additionally, we explore the unique characteristics of the Philadelphia show, highlighting its vintage-oriented nature and discussing potential differences in pricing and selection compared to other shows. We encourage Kyle to approach the dollar boxes with a discerning eye, aiming for quality deals rather than sheer quantity to avoid overwhelming himself with unwieldy amounts of cards.
We share personal anecdotes, reflecting on our own experiences attending card shows and the joys and challenges that accompany them. Our main objective is to equip Kyle with the knowledge and wisdom gained from our own journeys, hoping to spare him from potential mistakes and inspire him to make the most of his own card show adventure.
Monday Feb 26, 2024
1187 - 2023-24 Panini Prizm Premier League Soccer Box Analysis
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
We begin with sharing thoughts on soccer as a collectable sport and its potential to rise in popularity. We dissect the concept of a 'flagship' brand using Panini Prism as an example and discuss the importance of base sets in a flagship product, especially with the existence of numerous parallels in Panini Prism products. Thereafter the dilemma of choosing between soccer and "football" cards and the impact of secondary market forces on sports card value, highlighting the influence of the quality of rookie crops. Discussing his method of evaluating sports cards. I admit generally not looking up base veterans, but focusing on the more valuable cards such as autographs, game used relics, low serial number, and exotic inserts. While unpacking also drawing notable observations about packaging trends. Finally a (soft) personal critique of "silver" prisms and that the last card in the last pack was the autograph! Concludes by expressing hope for soccer's future prominence in the world of sports card collecting.
00:51 Understanding the Concept of Flagship Brands
02:03 The Dilemma of Choosing Between Sports
02:54 The Impact of Market Forces on Card Value
05:29 Unboxing and Evaluating Soccer Cards
06:02 The Strategy of Sorting and Valuing Cards
08:13 Thoughts on Silver Prisms and Autograph Cards
Friday Feb 23, 2024
1186 - Odds and Bronny
Friday Feb 23, 2024
Friday Feb 23, 2024
We delve into the concept of odds and probability, particularly in the realm of sports card investments. As a trained statistician, Dr. Beckett emphasizes that the notion of probability is seldom a coin flip, direct 50-50 scenario. He cautions against irrational optimism and stresses informed decision making while investing in sports cards. Focusing on basketball prodigy Bronny James, son of LeBron James, he alerts investors to the risk of overvaluing a player's sports cards due to their pedigree, instead of their on-court performance. He further articulates his informative perspective on the unpredictable nature of sports card market, underlining the influence of changes in odds, collector (and bettor) perceptions, and fluctuating player performance on card prices. In closing Dr. Beckett predicts that Bronny is highly unlikely to be an NBA All-Star, which may already be optimistically baked into his asking prices. Be careful.
00:35 Understanding Odds in Sports
00:56 LeBron and Bronny: A Comparative Analysis
01:52 The Betting World and the Concept of 50-50 Odds
03:17 The Impact of Odds on Sports Card Market
04:44 Bronny's Potential in NBA and Card Market
05:57 The Risk of Betting on Bronny's Success
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
1185 - 2023 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Hobby Box
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Details of the 2023 Goodwin Champions Hobby Box by Upper Deck. The product includes a mix of different sports cards, establishing an eclectic appeal, and each pack of 18 cards is configured with the middle card usually the best. The set is suitable for ages 14 and up, which may be due to the educational component provided by the inclusion of historical and non-sports cards. He talks about base cards, which he compares to car models, where the base is the low-end, and parallels, special cards, or inserts are akin to higher-end models, letting the quality of the special cards pop against the simpler base design. He discusses unique facets of the pack, such as the tricky odds listed and the presence of 'decoys' or blank cards. He also describes the intriguing physical differences in the thickness of different packs. Dr. Beckett further expands on how he believes the product should primarily allure the buyers for its unique elements rather than just the base cards, highlighting how this product affects different platforms in the card industry marketplace such as price guides, marketplaces, grading services, and others. Lastly, he scrutinizes how other major players in the card world, including Panini and Fanatics, should learn from what Upper Deck has achieved with this product, and how post-production quality control could be ensured through focus groups. He appreciates the eclectic aesthetic and the interesting variety of cards that live up to the Goodwin Champions brand.
00:42 Packaging and Card Placement Insights
01:14 Age Recommendation and Educational Component
02:23 Base Card Design and Comparison with Luxury Cars
03:55 Multi-Sport Sets and Player Selection
04:12 Hits, Rookie Cards, and Licensing
04:57 Pack Odds and Decoys
05:34 Thick Packs vs Thin Packs
06:42 The Eclectic Nature of the Set
07:31 Sponsor Acknowledgement and Market Observations
11:45 Final Thoughts and Thanks