Episodes

Dec. 22, 2023

1159 - Grading Logistics

Besides grading the card, what other logistical concerns arise in the grading process - both internal and external - I try to address some of these concerns for a serious collector who contacted me directly.

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Dec. 20, 2023

1158 - UD Boston Bruins Centennial Hockey

Upper Deck's new complete set in a box (plus five additional parallels or inserts) is perhaps the beginning of an emerging trend in target marketing to teams and cities in hopes of growing the sports card collecting pie.  Thanks Upper Deck!

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Dec. 18, 2023

1157 - Holiday Hobby Traditions, with Rich Klein

Lots of hobby celebrations toward the end of the year - Rich is a big fan of Secret Santa promotions as win-win.

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Dec. 15, 2023

1156 - Value Box Etiquette, with Rich Klein

Rich and I sometimes are shoulder-to-shoulder deep in the dollar boxes at shows.  Here are our takes on proper etiquette especially when it gets crowded.

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Dec. 13, 2023

1155 - Then and Now: Pricing Techniques, with Rich Klein

Rich and I contrast today with the old days of gathering sports card price info almost exclusively from private sales.

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Dec. 11, 2023

1154 - Out-Takes on Prospect Restraint from Hobby Hotline 120223

When do you give up and cash out on a once-promising prospect?  Does it depend on the sport or position or team?  Excerpted from last week's Hobby Hotline.

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Dec. 8, 2023

1153 - Out-Takes on eBay/COMC from Hobby Hotline 120223

Last week's live Saturday morning's Hobby Hotline dealt in part with the implications of eBay's significant financial investment in COMC.  This is excerpted from that.

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Dec. 6, 2023

1152 - Pro FB Hall of Fame Semi-Finalists for 2024

Just announced were the 25 semi-finalists for the Pro FB HOF.  Finalists will be announced in January and then the selectees will be presented on February 8th. If you are interested in one of these players, consider getting ahead of the herd.

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Dec. 4, 2023

1151 - Nine Listener Questions 4.0

More questions from a variety of listeners on a variety of topics.  I am enjoying the opportunity to share perspectives and insights that are relevant.

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Dec. 1, 2023

1150 - Recap: Podcast Episodes 1126-1149

These recapped episodes cover about two months of three times a week podcasts plus ten YouTube Card Wall videos.  Thanks for listening and watching.

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Nov. 29, 2023

1149 - Nine Listener Questions 3.0

Accumulating nine more hobby questions - some newer and some older - thanks for sending in your questions to doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com

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Nov. 27, 2023

1148 - Mega-Bids

Mega-Bids can go very wrong - a discussion of the practice and implications of this aggressive bidding technique, which also has the clear effect of increasing prices.

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Nov. 24, 2023

1147 - Thankful for my brother, Chris Beckett

My younger brother Chris is celebrating a milestone birthday tomorrow and I am reminded how blessed I have been to have him as my brother all these years. Plus I think I have finally solved the mystery of his missing 1967 Topps cards.

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Nov. 22, 2023

1146 - Hobby Dinner Convo Feedback

Got a number of questions and comments about last week's episodes on the recent hobby dinner convo - from doctorjamesbeckett@gmail.com and through YouTube - thanks!

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Nov. 20, 2023

1145 - Card Wall Video Comments

I posted ten short six-minute videos to YouTube last week and got some good feedback that I wanted to share with all my listeners as well as viewers - thanks for your comments!

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Nov. 17, 2023

1144 - Hobby Dinner Convo 110323, Part 3

Rich Klein was my co-host and we were joined by a great and distinguished group: Rob Bernshteyn, Joe Davis, Josh Davis, John Keating, Chris McGill, Mike Moynihan, Victor Roman, Dave Sliepka, Bill Sliheet, Kristina Thorson, and Shane Zaiger.

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Nov. 15, 2023

1143 - Hobby Dinner Convo 110323, Part 2

Rich Klein was my co-host and we were joined by a great and distinguished group: Rob Bernshteyn, Joe Davis, Josh Davis, John Keating, Chris McGill, Mike Moynihan, Victor Roman, Dave Sliepka, Bill Sliheet, Kristina Thorson, and Shane Zaiger.

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Nov. 13, 2023

1142 - Hobby Dinner Convo 110323

Rich Klein was my co-host and we were joined by a great and distinguished group: Rob Bernshteyn, Joe Davis, Josh Davis, John Keating, Chris McGill, Mike Moynihan, Victor Roman, Dave Sliepka, Bill Sliheet, Kristina Thorson, and Shane Zaiger.

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Nov. 10, 2023

1141 - UD Hockey: SpX v Ultimare v Premier

We take a look at three different one-pack-per-box products from Upper Deck hockey and question exactly what is a hit these days.  Thanks Upper Deck!

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Nov. 8, 2023

1140 - Five Listener Questions 9.0

The ninth edition of this question series - topics are food, YouTube, 10X/1.1X/1.25X?, Keltay, and vintage non-sports - very eclectic and hopefully a bit for each listener.  Thanks!

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Nov. 6, 2023

1139 - Tribute: Bobby Knight, HOF Coach

Enigmatic Bob Knight has passed at the age of 83.  You could not be neutral about him - he had his detractors - but his basketball success was undeniable - what can we learn here?

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Nov. 3, 2023

1138 - Texas Rangers Win!

First World Series Championship ever for the Rangers - so how might this effect their card values going forward - is this a dynasty? - and what about those Diamondbacks!

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Nov. 1, 2023

1137 - Out-Takes on The National and Pre-Rookies from Hobby Hotline 1…

Why has the National not historically released attendance figures especially now as the event (and the sports card hobby) is really on a roll?  Could there be a time in the future that Pre-Rookie Cards surpass major league RC's?

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Oct. 30, 2023

1136 - Out-Takes on Costco and QC from Hobby Hotline 101323

I co-hosted Hobby Hotline two weeks ago with Danny Black and Logan Ward and we discussed a variety of topics with our listeners and commenters.  Check out the whole episode in case you missed it live.

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