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Buying big collections isn’t just about money — it’s about people, emotions, and trust. Here’s the exact mindset and process I use to price collections quickly without pressuring sellers. Timestamps 0:56 Why big collection deals are emotional 2:16 The #1 rule: don’t meet when you’re rushed 4:41 Quantity doesn’t equal value (the story I tell sellers) 14:01 Value vs liquidity (and why “comps” can mislead) 15:11 My pricing formula: 90% for strong stuff, 50–60% for the rest Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

no timestamps cause i'm tired and wanna go to bed 😂 Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Buying cards through DMs can feel like a gamble. In this episode, Tyler breaks down where scams happen most and the simple habits that protect you across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord, and eBay. He shares real stories of getting burned, the red flags he watches for now, and why paying a little extra can be the cheapest insurance in the hobby. Timestamps 0:00 How people get ripped off in the hobby 1:04 The hobby runs on trust and what happens when it breaks 2:40 Discords: great when accountability is real 9:00 Facebook and Twitter deals pros, cons, and risk 12:57 Instagram: getting scammed and how to spot bad vibes 20:50 eBay: why it’s the default safest option 25:37 Tyler’s rules to avoid getting scammed Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Collecting shouldn’t feel stressful or exhausting. If you want to enjoy the hobby long term, these three collecting lanes make all the difference. In this episode, I break down how to collect what you love without chasing hype, overspending, or burning out — whether you’re brand new or deep into the hobby. Timestamps 0:00 – Why most collectors lose momentum4:15 – Lane #1: Collect the players you genuinely love7:50 – Lane #2: The affordable alternative that changes everything10:55 – Lane #3: Why every collector needs a chase or set12:45 – How these lanes work together long term Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Shill bidding is way more common than people want to admit. In this episode, we break down what it is, why people do it, and how it quietly destroys trust (and comps) in the hobby. Timestamps 0:00 What “shill bidding” really means (and why it’s tempting) 2:20 The easiest red flags on auction sites (and what they signal) 6:35 Why “defensive bidding” is still shill bidding 10:10 How shill bidding wrecks comps and pushes collectors out 13:55 The buyer rule that saves you from getting played Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

 viral card show trade sparked “rip off” accusations fast — but the full story might be way more complicated. Let’s break down what people think they saw vs what could actually be true when liquidity, buyers, and context matter. Timestamps 0:00 The trade clip that keeps showing up 1:07 What was traded and why it looks wild 4:10 The comment section meltdown and body language assumptions 6:10 The follow up explanation and “dad made the deal” context 12:18 The rule for trading with kids and the trade back safety net 18:20 How to handle rude comments and protect your community culture Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Sports card grading sparks more arguments than almost anything in the hobby — and PSA sits right at the center of it. Is PSA elevating collecting… or quietly hurting it? In this episode, we break down the real pros and cons of PSA grading, why collectors feel so strongly about it, and what grading actually does to card value, trust, and collecting culture. Timestamps: 00:00 – PSA vs the hobby: what’s the real debate? 02:15 – Why grading exists and what it actually solves 05:00 – How PSA impacts card value and price gaps 07:00 – Authenticity, fakes, and why grading matters more now 11:00 – The biggest downside: PSA’s market control 14:00 – Grading vs personal collection philosophy Drop your thoughts in the comments — PSA lover or PSA skeptic? Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Game used memorabilia is quietly becoming one of the most underrated assets in sports collecting. In this episode, I break down my recent purchases and explain why I believe this market is just getting started. Timestamps: 0:00 – Why I started buying game used items 1:05 – My first two game used jerseys 3:00 – Finding undervalued game worn shoes 6:10 – Certified vs signed only items 9:15 – Championship ceremony gear and why it matters 11:40 – Why game used will outperform signed items long term Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Big changes may be coming to the hobby.PSA’s parent company is rolling out updates that could reshape Beckett and SGC—and collectors should be paying attention. From new labels to imaging to vault integration, here’s what’s confirmed, what’s rumored, and why it all matters. Timestamps 00:00 Why these updates matter 01:08 Beckett getting imaging and new labels 02:11 Label design and why slabs matter 04:30 SGC expansion and turnaround times 05:32 Beckett and SGC cards going to the PSA Vault 07:01 Why cross-company set registries should exist Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Fanatics isn’t just making cards anymore. Now they want to control the stories that make those cards matter. Here’s what Fanatics Studios could do for the hobby… and what collectors should be cautious about. Timestamps 0:00 Fanatics launches a studio why this is a big deal 1:16 Why storytelling changes perception The Last Dance effect 2:24 What Fanatics Studios is making and who they’re partnering with 6:06 From selling cards to controlling the narrative 10:38 What it means for collectors growth moments and cultural relevance 13:16 The risks manufactured hype and who gets left out 16:11 The shows Fanatics should make creator led ideas Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

the 4 tiers of sports card comps Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Where are collectors actually buying sports cards right now? In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, I break down real December sales data showing over $381 million spent online, with eBay dominating nearly 80% of the market. We talk buyer trust, human behavior, scams, the adoption curve, and why Fanatics Collect could slowly gain ground over the next decade. If you collect cards, sell cards, or are just getting into the hobby, this episode explains why the market looks the way it does and where it’s heading next. Timestamps: 0:00 Dentist shots, bad decisions, and sports cards1:00 $381M in monthly card sales explained2:00 Why eBay dominates the hobby4:00 Comfort, trust, and buyer protection6:00 A real eBay scam story (and why I still trust it)8:40 The human adoption curve applied to sports cards10:30 Where Fanatics Collect fits long-term12:00 What the future of card buying might look like Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

Dr. Tyler Tarver breaks the hobby into three collector archetypes (no judgment, just labels), explains what each group contributes to the ecosystem, and argues the hobby is more of a spectrum than a war. Plus, a quick Chicken Nugget Nation giveaway at the end. Timestamps (based on transcript timing): 0:00 Welcome + premise, “three types of collectors”1:00 Gordy Bonkers clip, cards as a financially rewarding hobby2:05 Comment reactions, “collect what fulfills you”, money risks, experience matters6:10 The hobby as a spectrum, NBA analogy (rookies, ring chasers, franchise lifers)8:25 Type 1: PSA Kaboom Boys (PKB), flippers and liquidity11:15 Type 2: Capsule Keepers, forever collectors13:00 Type 3: Portfolio Collectors, evolving collection and life seasons18:30 Wrap up, why all 3 matter19:40 Chicken Nugget Nation pitch + giveaway Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

In this episode, Tyler interviews Mike Gioseffi from Sports Cards Nonsense about his biggest hobby whiff (selling Ohtani too early), then Tyler shares his own all-time mistake: pricing a 1997 Skybox Z-Force Super Rave like a normal card and watching it walk away for $5, later comping around $1,000 to $1,500. Timestamps (approx.) 0:00 Intro, biggest mistakes concept, Mike Gioseffi setup1:30 The question, “Who did you whiff on?”3:05 Mike’s whiff, selling Ohtani too early, lesson on patience4:45 Mike’s buying range and liquidity philosophy6:50 Tyler returns, travel setup, “here’s my worst mistake”8:30 The $5 pricing mistake, 1997 Z-Force Super Rave context10:45 The reveal, Super Rave is /50, comps explode12:10 The lesson, check 90s numbered parallels, story value13:30 Chicken Nugget Nation Patreon + giveaway plug, wrap Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart

In this episode of Sports Cards Are Dope, Tyler ranks his top 10 predictions for how the hobby evolves in 2026, plus five honorable mentions, from AI reshaping grading to Topps owning the big three licenses to the hobby shifting into a full-blown experience economy. Timestamps (approx.) 0:00 Welcome, what the episode is1:33 5 Honorable Mentions (AI in grading, wax polarization, private deals, quality reset, kids re-entering)5:29 #10 Live shopping gets organized (Whatnot, Fanatics Live, TikTok Shop, eBay Live)6:44 #9 Grading companies polarize further (PSA vs the field, transparency pressure)8:15 #8 Cross-sport concepts become normal (Topps “tests” ideas across leagues)9:13 #7 Debut Patch becomes the “best card” for players9:50 #6 Cards get treated like art (and more mainstream coverage)11:25 #5 More athletes drive hobby growth (Fanatics effect)13:44 #4 Card shops and shows become hybrid media spaces17:16 #3 Creator-dealers become more influential than traditional dealers18:53 #2 Topps football license reshapes the ecosystem20:28 #1 The hobby becomes an experience economy (stories, access, community)25:45 Giveaway + Chicken Nugget Nation plug, wrap-up Thanks to our monthly supporters Ryan McVay Justin Jonte Azilllatheodd Klendathu Tatershed Justin Burch Always_Eaton Chris Crimminger Casey Miller Ryan Bruder Kevin Quiles Evan Hastie Donut Josh Stewart