I understand what you are saying, and I once found this apparently contradiction strange. But I think these phenomena are really much more complex that BAD ECONOMY → DROP in consumption.
First, people like stability and their consumption or shopping habits need some time to adjust for inflation (for example).
Then a large % of people don’t care or don’t follow the news, so they simply haven’t realized yet that their job/house is at risk for example, and will spend the money they have without thinking to much.
All this to say that effects of bad macroeconomic will take some time to show off, and could probably result in just a reduction of saving rate (for example: in 2018 I had 300$/month extra after paying all the bills, utilities, buying some stuff…, now it’s 200$).
Also I wouldn’t underestimate the ‘coping’ effect of buying collectibles: what I see here in Italy (where economy is truly stagnant) is that a lot of zoomer have simply surrendered. You’re living with your grandma or doing a low salary job, buying house is a mirage and many young adult just don’t care to start a family or having kids. So why don’t just seek the quick dopamine spike ad buy that psa10 that you like?
My morning briefings haven’t been working, but I got it fixed yesterday. Now heard this morning, for the second, time about pending and ongoing strikes in the UK. I see what you mean. The US has [had] a few strikes as well, but not in critical infrastructure sectors. (unless UPS hits the picket line).
I’m sorry did you just say people were getting mortgage loans for 1-1.5% interest in the EU?!!!
I guess I’m still not even sure what blast is referring to with 151 even. It’s just a specialty set that tickled the Genwunner fancy so resellers are selling them for 120-140 USD. Not many cards in the set go for particularly very much.
Snow hazard was being resold for like 70-80 not long after and only clay burst was going for a lot because of Waifunomics.
Im not a big fan of modern pokemon cards so i dont know much about their prices but i love the prices for 1st ed wotc stuff right now, i bought a psa 9 erikas dragonair 1st ed for 100 quid, to me that is a steal a card that old in near perfect condition at that price point is cheap asf, i also picked up a masaki gengar in a psa 9 for 1k no way im forking out the money for a 10 but to have it in a 9 im more then happy with that, just my opinion but i feel like older cards are very undervalued at the moment.
Personally, the only thing that keeps Money on my wallet instead of Pokémon cards is working overtime.
I don’t have time to find cards and place orders RN otherwhise I’d be broke
To answer your question directly: yes, I try to add incrementally at all times.
Sometimes how often I buy (rate) or how much I buy (amount) changes during market movements and odd economic conditions. But I try to push forward and make progress at all times. There are deals to be had and progress to be made, no matter how small.
Like dyl said i enjoy the journey of collecting and also sometimes spend more then i should. I make enough money, save for retirement, no debt, and portion of extra income i buy cards and pokemon things I like.
Sometimes i may “invest” in a speculative play or pickup a high market price item for way under market price.
If things for me go bad, lose job, house fire, robbed, limbs ripped off, Id just sell my collection and focus on more important things in life like family. But since i have my limbs and job why not play with my nostalgic hobby(buying more cards)
I think I buy when I can as long as it doesn’t effect my life in a negative way.
If it’s something big I make a cards fund for it where I add a bit at a time.
I aim for sets. I don’t have any intention of selling anything that is important to me so I buy to hopefully be able to pass down to my kids if I ever have any.
As long as the cards make me happy and doesn’t effect my quality of life I’m okay.
Like @Dyl & @smpratte mentioned it’s about enjoying your collection and having fun
It feels okay, when looking at my collection and the holes are so god damn expensive. I’m still working on the hidden fates set, sv49 is still expensive. Figure I’d get the chase cards later and lol I’m considering the raw near mint slightly off centered ones because they want an arm and leg for the psa 10 black label or whatever.
After reviewing the slab collection, I am considering upgrading my psa 7 collection to PSA 8’s, not just the vintage cards, but I imagine even the sv49 and modern cards can be more affordable in the psa 8 range. I’m hesitant to share because somehow all the psa 8’s are going to be extremely expensive is of consideration. If it’s near mint, I think that’s pretty damn good.
Anyone else upgrading their collections or the money bags are buying boxes of modern 151s?
Yeah it’s been a bit wild and this kind of thing only appears in serious circumstances.
We’re in a serious economic mess with everything going uphill in the public sector, serious mismanagement and the wrong people in those services.
I’m fortunate enough with my position not earning a ton but earning enough, but there’s a lot of people who’s costs have hugely increased and they’re getting either no pay rise or like 1-2% in the face of inflation dwarfing it.
In this situation relating to this thread it’s just a out changing priorities and only engaging in luxury (which this hobby is, especially more desired cards of any era) when you can afford it.
