It seems that the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic has more than put a strain on the casual collector. A once children’s hobby has turned into a high stakes investment! Hobby boxes in the hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for all sports! Will the interest peak? Or will casual collectors get priced out of the hobby?
If one good thing were to come out of the pandemic, I would hope that it was staying at home, re-kindling that relationship with your significant other and kids. What better way to spend the time but to introduce a hobby that you spent hours on as a kid. Ripping open those packs to try and land a heralded rookie out of this years class.
Remember? Only now you’re torn with “Do I sell this specific rookie?” “Do I get it graded and increase the price?” Wait, grading companies are backed up for months too due to this crap. You risk losing your card due to the return time being around 360 days! “Do we hold on to it and see if the value increases due to the players performance on the field?” Usually the latter was the first choice, but my how times have changed!
The retail hoarders have also put a damper on going to a local Wal-Mart, Target, etc. to find a cheap (Blaster) box of cards that could contain some great rookies, or possibly a hit (autograph or relic card). Times are tough, and this hobby only gets tougher. Not only is the casual collector being priced out of the hobby, cards are being mass produced again just like circa 1986.
A box of Panini Diamond Kings a couple years back netted me 5 Shohei Ohtani rookies! FIVE! That’s ridiculous! At the time the cards were going for a pretty penny. After a few months passed they somewhat held a slight value, but had again been mass produced! Everyone had one. So what do we do? What do the casual collectors do that thoroughly enjoy the not knowing of who’s gonna come out of the box?
My short answer is to wait it out. Wait on the pandemic to subside. Wait for production to overrun profit. Then maybe guys and gals alike can enjoy ripping again.
The pandemic has not only accelerated the appreciation of ball cards, but I believe it has also accelerated the DE-appreciation in more ways that one. Ball card supplies are in short supply now (If you even have any at all). Top-loaders, sleeves, magnet cases, all have taken a hit as well. These items from the worlds biggest suppliers are on back order until what seems like the next decade!
Conclusion: This once humble hobby to be shared with generations is now at a staggering standstill for the regular folks. Most do not want to dip into their savings to purchase a card of their dreams regardless of the investment. There are no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Greed has taken over and fueled the crazy. Retailers are suspending sales as we speak due to the pack hoarders.
I just hope that things calm down in a couple of months. Boxes that were $78 a piece has now grown into the $1,200 range and it’s baffling for most! Here’s to the return of the hobby….for what it’s worth!
Written By: Joshua Petry
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