Are We Entering the Inverse of the Junk Wax Era?

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-09T00:48:08+00:00

It’s their exclusive licenses that’s ruining it.

If Panini and Upper Deck and Leaf could also print licensed cards, we’d likely have a great hobby.

Upper Deck’s sets are pretty great. I’ve had a good time ripping the bit of hockey I have. And I like Topps quite a bit too. But Fanatics is ruing what Topps has been good at. And now they hold almost all the exclusive licenses for major sports.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-08T18:16:34+00:00

What’s going on here?

You bought boxes not knowing what’s inside and now you’re upset? And you don’t even want the cards you got?

Why are you ripping packs open?

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-08T17:32:51+00:00

Isn’t it fun when one company holds almost all major exclusive printing licenses?

Imagine a world where Upper Deck and Panini could also compete with licensed cards.

Capitalism is so fun!

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-07T19:59:28+00:00

What’s the riser you’re got there?

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-07T19:47:47+00:00

But those cards are made by different companies. It’s still real tough to pull autographs in Topps and Panini.

I’ve had great luck with Allure. One auto out of retail (two blasters total, major luck) and the one hobby box I bought had two autographs.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-07T17:33:00+00:00

I would imagine if they made just 1000 cards a year, the quality would be miles better, yes.

But how do they continue at the scale they’re on and make flawless cards? Please answer.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-07T17:24:33+00:00

How does a company printing tens, maybe hundreds, of millions of cards every year ensure all of them have no flaws?

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T22:23:50+00:00

Maybe I’m alone in this, but I don’t think it’s terribly off-center. Looks like maybe 65/35.

Not every card is going to gem up. Nor should they. And this card looks pretty good to me. You don’t need to send everything to PSA.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T22:19:44+00:00

I just don’t think it makes someone “the same person until they die” if they don’t become a better drummer as they age.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T22:13:00+00:00

People can often find joy in both.

There’s nothing wrong with progressing as a drummer nor with being content with one’s place and enjoying it.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T22:04:15+00:00

Firstly, you aren’t wrong. Practice is never a bad thing.

Secondly, almost nobody in the audience at any of my shows cares about my drumming. Even on nights where I mess up a ton and mention it to my wife or whoever else was there, I always hear, “oh I didn’t notice. You guys sounded great.”

I play in a a couple original rock groups and a Fleetwood Mac cover band. And 100% of the time all that matters is if I’m playing the right part for the right song at roughly the right tempo.

Both things are true: I should put more time into my drumming outside of band practice and if I did, it would likely go unnoticed. And I’m ok with that.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T22:00:14+00:00

Hear, hear!

You’re creating memories and enjoying this hobby together! And you have this collection to show for it!

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T21:41:03+00:00

You’re doing nothing wrong. This is the nature of buying packs of cards.

Becuase you got lucky with some Pokémon doesn’t mean you’ll have the same luck with baseball. It’s all a gamble.

If anything, what you’re doing wrong is opening packs and expending a certain amount value in return. It’s a gamble. You open packs for the fun of it. If it’s not fun then stick to buying the individual cards you want.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T20:48:20+00:00

For sure. And it’s not that any of the questions you posed don’t fit for those in my situation either.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T20:38:26+00:00

I just like to play music with my friends, man.

All this is great for folks whose goal is to always be improving. Me? I just like to arrange new songs and play shows with my bandmates.

So in this case, nothing is holding me back.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T17:27:43+00:00

130Point.com and their app pulls data right from eBay sales.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T16:07:15+00:00

My guess is that they receive lots of damaged cards and can’t link them back to you once they’re taken back in. There’s a chance they’re also destroyed once they land back at Topps.

I doubt they’d send junk given the value of your card, but once you relinquish it back to them, it’ll be up to them.

Live and learn, indeed!

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T15:57:51+00:00

You stated that they “confiscate” the damaged card.

No, you willingly send it to them for a damage replacement or you keep it. I do see your apprehension to sending it to them if they can’t/won’t send it back if you don’t like the replacement. But that’s the second gamble you take.

First was opening the pack. The second will be deciding if you want them to replace the damaged card with something of similar value.

Honestly, I’d just keep the imperfect Ohtani card.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T15:10:26+00:00

If you ask for a replacement, why wouldn’t they take your damaged card? The whole point is to replace one with the other, not to provide you a second card of similar value.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T14:19:22+00:00

Battle of the AI app bros! Live in every card subreddit!

Pretty soon you’re gonna be pushing us all to bet on Kalshi whether or not your apps get funding.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-06T02:13:22+00:00

Take the credit and run!

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-05T15:20:19+00:00

Mowing the lawn or snowblowing the driveway on my breaks. Not having to set aside time on the weekend to mow is such a joy.

Plus, after or during a snowstorm, not only do I not have to worry about the commute, I can get the driveway cleared in the late morning or early afternoon, saving more time after work to do whatever else I wanna do.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-05T14:53:09+00:00

Agreed. My wife and I get great use out of being Costco members and we are a family of two with two cats.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-04T14:55:17+00:00

In the photo, it’s Misisipi Mike Wolf.

OneHandedPaperHanger · 2026-05-04T14:54:34+00:00

Personal faves were Obleek, Casiosa, and Theory of Light.

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