I Miss The Hobby Episode 6

I miss the hobby....remember when we had innovation and creativity on base cards and inserts? What happened to that?

I remember when cards were printed on acetate (base cards too), leather, wood, thick cards, thin cards, shiny, holograms, were on CD-Roms and so much more. Where did this go? Base cards have pretty much gone to basic printing and basic designs. Not to mention, especially with Topps, being printed on the thinnest cheapest cardstock available. Inserts are a thing of the past and most appear as base cards or subsets to me. Where did the creativity go?

I assume a lot of companies have pushed past base and inserts as the hobby as shifted into a hit only hobby. But, what they don't realize that there are still us collectors who collect those things still. What about us? I am tired of the non-creative base cards and inserts and have pretty much been pushed away from set collecting because of it. I want creative base cards like Spx (late 90's version), EX2000, Playoff Contenders (98 version) and others that give you full blown photography.

I wanna see inserts that are die-cut, shiny, include holograms, are printed on a unique surface, are zingy and catchy. I am so tired of the product "filler" looking inserts.

I don't ever picture companies putting an emphasis on these things again. The hobby seems to be moving forward in the hit only feel. What companies don't realize is that moving forward isn't always the way to go. Sometimes you need to dip into the past and what once worked great for the hobby.

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TOPIC:
How many of you still set collect? Collect inserts? Why or why not?

I Miss The Hobby Episode 5

I miss the hobby.....I miss Upper Deck. Plain and simple.

Upper Deck put out some of the best products on the market. Sp Authentic, Spx, Exquisite, their revival of Fleer, and their flagship Upper Deck just to rumble off a few. These were products I lived and stood by my whole collecting career. But now with the power of the exclusive licenses, the only way I can fully enjoy Upper Deck is by buying hockey. Now, I do collect hockey, but it's my third or fourth sport on my list behind Football and Baseball. So overall this hurts me. It hurts the hobby.

I wished there was a way to get rid of the exclusive licenses in the hobby and let us have Upper Deck back again. The hobby landscape hasn't been the same since they left the pro sport game back at the end of 2009. Not that I don't like Panini, it's just a better hobby with more variety with Upper Deck in the game.

I know I am not the only collector that feels this way. There seems to be a group of collectors on Facebook set out to help Upper Deck gain their licenses back that I stumbled upon a few years ago and not sure if any of you have heard of them or not.

Bring Back Upper Deck MLB Cards
Bring Back Upper Deck NFL Cards
Bring Back Upper Deck NBA Cards

I hope their mission works. It may take a bit as it seems leagues are only caring about money these days. Us collectors care about variety. That's why for me, 90's collecting lives on forever.

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TOPIC:
What was your favorite Upper Deck brand? Do you miss UD? Let me know!

I Miss The Hobby Episode 4

I miss the hobby......Don't you remember a time when we had variety in the card market? Multiple companies putting out many products. The fun feeling of going into the LCS or local retail outlet and having to make the tough decisions of what you wanted to walk out with and what you would have to leave behind....possibly for the next trip. Now, you get just a handful of options and it's all from one company for one sport. In my opinion, it's awful.

I want to have variety and options. I want to see some Upper Deck MLB, NBA and NFL cards. I want to see Topps NFL, NBA and NHL cards. I want to see Panini MLB and NHL cards. And while we are at it, give SA-GE a CLC license and give Leaf a chance at the other licenses. I would love to see a Fleer/Pacific/Classic/Press Pass return though I know there is no chance of that as all were sold/bankrupt.

As you can tell, I can't stand exclusives. It limits us and doesn't force the companies to do their best because there is no competition and they know we are forced to buy whatever they stick out there. It lessons the fun in the hobby and as a collector of multiple sports, it forces me to want to only collect one.

I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I have seen and heard the rumblings throughout the hobby but I think exclusive licensing in the hobby will be something we will always have to deal with from here on out. Why? Like most things related to sports, money does the most talking.

I could go on forever about this topic and tell you how much I miss it but I am cutting it short as I made my main points. Below, I turn the table and let you do some ranting. Hope to hear some great responses and thoughts on this topic and to see if you Miss The Hobby like this as well.

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TOPIC:
How do you feel about exclusive licenses? Do you agree with my thoughts? What would you change and like to see happen?

I Miss The Hobby Episode 3

I miss the hobby.....remember when card collecting was just for card collecting? It doesn't seem that way for most anymore. Some are just in it for profit. Some are just hit chasing. Some are in it for other reasons that are not collecting. What happened to just collecting?

What happened to just taking a pack of cards, sorting it by team or player, taking out your favorites for a special place and trading with your buddies what you don't need for something you do? What happened to the enjoyment of set collecting? Some collectors in today's day and age will never realize what that was like. I remember! It was fun chasing down those last few you needed to complete one, especially a big one. What happened to the excitement of pulling your favorite players base card or insert? Seems like that is a thing of the past as most donate, giveaway or simply burn up those types of cards.What happened to the days where collectors weren't focused on the big hits and sales and just simply enjoyed collecting cards as collecting cards?

I really wished the hobby would shift back to those days. The days where the hobby felt like it was more fun. I know it will never return to that as the hobby continues to evolve and move forward daily. But, it's a nice thought.

I will say that having collected in that era, I don't plan on changing the way I collect. I sort, I collect base cards and inserts, I still put together sets, I don't chase hits and I don't go for big sales. I simply just have fun collecting. Cause isn't that why we all do it?

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TOPIC:
Do you agree with me that collecting isn't collecting anymore? Do you collect the way I see collecting should be? How do you collect? Thoughts are always welcomed!

I Miss The Hobby Episode 2

I miss the hobby.....back when card shows were around.There was nothing more fun than spending a few hours on a Sunday strolling through and hanging out at a card show.

Every third Sunday of the month, 20 years ago, there used to be a card show. This card show was located about an half hour from my house, so the trip wasn't too shabby, and was held inside of a VFW Hall. There wasn't a lot of tables usually set up, roughly 20 maybe 30 on a good day, but it was worth the trip to interact with other collectors and see if they had anything you needed. And of course to buy some unopened wax from the card shop owner who ran the show.

The cost to enter the show was $2 and it also gave you a ticket for a chance at prizes that were drawn every hour. The longer you were there for, the better chance you had to win a prize. It's been awhile but if I recall correctly, I must had won that four times at least.

Having gone to that show for many years also created many memories. The two that stood out the most was one I had shared on here previously about my friends uncle pulling the Joe Montana autographed card from 1996 Spx football right after I had bought packs from the same box. My second memory was pulling a 1996 Zenith Z-Team Emmitt Smith from a fresh box of 1996 Zenith. I had six offers up front for that card which later on I would end up trading. Oddly enough I am in search of one to add to my collection now in memory of pulling that one. They seem to be very tough to find as I all I can locate are "promo" versions.

In Episode 1, I shared how I missed having a card shop around and how I don't ever expect one around again, well, same goes for a card show too. It's a just something I have known for awhile and have dealt with in different ways. In this hobby, you learn to adjust.

Stay tuned for more I Miss The Hobby segments coming up!

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Do you still have card shows you can go to? What's your favorite part? Least favorite? If you don't have one, how do you replace the feeling of having one? Let me hear your thoughts!

I Miss The Hobby Episode 1

I miss the hobby.......back when an LCS was around. The joy of taking that 20 minute drive to meet up with other collectors and discuss the hobby was always an amazing experience. It was also something that my father and I did every Saturday and left those everlasting memories.

Now, there is a pizza shop (there have been a few businesses that have bounced in and out from that location since) where the LCS once stood over 20 years ago.Yes, I love pizza and the extraordinary smell and taste of it. But, there was just something about the smell of a card shop and the scent that wafts from a fresh pack of cards.You can make memories at a pizza shop, but they won't ever be the same offering a card shop would give.

I wished someday that a new LCS would open up somewhere, but I know the sad reality, there won't ever be one. The loss of that LCS killed the hobby off around my area and the collectors that were once around, are no more. I know I am probably not the only one in this boat as I see collectors across social media discussing daily about not having an LCS. I know you feel for me as I feel for you.

Every day the hobby changes, some things are positive, some are not. This series will take a look at the sad realities not only affecting me, but affecting the hobby as well. Some of these you may agree with, some you may not. Others you may not think about their impact. So stay tuned for more!

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Topic:
Do you have an LCS? If not, what do you miss about it? If you do, tell me about it.