Did anybody ever read Marvel Comics Civil War storyline? It was pretty cool. Basically an event happens that forces the U.S. government to look at it's pool of super-heroes and what they were capable of - and if it was a good idea for them to remain apart from civil authority via their alter-egos. Great stuff. Basically, one group of super-heroes, led by Iron Man decide to register with the government. Another group led by Captain America, decide that they're most effective if they remain anonymous - apart from the government. A Civil War ensues, with all of Marvel's super-heroes choosing one side or another. Good guys were fighting good guys. Captain America got assissinated. Well, just go check them out if you don't believe me.
But the point is this, a whole group, fighting towards the same goal, turned against each other because of a basic difference in principles.
And currently, this hobby that we love, is in a bit of a Civil War of it's own.
I don't pretend to compare myself to a super-hero. Though if I had to pick one - Colossus would be my favorite. Really, Colossus is the thinking man's Hulk. He turns invincible when he needs to, but he keeps his mind while doing it. Perfect super-hero. But I digress.
This hobby, this card-collecting hobby is currently made up of two sides. There is the side that has Beckett as it's main source of pricing, information and direction in all facets of their collecting experience. And then there is the side that rejects what Beckett stands for - and strive to maintain the hobby's integrity outside of the influence of "book-value" and "grading" services.
Currently, both sides are very vocal. To hear Beckett's side of things, you can go to their website, any local card shop or a handful of trading sites that rely solely on the book-value that Beckett sells to them.
And on the anti-Beckett site, you have Voice of the Collector, Sports Cards Uncensored among several others who adamantly oppose Beckett at every turn. These sites are very transparent in their views and their criticisms of the Beckett machine.
And really, I don't believe I've stated what side of the divide I'm on. But for the record, I'm anti-Beckett.
Why would I bring this up now? Am I trying to ride on the coat tails of pioneer blogs for an extra hit or two a day to the site? No. Am I trying to isolate myself from the card-companies who love to send Beckett pre-loaded boxes of product to review? No.
I'm just letting everybody know that I stand against Beckett because they are wrong in what they do. They are killing this hobby one graded card at a time. They are putting this hobby down with every imaginary book-value price they print. And the entire hobby is suffering for it.
Beckett is a joke. On a whim one time, I looked into the Beckett when they had an "Exclusive First Pricing of 08/09 Bowman Basketball!!!" What a joke. What a joke. And again, what a joke. Understand, that Beckett "prices" cards on a whim. And LCS stores hold onto these imaginary prices like they're the Holy Grail or something. How many cards have I not bought in a card shop because they were firm on "book value". Grown men with gray beards clinging to book value as if it were a religious principle. A principle that keeps dingy glass cases full of the same cards year after year.
But you know the reasons of those who stand against Beckett. I don't need to re-list them all to you.
I only tell you my stance because I think my hobby is collapsing into itself. The value inherent in this hobby is too reliant on pricing by a third-party that has pulled more 1/1's in free boxes than should be allowed. And I'm against it. I'm totally against it.
I have more than my voice and this site to give influence to my side of the argument. I have my hard-earned money. And typically I buy from sellers who laugh at book-value and sell cards for their true values.
But this video, from Beckett themselves, is just one more instance of the crap that goes on over there. And to be fair, I only saw the video from Sports Cards Uncensored latest article. But the latest 1/1 Strasburg Superfractor went to Beckett for grading. And if you look at that card (and just listen to the three clowns talk about their grading) the card is nowhere near the 9.5 grade they gave it. They just couldn't afford to give it the 8 or the 7.5 it deserved because it would be bad for business.
If any of my daily readers are Beckett enthusiasts, I apologize. But this crap has gone on long enough. And if one more voice can be added amongst the opposition to this attack on the hobby, then so be it. Just watch this video and tell me if that card deserved a 9.5. Ree-donkulous.
2 comments:
Yeah, I saw that video on VOTC's site. You know they don't even buy the bullshit that's spewing out of their mouths. I got sick of reading forums like Blowout and the Sport Card Forum because it's chock full of people who only trade for "book value" and other's who want to get their "sick MOJO" cardsgraded as soon as they pull them.
You don't have to look to hard to find collectors who don't put too much stock in that kind of stuff. Really, most of the bloggers I know of are against Beckett pricing and grading services. We have the ability to dismiss Beckett completely by being knowledgeable about the cards we have and want to acquire. The sports card blogger community is growing very rapidly and as long as we keep voicing our opinions, more people will listen.
The Silver Surfer could kick all of the X-Men's collective asses, btw.
Guy wrote, "How many cards have I not bought in a card shop because they were firm on "book value". Grown men with gray beards clinging to book value as if it were a religious principle. A principle that keeps dingy glass cases full of the same cards year after year".
This is so true. Any card show I go to, I often find an older dealer who instinctively reaches for the Beckett when you ask him for a price and he'll quote a price that is $1 less than book value. "Wow, thanx man. I guess I'll ask you next year about the same card".
I agree that book value is really just a guide and a card is only worth what a collector is willing to pay. I think the prices of the cards that are just released are insane. How can a card be worth $80 or $100 when no one has bought it yet. Values should be obtained from secondary market sales. Not some arbitrary number picked out of the sky. How many short print RC cards have $50 or $80 book values put on them of guys that are fishing splinters out of their backends from left bench?
I agree that the pricing is off, but I don't think the Becketts of the world are necessarily killing the hobby. They've been around for well over 20 years and the hobby is still around. There're plenty of options for all types of collectors. It would be nice tho if Beckett was more realistic in its pricing.
P.S. They do seem to get some pretty sweet free boxes. Hmmmm???
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