If you’re reading this, you know I have a website. You can also find me on YouTube and sometimes on other hobby related sites like Trading Card Database. I spend most of my time on Twitter and if you’re active there and follow me, you get a lot of my opinions on the hobby.
I don’t really like group breaks. I don’t come out and say it, because it’s a relatively unpopular opinion and I just don’t want to get into discourse (arguments) over it. It’s my opinion.
I’ve been in breaks before and it’s just a lottery. To be honest, so is buying boxes of modern product, which I don’t much participate in anymore either.
My point? If you’re getting scammed in a break, I don’t have a lot of sympathy for you. Hell, there’s even a website named Breaker Culture whose main focus is breakers. Sorry, not sorry. In fairness, I have little sympathy for those scammer. I’ve been accused of being smug more than a few times. In more than 30 years in this hobby, I’ve never been scammed.
How have I been so lucky?
I do my homework. Even when I bought into breaks, I didn’t get into one with someone that wasn’t established. I’m willing to pay more for reputation. If you’re just trying to get in as cheaply as possible with some random Facebook (or other place) breaker, best of luck to you.
I saw a tweet earlier today and thought about what I wanted to write for a good part of the day.
In my opinion, there are too many breakers in the hobby. I truly believe that most of them are on the up-and-up. The amount of places you can break means that if you do your research. You shouldn’t get scammed. Select someone with a long, solid reputation.
The list of folks I’ve broken with is pretty small. I had no issues with any of them and would recommend any.
- Exchanger Card Breaks – Indy Card Exchange was my LCS when I lived in Indy. Andy, Jake and the team (at least the ones I know) are great guys and good for the hobby. I’ve been in Texas almost five years and still rave about the guys.
- cloutsnchara – Mostly, or maybe all, hockey.
- Vintage Breaks – I’ve broken with Vintage Breaks once so far, with more to come. If you remember the 1955 Bowman Mickey Mantle pulled at NSCC 2018, these are the guys that pulled it.
There are many others that I wouldn’t hesitate to break with, if I was interested in it. I’m sure I have left off plenty. Apologies to any that I didn’t think of, or just don’t know about.
DISCLAIMER: DO NOT JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR THE SECURITY IN BREAKING WITH ANYONE LISTED. MAKE SURE TO DO YOU HOMEWORK.
I know common sense isn’t as common in our society as it used to be. By having some and using it, you should be safe.
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Happy collecting, y’all!
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I’ve started participating in group breaks more of late, but I’m not generally that concerned about getting scammed. I am only into the low stakes type of stuff. I cannot fathom spending “high end” money on something that is completely out of your hands and in the hands of some stranger. In fact, don’t tell anyone, but I’ve never once watched a break live on video. I can’t think of anything more boring, unfortunately.
But all of my group break experiences have been positive so far, so I’ll probably keep doing it.
Like you, I wouldn’t participate in anything high end if I do it again. I’m just to the point where I would just prefer buying the things I want.
On another note, I think you sent me a package a year or so ago. I haven’t forgotten, I pulled some Cards stuff for you. I’m just not always the best about getting things out.
Although I won’t go as far to say I little sympathy for the guy… I will agree with you that it’s important to do your homework.
It’s absolutely the key and should be common sense. There are plenty of awesome breakers out there that I don’t even know of!
That’s why I stay away from Facebook/Instagram breakers or traders. Too much risk.
not all Facebook breakers are bad,i knwo of 2 that ive been close with for more than a year,one of whom’s about to celebrate thier 5th year of breaking,who are reliable and trustworthy,so blanketing them as untrustworthy is a mistake
I know Colin (Sports Card Radio) has mentioned something like that in the past. I’d be wary of someone that doesn’t have a good website and also a solid social media presence.
I know Colin (Sports Card Radio) has mentioned something like that in the past. I’d be wary of someone that doesn’t have a good website and also a solid social media presence.
I’ve never taken part in a break before. I’m sure there are tons of breakers out there that will do an excellent job, but it’s not particularly my thing.