Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

I wanted to end the year focused on your questions - looking forward to another great year of hobbying whatever way you like - see you next year!

Nine more questions to answer before the end of the year - thanks and keep them coming to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com and Happy New Year!

I started thinking about today, Christmas Day, and the deeper meaning - and I draw parallels in the way collectors are sometimes "religious" about this sports card hobby. 

Besides grading the card, what other logistical concerns arise in the grading process - both internal and external - I try to address some of these concerns for a serious collector who contacted me directly.

Upper Deck's new complete set in a box (plus five additional parallels or inserts) is perhaps the beginning of an emerging trend in target marketing to teams and cities in hopes of growing the sports card collecting pie.  Thanks Upper Deck!

Lots of hobby celebrations toward the end of the year - Rich is a big fan of Secret Santa promotions as win-win.

Rich and I sometimes are shoulder-to-shoulder deep in the dollar boxes at shows.  Here are our takes on proper etiquette especially when it gets crowded. 

Rich and I contrast today with the old days of gathering sports card price info almost exclusively from private sales.

When do you give up and cash out on a once-promising prospect?  Does it depend on the sport or position or team?  Excerpted from last week's Hobby Hotline.

Last week's live Saturday morning's Hobby Hotline dealt in part with the implications of eBay's significant financial investment in COMC.  This is excerpted from that.