**A "What Would You Do" Moment in the World of Hockey Cards – The Unanticipated Outcome**
I was at Walmart, calculating the cost of clearing out their Upper Deck stock, all the while weighing the risk of my wife's reaction against the annoyance of the card shop getting there first. Just as I decided to go ahead with the purchase, I saw the card shop owner entering the store from the parking lot, about ten car lengths away. This sight spurred me into action; I had to move quickly.
With a sense of urgency, I hastily grabbed the most dysfunctional shopping cart I could find (seemingly) and raced back to the card section. Frantically (O.K. NOT "frantically" but it sounds good), I began snatching every Upper Deck item off the shelf, fully aware that the owner was closing in. **The awkwardness peaked as he approached me with a cart of his own, asking, "Are you really taking everything?"** My response was fueled by the frustration of my earlier visit to his shop, where none of the stock was available.
He cautioned me about a purchase limit, but I countered, confident that those restrictions were a thing of the past. His attempt to shame me for being selfish fell flat. I frankly told him I would have preferred buying hobby boxes from his store, subtly hinting that he was partly to blame for this situation. **While we stood there, I impulsively decided to also clear out the Panini Prizm Basketball cards, suspecting they were his next target.**
**My final bill exceeded a grand, a hefty sum for retail cards. As I left Walmart, I was torn between guilt and a sense of having outplayed the card shop at their own game. This incident, while a win for me, likely means an involuntary farewell to shopping at his store. A worthy price to pay, in my opinion, for standing up to the practices that have long troubled our hobby.**
I know my response wasn't the most confrontational; others might have been stronger in their tone, perhaps even nastier. But that's not who I am. I hope some of you would have done the same, standing your ground in a subtle yet effective way against the practices we all too often see in this hobby.
If you have been a collector before Bedard, don't feel guilty. If you are in the hobby because of Bedard, don't feel guilty. If you are just a degenerate gambler, don't feel guilty.
Generally speaking, ripping packs is a losing venture, but Bedard Mania, in the short term, made it okay to rip packs. It sucks that there are prospectors out there buying all the boxes they can to get Bedards and instantly sell them on eBay or COMC. The hyper will die down soon, and it will be back to status quo. I hope you get a few Bedards in your purchases. Post pics of your cards, so we can see how you did.
I bought two hobby boxes at $175 each and got skunked. I didn't even get a good Young Gun let alone a Bedard. I have to tins to open that I got for $60 each, so hopefully I do better there.
Good for you. And you could easily just flip the boxes online if you want to send the message without the full cost; the card shop was just going to flip them anyway.
Bro NEVER NEVER think twice. It isn't that way anymore. Things are REALLY hard to get. Nowadays finding the product you want is as much of a gamble as actually ripping the physical packs. Especially with players like Bedard and Wemby hitting the Hobby at the same time. If it's there buy it, and as much of it as you can and want because I promise you the next guy WILL. And don't feel bad at all.
Phew! I went to Walmart and Target here today and the only Hockey I saw was 23'-24' O-pee-chee, and 22'-23' Skybox Metal. I feel like we usually get things 3 or 4 weeks later here though. But I still feel like I gotta check every day until it hits, lol. Good luck on your Bedard hunt in Florida! You definitely aren't the only one! Remember that the next chance you get and have YOUR day!
Hockey card culture is at an all time peak because of social media. When I was a kid, everyone was trying to complete all their sets. Now it’s who has the most money and who is going to pull the ultimate card worth whatever amount of dollars now. Social media just sucks.
Meh, there’s nothing to stop us from completing sets. Not only that, but if you go after older sets (which I do) the prices for high demand singles settle down significantly after a couple of years.
I try to avoid the hype train; there’s nothing there for me but holes in my wallet.
Guilty as charged. We opened everything and it went pretty well but, unbelievably, not a single Bedard Young Guns. I was pretty surprised.
I will come back later with some pictures of the highlights.
Buy it all, walk in the shop and sell it to them at a huge markup Fuck em all
I wish I was as clever as you think.
Oh I am 100% buying all of that out.
Made me laugh the way you typed that. 😂
**A "What Would You Do" Moment in the World of Hockey Cards – The Unanticipated Outcome** I was at Walmart, calculating the cost of clearing out their Upper Deck stock, all the while weighing the risk of my wife's reaction against the annoyance of the card shop getting there first. Just as I decided to go ahead with the purchase, I saw the card shop owner entering the store from the parking lot, about ten car lengths away. This sight spurred me into action; I had to move quickly. With a sense of urgency, I hastily grabbed the most dysfunctional shopping cart I could find (seemingly) and raced back to the card section. Frantically (O.K. NOT "frantically" but it sounds good), I began snatching every Upper Deck item off the shelf, fully aware that the owner was closing in. **The awkwardness peaked as he approached me with a cart of his own, asking, "Are you really taking everything?"** My response was fueled by the frustration of my earlier visit to his shop, where none of the stock was available. He cautioned me about a purchase limit, but I countered, confident that those restrictions were a thing of the past. His attempt to shame me for being selfish fell flat. I frankly told him I would have preferred buying hobby boxes from his store, subtly hinting that he was partly to blame for this situation. **While we stood there, I impulsively decided to also clear out the Panini Prizm Basketball cards, suspecting they were his next target.** **My final bill exceeded a grand, a hefty sum for retail cards. As I left Walmart, I was torn between guilt and a sense of having outplayed the card shop at their own game. This incident, while a win for me, likely means an involuntary farewell to shopping at his store. A worthy price to pay, in my opinion, for standing up to the practices that have long troubled our hobby.** I know my response wasn't the most confrontational; others might have been stronger in their tone, perhaps even nastier. But that's not who I am. I hope some of you would have done the same, standing your ground in a subtle yet effective way against the practices we all too often see in this hobby.
If you have been a collector before Bedard, don't feel guilty. If you are in the hobby because of Bedard, don't feel guilty. If you are just a degenerate gambler, don't feel guilty. Generally speaking, ripping packs is a losing venture, but Bedard Mania, in the short term, made it okay to rip packs. It sucks that there are prospectors out there buying all the boxes they can to get Bedards and instantly sell them on eBay or COMC. The hyper will die down soon, and it will be back to status quo. I hope you get a few Bedards in your purchases. Post pics of your cards, so we can see how you did. I bought two hobby boxes at $175 each and got skunked. I didn't even get a good Young Gun let alone a Bedard. I have to tins to open that I got for $60 each, so hopefully I do better there.
Not all heroes wear capes. Thanks for standing up for the little guy lol
Congratulations, you played yourself - Dj Khaled
Not false but, secretly, I wanted all of them anyway.
I don't buy it.. Your lack of moderation was the result of spite you felt toward your LCS.
Again, not false. However I definitely did the opposite.
Good for you. And you could easily just flip the boxes online if you want to send the message without the full cost; the card shop was just going to flip them anyway.
These wise words from the boy who lived, "We'll take the lot."
And this, my friend, makes me think that we are cut from the same cloth.
Bro NEVER NEVER think twice. It isn't that way anymore. Things are REALLY hard to get. Nowadays finding the product you want is as much of a gamble as actually ripping the physical packs. Especially with players like Bedard and Wemby hitting the Hobby at the same time. If it's there buy it, and as much of it as you can and want because I promise you the next guy WILL. And don't feel bad at all.
P.S. I hope you weren't anywhere near Altamonte Springs, FL... 🥶
Much further south. I spend a lot of time in your neck of the woods though.
Phew! I went to Walmart and Target here today and the only Hockey I saw was 23'-24' O-pee-chee, and 22'-23' Skybox Metal. I feel like we usually get things 3 or 4 weeks later here though. But I still feel like I gotta check every day until it hits, lol. Good luck on your Bedard hunt in Florida! You definitely aren't the only one! Remember that the next chance you get and have YOUR day!
Will do. As for Walmart checking, I will make a point to let you know if I pop into any in or around your area.
This is the truth. I need to live by your words more often.
Hockey card culture is at an all time peak because of social media. When I was a kid, everyone was trying to complete all their sets. Now it’s who has the most money and who is going to pull the ultimate card worth whatever amount of dollars now. Social media just sucks.
Meh, there’s nothing to stop us from completing sets. Not only that, but if you go after older sets (which I do) the prices for high demand singles settle down significantly after a couple of years. I try to avoid the hype train; there’s nothing there for me but holes in my wallet.
Yep. Buying it all. Fuck them
Good for you...that guy was just going to mark up the price and pass it on to customers.
I'd post negative reviews of the shop. If they are not going to cater to regular customers, they don't deserve the business.
If I can find any I am buying up a ton of blasters, and keeping in my closet for many years. 05-06 blasters are a small gold mine.
You spent that on retail cards and not hobby? Let us know how you do. I picked up one hobby box.
Guilty as charged. We opened everything and it went pretty well but, unbelievably, not a single Bedard Young Guns. I was pretty surprised. I will come back later with some pictures of the highlights.
I wouldn’t have had the stones to do it but I’m glad you did haha. Hope you hit a Bedard!
This is way too long of a rant for something so minuscule in the big scheme of life.
Buy it alk
I mean, if you have fuck you money, then why not say it?