Sunday, March 20, 2022

The State Of The Hobby: Hobby Boxes

*first sip to mouth burns the tongue, not a great start to the morning especially since didn't sleep well. at least I am alive for another day. takes another sip more carefully and begins today's #CardsOverCoffee post*

Welcome back to The State Of The Hobby series. 

In the last post, I tackled how the pandemic had changed the face of retail products. That was just the start of the hobby uprising as it not only affected retail products, because it also affected hobby box prices that have now risen to astronomical amounts.

Remember just a couple of years ago when you were able to go to a site like Dave and Adams and find a hobby box of a new product for about $100-$150? Hate to tell you, those days are long gone.
 
Products like the latest Contenders football release used to be $125-$150 for 6 autographs. Pandemic prices have risen them to $700 for the same thing two years ago you could have gotten a third of that. INSAAAANNNEE.


 
It's not just Contenders or football card prices either, it's all hobby box prices for all sports. ALL have at least doubled if not tripled and offer the same thing or less than two years ago. Look at that Playoff football price, that's more like a $100 box.

Even the clearance section, which used to be where my wife used to shop for me for Christmas because you could find hobby boxes marked down for $50 or less has become a joke. Most of the clearance section now is "marked down" retail. Hanger boxes for $20 and a Mega Box for almost $300 is not clearance by any means. The hobby boxes that are on there, don't even bother looking at.

Don't think I am just picking on Dave and Adams here either, this goes for all websites like Blowout, Steel City Collectibles, etc that sell hobby boxes. I chose Dave and Adams since that is where I used to shop.

All of these price changes for the hobby and retail has changed the landscape of the hobby. The "Deep Pockets" still shell out the cash on the hobby and retail boxes while collectors join in on more box breaks, pick up cheap singles and search thrift stores for treasures for their collections since they have been driven away from opening product. 

It's a tough time as collectors to enjoy the hobby we used to, but fortunately most of us can adjust and find new avenues to enjoy the hobby. Sadly some couldn't and have left.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post. not sure how food will feel on my burned tongue surface especially if I go the toast route but I need breakfast very soon*

The changes in prices has reflected on my hobby as well. I no longer buy hobby boxes nor even ask for any for Christmas. I find an eBay gift card sufficient now as I plug in pieces to my collection instead. Occasionally I will buy a retail box if it's a product that catches my attention or if I just get that pack ripping itch under control.

Even though it kills me on the hobby box part, at least I am still enjoying the hobby.

*takes another sip, maybe scrambled eggs for this morning will work*

Lots of questions I am sending your guys way today,
I am curious in comments if you have bought a hobby box in the last couple of years since the price changes? What's the most you have ever spent on a hobby box? Did you used to open product before the pandemic and what do you do now?

Have a Super Sunday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

13 comments:

  1. I couldn't agree more. Seems like a simple statement, but this post reflects my feelings as well. It drove my son away from collecting altogether. After he watched the cheap soccer boxes go from $20 to $350 he tapped out. Same product, months apart jumped that much when they couldn't even sell their inventory at the lower prices. Besides, as a set collector I realized that if you aren't into gambling for that "rare hitz" then there isn't any real value in a hobby box anyhow.

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    Replies
    1. There really isn't much value unless you chase hits. I just think it's fun to open but not for those prices. It's too bad its pushing away future collectors like your son.

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  2. A. I bought a box of Topps Black Chrome two years ago. Pretty sure that's the only hobby box (actually Topps online exclusive box) I've purchased since the start of the pandemic.

    B. Not sure what's the most expensive box I've ever purchased. But I have spent $400 to $700 on hobby cases of products like 2008 UD Masterpieces (football), 2008/09 Topps Signature (basketball), and 2009/10 Bowman 48 (basketball).

    C. I don't open much product these days. If I do, I stick to retail blasters. I'm pretty excited about 2022 Opening Day. 22 packs (7 cards per pack) for $20 brought a smile to my face.

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    1. I wouldn't even want to see case prices right now...

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  3. I have bought 3 hobby boxes during my entire time as a collector and that was back during the Gint-a-Cuffs craze in 2009-11. I could barely afford them then and that was years before the pandemic hobby boom.

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    Replies
    1. No chance now then or to even do Gint-a-Cuffs now

      Delete
  4. Like others have said, I thought hobby boxes were overpriced 5-10 years ago. SP Authentic hockey was one product I always scoffed at: $150-200 for a box of 100 cards. The big draw is the three autos per hobby box, but you're almost certain to get two common 3rd-liners . And the one "Future Watch" rookie will be a guy who gets a cup of coffee with Anaheim or Columbus before disappearing to Europe by the time you pull the card.

    Lately the boxes are 3x as much ($500+ if you can find them), you get two fewer packs, one fewer auto, and the release dates are more than a year behind. the 2021-22 season is almost over, yet UD still hasn't released last year's SP Authentic!

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  5. I've been buying a couple hobby boxes of Topps Heritage every year since 2018 and did so again this year. Used to buy Topps flagship jumbo boxes every year then switched to hobby boxes in 2021. Most other current hobby products and their prices are just background noise to me.

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    Replies
    1. Which is what they are to most collectors now

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  6. Hobby boxes weren't worth it when they got to be in the $80-$100 range so there's no way in hell I'm paying MORE than that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. which is why I used to hit the clearance bin, but not anymore

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  7. I stopped buying Topps flagship after 2020. I'll still get A&G when I like it, but to me, a hobby box should be $50-75 for flagship type products, and only slightly higher for A&G or GQ, etc. I'll tolerate $120 for A&G, but only for a couple. I'll finish sets with 10¢ singles and 50¢ inserts and be happy. Otherwise, I'll wait for the prices to come back down. And I'll be the one buying monster boxes of base that's a couple years old when all the mojo hunters run out of room and have to get rid of them cheap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's spot on. There is no way flagship one hit type products should be more than that. Those are the basic fun products for collectors

      Delete

Cards and coffee go together like PB&J, so don't you and leaving a comment below. Take a sip and let me know your thoughts!