I dropped my kid off at a birthday party, and while I was out, I stopped by my LCS and freaking CRUSHED the <$5 boxes 😀

At Collectors MD, our focus has always been clear: support, accountability, and healthier engagement. We don’t believe in force-feeding product or creating environments that prey on impulse. Instead, we highlight shops and voices that prove the hobby can thrive without predatory mechanics.

That’s why we respect what @tyler_santiago_ has built with @santiagosports. From Instagram singles nights to cultivating an in-store culture grounded in trust, they’ve shown that slower, more intentional approaches create real community. It’s still fun, still interactive—but without the casino-like mechanics that drive compulsive ripping on major platforms.

Collectors deserve spaces where they can engage, learn, and enjoy without being manipulated by algorithms or engineered FOMO. Santiago Sports is proof that prioritizing people over volume builds lasting trust.

Catch the full conversation in Episode #11 of The Collector’s Compass—now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and all major platforms.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

#CollectorsMD | #SantiagoSports | #RipResponsibly

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPhCr86kQGa/

They didn't have their <$5 boxes out, so I had to browse the $5+ boxes instead 😱, but I think I did pretty ok!

I ventured out of my PC a bit, but come on: it's Pacific, a #'d parallel, AND it's Wade Boggs in a Devil Rays uniform? Yeah that skipped the "maybe" pile and went straight into the "yes" pile 😀

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Tyler Santiago—owner of Santiago Sports and one of the most recognizable voices in the New Jersey card scene.

As the owner of a thriving LCS in Matawan, NJ, Tyler has built Santiago Sports into both a local hub and a respected name nationally. From brick-and-mortar to Instagram sales, card shows to community building, Tyler has carved out a path that balances tradition with modern presence—without relying on the heavy push of platforms like Whatnot or Fanatics Live.

Tyler provides perspective on:

-Building Santiago Sports from its roots into a trusted shop and brand.

-How an LCS can thrive in today’s fast-paced, break-driven hobby.

-Why reputation, relationships, and community matter as much as product.

-The challenges and opportunities shop owners face in an evolving marketplace.

-His philosophy on collecting, breaking, and what it means to stay authentic in the hobby.

Whether you’re a local shop loyalist, an online buyer, or someone curious about how the business side of the hobby works, this episode is a reminder that community and credibility are the cornerstones of collecting with intention.

Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: https://www.collectorsmd.com

Socials: https://www.hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: https://bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: info@collectorsmd.com

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Tyler & Santiago Sports:

Website: https://santiagosportsnj.com/

YouTube: ‪@santiago_sports_

Instagram: @santiago_sports_ | @tyler_santiago_

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-MEXN3aBxA

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