What's going on, everybody? Welcome back to stacking slabs. This is your hobby content alternative. I am your host, Brett. I'm fired up. I'm ready to go. The flagship episode is the pillar of the entire stacking slabs platform.

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Today's episode, I am going to explore only to another collector, the trust psychology and the let go moment of cards that we have in our collection.

That dynamic of those cards that sit and they sit because we love those cards. However, in some instances, we decide to let those cards go.

Not to a marketplace, but to another collector who we know and we know will appreciate those cards. Some of the best cards in the hobby aren't for sale. It's a theme that I have been on as I've grown and matured in the hobby.

We don't see some of the best cards. The only way we have access to the best cards is through photographs. And oftentimes, we as collectors have to dig for those photographs because that's all that we have.

And, typically, the collectors who own those cards and posted those photographs aren't doing it repeatedly. These cards are locked away, not by price, but by meaning, memory, and intent.

A seller may say that the card is not available. However, the opportunity and what I wanna get into in today's episode is that they might become available if the right collector comes along.

And you out there, the listener of the stacking individual who individual who owns those cards.

When you own a card of meaning and that you're passionate about and that you've held for a long time, there is a certain level of, being at ease or being content with ownership.

There's a reason why we own these cards. I'm sure as I'm talking through this, you can think about those cards that are in your case that you're content about. You love the cards.

They're just sitting. You have no plans to sell. But on the other side, there are always other collectors out there searching for that card and who want that card. And, yeah, we try to make it a judgment free zone in the hobby.

However, we're humans. And, naturally, we, as humans and collectors, take pride in ownership of those cards and wouldn't think twice about making those cards available unless the right, not opportunity, but individual came comes along.

I think a lot about my favorite cards in my collection go up and down the list. Most of those cards were cards that were acquired directly from another collector, no middleman.

And most of the time, those cards were acquired after a lot of conversation, getting to know each other. And then six months, a year later, those that card that was once not available became available.

I think the the thesis for this conversation in this episode is going to be centered around collectors and collectors that don't just sell cards, but collectors that pass them on.

Now I'm not talking about these cards being given away for free.

That's silly. I wish I had, a source where I could just, you know, land incredible grails, for no cost, but that's not reality. There's money associated with everything. But these are the instances where the money isn't the issue.

Access is the issue. And not only do the collectors pass on the cards, they care deeply about who's on the other end. I think this conversation is a natural continuation of last week's episode.

Last week, we covered the power of the strong offer. This week, it's not about the offer. It's about the person making it. What are you doing to become the kind of collector someone else would trust with their favorite card?

That's what I wanna get into on this flagship episode of stacking slabs, your hobby content alternative. Are you ready to roll? Alright.

Let's get into it. So I think first, we need to dig into and explore the topic of why collectors let go even when they don't plan to. This is very, we need to explore the emotional side. We need to explore, the psychology behind it.

But I think first and foremost, and this is, like, the next level of hobby buy, sell, trade, hobby operating, is that when you reach this point where it's not always about the money, but it's about the meaning, that is the zone, I think, where this conversation gets placed and can help support maybe a collector who owns a card, who is being approached by someone who they're evaluating, or you are the person approaching a collector for a card, and you're trying to understand what are the things that you can do in your position to land the card.

I think many collectors form emotional bonds with cards. The cards that we don't form emotional bonds with are the cards that we put in a box and sell on a marketplace like eBay.

Letting go feels like giving away part of themselves. That's or that's the cards that I'm thinking about as I'm digging into this topic.

Some will let go if they know it's going to someone who gets it. So what do we mean by get it? I think there if you dig into just, human psychology, persuasion, there is a topic around likeness.

And just think about this in all walks of life. It doesn't need to be in cards. But likeness center is is around this topic of we wanna interact, we wanna exchange dialogue, thoughts, ideas with others who we view are similar to us.

And it doesn't need to be about background. It doesn't need to be about any of those other facets. It needs to be around the way that that individual thinks about collecting sports cards. That's really important.

We want to make sure that if we're giving up a card that we love and I I'm gonna toggle back here on this conversation between, individual holding card and individual trying to get card. So, know that as I'm talking through this.

But we as holders of the card or owners of the card, we wanna make sure that the card that we've deeply appreciated, that we love, that has representation in our collection for so long, we we wanna believe that that card gets to continue its story in another meaningful collection.

Yes. Money is a part of these exchanges, but money is not the primary reason for these exchanges.

It's the benefit side benefit of these exchanges. We wanna know that the person who is inquiring about the card is less likely to sell to flippers or that individual is someone who's trying to chase quick ROI.

There's a it's a pride thing. There's pride in knowing that the card is going to the right home.

And I know. I've said before, like, that phrase going to the right home. We hear it a lot, and I don't know. Sometimes I'm like, well, what does that mean? What does that really mean?

I think what it really means is making sure that based on the circumstances you have as a collector who owns this card, if you are willing to give up the card, that it's going somewhere where it's going to be appreciated.

Not and it's not like you can never sell these this card. I think that's a silly parameter to be in place, but I think it's the intention.

The intention is that we wanna know as holders and as someone who's thinking about selling the card, we wanna know that the individual on the other end wants to buy the card because it fits within their current collection and what they're building.

I don't know.

I was thinking about just, like, what are just analogies or things that I can think of to draw a comparison, and it was really hard. And I hope none of you had to go through this, in your life, but maybe for someone who has.

And thinking about, like, you have a pet and thinking about your maybe moving or get a new job and your responsibility shift, this and that, and you you don't have the capacity to care for the pet anymore.

You've got an emotional responsibility, and you wanna make sure that that pet that you love ends in the right place.

I'm thinking it's similar with cards because cards with stories, and these are the cards we're talking about, all of these cards we're talking about in this zone all have stories.

They're not commodities, but and they should be viewed more like heirlooms. And I the heirloom might be a very strong way to describe these cards because we think of heirloom.

The first thing we think of is family heirlooms. And you know what? We have this mindset of, like, this these cards getting passed down for generations in this, utopia of, like, the card when you're long gone being in your family.

Well, I think the reality of this situation is, you know, you can go that route, but who is to say generations from now, like, someone doesn't need money and is gonna sell a card that you wanted to keep in your family forever?

Then when we we can frame up heirlooms to think we to think about it from a community perspective.

So if you think about, your communities within the hobby somewhat as families and you have individuals in the hobby who you view in a way, a strong connection and a bond, maybe like a a brother or a sister in the hobby.

You have chats with them. You know what they collect. You know what they're about.

Those are the instances and circumstances where you know someone so well and you appreciate how they operate so well that you're willing to pass your heirloom over to them because you know that it's going its story will continue.

Collectors sell to other collectors out of shared passion. Shared passion is what is this is all about. And let me just, like, tee this up for all of you.

Have you ever been in a dialogue, either chat, you're on a phone call with another collector, you meet that collector face to face at a show, you are, you know, on a Zoom call with the collector, and it just keeps going.

Like, you can't stop talking. You're so excited.

You're fired up, and just the conversation just hitting on all cylinders. Well, those are the moments where there's shared passion, and that's a great display of shared passion in those dialogues and in those conversations.

And if you share their love of a player, team, or era, then they see you. It's a form of unspoken trust built on a special language, and that's the language of collecting sports cards.

So I think it's really important to think about first before as we're getting into this, why collectors let go of things. So let's move into what does this mean to be a collector others trust.

How as individuals who are online, at shows, having conversations, how do we build that trust? I wanna get really tactical with this. I want to help you all, understand the importance of reputation and brand.

This is a space I spent the last fifteen years studying how to build a reputation that is going to develop trust, that is going to lead to stronger connections, that will lead to, to, more customers.

That's what I've done in my professional career up into the point of me saying, you know what? I'm done doing that. I learned a ton. I'm very ambitious. Now I just wanna talk about sports cards all day.

So I'm I'm very keen and mindful around this topic of reputation brand. The the the the nucleus of all of this is trust, and trust is built over time. Trust is not built. Trust doesn't happen because of a DM. It's asking questions.

Are you showing up consistently in the community? Are you adding value? And it can't be manufactured. It needs to be organic, and that organic and and consistent value being given to the community is a shared passion.

Do people know you for what you collect, not just what you want? Listen to smashing bin this last week. Just listen to all the conversations. Go back and listen to all of the conversations I have with other people on this platform.

Listen to Jesse, goat wr collector. His brand is, you you guessed it, wide receiver is the greatest of all time, and that's what he collects, and that's what he's known by, and he has a damn good reputation.

How about Friday's conversation? I hope you like that one. Ben nonsense name cards. Talking about culturally and historical historically significant individuals in the world and in sports.

Yeah. He collects 90 stuff too, but that's his brand to me, and he's built a reputation around it. Do people know what you want to collect? I think having conversations, sharing that on a regular basis is is certainly helpful.

The thing about reputation is it's not something that you can be seen. I often say it's what people say about you when you're not in the room. Good reputation travels. People talk.

If you're respectful, fair, and passionate, words spread. If you are transactional, that travels too. I've had interactions over the last six months with individuals that maybe I bought cards from, and it just feels transactional.

Not saying that's a bad thing. However, some of those individuals are individuals I would never let go of one of these cards to.

The I am more inclined to get rid of cards to individuals who do things and demonstrate their collector identity by sharing their collection and stories, not just this is what I want list, individuals who support others collecting goals, individuals who make thoughtful and respectful offers even if they don't lead to a deal.

I think transparency really matters. If you're planning to keep a card long term, that matters.

If you're trying to pair it with a card you already own, explain it. Show your intention during these moments, not just your price. So we just got done talking about why did why does it what does it mean to be a collector others trust?

Now I wanna dig into kind of real strategies to become a collector someone we're sell to. So we're gonna move into action, talk about maybe ways that you can increase your chances of acquiring grails from trusted hands.

Think it's important to document your journey. This means posting your stories, posting the stories, posting your card, sharing your themes, making it easy for others to know what you care about.

For me, it's really easy. I love cards. I love sharing the cards I'm buying. I love telling stories. And a vehicle I get to do that on is unique, but is is through this through this.

But also, maybe more easier than for for you out there who aren't doing any sports card podcast regularly is just posting to Instagram and and sharing some context behind your post.

Think when someone clicks your page, spidey senses go up. Collector, dealer, like, we we we as humans begin to try to understand the reason why the individual is in this space.

I think it's important documenting your journey, obviously, but being patient. Sometimes the right card takes time. Staying in touch respectfully, not nagging, letting people know the door is open.

You always wanna this goes back to communication, but you always want to use language that respects ownership. Things like if you ever decide to let go, I'd love a chance.

Things like, I know this is one probably means a lot to you. I just want you to know I treat it like gold, stuff like that. Offering something in return is always important. That's the thing when you get into this level.

Sometimes the cash doesn't matter. Sometimes a card that that collector wants to make that fit for their PC matters more. Maybe it's a trade where you're able to help them with a gap in their collection.

Maybe it's a story you share that shows them how much this card would matter to you. Authentically, genuinely celebrate the card and the collector no matter the outcome.

Even if the answer is no, it's always good to show appreciation. This builds long term relationships. I think there's a trust loop in how the right sale builds the hobby, and maybe this is this is tying maybe everything together.

But when a collector passes a card to another collector, something powerful happens. And I'm gonna say this upfront.

This is something me as a owner of sports cards needs to do a better job of. I need to do a better job of this because I believe that when a collector passes another card to another collector, the hobby can grow stronger.

These are bonds. This helps build, inform, and solidify the community. The stories continue. The cards stay meaningful, not transactional.

Every time a meaningful card changes hands with care, it helps reinforce the culture we'll we're building in this era of the hobby. And it's a culture we're collecting isn't just about acquisition, but it can be about stewardship too.

I know that might sound crazy, but I believe it. We can all contribute to the culture by buying with care, by selling with trust, by telling stories that matter.

I hope this episode resonates with you and gives you some sort of, road map on decisions you're trying to make as a collector. Think about a card in your collection that you'd only sell to the right collector.

What would that person need to show you? Now flip it. Are you that collector for someone else? I think it's really good to think about both sides. The next time you see a card marked not available, don't just send an offer.

Build a connection. Be a human. Tell a damn story. I love sports cards. I love the having the opportunity to get up here every week and share my perspective and talk about why I love this damn hobby so much.

Appreciate all of you out there for telling a damn friend, supporting stacking slabs. It means a ton. You take care. More stacking slabs on the other side.