Sports Card Psychology w/ TripleCrown24

2023 Topps Series 1 Baseball cards have hit shelves with hobbyists clamoring for the great "value" provided by this year's jumbo/HTA boxes. Are these boxes really worth the rip, and at what cost(s), or have we been conditioned to think this way? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jt-grugen/support

Looking at the secondary market, sports card singles prices reflect an often vast price difference between a card receiving a "mint" grade rather than "gem mint" or "pristine". Why does the hobby have such a disdain for mint condition? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jt-grugen/support

Many hobbyists will point to overproduction as arguably the biggest issue plaguing the sports card industry in 2023. However, what if the concern wasn't for the number of copies produced for each card, but number of choices for a given player? Today, we'll break down why over choice is a larger concern for the market than overproduction. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jt-grugen/support

Although eBay remains the most prominent platform in multiple senses for buying and selling sports cards, the online marketplace also remains one of the most scrutinized. Why does the hobby resent middlemen platforms such as eBay and is the hate justified? We break down a case study in eBay's "authenticity guarantee" program. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Weekly new product releases, ever-expanding parallel lists, and an unclear pecking order can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed in the hobby. Whether it's at a large regional card show or scrolling through social, JT breaks down why you may feel overwhelmed and explores solutions to reduce your anxieties. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Lower attendance at shows has led many to believe card shows are dying. While this sounds like hyperbole, there are some truths hidden within that sentiment. What has caused card shows to slow down? What could or should be done, if anything, to fix the problem? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Everyone has their own definition for what they consider a rare card. How do we make those judgments though? In today's episode, we look at the factors considered when classifying something as rare. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Although not widely recognized, the term "influencer boxes" has gained notation over the past few years in the hobby, centering around the idea that manufacturers intentionally send "juiced" boxes and cases to those who large social followings. Today, we examine this phenomena in a case study between Panini and Backyard Breaks. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

JT breaks down how 2021 Panini Select football falls into the same cycle of hype that has played out over the past few years in the hobby. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

The art of the autograph and the art of said autograph's acquisition go hand in hand. Despite increasing prices for through the mail (TTM) and in person (IP) autographs, the secondary market prices don't necessarily reflect the costs for entry. JT sits down with Garrett of CardCutter, a lifelong autograph collector, to break down why he enjoys the IP/TTM side of collecting autographs and where he sees the hobby going forward. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

One of baseball's brightest young (hobby) stars, Juan Soto, was dealt ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline this week. This trade will undoubtedly leave many collectors, specifically Nationals fans, directionless in their hobby pursuits. Bart of Bart's Cards joins the show to navigate Nationals fandom and the hobby in the post-Soto Era, as well as what we can learn from this blockbuster deal. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

JT previews the 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) taking place in Atlantic City, NJ. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

As a full-time sports card dealer, managing your own collection while balancing an inventory can become a difficult task. JT is joined by Brian of CardSoup to discuss what has changed for him as a collector since he started selling cards full time. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Elevated wax prices have further cemented the notion that opening sealed sports card boxes is an alternative form of gambling. Like sports betting or mobile game spending, addiction can corrupt this normally fun activity. JT compares opening wax to other forms of gambling, how addictions form, and a realistic look at the odds of pulling a "big hit". --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

In the midst of the NBA Finals and upcoming Stanley Cup Finals, two new Big 4 champions will be crowned. What impact will this have on the hobby, if any at all? JT talks with Mike of Canadian Cards about the relationship between championships and hobby values of individual players. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

A rapidly evolving hobby landscape breeds an environment for innovation and ideas to capture the attention of hobbyists. Not all ideas become trends, though, as fleeting interests leaves once red-hot products as a punchline and a fad. JT breaks down the difference between the two and how to spot them when buying/selling cards. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Derek Jeter is unique among the 90's baseball standouts who transcendent baseball into pop culture. JT is joined by Sooz (@yanxchick) to discuss why Jeter is so polarizing, his hobby standing with other Yankee legends, and what lessons from Jeter's career can be applied to present and future Yankee stars. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Minimalism and collecting typically don't mesh. Card collectors often accumulate "bulk" through opening boxes, buying collections, or simply through hobby longevity. JT is joined by his friend Andy of She Blinded Me With Refractors to discuss his approach to collecting as a minimalist - eliminating bulk and maintaining a "revolving collection". --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Hype has often been a pervasive presence in the hobby over the past few years. The result is often an unsustainable market of disingenuous buyers seeking the "next big thing". What happens, though, when you combine hype with one of the most recognized and trusted brand in the hobby? JT dissects the rise and fall of Panini's inaugural WWE Prizm release. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

One of the most hyped prospects of the 21st century, Bryce Harper's career baseball-wise and hobby-wise has been arguably the most scrutinized of anyone to step on the diamond. A decade after his debut, how has Harper's hobby held up over time? JT and MikeO spend this episode talking about one of baseball's most controversial players and his place in the sports card hobby. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Popular hobby opinion pegs PSA as the top option for third-party grading. Despite their standing, commentary surrounding the company's grading services often contains criticisms of turnaround times, submission fees, and quality of service. JT is joined by b1gscott35 to break down what keeps PSA at the top. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

If you've purchased sports card singles in the past couple of years, you've likely heard of "comps". More than ever, both buyers and sellers have utilized completed sales data from eBay to make hobby-related decisions. Why has this tool become predominant and how accurate is the data? In this episode, JT identifies five "issues" with "comps" and how to avoid them. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Who doesn't love a good bargain? In today's show, JT is joined by fellow value-box enthusiast, Beau of onemillioncubs to discuss his mindset as both a buyer and seller of value box cards. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Set building often requires discipline, patience, and dedication. Often times, the journey to completion is more exciting than the actual act. JT sits down with Alex of Bowman53 to discuss his set building endeavor with the 1953 Bowman Baseball set. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Since the debut of it's current design in 2010, the Topps rookie card shield has become one of the most significant symbols in the trading card hobby. Originally intended to clarify what counts as a rookie card, numerous questionable uses of the logo suggest the logo has created more confusion. JT is joined by Victor to get his take on everything regarding the shield. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Hobbyists with kids carry a whole new set of challenges in their collecting endeavors. How or should they introduce the hobby to their kids? How do they balance adding to their collection vs their kid's? What happens if their kids don't have interest in the hobby? JT is joined by his friend Dustin of Dustin & Blake on YouTube to discuss these questions. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Tom Brady's retirement signals a changing of the guard for the NFL. JT examines the state of the league and the ramifications for the football side of the hobby moving forward. What do hobbyists anticipate will happen? What do hobbyists speculate will happen? JT gives his predictions. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

In the midst of the hobby boom over the past few years, tensions between collector and investor mindsets have resulted in a disconnect among hobbyists. Today, JT sits down with Troy of TRIKE415 Sports Cards to pinpoint the roots of this division, why it's happened, and where we can find middle ground. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

"Eye appeal" - two words we often associate with the process of purchasing vintage cards. The concept is simple: not all cards are equal in appearance and not all grades are equal. Why do we gravitate towards certain cards over others, and how do we make these decisions? In this episode, JT is joined by Jake of "Legends Never Die" to ponder these questions. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

In a week of distasteful hobby news, one of the headline stories revolves around Backyard Breaks and a gold Trevor Lawrence KABOOM! card. The reactions to this situation range from praise to criticism, but a large segment of commentators ponder why hobbyists have decided to break through this service. JT breaks down the charismatic personalities of Backyard Breaks' hosts and why a segment of the hobby have become loyal customers. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Fear is arguably the most influential emotion relating to consumer behavior. Particularly, the idea of "missing out" on a product or service due to high demand, low supply, or astronomical prices creates the uncomfortable feeling of social exclusion. In today's episode, JT and Eric from ThoseBackPages define the fear of missing out, or "FOMO", as it relates to the hobby. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

Periodically on Sports Card Psychology (SCP), JT and his guest(s) will take a deep dive into specific players and examine case studies of their hobby. In today's show, JT is joined by Ed, better known on YouTube as WeskerGriff, to discuss one of the hottest names in the baseball hobby: Juan Soto. Ed provides a detailed lore behind Soto's rise to prominence, discussing his corresponding roller coaster ride in the sports card market. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support

The PSA Set Registry provides the blueprint for thousands of hobbyists, comprising of thousands of checklists for player, team, set, and key card collectors alike. Although many adjectives could be used to detail the registry, one of the most common descriptors is "addicting". Why are these set registries addicting for collectors? How are our hobby behaviors influenced through the pursuit of a registry? JT is joined by Mike (Baseball Collector on YouTube) to answer these questions and discuss how they navigate the registries in their own collections. Mike's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BaseballCollector TripleCrown24 eBay store: ebay.com/usr/itstriplecrown --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jt-grugen/support