Are the high prices of modern packs keeping kids out of the hobby?
11235813
Posts: 610
After seeing so few kids at the annual Washington State Sports Collectors Association show yesterday, wanted to bring this up for discussion.
Based on 3% inflation and a starting point of 1987, when Topps wax packs were 40 cents each, this year's packs "should" cost between 70 and 75 cents. Yet to the best of my knowledge (I don't collect modern, so I may be wrong here) there are no packs in any sport which retail for less than $1 each, and most modern packs retail for anywhere from $2-4 each.
Do you think the fact that modern packs are so expensive is keeping kids out of the hobby?
Matt
Based on 3% inflation and a starting point of 1987, when Topps wax packs were 40 cents each, this year's packs "should" cost between 70 and 75 cents. Yet to the best of my knowledge (I don't collect modern, so I may be wrong here) there are no packs in any sport which retail for less than $1 each, and most modern packs retail for anywhere from $2-4 each.
Do you think the fact that modern packs are so expensive is keeping kids out of the hobby?
Matt
0
Comments
video game instead of a pack or box of cards anymore.
My 10 year old and his teammates get a pack of cards after every game from one of the coaches. My son has about 6 unopened packs in his bag, as do most of his friends. They'd rather play the game than sort the cards, and thanks to heavier parent involvement than when we were kids there are always leagues, practices, batting cages, etc. When he gets home to unwind it's much more likely to be with a video game or legos than by sorting cards.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
you can have 15 different 2008 pujols..
thats why I only collect vintage... I love looking at a 62 topps clemente..
it is like coffee... 20 yrs ago.. you got coffee with cream and sugar..
now you get a half calf latte with a spinkle of blah blah
extra foam with a dash of who gives a crap
<< <i> My eight son who lives and breathes baseball was mailed two packs from a Grandmother for his birthday. He still hasn't opened them because in his words he is "too busy" to look at the cards. Would I be a bad father if I rip them? I don't even collect modern cards but the idea of unopened material sitting in my living room is crazy. >>
I think you should start a new thread, "Live RIP of my sons cards, and he doesn't know" Go ahead and do the Rip and replace them when your son finds out. Tell him the cards get bad when they are in the packs too long.
adults out of that part of the hobby as well.
Steve
<< <i>You can still get a worthless pack of regular Topps for $1. >>
That's good to know. Not sure whether you are being tounge in cheek about regular cards being "worthless", though. After all, until Upper Deck came along in the early 90's, all that you got were "regular" cards. There were no inserts/jersey cards/autographs, etc. If memory serves me correctly, inserts first appeared in the 1991 card issues.
I just remember the when I was a kid in the early/mid 80's, it took me roughly three hours of mowing lawns/babysitting to earn enough money to buy a box of cards. Nowadays, I'm guessing that kids are looking at 6-8 hours of work to earn enough money to buy a low-end box of cards, and 10-12 hours of work to buy a higher-end box.
<< <i>I just remember the when I was a kid in the early/mid 80's, it took me roughly three hours of mowing lawns/babysitting to earn enough money to buy a box of cards. Nowadays, I'm guessing that kids are looking at 6-8 hours of work to earn enough money to buy a low-end box of cards, and 10-12 hours of work to buy a higher-end box. >>
I may be in the minority, but in my opinion the spoiled kids of today don't do much work at all. Yet they walk around with their cellphones and designer shoes with mommy and/or daddy's money in hand ready to spend it on just about anything. Most just don't care about cards anymore. It's not the price as much as its the availability of trendier things to spend their money on.
<< <i>Gumby, I guess my son is the exception. He saves what money he earns and hates spending it on anything. He showed me his wallet a few days ago and had about $100 in it. Like I said before, he is only 9. >>
That is awesome! You're raising a smart son. Unfortunately, he is the exception IMO.
<< <i>Gumby, I guess my son is the exception. He saves what money he earns and hates spending it on anything. He showed me his wallet a few days ago and had about $100 in it. Like I said before, he is only 9. >>
Get that money out of the wallet and into an interest bearing savings account. Teach your son the value of compounding money at an early age and he will be financially set for the future. Then he will have all the money he needs to buy sports cards.
J
Take this year's UD black basketball for example. There are some really nice cards, but for $250 a box for 2 packs of 1 card you are better off buying what you are looking for. I picked up a Chuck Daly Auto for $10. Definitely not a $125 card. Today's cards are all about gambling, hoping to get that one hit. Set building is dying off fast.
Their perception is based on ads and their peers' acceptance of the propaganda. Stuff that is cool is acquired
by kids that are cool; additional kids seek/acquire stuff that matches the stuff cool kids seek/acquire.
Packs of modern sport-cards are NOT seen as cool by most kids. There is no advertising to disabuse this notion.
Kids lust after what they see. They seldom see modern sports-cards in a sexy light.
I think the kids have it right. There is little entertainment value and NO future value in modern junk.
The trend is not reversible. BUT, that does not mean the same kids, once grown, will reject "vintage" collectibles.
In 2008 kids:
a) have iphones, ipods, nintendo dual screen, xbox360, playstation3, guitar hero. DVDs are released 6 weeks after a film leaves the theaters and instant gratification is the name of the game. I collected cards because we didn't have a baseball team in Buffalo. As a kid, the only options that I had to keep up with the game was to watch the Game of the Week on ABC, READ the newspaper and collect the cards. Now days you can watch games daily on Direct TV, sattilite TV, DVR, ESPN's 1 through ocho, etc.
b) are involved in organized sports and not just one league. I coach my daughter's Little League softball team (ages 11 & 12) which has 14 players. Most games I struggle to get 9 players on the field because and 6 or 7 play in multiple leagues and have scheduling conflicts. Add to this soccer, summer enrichment classes, music lessons and you get the idea.
Sorry for the rant, but saying that kids aren't interested in cards because of the cost is like saying that the milkman doesn't come around anyone because milk is no longer available in glass bottles.
Mike
when we collected in the 70's and 80's, there were no video games....your free time was spent collecting things (stamps, coins, action figures, baseball cards)...
the advent of nintendo really changed that trend.....the 90's and the 2000;s are more about video games, phones, and text messaging -all major wastes of time with no positive side effects...
not only are kids addicted to video games and waste countless hours a day playing them, i have started a basic research paper with the hypothesis that video games could cause autism ..there has been a tremendous rise in this disorder in the last 15 years, and the only thing that has changed in our society is more video games...
our diets are the same, our schooling is the same, our immunizations are the same......think about it
<< <i> video games could cause autism >>
No way...
<< <i>
<< <i> video games could cause autism >>
No way... >>
you know for sure?
how many autistic kids do you know....the 5 i know are all expert video game players, thats the only thing they do well.....its hinders proper social development BIGTIME
edited to add...i would be surprised to learn of an autistic child THAT DOES NOT PLAY VIDEO GAMES CONSTANTLY
<< <i>It's 2008, kids are not interested in cards. We need to let go the idea of cards are for kids and that kids would be even remotely interested in cards (or hobbies in general). This is a concept that has passed us by. Cards were for kids in the 50's, 60's, 70's and maybe the early 80's. The same thing goes for comic books, stamps, coins, GI Joes, Barbies and (fill in the blank).
In 2008 kids:
a) have iphones, ipods, nintendo dual screen, xbox360, playstation3, guitar hero. DVDs are released 6 weeks after a film leaves the theaters and instant gratification is the name of the game. I collected cards because we didn't have a baseball team in Buffalo. As a kid, the only options that I had to keep up with the game was to watch the Game of the Week on ABC, READ the newspaper and collect the cards. Now days you can watch games daily on Direct TV, sattilite TV, DVR, ESPN's 1 through ocho, etc.
b) are involved in organized sports and not just one league. I coach my daughter's Little League softball team (ages 11 & 12) which has 14 players. Most games I struggle to get 9 players on the field because and 6 or 7 play in multiple leagues and have scheduling conflicts. Add to this soccer, summer enrichment classes, music lessons and you get the idea.
Sorry for the rant, but saying that kids aren't interested in cards because of the cost is like saying that the milkman doesn't come around anyone because milk is no longer available in glass bottles.
Mike >>
"We need to let go the idea of cards are for kids and that kids would be even remotely interested in cards (or hobbies in general)."
Well said.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
It is widely believed by most medical professionals and autism experts that people are born with autism. Some things in their environment may trigger the onset of symptoms, but things they do or things around them do not "cause autism". Also, there are many things in our society that have changed in the last 15 years besides video games. Good luck on your paper.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
<< <i>Baseball cards don't have boobs. >>
cough...cough...Steve Balboni...cough...cough
funny "He sweated gravy. He p*ssed Hawaiian Punch. When teammates saw him approaching the post-game buffet spread, they backed away slowly, never making eye contact."
<< <i>After going to the national with me 3 out of the last 4 years my boy turned me down on going this year. I guess turning 14 and other outlets for entertainment (video games, friends, girls) out weights the convention. Even when I get basketball cards he doesnt even want to help rip anymore. IDK if its his age and just flat up finds it boring. >>
Once Kids hit high school, collecting cards is out the window. There are too many other things going on including girls, sports, friends, school activities and part time jobs. Plus collecting cards is not viewed as "cool". As a matter of fact, cards take a back seat until most people get out of college for the same reasons and more.
It was the same way for me and all of my friends who were big time collectors. I have just gotten back in the hobby in the past year now that life has slowed down enough for me to enjoy fooling around with pieces of cardboard again. Of course we just had our first child so life will be speeding back up again in the near future.
I do see some things at card shows that really tick me off. Last years national I believe Thursday or Friday if was kids day. I was standing at a table where a dealer had a table full of crap (and I mean crap) that were all marked as $3 a piece. The dealer got frustrated with all the kids going through his stuff. The dealer said sounding agravated "Man there sure are alot of kids in here today." I just kind of gave him a look and he responded "As there should be."
I guess I dont know who else would buy anything off of his table of crap (Junk Lebron bobble heads and assorted stuff that looks like it came out of a kids meal). He sould be happy the kids are interested.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
<< <i>i have started a basic research paper with the hypothesis that video games could cause autism...
It is widely believed by most medical professionals and autism experts that people are born with autism. Some things in their environment may trigger the onset of symptoms, but things they do or things around them do not "cause autism". Also, there are many things in our society that have changed in the last 15 years besides video games. Good luck on your paper. >>
please ellaborate Lee, what other things have changed but more technology toys/videogames....
and the problem with autism is that it is the least understood medical problem hands down next to altzheimers......and its is not WIDELY BELIEVED that you are born with autism, is is Widely Believed to be enviornmental Einstein......
just because your know a full house beats a straight does not make you an expert on everything else....
Looking for 1970 MLB Photostamps
- uncut
Positive Transactions - tennesseebanker, Ahmanfan, Donruss, Colebear, CDsNuts, rbdjr1, Downtown1974, yankeeno7, drewsef, mnolan, mrbud60, msassin, RipublicaninMass, AkbarClone, rustywilly, lsutigers1973, julen23 and nam812, plus many others...
Typically autism is diagnosed between the ages of 1-3 years old; how many of those kids are playing video games??
Also, autism seems to be the disease of the week, It was probably under diagnosed and now its over diagnosed, much like ADHD, ADD et. al.
<< <i>I may be in the minority, but in my opinion the spoiled kids of today don't do much work at all. >>
I find that remark to be quite ageist, Gumby. My father (who was a cheater, emotionaly/verbally/occassionaly physically abusive, and cruel to animals) tried to slap that label on me in my late teens despite the fact I was taking two college courses during my last semester of high school, was student manager for our varsity baseball team, AND had a part-time job at Wendy's all at the same time. I've been around young people (HS/college age) a lot more than you (I'm also still only 28 and a good portion of my co-workers at Kroger and most late-night customers are HS/college age) and the so-called "spoiled kids of today" work very hard not just at part-time jobs, but did you know how much more cut-throat academic compeition is? Look up the jump in number of Advanced Placement courses/exams taken today (compared to say, ten years ago) and you'll see what I mean. Those courses are definetly NOT for slackers.
I suggest you keep your ageist stereotypes to yourself.
D's: 50P,49S,45D+S,43D,41S,40D,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 241,435,610,654 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings
<< <i>
<< <i>I may be in the minority, but in my opinion the spoiled kids of today don't do much work at all. >>
I find that remark to be quite ageist, Gumby. My father (who was a cheater, emotionaly/verbally/occassionaly physically abusive, and cruel to animals) tried to slap that label on me in my late teens despite the fact I was taking two college courses during my last semester of high school, was student manager for our varsity baseball team, AND had a part-time job at Wendy's all at the same time. I've been around young people (HS/college age) a lot more than you (I'm also still only 28 and a good portion of my co-workers at Kroger and most late-night customers are HS/college age) and the so-called "spoiled kids of today" work very hard not just at part-time jobs, but did you know how much more cut-throat academic compeition is? Look up the jump in number of Advanced Placement courses/exams taken today (compared to say, ten years ago) and you'll see what I mean. Those courses are definetly NOT for slackers.
I suggest you keep your ageist stereotypes to yourself. >>
You don't know me so don't tell me who I have or have not been around. I can form my opinions and state them as I choose and frankly I don't care how hard you think you work. You're 28 years old, you should really stop taking offense when someone talks about "spoiled kids".
This topic is about $2 packs keeping KIDS out of the hobby...not 28 year olds with a job at Kroger who are pouting because academic compeition (sic) is so much more cut-throat today.
I suggest you go pop in the Care Bears Movie and stop taking comments on a message board so personally.
Looking for 1970 MLB Photostamps
- uncut
Positive Transactions - tennesseebanker, Ahmanfan, Donruss, Colebear, CDsNuts, rbdjr1, Downtown1974, yankeeno7, drewsef, mnolan, mrbud60, msassin, RipublicaninMass, AkbarClone, rustywilly, lsutigers1973, julen23 and nam812, plus many others...
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
Do you think you are better than someone who works at Krogers? I have respect for a man that works, not where he works. Period....
You make fun of him, but that says alot about you, too.
Grow up.
<< <i>Gumby,
Do you think you are better than someone who works at Krogers? I have respect for a man that works, not where he works. Period....
You make fun of him, but that says alot about you, too.
Grow up. >>
Stan,
I never once said that I felt I was better than anyone, regardless of the job they held or did not hold. Reread my comments. I was referring to spoiled kids who did not have a job and instead lived off of mom & dad's income. Then Estil pointed out that he was 28 and works at Kroger. I generally don't consider a 28 year old to be a "kid". I guess my point was that Estil's argument against my opinion by pointing out that he's 28 and has a job at Kroger (and complaining that college isn't easy) has absolutely nothing to do with spoiled kids having a sense of entitlement.
If you can't figure that out, Stan, I'm sorry.
<< <i>Stack overflow at line: 0 >>
LOL +1
Anyone who is not stupid could see you was trying to belittle him. Not very classy on your part.
John
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
Not all, but an ever increasing percentage of todays youth (teens to 20) are lazy little spoiled brats, with no sense of morals or respect
for anything other than their own little selfish needs which they not only now seem to expect, but demand come from someone else's pocketbook. The Blame lays solely on the parents who allow this to happen. Todays kids get to much to early in life and expect it to be that way in the real world.
As for the 28 year old claiming he is in touch with the kids, working and having it so rough with his college gig? I couldn't have said it much better than Gumby. I wonder if the guy still live at home. Cry me a freakin river because you have to work for what ya want.
for anything other than their own little selfish needs which they not only now seem to expect, but demand come from someone
else's pocketbook. The Blame lays solely on the parents who allow this to happen. Todays kids get to much to early in life and
expect it to be that way in the real world...."
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
For a tiny moment, I thought my father had done a Lazarus.
Serendipitous findings too, while the movie "Hair" is blasting
from 40-screens in a pawnshop; sets the mood for the times
when I heard MY father tell me the "facts" as stated above.
I didn't know it then, in 1968, but in 1940 my grandfather
had run the exact same rap on my father. Utes are no better
and not much worse than they were back then; and, "back then"
means all the times that ever were.
Setting aside the abject failure factories that public education
systems became in the past 40-years, kids are near about as
smart and as dumb as they always were. Kids are as worthwhile
and as worthless as they have been and will be forever.
The olden days always look different than they really were. Time
slays bad memories much deader than it wipes out good ones.
The nostalgic looking-glass has a super rosey lens.
What's the matter with kids today? They stayed the same as all
the previous batches.
<< <i>Gumby,
Anyone who is not stupid could see you was trying to belittle him. Not very classy on your part. >>
The only person I try to belittle around here are (sic) you.
<< <i>
<< <i>Gumby,
Anyone who is not stupid could see you was trying to belittle him. Not very classy on your part. >>
The only person I try to belittle around here are (sic) you. >>
I'm impartial to the banter, but this is a funny exchange.
I'm the only person that I've ever seen in my local card shop that looks to be between the ages of 14-21. Most guys are either 30+ and the other majority are kids (8-12 year olds) that get dragged along.
There's children on the street using guns and knives
Taking drugs and each other's lives
Killing each other with knives and forks
And calling each other names like dork woah
There's people on the street getting diseases from monkeys
Yeah that's what I said, they're getting diseases from monkeys
Now there's, junkies with monkey disease, who's touching these monkeys please?
Leave these poor sick monkeys alone
They've got problems enough as it is
A man is lying on the street, some punk's chopped off his head
And I'm the only one who stops to see if he's dead, aaoohhh
Turns out he's dead
And that's why I'm singing,
Why, what is wrong with the world today?
What's wrong with the world today, mmm hmmm mmm and a hey
Uooo, what is wrong with the world today? hey
You gotta think about it
think, think about it!
Good cops get framed and been put into a can
And all the money that we're making is going to the maaan
What man? Which man? Whose the man?
When's a man a man? What makes a man a man?
Am I a man?
Yes, technically, I am.
They're turning kids into slaves just to make cheaper sneakers
But what's the real cost, 'cause the sneakers don't seem that much cheaper
Why are we still paying so much for sneakers when you got them made by little kid slaves?
What is your overhead?
At the end of your life, you're lucky if you die
Sometimes I wonder why we even try
I saw a man lying on the street half dead
He had knives and forks sticking out of his leg
And He said, Ahh ahh ahh ahhhhhhhhwww
Can somebody get the knife and fork out of my leg, please?
Ooh, could somebody please remove these cutleries from my knees
And then we break it down
Yeah oooo this is the acappella jams oooooo
ooooooo yea yea
woah woah
Breakin' it down
And then we'll bring it back *wails* yea!
Jammin' out, Just jammin out!
Wah wah wah waaah