But this time it's not by choice.
The hobby has gone insane over the last year...Cards can't be found, and if you can find them online, they are massively overpriced- blasters starting at $60, hobby boxes at $500...of the basic set. Hoops. That set isn't worth that. It's my favorite set of the season almost solely because it's the largest set of the year, with 280 players (In a 525 man league). But the quality is low. The set is far too small, the backs are nothing, not even real stats. Photos are outdated, with trades and free agency signings maybe mentioned in a text bar on the front but not always...Panini sometimes doesn't bother to include that info. Rookies are all posed photos with no backdrop.
Add to that, Panini now gives you less cards for the same price.
Well, it used to be the same price.
I have been actively monitoring the dealers' websites to see when it went live, figuring I'd pre-order myself a box at $85 before it went up...and then it went on pre-sale today.
Are you kidding me? $275 for a box that at the BEST possible outcome would leave me frustrated by Panini's poor quality?
Furthermore, that's about 4 months worth of card hobby budget.
No...just no.
So, by no choice of my own, I am officially forced out of the NBA as of December 15th, 2020.
I hope that eventually this craziness will pass, and that the hobby will return to being actual collectors. not just profiteering flippers looking to make a quick buck. If that happens, I'll be back. If, by some miracle the vultures don't clean out the shelves and I actually see cards at retail I will still buy them then, but I have not seen a single NBA card at retail since February. I don't have a lot of hope.
I'm hoping the cards from the 90s and 2000s sets I'm working on can still be found, right now I'm too furious to check.
Whoa. You called it. This is just stupid. As much as I love this hobby... and enjoy seeing new collectors enter the hobby. I feel like this is just an example of a card company taking advantage of a crazy situation.
ReplyDeleteFor sure.
DeleteIt will take time but it WILL pass.
ReplyDeleteThat's because, as you pointed out, the prices aren't based on anything rational or solid. People aren't paying for quality. They're paying for prestige.
I know it will, but I am afraid to see what kind of damage to the hobby it will due while it's like this.
DeleteWow. Just wow. I agree with Night Owl, that this will pass. But I expected it to have passed already, and it is still going strong.
ReplyDeleteI'm really surprised especially considering this is regarded as a weak draft class with no major superstar potential.
DeleteThat just sucks,since Panini took over basketball cards I always considered the Hoops set to be their flagship set .I have always collected a flagship set each basketball season going back to the Topps basketball days well this will end my streak and that is sad.
ReplyDeleteLiterally the exact same situation for me.
DeleteWhat Fuji said. I wasn't a fan of Panini before, but releasing a poorly designed product and then charging an exorbitant price for it is rather shameful on their part. To look on the bright side, though, maybe it frees you up to work on some other sports, and you can loop back to basketball whenever this nonsense starts to settle down.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have been spending a lot more time and energy on Hockey already. I's just more fun.
DeleteI agree this will pass but the Card Companies will up the Print Run on Future sets and buyers will think they will be getting a bargain but it will be like the late 1980s/early 1990s all over again
ReplyDeleteI wish. They are purposely making the cards harder to get. We'd be lucky if we saw a return to the late 80s/early 90s style.
DeleteRight now it's hard to collect any sport but basketball seems the hardest by far.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope the hobby comes back to coll ed actors again
I think you are right- it's hit the NBA hardest of all.
DeleteThat is crazy, but is that Panini jacking up the price or the online card store? Anyway, I guess I can expect to run into zero basketball at retail this year as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question that I don't have an answer for. Since it seems that way everywhere it's probably Panini.
DeleteI was one of those people that thought that the craze would pass sooner than later, but I'm not so sure about that anymore. I think way too many people are making money off of this run to let it die anytime soon. They're going to keep it propped up for as long as they can, no matter how much damage it does to the future of the 'hobby'. It's ironic to me too, that the newer basketball cards are selling for so much, given how terrible the actual on-court product is.
ReplyDeleteThe sport has been hurt so much by the referees being incompetent that I've watched less and less each year now for several years. Had already decided I would not be getting League Pass this year.
DeleteUgh.. I feel your pain. These prices are ridiculous. I shopped for some blasters/fat packs a few weeks ago and couldn't believe the price gouging, especially basketball products. I'm mainly focused on collecting the early '90s sets that I had as a kid. Today's cards aren't worth the gamble. I mean, what can you possibly pull out of Hoops that justifies that kind of price? What a joke.
ReplyDeleteNothing...I'm in it for the base cards and there certainly aren't enough of them to make it worth that price.
DeleteToo many seem to have "stupid" money and have since you know what decided to throw it into the hobby, hang in and remain positive, we manage to find enough in our buy-ups that we will continue to offer them for a dime each.
ReplyDeleteLike the wise owl said it will pass, cracking boxes and packs is all the rage and thrill that we already enjoyed now so many others want in on that"gravy train" btw... we decided to throw our hat into the blogging universe - https://baseballcardstore.ca/blogs/online-dime-blog All the best to you Seasons' greetings!
Purchasing NBA 2K21 MT is currently the fastest and most convenient way for players to build a strong team. For players who are tired of challenges, this is indeed friendly. NBA2K21MT.COM is a very professional website. For players with limited budgets like me, their prices are meager, and delivery is fast. All in all, this is a website worth experiencing.
ReplyDeleteYou can find our custom made soap boxes come in all sizes and fit your product, wrapping it as a perfect storage solution! Enhance your sales by displaying your coloured and printed custom cardboard boxes that can beat any packaging concept in term of style and protection.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post i like it very much thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteJewelry packaging supplies
Lip Gloss packaging usa
Lipstick packaging usa
Lotion packaging usa
Such a great blog i like it very much keep it up
ReplyDeletebulk custom made Magnetic Closure Rigid boxes
buy Porcelain boxes
buy Promotional boxes
buy Prospectus boxes
buy Ring boxes
Thankx for sharing this article. Its really informative article. I really enjoy your site I am waiting for new article.cardboard packaging for vape cartridges
ReplyDeleteWhen getting online, we need to be truly aware. If you intend to get NBA 2K MT, I advise you to check out the NBA2K21MT.COM net website, you can look NBA2K21MT.COM at Google when you can discover this internet site, which is a genuinely official website. Because of the reality that my friends furthermore bought MT on this site, their flow cost is, in fact, fast, considered that they have 24-hour online customer assistance to enhance your order.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just read your article. I am looking for such a great article for a long time. Custom Cosmetic Boxes are necessary for packaging of your products. These boxes have many customization and printing options. Companies can easily print their details on them and get sales very fast. We are dealing in all boxes with fast shipping all over the USA.
ReplyDeleteBesides the teams, players are a lot extra worried about exactly how to obtain NBA 2KMT, which can help you obtain excellent gamers to build your NBA 2K21 team. So getting NBA 2K MT from SAFENBAMT.COM is a superb option. It can provide players with a risk-free environment as well as at low prices.
ReplyDeleteCustomBoxesU provide you the best CBD Boxes, which will protect your product as well as give it a perfect look.
ReplyDeleteGood post. Your content really solve problems. The content is original and well-scripted. The blog helps to provide related information o n the problem. Keep sharing such content on daily basis. For more you can check Vape Boxes
ReplyDeletecontent.
This blog is very informative. Packing can be a long hectic process but it can be made easier by following the tips that you have mentioned above. Thanks for sharing such important and useful information. Keep it up.
ReplyDeletevisit mentioned website for printing services.
Vape Packaging
Vape Cartridge Boxes
Vape Cartridge Boxes
disposable vape boxes
Such a nice blog thanks for sharing with us keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletepen boxes bulk
custom pen boxes
I have bookmarked your blog, because this site contains valuable information in it. I am really happy with content quality and presentation. Thanks a lot for keeping great stuff. I am very much thankful for this site. bath bomb packaging, does cbd help with anxiety
ReplyDeletenice post thanks for sharing this article with us .We as The Eagle Security provide Security Guard Services striving to become the best security service provider in Toronto. We are here for all your security needs.We provide Security Guard Services striving to become the best security service provider in Toronto. We are here for all your security needs
ReplyDeleteThe price doesn't matter much, but the packaging is the main thing that matters a lot. We do not know what is in the product boxes, but we can see the packaging and judge the quality of the product through its packaging.
ReplyDeletenice post .Schulfotos Berlin is best photographic service provider with beautiful backgrounds at berlin .they are special in nursery ,daycare photography portfolio and many other photography with expert skills
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletenice post .thanks for sharing.we as Custom Popcorn Boxes provides beautifully Designed Custom Boxes in different sizes and shapes. Order now and get with free shipping<
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOhh! I understand how you feel. I find these prices to be ridiculous. A few days ago, I found the PackagingPrinting website and ordered some Golf Ball Boxes. I was amazed at how low their prices were for such a high-quality product, and yet their prices were so low. These guys were able to provide me with what I wanted, which was mostly focused on quality, which I have always been looking for.
ReplyDeleteAdas Instruments is the Pakistan’s premier manufacturer and supplier of surgical (medical) instruments. We have a long-standing global reputation for quality, excellence and outstanding service.
ReplyDelete