Dr. James Beckett: Sports Card Insights

John Newman interviewed me for his Sports Card Nation podcast and he delved into my inner workings and approaches for COMC as a power seller - thanks John!

I grouped some listener questions that all had to do with some aspect of card shows - a popular topic - keep your questions coming to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com and thanks!

I bought three different 2003-04 basketball hobby boxes at the latest Huggins and Scott Auction - and I opened them and was shocked - this is the audio of the before and after, but I have YouTube videos posted to show it live visually.

Martin Luther King Jr. is being celebrated today in America with a holiday - how might this matter in our hobby? - here's my take on the welcomed increased diversity in our sports card hobby.

The final installment of our extended conversation about rookie cards, before Victor completes his long-awaited book, which I encourage you to get.

A year ago my parents were doing pretty well - as I look at this year coming - I want full enjoyment of this hobby I love (even as I age slowly and hopefully hold off obvious sensory decline). Optimism!

Victor and I have been talking about rookie cards for a long time - it is a subject near and dear to both of our hearts - the fact that not everyone agrees on everything is just that, a fact. 

Can't wait for Victor's book on Rookie Cards to come out - a lot of work went into it and he is almost done.  I think it's important that RC's be well-defined.  Thanks Victor.

I have five sports card hobby/industry predictions for this coming year - I don't claim to be clairvoyant, but I do sense some macro trends - enjoy and Happy New Year!

I have five broad sports card collecting related goals to share for this next year - I don't usually do numerical goals but directional goals - Happy New Year!

I wanted to end the year focused on your questions - looking forward to another great year of hobbying whatever way you like - see you next year!

Nine more questions to answer before the end of the year - thanks and keep them coming to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com and Happy New Year!

I started thinking about today, Christmas Day, and the deeper meaning - and I draw parallels in the way collectors are sometimes "religious" about this sports card hobby. 

Besides grading the card, what other logistical concerns arise in the grading process - both internal and external - I try to address some of these concerns for a serious collector who contacted me directly.

Upper Deck's new complete set in a box (plus five additional parallels or inserts) is perhaps the beginning of an emerging trend in target marketing to teams and cities in hopes of growing the sports card collecting pie.  Thanks Upper Deck!

Lots of hobby celebrations toward the end of the year - Rich is a big fan of Secret Santa promotions as win-win.

Rich and I sometimes are shoulder-to-shoulder deep in the dollar boxes at shows.  Here are our takes on proper etiquette especially when it gets crowded. 

Rich and I contrast today with the old days of gathering sports card price info almost exclusively from private sales.

When do you give up and cash out on a once-promising prospect?  Does it depend on the sport or position or team?  Excerpted from last week's Hobby Hotline.

Last week's live Saturday morning's Hobby Hotline dealt in part with the implications of eBay's significant financial investment in COMC.  This is excerpted from that.

Just announced were the 25 semi-finalists for the Pro FB HOF.  Finalists will be announced in January and then the selectees will be presented on February 8th. If you are interested in one of these players, consider getting ahead of the herd.

More questions from a variety of listeners on a variety of topics.  I am enjoying the opportunity to share perspectives and insights that are relevant. 

These recapped episodes cover about two months of three times a week podcasts plus ten YouTube Card Wall videos.  Thanks for listening and watching. 

Accumulating nine more hobby questions - some newer and some older - thanks for sending in your questions to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com 

Mega-Bids can go very wrong - a discussion of the practice and implications of this aggressive bidding technique, which also has the clear effect of increasing prices.