Last Time Ago LLC dba Ballcard Genius
You know card collecting is your happy place when, no matter what’s going on in life; how hard your day is, how much you have on your plate, etc., that nothing replaces the joy felt in the presence of wax and cardboard.
That feeling brought on by the mere sight of anything card-related—binders, penny sleeves, shoe boxes. It’s hard to explain to others, right?
It all stems from growing up as a card hunter, surfing flea markets and garage sales for cardboard while tagging along with my dad who was looking for art and antiques.
Now, Ballcard Genius is a business born from that feeling, and now – through this site – out to ignite the same experiences in newcomers, while helping to keep it alive in those who have been around cards for a while.
This is not buying or investment advice. Please do your own research and make your own decisions. Just because cards have increased in value up to this point, it doesn’t mean they will continue to do so. Just because I have flipped cards successfully in the past, it doesn’t mean you’ll have the same successes.
My Sports Card Flipping Philosophy
The sports card landscape is riddled with risk. Of course, that’s what makes things exciting as well. Breaks, ripping new product, grading. There is a lot of chance.
When I first returned to cards, I was quickly sucked into breaks, but learned the hard way that it just wasn’t sustainable for my personal collection or my card business.
On the PC side, I now only buy singles (I collect A’s; mostly Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, and Lawrence Butler. I’m also a huge 90s-early 00s insert card collector, which has branched off into a mini Ken Griffey Jr. PC as well.)
On the business side, I try to minimize risk as much as possible. This means staying away from breaks, ripping, and grading.
Of course, there are exceptions.
I’ll break if Fanatics sends me a hefty promo code; I’ll rip new product for TikTok content, and I’ll grade when I feel I’ve eliminated a lot of risk.
But in terms of turning profit, I like to flip singles, and I eliminate a lot of risk by either:
1. Buying underpriced cards that can be resold “right now” for more money
2. Buying trending cards at “yesterday’s” prices and selling them at today’s market value
Sharing my knowledge above is why I started this platform. Through my articles, chats, emails, podcast, etc. I’m doing my best to show you how I utilize these methods to make money with cards.
That includes:
“Hot” card reports where I point out the cards that are on their way up
Articles on recent flips including where I found cards and why I bought them
Tips on finding comps/card values
Other “sticky” resources you can use to improve your personal card ways
Not everything will apply to every person here. It’s impossible.
My goal is to give you all the info and then have you figure out what type of approach works best for you, your collection, card buying/selling, etc.
Oh, and in terms of cadence, I try not to go more than a couple of days without publishing. Of course, I’m human and have a family, job, etc., so sometimes things happen.
I sincerely want to provide as much value as possible here, and publishing is a huge part of that, so just know I’ll never forget about you.
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