While I don't totally disagree with you, Plan, there is one huge difference between your experience as a child and those that Ducko was referring to who skirt the limit. As a kid, you wanted them because you liked them and wanted to keep them. The people who "cheat" the system with postcards are flipping them immediately. If someone beats the postcard system to buy 20 sets for themselves that they are going to keep for their collection, well, so it goes. If I get shut out, I'm not thrilled with them, but that's the way it goes. If I get shut out and someone is immediately flipping dozens of sets, well, I'm pretty pissed.
While I don't totally disagree with you, Plan, there is one huge difference between your experience as a child and those that Ducko was referring to who skirt the limit. As a kid, you wanted them because you liked them and wanted to keep them. The people who "cheat" the system with postcards are flipping them immediately. If someone beats the postcard system to buy 20 sets for themselves that they are going to keep for their collection, well, so it goes. If I get shut out, I'm not thrilled with them, but that's the way it goes. If I get shut out and someone is immediately flipping dozens of sets, well, I'm pretty pissed.
Well said. I don't think anyone complaining (about the direction the hobby is taking) is concerned about having to spend $5 more a box plus shipping when the OLDS2 series becomes generally available. No doubt Dave has gone out of his way to help everyone here on a presale of something that will still be available anyway. I think they are fed up (me included) with people buying exhorbitant amounts of a limited product with the sole intention of flipping stuff on ebay.
They have also (imho) become frustrated (me included) with the seemingly ever-increasing
cards (nevermind the other stuff) that are near impossible to get unless you have money to burn or time and money to burn flying all over the country to attend shows.
For example, I would love to have just
one gold-bordered Wackomercial from ANS7. I like to have the base set plus one copy of each variant (pink, silver, etc) in my keeper collection. 1:701 chance of a gold wackomercial?! Forget it! The only reason I am able to have one gold FB1 and one gold FB2 sticker in my keeper collection is the kindness and generosity of a forum member here.
And all the cards that are available only at shows; again, you have to know someone who is attending and is willing to give (or at least gain only a minimal profit) something they got for free rather than flipping it on ebay for incredible profits to the people who have money to burn.
When we were kids there was a very reasonable chance of collecting everything available at a very reasonable price. Rarities were created outside of Topps' control (C&D). Now, between 2 bucks a pack, manufactured rarities, hoarders and ebay flippers, I don't blame anyone who has become so frustrated to the point of leaving the hobby.
I love Ducko's suggestion of a subscription list that allows avid collectors (not profiteers) to be guaranteed at least one of everything that is released.
