It has been a while since anyone has had much to say about this, so...
How many of you are active users? I'd like to hear others opinions of their experiences. Anyone never heard of it? Something to probably investigate but not necessarily participate in.
Personally, I didn't think much of it when it first kicked off and really wondered what the appeal would be. After a couple years, I would admit that it has grown on me quite a bit. Pro's - being able to open packs whenever and without looking for a LCS. Not having to deal with garbage, unwanted base (or online non-physical) cards. Agreeing to trades & not worrying about receiving cards. Tie-in to COMC for shipping, selling & getting cards to BGS directly for grading. Con's - being able to open packs whenever and without looking for a LCS. Pricing isn't outstanding (there are occasional sales), but getting whacked with CC or Paypal addit forex costs are killer for us Canadians. You find more a-hole traders that need to WIN on every exchange.
What has it done to the industry? I think some of the cash flow has shifted away from the LCS's. I still support mine, perhaps to a lesser extent, because you can't replace the feel & fun of ripping wax & having that immediate gratification of a good pull (insert redemption smiley here). My main concern is what it has done to aftermarket pricing for certain products. With the exception of only a few special players with major hobby love, the sellers on COMC have reduced the value of Young Guns for instance to almost nothing. While this is fabulous for set builders & speculators (btw congrats to all who hoarded Barzal), I don't think it's doing the hobby any favours in the long term.
Like it or not, it always provides the chance for some fabulous hits. I've managed a few worth mentioning. McDavid rookie canvas, 2016 Ben Simmons Sport Royalty auto, 16-17 MVP auto redemption Matthews, and just recently a 2017 Tiger Goudey auto & the Ben Simmons Exquisite auto/99.
Overall, I can't complain. It can be fun, but proceed with caution.
How many of you are active users? I'd like to hear others opinions of their experiences. Anyone never heard of it? Something to probably investigate but not necessarily participate in.
Personally, I didn't think much of it when it first kicked off and really wondered what the appeal would be. After a couple years, I would admit that it has grown on me quite a bit. Pro's - being able to open packs whenever and without looking for a LCS. Not having to deal with garbage, unwanted base (or online non-physical) cards. Agreeing to trades & not worrying about receiving cards. Tie-in to COMC for shipping, selling & getting cards to BGS directly for grading. Con's - being able to open packs whenever and without looking for a LCS. Pricing isn't outstanding (there are occasional sales), but getting whacked with CC or Paypal addit forex costs are killer for us Canadians. You find more a-hole traders that need to WIN on every exchange.
What has it done to the industry? I think some of the cash flow has shifted away from the LCS's. I still support mine, perhaps to a lesser extent, because you can't replace the feel & fun of ripping wax & having that immediate gratification of a good pull (insert redemption smiley here). My main concern is what it has done to aftermarket pricing for certain products. With the exception of only a few special players with major hobby love, the sellers on COMC have reduced the value of Young Guns for instance to almost nothing. While this is fabulous for set builders & speculators (btw congrats to all who hoarded Barzal), I don't think it's doing the hobby any favours in the long term.
Like it or not, it always provides the chance for some fabulous hits. I've managed a few worth mentioning. McDavid rookie canvas, 2016 Ben Simmons Sport Royalty auto, 16-17 MVP auto redemption Matthews, and just recently a 2017 Tiger Goudey auto & the Ben Simmons Exquisite auto/99.
Overall, I can't complain. It can be fun, but proceed with caution.
RootnTootn