Nonsense Newsletter No. 171: Comps! Comps! Comps! MLB Ups-and-downs, SpongeBob and More!
In this week’s edition (delivered on Saturday just to mix things up a bit) of the Nonsense Newsletter, John Dudley addresses the one thing we’re all thinking of but haven’t said out loud… MLB ups-and-downs. I talk about the one thing no one in the hobby wants to talk about… comps. And, of course, the Quick Hits section is superb as usual! So, buckle up, sit back and get ready to enjoy another amazing edition of the Nonsense Newsletter!
By John Dudley
The baseball card market doesn’t see the wild swings of the NFL or NBA markets. It doesn’t mean that it’s all slow growth or slow declines though. The early part of the baseball season sees bigger jumps as hot streaks are easy to identify. The season is young, and already there have been major shifts in multiple players’ card values.
It pays to keep abreast of market changes so that one can get the most bang for the buck. Every player has dips and peaks. Buying at the low points allows one to have a much cooler collection. Let’s check out eight players that have seen big gains and three that have seen their card values plummet to see if we can find any good buying (or selling) opportunities.
By John McTaggart
I frequently have conversations with people and the word “comp” is thrown around way too often.
These conversations usually go something like this:
“I looked at comps…,” “the most recent comps…,” “This comp was at…” “I comp this at…” “Hey bro, look at these comps…”
“Comp… comp… comp… and more comp.”
Although I am, by nature, a guy who finds comfort in stats and numbers when it comes to the hobby, I’ve had about enough with “comps” being the end-all-be-all of every conversation in the sports cards market.
Trust me, a card is worth what someone is willing to pay for it… period.
I once bought a Lanny McDonald auto from the Cup and paid, what I’m sure of, over “comps” for it since the only people actually collecting Lanny McDonald is ma and Mrs. McDonald.
Does paying over “comps” this make me stupid?
Does this make me a terrible business person?
No. Absolutely not.
It makes me someone who collects Lanny McDonald cards, did not have that card, was searching for that card, and finally found it.
If you think for one minute I was going to haggle over 10%, or bother to scroll through 130point.com to make sure I wasn’t getting ripped off… You’re crazy.
I needed that card. I wanted that card. I wasn’t going to lose that card because it was priced a few dollars over the most recent “comp”.
It works the other way, too.
In fact, this is what every dealer on the planet sets out to do with every purchase… disregard the comps and pay below market value for cards.
So seriously, I ask you… why do we pay so much attention to these numbers?
Look, I agree that they are a great guidepost for market value.
That said, I paid 40% less for a Cade Cunningham rookie auto when I bought it at a card show in Indiana, than I would have paid for the exact same card up here in Detroit, where Cunningham plays.
Should different locations have different comps?
Maybe.
Either way, comps are not the final say in any deal, people.
The card is worth what someone is willing to pay for it… period.
So please, stop beating yourself up if you fall short of the “current comp,” on a deal. It’s okay.
Quick Hits
Hobby News- Topps is heading to a pineapple under the sea with SpongeBob Chrome. The lovable fry cook gets the Chrome treatment in a new set announced at the Topps Industry Summit. Details are scarce, but I’m ready. I’m ready.
Vintage- If you’re old enough to remember then you know how much of a chase this card was back in 1985/86. I remember searching high-and-low for this card at shows and proudly telling friends I had one of these beauties. The 1985 Topps Mark McGuire USA Baseball rookie card is still, in fact, the target of many collectors, myself included (which I have probably sent in 30 of these hoping to get a 10 with zero luck). This article takes a look back at this iconic piece of cardboard. Check it out here.
Hobby News- Topps Dune cards are crazy expensive. I still don’t know if prices are high because of strong demand for Dune memorabilia (other merch has sat) or if its prices are driven by FOMO from the low print run and instant sellout. We’ll find out soon enough as Dune is also getting the Chrome treatment. It’ll be fascinating to see what the demand is for Dune with a bigger, higher print run product.
The Sports Card Nonsense newsletters reflect the opinions of only the authors and contributors. They are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation for purchases or of an investment strategy or to buy or sell any assets.