Published December 16, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

The news that PSA’s parent company, Collectors, has acquired Beckett landed with a thud across the hobby this week. With the acquisition, Collectors now owns the three most prominent grading companies—PSA, Beckett, and SGC. For some, it was surprising. For others, it felt inevitable. And for many collectors, it immediately triggered frustration, skepticism, and concern about where all of this is headed.

At face value, consolidation isn’t automatically good or bad. Companies merge. Businesses evolve. Scale can bring efficiency, investment, and consistency. But in a hobby already grappling with questions around transparency, power, and fairness, moves like this don’t happen in a vacuum. They land on top of years of rising fees, tighter control, fewer alternatives, and a growing sense that decision-making is drifting further away from collectors themselves.

A lot of the reaction we’re seeing isn’t really about PSA, Beckett, or SGC specifically. It’s about what this represents. When grading, authentication, pricing influence, marketplaces, and media narratives increasingly sit under the same umbrellas, collectors start to wonder who the system is truly designed to serve. And when Fanatics on one side and PSA on another feel like ever-expanding superpowers, it’s understandable that people worry about monopoly dynamics—even if no single move crosses a legal line on its own.

Consolidation doesn’t just combine logos—it concentrates influence. And when influence grows faster than transparency, it naturally raises questions about balance, choice, and who ultimately holds the power.

To be clear, companies are allowed to pursue growth. Revenue matters. Sustainability matters. But trust matters too—and trust erodes when collectors feel they have fewer choices, less leverage, and limited visibility into how decisions impact them downstream. That tension is what so many people are reacting to right now.

At Collectors MD, we don’t take positions for or against specific companies. Our role isn’t to attack or defend corporate strategy. Our role is to pay attention to how these shifts feel to collectors—and how they impact behavior, stress, spending, and mental health. Because when power consolidates, pressure often trickles down. And pressure is where impulsivity, overextension, and harm tend to grow.

This moment is worth sitting with. Not reacting out of anger—but not dismissing concern either. Healthy hobbies rely on balance: competition, choice, accountability, and trust. When any one of those starts to wobble, it’s reasonable for collectors to ask questions.

And asking questions doesn’t make you anti-hobby. It makes you intentional.

#CollectorsMD
When power concentrates, clarity and care matter more than ever.

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This month, we’re proud to feature Brandon H (@collectcharles) in our Collector Spotlight. Brandon first joined Collectors MD earlier this year and quickly became one of the most active members of our community. He’s been a consistent presence at our weekly peer-support meetings, engages regularly in our group chat, and has even started contributing to our Daily Reflection series—including a piece we published last week, Pack It Up: Why Modern Card Collecting Is A Mirage.

Brandon describes himself as a cautionary tale: “On one end, I’m as happy as I’ve ever been, but on the other hand, I’ve been irresponsible financially… chasing big hits through buying lots of cards and into card breaks has gotten out of control.” He’s experienced the highs of hitting on chases, but he also knows those moments can be deceptive—“rewarding” in the moment, but dangerous over time.

Despite the challenges, Brandon has embraced Collectors MD as a preemptive strike—choosing accountability and community support so his collection doesn’t become something he’s forced to sell. He’s living proof that intentionality makes a difference, even when temptation runs high.

Brandon’s collection is both wide-ranging and personal. It includes 90s slabs of NBA legends like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, and Kobe Bryant; a strong lineup of current Cubs players; 49ers icons such as Brock Purdy and Joe Montana; an eclectic lot of cards from the Bob Ross x Topps set; tribute displays for Hulk Hogan and Cubs greats like Mark Grace, Ryne Sandberg, and Ernie Banks; and unique treasures like an Eric “Butterbean” Esch autograph.

When we asked Brandon what “collecting with intention” means to him, he put it simply: “Collecting with intent is fun”. That joy is reflected in the way he curates his PC—not for show, but for personal meaning.

Brandon, thank you for your honesty, your contributions, and the heart you bring to this community. Your willingness to share your journey reminds us all that collecting is about more than cards—it’s about accountability, connection, and purpose.

Below is a glimpse of Brandon’s collection. Be sure to check out his page and give him a follow!

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

https://collectorsmd.com/collector-spotlight/

Went to another local card show and found some really nice cards.

“No hard feelings, it’s just business”

My favorite pick up of the month