Stacking Slabs

The latest round of high-end sports card auctions had some absolute monsters, and we’re breaking it all down. From the $579K 1997-98 Skybox E-X2001 Essential Credentials Now /8 Kobe sale to the record-breaking Randy Moss 24 Karat Gold, we’re pulling back the curtain on what happened, what it means, and where things might be headed. Why the Kobe 1997 Credentials Now BGS 9 didn’t crack a million Vic...

Trust separates the best collectors and businesses from the ones that don’t last. Whether you’re buying, selling, trading, or simply engaging in the hobby, your reputation is everything. In this episode, I break down why trust is the real currency in collecting, how it’s built, how it’s lost, and why it impacts every decision we make. I share a recent personal experience of an effortless deal with...

Passion to Profession is back with another conversation about turning collecting into a business. This time, we're diving into the world of TCG with Aaron (@sassy_otto), the largest Yu-Gi-Oh! seller on eBay. Aaron shares his journey from collecting Yu-Gi-Oh! as a kid to building a full-time business, breaking down: The state of TCGs in 2025—why Pokémon dominates and how Yu-Gi-Oh! is thriving in it...

WNBA cards are having a moment, but the history behind them runs deep. In this episode, I sit down with Annemarie (@women.on.topps) to talk about the evolution of women’s sports cards, the growth of WNBA collecting, and why we’re seeing a surge in interest today. She’s been collecting for decades, writes for The Athletic , and knows this space inside and out. We discuss: The early days of WNBA car...

One full year of Auction Talk . 52 episodes deep, and we're still going. In this week's episode, we talk through tough collection decisions, selling rare cards for bigger opportunities, and the psychology behind shifting a collection. Massive Auctions: The Randy Moss 24K Gold will become the highest-selling public sale for a Moss card ever. But how much more room does it have to run? Buying &...

Some cards come and go. Others refuse to leave. In this episode of Stacking Slabs , we’re talking about the longest-tenured cards in our collections. The ones that have survived every buy, sell, and trade. The ones that mean something deeper than just market value. I asked collectors: What’s the longest-tenured card in your collection? The responses were incredible, cards tied to childhood, first...

Luka Doncic traded to the Lakers. Patrick Mahomes’ Super Bowl letdown. The evolving psychology of player vs. team collecting. Card Ladder Confidential 5 dives deep into how collectors react to monumental shifts in sports, from Mahomes’ analytics nightmare to Luka shaking up the NBA’s biggest brand. Brett, Chris, and Josh break down the ripple effects of these moments on the hobby, from flipper dyn...

In this episode of Passion to Profession , we’re talking with Chris and Nick from QuickConsign, one of the most well-known consignment businesses in the hobby. If you've ever bought a card on eBay, chances are you've come across their listings. We dive into: The origins of QuickConsign and how they scaled to over 1.1 million items sold in 21 years . How they’ve built a business that allows collect...

This week, I’m joined by Justin (@outofsteptrading), a collector who does things his own way. His collection stands out, built around NASCAR legends like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. But there’s more to it than that. Justin’s approach to collecting is different. He focuses on what he loves, not what’s popular. In this episode, we get into why he embraces being "out of step" with the mainstrea...

The Super Bowl is over, and that means we’re shifting into full auction mode. This week on Auction Talk , Nic and I break down the post-Super Bowl market reaction, key sales, and how Jalen Hurts’ second ring is shaking up the 2020 QB card hierarchy. We dig into: The surprising movement in Hurts’ market and why his cards could still be undervalued. Big-time auctions, including a 1998 Fleer Brillian...

Nostalgia runs deep in the hobby. It influences the cards we chase, the collections we build, and the emotions we attach to pieces of cardboard. But how does nostalgia actually impact our collecting habits? In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs , I break down what nostalgia means in collecting, why it’s such a powerful force, and how it can shape our decision-making—for better or worse. I sha...

In this episode of Passion to Profession , a new series sponsored by eBay, I sit down with Tait, the owner of Hoody’s Collectibles, one of the top eBay sellers in the hobby. From flipping cards in a college apartment to running two successful retail locations, Tait shares how he turned his collecting passion into a thriving business. We talk about: The early days of Hoody’s, starting with a small...

This week on Stacking Slabs , I’m joined by Sean, better known on Instagram as @victoryinvestments. Sean is a die-hard Chiefs fan, collector, and one of the most entertaining content creators in the hobby. We cover: His journey from collecting as a kid to building a high-end Mahomes PC. What it’s like to navigate the Mahomes market as a collector vs. investor. The evolution of card shows, trading...

Auction Talk 50 is here, and we’re celebrating 50 episodes of breaking down the biggest sales and trends in the hobby . Super Bowl week means big moves in the football card market, and we dig into what’s happening with high-end football, how collector sentiment is shifting, and what it all means for future pricing. We talk about: The rise of ultra-high-end football cards and why they’re gaining tr...

Collecting is personal, but it’s also powered by relationships. This week, I’m sharing a real moment that reminded me why community is the foundation of the hobby. A fellow collector sent me a link to a card I would have otherwise missed. In this episode, I break down what real community looks like in the hobby, why looking out for other collectors always pays off, and how sharing knowledge, deals...

Speed and transparency. That’s the foundation of dcsports87 one of the largest eBay consignment businesses in the hobby. In this episode of Passion to Profession , I sit down with Tory and Zach, the duo behind dcsports87, to break down their journey from group breaks to running a powerhouse consignment business. We talk about: How a 2012 Bryce Harper pull sparked the business Scaling from a side h...

Some collectors chase the biggest names. Others focus on rare inserts or specific sets. Adam (@ajmcards94) takes a different route, he collects his hometown. In this episode, Adam shares how growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, shaped his collecting, why he prioritizes athletes who walked the same streets he did, and how his collection is an extension of his connection to home. We talk about the pla...

Paul Skenes' debut patch card is one of the most talked-about auctions in the hobby, but is the noise around it justified? This week on Auction Talk , Nic is back in the saddle, and we’re diving into the speculation, skepticism, and trust issues collectors have with manufacturers. We also get into: The latest auction results and what they say about the state of the market Why rare cards showing up...

In this flagship episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett breaks down strategies for acquiring sports cards across different buying formats. From navigating auction dynamics to building relationships for 1:1 deals, Brett shares practical insights and personal experiences to help you become a more confident and strategic collector. Learn how to balance emotion with rational pricing, avoid lowball offers, a...

"Passion to Profession," a new Stacking Slabs series sponsored by eBay, kicks off with a conversation featuring Mike, Owner of MC Sports Cards. From starting as a 12-year-old collector in 2006 to building one of the most trusted consignment businesses in the hobby, Mike shares the story behind his journey. We discuss key moments like launching MC Monday, navigating the challenges of entrepreneursh...

Step into the world of vintage baseball as I sit down with Tony (@southerncollector14), a passionate collector with a treasure trove of stories and historical insights. From the iconic 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson to rare Cracker Jack cards, Tony shares his journey of collecting, the personal connections behind his favorite cards, and the importance of preserving history through this incredible hobby...

In this unique edition of Auction Talk, I’m going solo as Nic is on the sidelines this week. Join me as I navigate through auctions and collecting, highlighting three standout cards under $1,000 that caught my attention. I dive into the emotional rollercoaster of bidding, share personal reflections on collecting strategies, and explore the ever-evolving connection between auctions and our collecti...

In this episode of Stacking Slabs, Brett dives into the concept of collection management through the lens of a General Manager. Using the parallels between building a sports team and assembling a personal collection, Brett explores topics like setting a vision, making strategic decisions, and adapting to changing dynamics. From impulsive purchases to methodical long-term goals, Brett breaks down h...

Welcome back to another edition of Card Ladder Confidential on Stacking Slabs, where we dive into the analytics and emotions of collecting with Chris and Josh from Card Ladder. In this episode, we unpack December’s record-breaking $247M in card sales, the second highest monthly total ever tracked. We also: Debate how many cards it takes to start a collection. Share stories of recent pickups, inclu...

In this collector conversation, I sit down with Adam Gellman (@WWEGellman), creator of the Main Event Wrestling Card Community, to talk about the state of the wrestling card market. We explore the Panini era, the transition back to Topps, and what it all means for collectors. Adam shares insights on iconic rookie cards, the influence of breakers, and how WWE’s growing visibility through Netflix an...