Collector Investor Podcast

Is the sports card hobby becoming a CASINO? With approximately $15 MILLION spent on three massive NBA debut patch cards connected to the repack market, collectors are asking serious questions about the future of sports card collecting!

On this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Chris, Texas Snowman, and the crew dive into the explosion of digital mystery packs, the impact of repackers on sports card prices, and whether the hobby is heading toward another major market correction.

🏀 THE $15 MILLION REPACK CONTROVERSY The Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Kon Knueppel NBA debut patch cards have sparked a massive debate. What happens when multimillion-dollar sports cards become prizes in digital mystery packs? Are these legitimate market values, or are repack companies driving prices higher?

📉 IS ANOTHER SPORTS CARD MARKET CRASH COMING?

We look back at the 2022 sports card market downturn and discuss whether Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Shohei Ohtani, and modern sports cards could experience another major correction. Is vintage safer than modern?

📦 SHIPPING & INSURING EXPENSIVE SPORTS CARDS What's the safest way to ship valuable cards? We compare USPS Registered Mail, UPS, FedEx, private shipping insurance, and high-value courier services. We also discuss PSA declared values and what collectors should consider when submitting expensive cards for grading.

🏆 PSA vs. SGC vs. BGS vs. CGC Why do so many dealers prefer PSA slabs? We break down resale value, liquidity, grading market dominance, and what could happen if PSA suddenly disappeared.

⚾ VINTAGE CARD INVESTING & MICHAEL JORDAN Are rare O-Pee-Chee, Venezuelan, and Milton Bradley vintage cards undervalued? Plus, which Michael Jordan card would we rather hold for 25 years: the 1986 Fleer Rookie PSA 5 or the 1988 Fleer PSA 10?

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:

00:43 Welcome to the Collector Investor Podcast

03:14 $15 MILLION NBA Debut Patch Repack Controversy

08:57 Should Digital Mystery Packs Be Regulated?

11:09 Are Repacks Inflating Sports Card Prices?

14:44 The Snowman Gets Compared to a Simpsons Character!

17:16 Is Another Sports Card Market Crash Coming?

19:33 Vintage vs. Modern Card Investing

22:46 Are 90s Inserts Getting Overvalued?

24:46 Safest Ways to Ship Expensive Sports Cards

29:24 Private Couriers and High-Value Card Shipping

31:12 PSA Declared Values and Shipping Insurance

36:38 PSA vs. BGS vs. SGC vs. CGC

41:46 Why Other Grading Companies Can't Compete with PSA

45:22 What Happens if PSA Shuts Down?

48:33 Are Vintage O-Pee-Chee Cards Undervalued?

52:59 Michael Jordan Rookie PSA 5 vs. 1988 Fleer PSA 10

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Are repacks GOOD or BAD for the sports card hobby? Are we watching the future of collecting, or is the hobby becoming too much like a casino? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

👍 LIKE this video if you enjoy honest sports card discussions.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more sports card market analysis, vintage collecting, grading discussions, and hobby news!

#SportsCards #SportsCardHobby #SportsCardInvesting #SportsCardMarket #PSAGrading #CooperFlagg #SportsCardRepacks #VintageBaseballCards #CollectorInvestorPodcast #MichaelJordanCards

🚨 $1,000,000+ in PSA graded cards STOLEN, Shohei Ohtani rookie cards dropping in value, and counterfeit PSA slabs showing up at card shows! The sports card hobby has some major stories to discuss this week!

Welcome back to the Collector Investor Podcast! Jeremy (The Texas Snowman), Chris, and Thor break down some of the biggest controversies and questions facing sports card collectors, dealers, and investors.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:

🚨 PSA / FedEx Card Theft – A FedEx vehicle transporting PSA submissions was reportedly burglarized, with one collector reporting more than $1,000,000 in stolen cards. Who is responsible, how will collectors be compensated, and should high-value graded cards receive better shipping security?

📉 Shohei Ohtani Card Market CRASH? – Some popular Ohtani rookie cards have dropped roughly 25–33% in the charts discussed. Is this the time to buy the dip, sell before prices fall further, or hold until baseball season returns? We discuss PSA populations, supply, demand, and long-term investment strategies.

⚠️ FAKE PSA SLABS at Card Shows! – Counterfeit-style PSA holders and proxy cards are appearing at dealer tables. Even when disclosed, should these products be allowed at shows? We discuss the risks to collectors and the importance of protecting the hobby.

⚾ $100,000 MICKEY MANTLE DRAFT! – Jeremy and Chris go head-to-head building their ultimate $100K Mickey Mantle collections! With vintage rookies, rare food issues, high-grade cards, and autographs available, who makes the smarter investment picks?

💰 COLLECTOR INVESTOR AUCTIONS UPDATE: We also discuss major upcoming consignments, including an impressive 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan sticker PSA 10, a potential 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle consignment, and our expanded auction facility.

👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

• Would you BUY, SELL, or HOLD Shohei Ohtani rookie cards right now?

• Should card shows ban fake PSA slabs, even when they're labeled as replicas?

• Who won the $100,000 Mickey Mantle draft — Jeremy or Chris?

👍 LIKE this video if you enjoy sports card market discussions!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for vintage sports cards, hobby news, auctions, market analysis, and collector debates.

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Collector Investor Podcast Banter

04:09 Major Consignments & Upcoming Auctions

06:18 Inside the New Collector Investor Auctions Facility

11:34 PSA FedEx Heist: 1M+ in Cards Stolen

19:20 Should Card Shows Provide Better Security?

21:56 Shohei Ohtani Card Market Decline: Buy or Sell?

33:18 Fake PSA Slabs at Card Shows

38:36 $100K Mickey Mantle Investment Draft

49:09 Mickey Mantle Draft Results & Winner

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

CIA YouTube Channel- @CollectorInvestorAuctions

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #PSA #PSAGrading #ShoheiOhtani #MickeyMantle #BaseballCards #SportsCardInvesting #VintageBaseballCards #CardCollecting #CollectorInvestor

Can PSA really decertify a graded sports card without ever inspecting it in person? In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we dive into a controversial PSA grading decision involving an older PSA 10 Barry Bonds card that reportedly had its certification deactivated after photos surfaced on X.

Should PSA have the power to invalidate a card's grade based on photos submitted by someone other than the owner? What happens to the collector who owns that card? And where does PSA's grading guarantee come into play?

Jeremy, Chris, and Thor debate the implications for vintage card collectors, grading standards, population reports, and the future of PSA-certified cards.

But that's not all! We also break down the latest Collector Investor Auctions results, including a surprising PSA 10 vs. SGC 10 price difference on a Robert Parish rookie card, the booming Kobe Bryant market, and some incredible vintage baseball cards.

Chapters

01:39 New Collector Investor Auctions Headquarters

03:08 Six-Figure Collection & Auction Results

08:08 Why Buy Kobe Bryant Chrome Right Now?

10:54 PSA Deactivates a Barry Bonds PSA 10 Certification

27:06 How to Price Half-Grade Vintage Cards

31:10 Rookie Cards vs. Rare Autographs – Which Is Better?

37:17 Do Influencers Affect Sports Card Prices?

38:12 Are Modern Autographs Overproduced?

40:06 The Most Undervalued Junk Wax Era Players

43:25 The $100,000 Babe Ruth Investment Draft

53:03 Auction Updates & Closing Thoughts

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Would you be comfortable owning an expensive PSA 10 if PSA could deactivate its certification without physically examining the card?

And if you had $100,000 to invest in Babe Ruth cards, which cards would YOU buy?

Let us know in the comments!

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com CIA YouTube Channel- @CollectorInvestorAuctions

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #PSAGrading #VintageBaseballCards #SportsCardInvesting #BabeRuth #CardCollecting #KobeBryant #SportsCardPodcast #BaseballCards #CollectorInvestor

The sports card market is moving FAST — and this week we're seeing two completely different stories.

🔥 90s basketball legends are taking off. Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and other stars are seeing major movement as collectors begin looking beyond Michael Jordan and toward what we're calling the “second-tier GOAT” boom. Is this the beginning of a much bigger run for 1990s basketball cards?

📉 Meanwhile, one of the biggest cards in the non-sport boom has taken a stunning hit. The Spider-Man first appearance card has seen some grades fall dramatically in a matter of weeks. Is this simply one overheated card correcting, or could it be an early warning sign for the non-sport card market?

We also break down the massive Pete Crow-Armstrong MLB Debut Patch sale and compare it with the multimillion-dollar debut patch market. Did PCA's card sell too low — and are collectors paying too much for modern 1/1 debut patches?

Plus, we tackle your questions about altered and trimmed vintage cards, crossover grading, SGC, COMC, eye appeal premiums, and more.

💬 QUESTION OF THE DAY: Which market would you rather buy RIGHT NOW: 90s basketball stars or non-sport cards? Drop your answer in the comments!

👍 Like the video, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more sports card market discussion, collecting news, auctions and hobby talk from the Collector Investor Podcast.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Where Is Snowman?

02:44 – Collector Investor October Auction

04:30 – The Explosion of Card Shows & Dealers

10:39 – Pete Crow-Armstrong’s $1M+ Debut Patch

19:42 – Are Huge 1/1 Cards Really Randomly Distributed?

22:09 – The “Second-Tier GOAT” Card BOOM

28:57 – Is the Non-Sport Card Market Starting to Fall?

29:12 – Spider-Man Card Prices Are CRASHING

34:04 – Why Are Altered & Trimmed Cards Selling So High?

38:28 – PSA Crossover Grading: Is It Worth It?

42:03 – How Much Time Does SGC Have Left?

44:27 – Are Grading Stickers Getting Out of Control?

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

CIA YouTube Channel- @CollectorInvestorAuctions

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #BasketballCards #CardCollecting #TheHobby #90sBasketball #MichaelJordan #Shaq #AllenIverson #KevinGarnett #NonSportsCards #SpiderManCards #SportsCardInvesting #PSA #TradingCards #CollectorInvestor

Should collectors really AVOID the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan right now?

On this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we react to the argument that collectors should stay away from the iconic 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan and buy the much scarcer 1984 Star 101 Jordan instead. We break down population, historical prices, the massive COVID-era rise and crash, and whether the Fleer and Star Jordans are actually more connected than people think.

Then we tackle a HUGE change coming to eBay auctions: extended bidding. What happens to last-second sniping? Is this better for sellers? Will cards start selling for more money? And could this fundamentally change how collectors bid on eBay?

We also recap the Philly Card Show, including some hilarious deals and stories from the weekend, before answering viewer questions about when to sell cards from your PC, whether to dual-grade autographed cards, grading inconsistencies, and the massive import costs some international collectors are facing.

Whether you're a vintage collector, modern collector, investor, dealer, or just love talking sports cards, there's a LOT to unpack in this one.

COMMENT BELOW: Would you rather own the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan or the 1984 Star Michael Jordan #101? And what do you think about eBay eliminating traditional last-second sniping?

👍 Like the video

💬 Join the conversation below

🔔 Subscribe for more sports card market discussion, collecting stories, auctions, vintage cards and hobby news!

Chapters

3:10 How Collector Investor Did at Philly

6:23 An 8-Year-Old Makes a Card Deal 😂

9:15 The Babe Ruth Deal That Almost Happened

12:38 A 1910 Drum Tobacco Find

15:48 Should You Avoid the 1986 Fleer Jordan?

27:33 eBay Introduces Extended Bidding

35:57 Viewer Q&A

38:03 When Should You Sell Your PC Cards?

42:19 Should You Dual Grade Autographed Cards?

50:19 International Buyers Getting Hit With Huge Fees

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

CIA YouTube Channel- @CollectorInvestorAuctions

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #MichaelJordan #1986FleerJordan #MichaelJordanRookie #StarJordan #BasketballCards #eBay #eBayAuctions #CardCollecting #SportsCardInvesting #VintageCards #TheHobby #TradingCards #CardMarket #SportsCardMarket #CardInvesting #PSA #CardGrading #VintageBasketball #CollectorInvestor #CollectorInvestorPodcast #SportsCardPodcast #PhillyCardShow #CardShow #eBaySniping

PSA gave Chris’s 1933 World Wide Gum Babe Ruth a grade that left the guys completely baffled. Is it time to crack it out and submit it again—or is this exactly why sports card grading needs AI?

On this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Chris, Jeremy and the crew break down the Babe Ruth card, compare it to other PSA-graded examples, and debate what Chris should do next. The conversation then turns to the bigger question: Could AI grading finally bring more consistency to the sports card hobby?

We also tackle a bunch of viewer questions, including whether PSA will remain the dominant grading company, whether population control exists, TAG and other grading companies, vintage Panini World Cup stickers, grading 1970s baseball sets, the difference between inserts and parallels, and whether discounted card sales should actually count as comps.

Plus, we talk about our favorite players to collect from the 1990s and preview our trip to the Philly Show!

👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

What grade would YOU give the Babe Ruth? Would you crack it and resubmit it? And do you think AI will eventually become the standard for sports card grading? If you enjoy vintage sports cards, grading discussions, hobby news, collecting and investing, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and COMMENT!

⏱️ Chapters

00:24 Welcome to the Show

03:41 Chris Reveals the 1933 Babe Ruth

09:45 Should Chris Crack & Resubmit It?

17:35 Will PSA Still Dominate in 5, 10 or 20 Years?

21:00 Could AI Create a Problem for PSA?

26:21 Does PSA Control Populations?

28:28 Why Don’t Other Grading Companies Get More Attention?

31:20 Vintage Panini World Cup Stickers

33:22 Should You Grade 1970s Baseball Sets?

36:16 What Exactly Is a Sports Card Insert?

39:09 Should Discounted Card Sales Count as Comps?

44:30 Our Favorite Players to Collect From the ’90s

46:29 We’re Going to the Philly Show

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

CIA YouTube Channel- @CollectorInvestorAuctions

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #CardCollecting #PSA #PSAGrading #CardGrading #AIGrading #BabeRuth #VintageCards #BaseballCards #SportsCardHobby #TradingCards #VintageBaseballCards #CardCollector #SportsCardInvesting #TheHobby #CardMarket #TAGGrading #SGC #CGC #BaseballCardCollector #VintageBaseball #CardInvesting #SportsCardPodcast #CollectorInvestor #CollectorInvestorPodcast

PSA just opened a new $59.99 grading tier — but is this actually good news for collectors?

On this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Thor and Texas Snowman break down PSA’s latest grading option, the massive backlog, turnaround times, and whether PSA is slowly working its way down through pricing tiers instead of bringing affordable grading back to collectors.

We also recap a HUGE weekend in the hobby, including the Dallas Card Show and Northeast Sports Card Expo, discuss whether collectors are starting to experience card show fatigue, and show off some incredible cards headed toward Collector Investor Auctions.

Plus, we dive into the massive price difference between PSA 10 and SGC 10 cards, the explosion of ’90s inserts, Michael Jordan cards, Disney and other non-sports cards, vintage football, and where we think the sports card market could be heading next.

And we answer collector questions about whether you should grade Jordan inserts now or wait for cheaper PSA tiers — plus what to do when junk wax cards are “bricked” together inside packs.

Chapters

00:25 September Auction Recap

03:05 Northeast Sports Card Expo Recap

05:59 Dallas Card Show — Is 4 Days Too Much?

08:44 Are Collectors Getting Card Show Fatigue?

10:53 Big Card Show Pickups

12:09 Rare 1986 Michael Jordan Card

14:08 Vintage Cards & Upcoming Auction Preview

15:29 INSANE PSA 10 vs SGC 10 Price Difference

20:10 PSA’s NEW $59.99 Grading Tier

21:06 Is PSA’s Turnaround Time Realistic?

22:08 Is $60 Grading Worth It?

24:03 PSA Grading Rant — Are Collectors Being Milked?

27:54 Comment of the Day 29:45 Why Non-Sports Cards Have Exploded

32:17 Is Vintage Football Next?

32:33 Disney Cards vs Sports Cards

35:22 Presidential Cards — What Has Staying Power?

37:02 Viewer Question: Grade Jordan Inserts Now or Wait?

42:01 The ’90s Insert Revolution

42:49 Can ’90s Insert Prices Keep Rising?

44:29 Where Is the Sports Card Market Headed?

47:53 How Do You Unstick “Bricked” Cards?

Topics include: PSA grading prices and backlog PSA vs. SGC Dallas Card Show Northeast Sports Card Expo Card show fatigue Michael Jordan cards ’90s basketball inserts Vintage sports cards Disney and non-sports cards Sports card market predictions Junk wax and bricked cards Collector Investor Auctions

What do YOU think about PSA’s new $59.99 tier? Would you submit now, or wait for cheaper grading to return? Let us know in the comments!

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

CIA YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@CollectorInvestorAuctions

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice. Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications for more sports card market discussion, collecting news, auctions, card shows, grading talk, and hobby opinions.

#SportsCards #SportsCardCollecting #SportsCardCollector #SportsCardInvesting #SportsCardInvestor #TheHobby #CardCollecting #CardCollector #CardCollectors #CardInvesting #CardMarket #SportsCardMarket #HobbyNews #HobbyTalk #TradingCards #TradingCardCollector #VintageCards #VintageSportsCards #VintageCardCollector #BaseballCards #BasketballCards #FootballCards #MichaelJordan #MichaelJordanCards #JordanCards #90sBasketball #90sInserts #90sCards #CardInserts #PSA #PSAGrading #PSACards #CardGrading #GradedCards #GradingCards #PSAvsSGC #SGC #SGCGrading #DallasCardShow #CardShow #SportsCardShow #CardShowPickup #CardShowPickups #CardShowLife #CardShowVlog #CardShowDeals #NonSportsCards #DisneyCards #VintageDisney #JunkWax #JunkWaxEra #CardPrices #CardValues #CardMarketNews #SportsCardNews #SportsCardPodcast #CollectorInvestor #CollectorInvestorPodcast #CollectorInvestorAuctions

The sports card hobby is getting WILD.

SGC has made a massive grading price increase, and collectors are asking a simple question: Does it still make sense to grade with SGC?

We break down the SGC price hike, turnaround times, the current grading backlog, how SGC compares with PSA, and whether this move could cause longtime SGC collectors to walk away.

Then we dive into another market that has absolutely EXPLODED — vintage non-sports cards.

Batman, Marvel, Mickey Mouse and other vintage non-sports cards have seen incredible price movement, with some cards skyrocketing in just a matter of months. Is this a legitimate market correction for an undervalued category, or are prices moving too far, too fast?

PLUS:

🔥 What actually qualifies as a “vintage” sports card?

🔥 Collector Investor Auctions September Auction preview

🔥 SGC vs. PSA at today’s grading prices

🔥 Batman, Marvel & Disney card market explosion

🔥 Could ungraded cards eventually flood the market?

🔥 $1,000 Collector Investor Auctions giveaway

🔥 Should you grade a Roberto Clemente 1/1 patch?

🔥 Is collecting raw cards dead?

🔥 Viewer questions & plenty of hobby debate

Chapters

00:31 What Year Is Actually “Vintage”?

04:45 Collector Investor September Auction

08:02 SGC’s Massive Price Increase

18:00 Are Vintage Non-Sports Cards About to Crash?

27:16 $1,000 Collector Investor Auctions Giveaway

31:56 Should You Grade a Roberto Clemente 1/1?

35:43 Is Collecting Raw Cards Dead?

39:10 Viewer Question: The “Vegetable Market”

Let us know in the comments:

👉 Would you pay $50 to grade a card with SGC?

👉 Are vintage non-sports cards headed even higher — or toward a correction? 👉 What year do YOU consider the cutoff for vintage?

If you enjoy sports card collecting, vintage cards, card grading, hobby news and market discussions, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for more Collector Investor content!

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

CIA YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@CollectorInvestorAuctions

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

SportsCards #CardCollecting #SGC #PSA #VintageCards #NonSportsCards #BatmanCards #MarvelCards #DisneyCards #CardGrading #SportsCardInvesting #TheHobby #CollectorInvestor

Is PSA intentionally controlling card populations? And does Fanatics have a conflict of interest when it manufactures the biggest chase cards in the hobby AND operates a marketplace that can sell them?

On this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we dive into two major sports card hobby debates.

First, we discuss Fanatics and the massive Cooper Flagg chase card. When a huge card is pulled as a redemption, Fanatics is involved in getting that card to the collector — but it also has its own selling platform. Does that give Fanatics an unfair advantage when it comes to landing some of the biggest cards in the hobby?

Then we get into PSA grading.

Has PSA become significantly tougher on cards from the 1980s and 1990s? Are newer graders judging older card stock against modern and ultra-modern standards? And the biggest question of all: could PSA be intentionally controlling populations on valuable cards?

We also discuss:

🔥 Fanatics and the Cooper Flagg chase card

🔥 Fanatics Collect and potential conflicts of interest

🔥 Why PSA seems tougher on 1980s & 1990s cards

🔥 PSA grading consistency

🔥 The theory of PSA "pop control"

🔥 Why high-value cards may receive more scrutiny

🔥 The lack of transparency in card grading

🔥 Old-label PSA slabs vs. newer PSA slabs

🔥 How we evaluate vintage cards in older PSA holders

🔥 Whether a new grading company could challenge PSA

🔥 Affordable cards of some of the greatest athletes of all time

PLUS — we pick affordable or undervalued cards for hobby GOATs including:

⚾ Mickey Mantle

🏀 Michael Jordan

⚾ Babe Ruth

⚾ Ken Griffey Jr.

⚾ Jackie Robinson

🏈 Tom Brady

🏀 Kobe Bryant

⚾ Ty Cobb

⚾ Shohei Ohtani

Which debate are you more concerned about: Fanatics' growing influence over the sports card hobby or PSA's grading standards?

And do YOU believe PSA population control is real?

TouTube Chapters

4:21 Chris’ “International YouTube Star” Moment

6:15 Fanatics Conflict of Interest?

14:31 Is PSA Too Strict on Older Cards?

24:11 Is PSA Controlling Populations?

28:24 Could a New Grading Company Compete?

35:48 Buying Old-Label PSA Vintage Cards

41:23 Affordable Cards of Hobby GOATs

42:28 Mickey Mantle

44:29 Michael Jordan

46:30 Babe Ruth

48:18 Ken Griffey Jr.

49:42 Jackie Robinson

51:00 Tom Brady

53:05 Kobe Bryant

55:00 Ty Cobb

58:24 Shohei Ohtani

1:00:25 Who Had the Best Card Picks?

Drop your opinion in the comments!

👍 LIKE the video if you enjoy sports card hobby discussions

💬 COMMENT with your take

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more sports card collecting, grading, buying, selling, and hobby news

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #PSAGrading #PSA #Fanatics #CardCollecting #BaseballCards #SportsCardHobby #VintageCards #TradingCards #MichaelJordan #MickeyMantle #TomBrady #ShoheiOhtani

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we dive into some of the biggest conversations happening in the sports card hobby right now!

Can one social media post completely change the value of a sports card? We look at the sudden explosion of the 1992 Stadium Club Members Choice Ken Griffey Jr., a card that went from just a few dollars raw to around $25 in a matter of days. We also discuss Gary Vee’s influence on Marvel cards, rising prices on ’90s inserts, and whether influencers have too much power over the sports card market.

Then we get into PSA.

Turnaround times are getting longer, grading is getting more expensive, and Jeremy shares one of the WORST PSA submissions of his career — nearly 190 cards with ZERO PSA 10s!

Are PSA graders becoming stricter? Are older cards being judged against modern-card standards? And what could PSA bulk grading cost when it finally returns?

We also answer viewer questions about grading Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson cards from 1996 SkyBox E-X2000, debate factory sets vs. sealed wax, and share lessons learned from buying and reselling thousands of sports card collections.

⏱️ Chapters

2:39 Collector Investor Auctions Selling at Card Shows

6:29 Social Media's Influence on Card Prices

18:10 PSA Turnaround Times Get Even Longer

29:07 Should You Grade Kobe, Jordan & Iverson?

37:47 Breaking News on PSA Bulk

41:36 Factory Sets vs. Sealed Wax

43:31 Producer's Corner: Tips for Buying Card Collections

If you collect, buy, sell, grade or invest in sports cards, let us know your take in the comments:

Are influencers having TOO MUCH impact on sports card prices?

And do you think PSA has become harder on grades?

Subscribe for more sports card hobby news, collecting discussions, grading talk, market analysis, card show coverage and vintage sports cards from the Collector Investor Podcast.

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS Disclaimer:

This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #SportsCardCollecting #psa #CardCollecting #SportsCardHobby #TheHobby #BaseballCards #BasketballCards #TradingCards #SportsCardPodcast #SportsCardNews #SportsCardMarket #SportsCardPrices #CardCollector #CardCollectors #CardInvesting #SportsCardInvesting #PSA #PSAGrading #PSACards #CardGrading #GradedCards #PSA10 #KenGriffeyJr #KenGriffeyJrCards #MichaelJordanCards #KobeBryantCards #AllenIversonCards #90sSportsCards #90sInserts #VintageCards #VintageSportsCards #ModernSportsCards #MarvelCards #NonSportsCards #GaryVee #CardMarket #CardPrices #TradingCardMarket #SportsCardCommunity #HobbyNews #CardShow #CardShows #BuyingCards #SellingCards #CardCollection #SportsCardCollection #CollectorInvestor #CollectorInvestorPodcast #SportsCardYouTube #BaseballCardCollector #influencer #bad #thehobby

The sports card market is moving FAST — and this week we’re breaking down some of the biggest stories happening in the hobby.

We start with an incredible vintage collection of roughly 1,000 cards originally opened in 1950 and 1951, including a beautiful raw 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card that survived all these years.

Then we celebrate a huge milestone as Collector Investor Auctions breaks the $1 MILLION mark for the first time!

But the market discussion gets even crazier when we look at Kobe Bryant card prices. His 1996 Topps Chrome rookie market has exploded, leading to some big questions: Is Kobe still going higher? Is a correction coming? And is now the time to buy, hold, or sell?

We also discuss Shohei Ohtani, Michael Jordan, the changing seasonality of the sports card market, vintage set building, the growing gambling-like nature of modern boxes and breaks, and whether The National has officially outgrown the Rosemont Convention Center.

Finally, we tackle one of the biggest questions collectors are asking right now: Is everything overpriced? We discuss areas that may still have room to grow, including vintage non-sports cards and soccer.

Whether you collect vintage baseball, basketball, modern cards, non-sports, or just enjoy following the sports card market, there’s plenty to debate in this episode.

Chapters

0:58 Incredible 1950–51 Vintage Collection

4:55 Collector Investor Auctions Breaks $1 MILLION

6:01 The 1952 Topps Mantle Auction Result

7:30 PSA vs SGC vs MBA vs Beckett vs CGC

9:09 The Kobe Bryant Card Market Is EXPLODING

15:16 Is Sports Card Seasonality Disappearing?

20:12 Best Way to Build a Vintage Card Set

26:50 Are Sports Cards Becoming Gambling?

29:20 Has The National Outgrown Chicago?

36:53 Is the Sports Card Hobby Overpriced?

41:05 What Cards Are Still Undervalued?

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS Disclaimer:

This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

👍 Like the video

💬 Tell us what YOU think is undervalued right now

🔔 Subscribe to Collector Investor for more sports card market talk, collecting stories, card shows and hobby news!

#SportsCards #CardCollecting #KobeBryant #MickeyMantle #VintageCards #SportsCardInvesting #BaseballCards #BasketballCards #TheHobby #CollectorInvestor

PSA’s backlog is getting BIGGER — not smaller. What does that mean for sports card collectors? And with Michael Jordan cards exploding in popularity, are Star Jordan cards a BUY or a SELL?

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Theo and Jeremy recap their experience as vendors at The National Sports Collectors Convention and break down some of the biggest stories coming out of the show.

PSA was absolutely slammed at The National, with collectors racing to get into submission lines before PSA ultimately stopped accepting submissions. We discuss PSA’s reported 12.4 MILLION card backlog, grading turnaround times, pricing, grading consistency, and what could happen when lower-priced submission tiers reopen.

Then we turn to Michael Jordan. Jordan cards were one of the hottest areas of The National, but should collectors be looking beyond the famous 1986 Fleer and toward his Star Company cards? We discuss rarity, population, the Star vs. Fleer debate, and which Jordan cards we personally prefer.

We also talk about the National venue, the YouTube community get-together, answer viewer questions, and preview some of the cards in the upcoming Collector Investor Auctions August Auction.

Card & Comics YT Channel: @cardsandcomics

Chapters

2:58 Jeremy’s Incredible T206 Drum Back Pickup

6:43 The National Recap

10:06 Has The National Outgrown the Venue?

18:19 PSA at The National 20:46 PSA’s Backlog Hits 12.4 MILLION Cards

28:12 Special Guest: Rabbit Hole Auctions

36:18 Star Jordan vs. 1986 Fleer — Which Would You Buy?

45:10 Viewer Questions

45:17 Sell Yordan Alvarez Cards or Hold?

50:26 Sports Card Lightning Round

55:21 Collector Investor Auctions August Preview

Check out Rabbit Hole Auctions- https://rabbitholeauctions.com/

Use code: CIA to get $50 off when you are a new register

Check out Card Colosseum: https://cardcolosseum.com/

Comment Below: Would you rather own a Michael Jordan Star card or an 1986 Fleer rookie? And what do you think PSA needs to do about its backlog? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoy sports card collecting, vintage cards, grading, auctions and hobby discussion, LIKE the video and SUBSCRIBE to the Collector Investor Podcast.

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Disclaimer: This channel is for entertainment and hobby discussion purposes only. Nothing discussed should be considered financial or investment advice.

#SportsCards #MichaelJordan #PSA #CardCollecting #TheNational #SportsCardInvesting #BaseballCards #BasketballCards #VintageCards #TradingCards #CardGrading #CollectorInvestor

The National Sports Collectors Convention is finally here, and we're breaking down everything collectors need to know before hitting the show floor!

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, we discuss:

🔥 Why the Michael Jordan market is exploding again

🔥 Is the 1986 Fleer Jordan becoming impossible to own?

🔥 Fanatics buying The National...fact or fiction?

🔥 Could Fanatics eventually buy CGC?

🔥 Our favorite Questions of the Day from Junk Wax Rookie

🔥 How to negotiate with dealers when they are overpriced

🔥 Should you trade cards or just bring cash?

🔥 Booth 913 at The National—come say hello!

Whether you're attending The National or watching from home, this episode is packed with hobby insights, market analysis, and practical buying strategies.

📍 Visit Collector Investor Auctions at Booth 913!

✅ Drop Off Consignments

✅ Sell Your Cards

✅ Preview Upcoming Auctions

✅ Meet the Texas Snowman!

🎉 Thursday YouTube Meetup Shoeless Joe's 6:00 PM – Midnight Tell them you're there for the YouTube Gathering!

Chapters

00:00 Intro & National Week Begins

05:20 Michael Jordan Market Is Exploding

10:20 Why PSA 1 Jordans Are Skyrocketing

13:25 Could Fanatics Buy The National?

16:55 Could Fanatics Buy CGC?

18:15 Junk Wax Rookie Lightning Round

25:45 How To Negotiate With Dealers

32:45 Should You Trade Cards At Shows?

👇 Let us know in the comments: Do you think the Jordan market keeps climbing or is a correction coming?

👍 Like the video

🔔 Subscribe for weekly hobby discussions

💬 Leave your thoughts below!

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

#SportsCards #TheNational #MichaelJordan #CollectorInvestor #SportsCardPodcast #SportsCardCollecting #SportsCardInvesting #Fanatics #PSAGrading #VintageCards #CardShow #SportsCardMarket #T206 #BasketballCards #BaseballCards

Is the current grading slowdown actually GOOD for the sports card hobby?

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Chris and Jeremy (The Texas Snowman) dive into one of the hottest debates in the hobby.

We discuss:

✅ Why grading costs and turnaround times may actually help the hobby

✅ Dallas Card Show vs Fanatics Fest vs West Coast Card Show

✅ Will Fanatics Fest ever replace The National?

✅ Should collectors stop grading so many modern cards?

✅ Selling raw cards vs grading in today's market

✅ Tips for attending The National Sports Collectors Convention

✅ Listener Q&A about collecting a rare 1911 M116 Sporting Life set

Whether you're a vintage collector, modern investor, dealer, or hobby enthusiast, this episode covers some of the biggest topics heading into The National.

👇 Let us know in the comments: Is the grading slowdown GOOD or BAD for the hobby?

🔔 Subscribe for weekly sports card discussions, hobby news, grading talk, collecting strategies, auction insights, and interviews.

📍Visit us at The National Booth #913

#sportscards #psa #grading #thenational #fanaticsfest #dallascardshow #vintagecards #sportscardinvesting #collectorinvestorpodcast

⏱ Chapters

01:25 Three Major Card Shows on the Same Weekend

07:10 Fanatics Fest vs Traditional Card Shows

10:45 Chris' Hot Take: Grading Slowdown is GOOD?

21:15 Viewer Question: Finding 1911 M116 Sporting Life Cards

26:45 First-Time National Tips

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

The National is almost here! In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Chris and Jeremy open discussing the National Sports Collectors Convention, including the Collector Investor Auctions booth and the Thursday Night YouTube Meet-Up.Then we tackle one of the biggest questions in today's hobby: Is the sports card hobby pricing out the middle-class collector?

Chapters

00:43 National Sports Collectors Convention Preview

02:49 Is the Sports Card Hobby Losing the Middle Class?

11:24 MBA Bronze Diamond Sticker Explained

17:26 Where Will the Hobby Be in 20 Years?

25:05 10-Year Non-Sports Card Investment Snake Draft

38:26 Final Thoughts & National Meet-Up Reminder

We also discuss:

Are card shows set up for the average collector or just the high-end collector? MBA's new Bronze Diamond designation—does it actually add value?

Where will the hobby be 20 years from now?

Draft of the Day- What are the best non-sport cards?

👇 We'd love to hear from you! Do you think the sports card hobby is becoming too expensive for the average collector? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

📍 Visit Collector Investor Auctions at Booth #913 during The National!

🍻 YouTube Meet-Up Thursday

• 6 PM Shoeless Joe's

👍 If you enjoy sports cards, investing, vintage cards, hobby news, grading discussions, auctions, and collector debates, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

Credit to Ballpark Alex on IG- @ballpark_alex

Just a heads up: We love talking sports cards, collecting, and the hobby—but we're not financial advisors. Everything discussed on this channel is simply our personal opinions and is intended for fun and conversation. Buy what you love, collect what makes you happy, and always do your own research.

#SportsCards #TheNational #Collector #Investor #CardCollecting #VintageCards #SportsCardInvesting #PSA #SGC #TradingCards #CardHobby #nonsport

Is PSA charging TOO MUCH at The National? Are we officially in Junk Wax Era 2.0?

In this episode of the Collector Investor Podcast, Jeremy (@Texas Snowman) and Chris Sewall break down PSA's shocking on-site grading prices for the National Sports Collectors Convention and debate whether collectors will actually pay them. They also discuss whether today's hobby has become Junk Wax Era 2.0, answer viewer questions, and share an incredible behind-the-scenes story about buying a legendary T206 collection that changed Jeremy's collecting journey forever.

If you collect vintage, modern, pre-war, or invest in sports cards, this episode is packed with hobby insights, market analysis, and collecting stories.

👇 Tell us in the comments: Would you pay $230+ (or even $12,000) for on-site grading? Is today's hobby really becoming Junk Wax Era 2.0?

⏱️ Chapters

00:26 Intro & National Updates

01:48 CIA Auction Highlights

06:05 PSA National Pricing Discussion Begins

18:53 Junk Wax Era 2.0?

26:20 Optimal way to consign cards- big lots vs small lots

32:26 What Would the Gretzky Wagner Sell For Today?

33:53 Producer's Corner: Buying a Legendary T206 Collection

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS Showed a clip from- @NEO_Cards_Comics

👍 If you enjoyed this episode: Like the video Subscribe for weekly sports card discussions Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode

#SportsCards #PSA #TheNational #CollectorInvestor #TradingCards #CardCollector #VintageCards #SportsCardInvesting #T206 #BaseballCards #JunkWaxEra #CardGrading

Hosts Chris Sewall and Jeremy Donson kick off the Twenty-fifth episode of Collector Investor Podcast with a hot topic- is sealed wax the best investment? And if so, what is the best wax to buy? They also discuss- if Caitlin Clark cards are about to fall and is it time to sell? They discuss the best way to sell junk slabs. Last, Chris and Jeremy do Debate Of The Day! It's focused on million dollar card sales of 2026!

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

#sportscards #podcast #dealer #collector #investor #cards #show #debate #sell #clark #buy #sealed #wax #sell #million #cards #trends #thehobby

Hosts Chris Sewall and Jeremy Donson kick off the Twenty-fourth episode of Collector Investor Podcast with a hot topic- is it time to buy Wemby cards? And brings into light a bigger question- should you sell modern players before, during or after the playoffs? And what is the best investment- 1 big card, multiple of the same card, or multiple of different cards? They also discuss- if the flipping mentality today, will negatively impact the number of collectors in the future. They discuss the PSA registry and if its stronger today, or if its starting to die. Last, Chris and Jeremy do Draft Of The Day! What is the best card for each GOAT?

Theo and JT's Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQaxm4lUP8&t=1s

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

#sportscards #podcast #dealer #collector #investor #cards #show #debate #best #goat #wemby #down #buy #sell #psa #cards #trends #thehobby

Hosts Chris Sewall and Jeremy Donson kick off the Twenty-third episode of Collector Investor Podcast with a hot topic- how many sports card collectors are left? They also debate- is A.I. being used in cards and should it? The guys have 3 questions of the day. They discuss if grading should slab cards, that don't meet the expected grade of the submitter? They field a question about OCD and if they have it when it comes to collecting. And they do the 5 rapid fire questions of the day, from Junk Wax Rookie! Last, Chris and Jeremy do Draft Of The Day! What is the best Topps set design of the 1950's?

Theo and JT's Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQaxm4lUP8&t=1s

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

#sportscards #podcast #dealer #collector #investor #cards #show #debate #mantle #grading #1950 #autographs #OCD #expensive #psa #cards #trends #thehobby

Hosts Chris Sewall and Jeremy Donson kick off the Twenty-second episode of Collector Investor Podcast with a hot topic- are big sports card dealers creating a bull market? They also debate- should dealers be allowed to buy cards prior to the show opening? The guys have a big announcement about the National! If you're going, you'll want to hear it! They discuss that Geoff is opening up more card shops and if it's good for the hobby? They field a question about autographs and how confident PSA is when authenticating them. Last, Chris and Jeremy answer producers' corner- what is the most expensive card in your PC?

If you're interested in reaching out to Chris and Jeremy to sell your collection, you can email them directly at Chrisandtexassnowman@gmail.com

If you would like to consign your collection or bid in the next CIA auction, you can visit- https://collectorinvestorauctions.com

Check out Chris YouTube Channel- @collectorinvestordealer

VCP for 2 Weeks FREE- http://thevcp.com/?promo=CIACARDS

#sportscards

#podcast

#dealer

#collector

#investor

#cards

#show

#shop

#mantle

#grading

#announcement

#autographs

#national

#expensive

#psa

#cards

#trends

#thehobby