Taking a Pause

I can count on one hand how often this has happened in my lifetime in the hobby, but I’m adding another finger to that number now.

I’m taking a hiatus. 

A complete break from the business I love, well, mainly because it’s not so much fun anymore. 

If you read my column a couple weeks ago about my friend, Tom, then you probably have a decent understanding of what has inspired me to take this step.

Sometimes, when we’re all wrapped up in all the noise of the hobby, we lose sight of what it’s all about — fun.

The hobby isn't much fun for me anymore.

I literally spend time everyday responding to borderline insulting Ebay questions and offers.

I’ve had to refund countless buyers over the years for cards that “I never got,” or “didn’t arrive,” despite, in some cases, the tracking information stating otherwise.

I’ve watched pricing lately spiral out of control, and witness greed just engulf the hobby as if someone doused it with gasoline and threw a match on it.

Fair market pricing is a figment of the collective hobby’s imagination anymore, and it is a rare occurrence to encounter someone willing to negotiate reasonably. 

I’ve had to endure far too many loud, fast-talking breakers smoothly con customers on pricing by offering PYTs with team prices so off-kilter that the only chance of breaking even is if everything goes perfectly in terms of hits (which rarely, if ever, happens).

Manufacturers are loading products with worthless inserts now just to inflate the number of hits in packs and justify out-of-whack pricing on their wax.

And, distributors (and manufactures) are holding local card shops hostage with insane allocation policies and terms.

I go to card shows now and instead of kids in search of their favorite player’s rookie card, it’s loaded with middle-age men in throwback jerseys that are way too small, most carrying some sort of Zion case or backpack, and all of them look at you like you have a third-eye when you don’t accept their offer of 60% below comps on your card. 

Now, despite the rant you had to endure just now, I believe there are plenty of good people left in the hobby. 

Trouble is, these good people are no longer a representation of it.

Instead, the hobby is represented by a handful of social media influencers recording transactions at card shows, offering opinions that well, frankly, have little or no meaning, and presenting to the world a hobby that exists only to boost page views, page likes and their own brand.

I need a break from all of this, honestly.

I am searching now for a pocket in the hobby I can actually have some fun with again.

I’m sure it’s out there, but for now, I’m getting off the hamster wheel that the hobby has become. 

And it’s okay if you do, too.