Hi All,

I would like to share an article of behind-the-scenes of how Topps/Fanatics and the 11-year-old (and family) handled the Paul Skenes 1/1 MLB Debut Patch card from The Athletic (via The New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6104328/2025/02/01/paul-skenes-mlb-debut-patch-young-collector/

A few highlights:
* The card came out of a Hobby Box of 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series. It was purchased from StockX for $320 and was a Christmas gift
* After pulling the card, the father contacted three auction houses: REA, Heritage Auctions and Fanatics Collect (contacting Fanatics Collect on Jan 2) to inquire about a potential sale.
* It wasn't until 19 days later that Fanatics announced the card was pulled.
* "The boy was able to hold the encased card and “gawk at it” until the next day."
* The 11 year old wants to give 1/2 of the sale to his brother for his college education
* At the time of the writing of the article, the author cited Waxstat and the price for 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series Hobby Box was around $650 https://www.waxstat.com/boxes/2024-topps-chrome-update-series-baseball-hobby-box

There's a lot of good in the hobby, but there's a lot of bad. I just saw this pop-up on my IG feed where Shyne ripped opened a sealed case of 2009-10 Upper Deck. Exquisite Basketball and he determined it was fake.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9-k2svpzLS

What are your thoughts and how can the manufacturers (and any wax re-sellers) prevent this from happening in the future?

One of Topps' flagship products releases today, July 17, 2024 with 2024 Topps Chrome Baseball. Right now it's available in the following configurations (with current average market price)
Hobby Box ($225)
Jumbo HTA ($450)
Monster Box ($75)
Value Box ($40)
Delight Box ($450)
Blaster Box ($40)
Jumbo/Fat Pack ($41)

Source: www.waxstat.com

Now go chase those Elly De La Cruz rookies. (No Paul Skenes in the checklist)