Published May 15, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it. It’s become the default defense for how much we spend, how much we chase, and how deeply we dive into this hobby. But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

For most of us, cards aren’t an investment. They’re a gamble.

I get it. The narrative is enticing: you’re not just buying pieces of cardboard—you’re making strategic financial moves. Your collection is your portfolio. Your grails are your blue-chip assets. And you’re not “spending”—you’re “investing.”

Except most of us aren’t.

Most of us are chasing the latest rookie, overpaying for hype, ripping packs with no idea of the odds, or pouring money into a player whose career could end with a single injury. We’re not strategically diversifying—we’re emotionally justifying.

And the worst part? The industry knows this. The platforms, the breakers, the manufacturers—they all push the “investment” narrative because it keeps you spending. It’s not about your long-term gains—it’s about their short-term profit.

You know what real investors have? Patience. Discipline. Diversification. An exit strategy.

But what do most collectors have? A stack of cards they can’t sell for half of what they paid. A credit card balance they don’t want to check. A nagging feeling that they’re one big hit away from making it all worth it.

And look—I’m not saying you can’t make money in this hobby. Some do. But for every story of a collector turning $500 into $5,000, there are thousands who end up with stacks of worthless bulk, chasing the next big thing.

This doesn’t mean you should quit collecting. But it does mean you should be honest about why you’re here.

Are you really investing? Or are you chasing?

Because the difference between the two is the difference between control and compulsion.

#CollectorsMD
Collect with clarity—not with delusion.

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