Collector Nation - Breaking Down the Topps Conference: New Products, Licensing & Shop Allocation

Episode Date: April 17, 2026

In this episode of Collector Nation, Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden, and Bella Shafer take a closer look at the current state of the trading card industry—from allocation challenges to pricing shifts and the evolving role of card shops. Drawing from firsthand experience at the Topps Conference, the conversation explores how brands like Topps and Fanatics are thinking about growth, distribution, and the future of the hobby. The team also discusses how technology, data, and platforms like eBay are influencing buying behavior and shaping how collectors engage with the market. As the hobby continues to expand beyond just sports, new opportunities—and challenges—are emerging. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting started, this episode offers valuable insight into where the hobby is headed and what it takes to stay ahead. 🔑 Topics Covered Topps Conference insights and industry direction Allocation challenges and how shops earn inventory Pricing trends and secondary market dynamics The role of technology and data in collecting Growth of the hobby beyond sports cards Marketplace evolution and future opportunities 🤝 Connect with the Hosts Ryan Alford – https://www.ryanalford.com Brian Ludden (Ludex) – https://www.ludex.com Bella Shafer – https://www.instagram.com/isabellashafer

I know you were at a big Pops conference last week. Maybe your takeaways from the conference. It was interesting. All they want to do is get more allocation. I feel they're maturing and understanding what their vision is and understanding the industry a lot better. I think they're being really smart about it. Is there any chance in hell that they get to fall by the talk or fanatics? I don't think so.

We seem to be moving towards monopolies anyway. I think it will depend on what Panini does next and how successful what they do next is. So eBay sports card sales hit two. 233 million in March. Specifically with Otani and Jordan cards, they saw eight figures worth of sales on eBay last month, but the entire market soared to more than $7.5 million per day. There's more money than millions of Americans combined will ever see or make in their lifetime. And eBay does it in a month on sports cards.

Welcome to the Collector Nation podcast here on the Collector Nation Network. work. Whether you're chasing grails or calling bluffs, you take you inside the hobby. Here are your host, Ryan Alford and Brian Lut. What's up guys? Hey, it's our on-it segment of the week with my good friend Leonard Barry. What's up, Leonard? Hey, Ryan, how are you? Glad to be here as always. Yeah, man. I often reflect that we get to, you know, part of what we do for a living, is collectibles and trading cards. So I'm just blessed to be here, man. Absolutely.

Can argue with that. Exactly. It's a pretty cool thing. Would you have believed it when you were growing up, Leonard, that you'd be working for a fast-growing trading card and collectibles brand? I know, right? It's like the second best thing besides going to pro in a sport, you know, like all those guys are like, oh, yeah,

I get paid to play a game, you know, like we get paid to talk about, collectibles and training cards that, you know, stemmed from when we were children. So it's like one step below playing a game. And we don't have all the pressure, you know, we don't have 40,000 fans yelling at us every night. I know. But, hey, I will say the pressure of choosing teams and partners

and the colleges, the pressure's off a little bit because you guys keep your own winners. You know, we'll close out with some talk on the basketball stuff and then get into some of the sports that are now in full swing. pun intended. But hey, big WMBA draft night. I saw and heard. I was watching a little bit of it.

And then I caught the news. I mean, every UCLA player, a lot of out of athletes got their name called. Yeah, definitely. We had five first rounders, including the number one overall pick. Of course, AZFud. I think everybody saw that coming.

So she's going to reunite with Paige Beckers there in Dallas. So that's super interesting. Like you said, UCLA, so we had three of the UCLA first rounders in our products this year, Gabriella Hakez, Angela Dugallick, and then Gianna Neepkins, all went in the first round, and then throwing Rabin Johnson, too, from South Carolina. She got drafted 10th overall.

So pretty good WMBA draft for us, obviously, and that's just the first rounders. We had a couple other people get selected in the second round. The thing that always blows my mind about the WMBA draft is I always forget how fast it comes after the season ends. It's just such a quick turnaround. They go from playing in March Madness to the draft, and then next month,

they're going to be suiting up professionally compared to the NFL draft is coming up. It's a good time, though, to pick up those athletes, if you're a fan or otherwise, or just a collector that likes to see, you know, the college good of pros, your last on-it chance to get those athletes in the boxes that have been out for a little while, right?

Yeah, absolutely. You know, we don't follow our players to the pro. We let Tops and Panini and whoever else wants to take care of that. So, yeah, this is, you know, your last opportunity to get like an AZ FUD out of a Yukon box or any of those UCLA players that we talked about. So, yeah, it's, you know, last chance to get on-card autographs because who knows next year when they're in the WMBA with Panini, you're probably getting a sticker. Yeah, exactly. What do you think is like one of the, what's probably like the biggest cards? I know you mentioned a couple of names, but for On it, you know, in the college, baseball product, you know, like maybe variation and name, like what's some of the bigger cards?

Yeah, I think the biggest card that we're going to have in 2026 that everyone's going to be chasing is we have Rock Kowalski's autograph. He is a signer for us. He is and was. He was at the start of the year and he still is now baseball Americas and most places, number one draft prospect, not only out of high school, but period, like, you know, including high school kids. He's not just the number one college draft prospect. He's the number one prospect. He signs with us. He's on a lot of different inserts.

So I think that is going to be a heavy chase. I think Drew Burris, like I mentioned, too, Georgia Tech. Another guy, Carson Tinney, Texas is playing really well. He signs Sawyer-Straiser for TCU. I know they're not ranked. He's turning it up. He's going to be a top 10 pick. We've got multiple guys from Virginia that sign.

I think, honestly, on our baseball side, I think it's one of the best sets of names that we've ever had, especially when you look at some of the guys who have never even had a card before, who have never signed with anyone. We have quite a few of those. And so I think for baseball, like if you're a fan of Bowman and prospecting and that kind of thing, I think that what we have this year in baseball is going to be a lot of the guys who you're going to see in Bowman. So if you truly want, like, their very first autographs, our baseball set this year for a lot of those guys is going to be kind of

cream of the crop. Yeah, and I've opened more than I care to admit at the Clemson boxes. And these are premium cards. They've got great inserts, the autographs, numbered. This is a, you just got, okay, so many baseball junkies out there. This is your chance. You're always looking for something new, something fresh. Leder just gave you the names. Just gave you the cheat sheet. Get out there and find those cards before they're gone. Softball, I know is big and moving. So, you quick notes on the softball product? Yeah, Oklahoma softball is going to go fast.

If you're an Oklahoma fan. Bye now. If you want the product with the best resale value, Oklahoma Softball has by far the widest following out of, you know, any softball team. That's a nuts program. I didn't quite understand. Clemsons has softball now, too.

They're pretty good. but Oklahoma softball is like, I mean, it's a brand. Yeah, so that's going to go fast. Those cards are going to have heavy resale value because Oklahoma softball is by far, you know, one of their best products, if not the best product that that school puts out every year.

Texas Tech, we got Nizuri Kennedy, the amazing pitcher from Texas Tech, who signed like the, what, $9 million. I think it was an I-e-L deal when she transferred to Stanford to Texas Tech. So she's got some inserts in our stuff. We've got Arkansas His number six in the country

Some great stuff there as well Texas, Nebraska I mean pretty much Every one of these top 10 teams we have Tennessee softball I know some people have seen those cards floating around Tennessee was actually giving away those cards For fans who went to the games

So if you're in Knoxville you've already seen the cards If you went to a game But so that's kind of just like a glimpse Those are pretty much all of our teams In the top 10 right there in softball Tons of talent throughout the nation but Oklahoma for sure he's going to lead the way. They're number one in the country for a reason, you know?

Yeah, they are and a brand amongst themselves. Hey guys, on it, athlete.com. Use code collector nation at checkout. You'll get 15% off. We gave you the cheat sheet for baseball players to watch, the autos to get. These guys go to the MLB, before you know you'll blink your eye, they're there,

and they're on the MLB cards. This is your chance to get their best cards early. go to on it athlete dot com. Leonard, it's been a blast as always. Hey, thank you so much for having me, Ryan.

I always look forward to this each and every week. Me too. All right, guys, there it is. We'll see you next week on the Onet segment of the week. What's up guys? Welcome to Collector Nation. It's Ryan and Brian here on a Friday,

April 17th, 2025. What's up, Brian? What is up, my good friend? How are you been? Been great, man.

You know, Just rocking and rolling here, 85 and sunny and South Kekalaki, as we like to call it. Well, that sounds wonderful. I saw the masters, so I got to see what the weather's like kind of in your area. So, yeah, beautiful, azaleas blooming. Spring is sprung. Spring is spring. Last Friday, Ryan sends me a picture of him sitting on his houseboat.

I was like trying to make me jealous over here. Yeah. Yeah. No invite. Yeah, feed her up. Buds were out, you know, all kinds of shenanigans. You know, we're filming this on actual Topps football Chrome. I said that as bad as awkward as you could.

As someone who owns a shop in it, Topps football Chrome is out today. I couldn't try to say it. Topps Chrome football out today. We recorded us a couple days early, sometimes a day early sometimes too. And that released today, which is in alignment. I know you were at a big top conference last week. First,

maybe your thoughts on their first football release, if anything, and then maybe thoughts takeaways from the conference. Yeah, I mean, there's like, it was interesting. I mean, it was my first time I got the invite to go there. Obviously, it's not because I have a card shop. It's they, I showed them some of the technology that we're working on. But, I mean, it's an interesting conference.

So it was a, it was great. though. I mean, a lot of social aspects to it. Every, uh, two nights they had parties. Um, and they do it well. Uh, the guys are great. They're accessible. I got to meet with pretty much every, every guy that I wanted to there that, uh, you know, from fanatics and tops. And, you know, I've met with them, um, you know, now developing some friendships with them. So that was cool. Uh, just hanging in having a couple of cocktails with them. And then, uh, yeah, and my friend Gary Vee and his team were there. So I got to spend some time with them. but yeah it's you know what it is man if i was breaking into this industry and there's a rest

there's a like specific hotel that people all stay at but like that bar and that during that time when like people are moving and shaken and it's unbelievable so if i was just starting out and you can meet you know you turn around and see this you know CEO era president here um and so i for networking and it's unbelievable. And that's really what life is about and what business is about, you know, getting in front of people

and getting the opportunity. But, yeah, you know, got to see a lot of good friends. And yeah, did I learn anything? Probably not. Like,

this is not like that freaking educational, but it was fun. There's going to be 10,000 collectors that show up at the bar. Next year at the top conference, they're going to find that out. The secrets out, you know, Brian on collector nations,

and this is the place. to meet people. Yeah, they'll see me in the corner pounding IPAs. So I have a question for you guys. With the new licensing, do you think that Panini's old products are going to increase in value in the market, like unopened, sealed products or not? Maybe. I think it depends on the players in the years.

maybe. I think there'd be some nostalgia and the further you get away from it, the less supply there is because people like me can't stand but to rip it. And so by nature and it not having a license anymore, I think it will. I also think there's so much of it in so many years. I mean, I don't know. Like, I think it still be driven by, well, if it's Pat Mahomes' rookie year, unopened, you know, optic. Yeah, it's going to have as much values as it would have any way plus some, but I don't know. What do you think, Brian?

Yeah, it's a good question. I think honestly, I was looking for it at the last show. I was just small shows in Chicago, and I'll ask for the years and I'll look for Prism or Optic. Yeah, I think that if you hold on to them, you're going to make money.

There's like, they really had some cool products, you know, from the downtowns to the cabooms. And yes, Tops is going to do their thing. with them, but like there is a nostalgia part of it that people did grow up on Panini. I grew up on tops. You grew up on tops. But, you know, I think that there will be nostalgia kind of, it's, well, it's a collectible industry, right? So people love to collect everything they care about.

And so I do. I think that's probably a good investment. Is there any chance in hell that ultimately, even after all this shit, that you just get the balled by tops or fanatics? I don't think some. I don't think some. What do you think? I don't think so. I would like to think it would have already happened if it was going to happen.

But I don't know. I think I keep telling myself that because I want them to have the license over all that stuff. And then that way we still get a choice of, you know, and I'm fine with Fanatics owning it all. Like we seem to be moving towards monopolies anyway. So it's, it's, I'm okay with if not, if a addicts owns it all, but we at least seemingly live in a world where there's selection still. I think it will depend on how, what Panini does next and how successful what they do next is. Yeah.

If it's not successful, they're obviously, you know, they want to keep as much market share and money as they can. And so they're going to sell while they still can until they're, you know. Well, people are going to buy unlicensed. Yeah, I guess unlicensed. But then what else? They have some other. Don't they have some other IP that they have? They have other IPs.

They got WMBA, which is actually growing in popularity. They've got WMBA. Some soccer stuff, I think. This is a year. Soccer. and some Looney Tunes. They actually do have a few other properties. I think are pretty good.

I'm just blanking on them. If I could see some of the shelves in the store, probably the TV's kind of blocking them. That kind of leads me to my next question. Do you think collectors are loyal to the brand, or do you think they're loyal to the license? I think collectors are loyal to whatever they think is important. Like people are like, they'll bitch about everything. so people will bitch about tops having basketball and now football but then like they'll bitch about pinini when they had it how you know it's like so this industry like they'll bitch and bitch and so i think they're they're loyal to um their opinion and whatever they want however they can make the most amount of money but i don't i don't i think it changes i think whoever can give you the product now is who you care about you know yeah i mean and for example but i was

Topps put all the pricing for tops at a respectable number, like the retail number, 40 bucks for a blaster. A little higher than, but reasonable. You know, 60, 70 bucks for a megabox, fine. Hobby boxes were like 300 or something. And now before it even releases, like true market is pretty much three to four X on all those. Blasters are $100. $100 for a blaster.

$150 for, uh, a megabox and a thousand plus for hobby boxes. I mean, it just shows the supply and demand. Like, it's a very difficult industry to figure out. You know, I'm working with that with tops on some stuff,

to figure out, you know, supply demand, growth of the industry. That's the biggest challenge I have is like, of course they can print it. They'll sell it all, right?

And obviously, if they couldn't, these prices wouldn't be three or four X the day of release. But I also think that they're very, they are very cautious about printing more. But some of the data that I've shared with them that we're working on a project together, I think we're going to get a good idea of the industry and how it's growing. And then I think they're going to be able to manage supply and demand or definitely supply better.

I think they're just a little cautious now, a little too cautious now, but they don't have enough data. Once they get data, I think they're going to do it really well. To that end, that's good to know. That's good, good insight, Brian, is did you feel like walking away from the conference other than the tug of war of, you know, the greedy bastards wanting more, you know, stock to resell and be their wholesale to essentially be their third tier. It's like they're becoming, you know, alcohol is like, I know a lot about the three tier system now. My, my, or it's fresh top of mine with the beer show this morning. but I mean essentially all these guys that are retail stores are becoming you know reseller wholesalers

not just to kids buying packs but to everybody else and they just want more of it to make the difference so Tots was leaving money on the table um to that end did you get a feeling that tops putting all that bickering to the side and that reality of the side has a good vision for the few future with all these licenses and the power of the position they hold? I do. I think they're two years ago, I would say no. But I feel they're maturing, like, in understanding what their vision is and understanding the industry a lot better.

They have some great guys, you know, David Liner, who runs tops is great. I mean, he's a huge collector. But, yeah, these guys care, you know, and I think they're figuring it out. And I think there's also, like, figuring out in business, like, what not to do. And I think they've done some things that they said, oh, we probably shouldn't do that again in their learning. But yeah, I think they have a really good, I mean, I think they're being really smart about it. What do you think? I like what I see so far, you know, it's too early to tell for me.

Like, I like, I've said this on the show. I mean, I like Mahan. I like Ruben. I mean, I think Ruben is a black ninja warrior businessman. man. Like, like, I mean that in respect. Like, like, I don't want to be able to back alley with him, you know, I, like, build a box around me faster than I could, like, you know, like lift a finger. But that's respectful. You know, like, he's a, he's, but I, I, like, I kind of like that guy. I kind of, I actually know what I'm dealing with with Rubin. I don't, I don't, I don't

think there's any, you know what I mean? He's just a cunning businessman that's, you know, going to own the world, you know, like in his own universe. And then Mayhan's kind of the more of the approachable CEO type, I think. But I like, I like a lot of good guys that work there. Everyone I've ever met. I can only, I've really met. Like, I could draw judgments from afar. But I don't like to do that unless I've really met somebody. So I can only go by the people. I think sometimes we get caught up in the, I don't know, the soap opera headlines. I mean, all people seem like they're trying, they say the right things. I think time will tell. And look, it's in their best interest to grow the hobby. It's kind of like, like, think about this for a second.

It can be kind of practical. If you own an NBA team, your job is to make, get butts in the seats, sell more tickets, more fandom, more jerseys. You're trying to make your team more popular and to make it the best team that you can't. Put the best product out, best players, and get the most fans. Pops is trying to do that. They're not trying to make the hobby worse.

I'm trying to bring fewer people in. So, I mean, the road to hell is paid with good intentions, but I tend to think, you know, they got the right people to do it. And time will tell. Kind of on that point, like I saw with, you know, obviously football is taking precedent right now. But, I mean, they're releasing a ton of new products. And one that I'm at least excited for that's kind of nostalgic for me is that they're doing in the Disney packs.

They're going to have Disney Channel original movies and have autos from like the characters in that, which I think that unlocks a whole new niche. And that makes me excited as a collector who doesn't necessarily care all that much about football or basketball cards, but does care about, you know, movies I grew up watching as a child. The same thing with Star Wars cards, too. They looked awesome. Yeah, and I think, like, fandom is not exclusive to sports, right?

People are fans of everything. And I think the way that they're going about that, even to get having your hearsay that, fellas, like, they want to grow this industry, like, linear, right? And the one thing that they talked about a lot is, like, what are you doing? What's your responsibility as a direct account to Tops? to grow this industry.

How are you growing this industry? Is your shop accommodating all collectors? Is it well done? Is it clean? Is it smart? Like, that's what they want because that's really their whole thing is like, we can give allocation to you, but in the end, what do you, what's your responsibility in this,

in this industry and hobby? And how are we growing it together? I think that's really something that was pervasive through that meeting that they, they're pretty honest with. Like, if you're a card shop, we visit and there's shit everywhere and it sucks, then, you know, you're not our kind of guy, you know, and you're jeopardizing your allocation.

And then something like you, you open up, Brian, at your place, it's amazing, right? Like, that's the new vibe. You're helping the communities grow, the industry grow. And, yeah, and Disney's exact as a great example. So, you know, I think they might be in cahoots together, but I don't know, card vault had a chrome vault day here on the Wednesday we record it's uh till the 19th so for it's for a few days I wonder if they're how much their allocation went up by uh doing this well I think Tom Brady if he asked for cards they'd give it to them I mean they've done a good

thing they're keeping the prices low I mean my guys went over to the one in Chicago today like they're not, you know, they're selling a certain limited supply for like the price that, like, top sold it at, you know, not the 3X. Okay. So I like that. Like map pricing or something? Yeah. And actually, we had Costa.

I was talking to him today because we were doing some stuff with him in our app to put the card vault thumbnail in there. But yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I thought that was really, really great that he did that. Yeah. I mean, I definitely like to feed the, what they say, or feed the hand that feeds me or something. I can't.

There's definitely a better way to say it, but are totally different. It's a symbiotic relationship. Let's just call that. It goes both ways. Good for Card Vault, good for tops. I don't have to hate them. I like it. I like Tom, too.

I mean, you could not. How do you not? like Tom Brady. Yeah, it's great. I did think it was interesting. I mean, I don't give you wrong. I was a sports fan. I have no affinity to Boston sports.

But just saying, he's a hard guy I'd not like. I kind of want to, I want to not like him and I still like him. He's doing a promotion right now where if you go to the card vault stores and pull one of his autos from the packs that he'll have like a one-on-one meeting

with you in a personalized chat. So I mean, he doesn't have to do that. No. And Brian and I are going to do that too here. So at Clark Station, if you come and open a pack and you find one of Brian or me autographed, you can hang out with us. Oh, I didn't know you were in the NFL. No, we're not.

We're in the, it's the executive card club. You get to, you get a day on the houseboat. You go on the houseboat. Hey, day in the houseboat with Brian and Brian. And we'll film an episode there. That should be a giveaway. I think so. You know what I would pay for that?

I mean, I'd pay a lot of money for that, though, but I didn't already get it. That would be awesome. We should do that. It would be. We should do it. Hey, if you comment, we want the houseboat experience on our YouTube or Instagram. If you've listened to this,

we will consider a contest where that takes place. Let's be as vague as possible. I have to clear that with Ms. trading cards. Nah, she wouldn't care. We could do it in the middle of the week or something. You know, nobody's working around here anyway.

Does it have a slide on it? Does it slide and all that stuff? It's been almost all of the ones around us do. And so our kids get to use everyone else's. So I haven't had to put a tacky slide on mine. So that's the honest truth. That's good. You know,

we have a little bit more of a luxury vibe going on ours that's, I'm kidding. Sort of. I think actually it makes it a little WT if you have like all that stuff. Yeah. I mean, we've got the bar, the two TVs. You're saying you don't want to slide down a little yellow slide? No, I'll jump right off the side there.

That's what I do. Backflip right off there even in my late 40s. Pretty good. That's impressive? Yeah. Dude, I can cut a one and a half still. at least I could about two years ago.

Last year I did a backflip. I could still do that. I could still dunk at 48. Don't, yeah. I would say you're going to, you probably should stop doing that, just let the boys do it. Because, I mean,

you got a lot of responsibility now with collector nation, collector station. I know. Brian, blame me. I know. And it's not worth getting hurt.

Yeah, you'll pull a hammy. I know. But it's kind of a liberating, like just knowing you can still do it. And I'm not like, one of those like when he goes it goes you know I only care but it's kind of like you know blows out a knee yeah yeah blows out the day this time for you never know anyway so eBay

sports card sales hit 233 million in March they're struggling like that number is crazy because like it's it doesn't add up all the time there are like oh we did five billion and it's like well what you did five billion but you did five billion but but you just said 233. So that's not like, the math doesn't add up. But yeah, it's a, I don't know what that real number is, honestly. I'm just saying that's what they did in a month. 233 million in March, 26.

Like, I, I just want to really pause for a second for effect, both for effect and for, we throw around numbers a lot. Like, I think we're becoming very. sort of what's the right word oh a million here a million there like that's a lot of fucking money like it's that is a lot of money that is more money than millions of Americans combined will ever see or make in their lifetime and eBay does it in a month on sports cards that's not trading card that's just sports not trade not sports not Just sports. Just sports cards.

Yeah. Then the numbers add up. Yeah. So, Brian, I mean, in one month, dude, I mean, you and I know that $2003 billion, that's not glossed over on us. And we know how big a number that is. That is real money and unbelievable. Specifically with Otani and Jordan cards, they saw eight figures worth of sales on eBay last month. but the entire market soared to more than $7.5 million per day.

Per day. Yeah, and I don't know where their stock is, but like, and what's the valuation of eBay, like, specific if they just took sports and trading cards, and that's all they had? I mean, it's got to make up a good portion of their- Why didn't eBay start like a, like, why not create a brand that was just, like, eBay sports or like eBay, I don't know. I guess they don't have to.

I'd have to sit in a room and think about that, though. Yeah. Like slice that off. I think they need help. Yeah, you need to help them. Yeah. But yeah, right? Yeah.

I don't. Because here's the problem. The problem, yeah, the free advice for eBay right here if you're listening. Yeah, one brand. You keep everything under the umbrella. It's all the same. It's auction. We're about auctions.

We're about auctions. But you can't build the tech. You can't build the tools. You can't build what's necessary for industry-specific needs, i.e. live, talking to you live, eBay Live, and everything else because you're beholden to the brand and the one system and the one format and the one technology. You can't. And I think they're almost, they're doing too well. It's actually probably shading how well they might actually could do. what if they had their shit together with life, like completely together?

How much would they be doing? They should be lapping whatnot. I mean, they should be the leader in this. Like, but they're held back by their own technology and their own. And most people know this. And I'm not like, I like all the guys. I like everybody. I'm about people.

I might like the eBay people later and I like the tops people. Like, it's not a lot of people problem. But it's, you can't serve the market that you need if you, if you, if you, stay under that one umbrella. Am I speaking something you can understand you're right? I'm talking crazy talk or am I right? No, I think there's definitely a part of companies that you're so big and successful that it stymies any evolution and growth, right?

And that's why these companies, no matter how big they are, if they don't evolve, you know, they become dinosaurs and dinosaurs die. And the fact is like, but if they're challenged at all and they see those numbers go down, it might precipitate them to like start doing some new edgy cool stuff but in the end i think they're so they're successful enough but then there's no urgency to get even more successful and they hire a lot of people man like i love the eBay people so my you're really good friends in this this are there i love all of them but i i think i'm meeting the person's boss and then that that person has another two bosses and i'm like well they got they got the title i i have worked

corporate America a long time, or I did. I went on the agency side and dealt with a lot of corporate America. But man, they have the title thing like, oh, here is the, this is the VP of corporate card live sales. I'm like, damn, it's important. And then I meet five of their bosses and then two of their bosses. And I'm like, they got more titles than I've got beers in the fridge. And that's saying a lot.

And you know what else happens to them? Like when companies get really big that way, it's like it's very hard. Let's say you're an SVP at a big multinational company and you're making 500 to 750 a year and you got equity. Like what's your upside to go and like take a chance or risk and make something different? Zero. Zero. Exactly.

And then what does that create? It creates a bunch of people. Maylays is what that's called. Malays. It's not mayonnaise. It's melee. Can't do that, a lot ofx. No.

You can't fall asleep on in your job. I just take playing some golf today or napping. You got to climb that ladder, man. Keep climbing. Bill, we got anything else that we missed. I see some things, you know, GameStop launching essentially, uh, yeah, slot machine style poker packs, power packs. Oh, was that a Freudian slip?

Poker packs? I mean. Whoops. That'd be a good name for them. Poker packs at GameStop, which essentially is this Arena Club meets GameStop. Yeah, it's repacked PSA graded trading cards that can be taught. Sounds like Arena Club.

Online. Okay. Good. We're going to have them in store too. That's the next app. That's on my roadmap. Now it's like not, you know, one app with. with a roadmap of like seven things.

It's like nine apps. Literally has a new idea every day. And I'm like, you got to, you got to stop. Otherwise, you're going to see my head explode. Yeah, keep most of them to myself. You don't even know about half of them. Yeah, that's the worst. That's the part that I know about.

Yeah, you're good. You know enough. Yeah. I only bring you in when, you know. They're fully fledged out. Yeah. And like, we actually have to do something besides me spinning wheels with Claude. Brian, any last second updates on LuddX or anything new in the app or anything to bring up there?

No, I mean, we moved some collection management stuff to the app, which is cool. You've seen the collection, the web, what we're working towards. I think that's going to be really great. Very sharp. I showed you our collector's data store interface, so I'm excited about that. So it's like, you know, by the time it gets onto the app and we go outward facing to the public, so much work has been done, you know, in the, so like we have about three or four big initiatives happening every day. And it probably consumes 80% of our bandwidth, but like you don't see it yet. And so that's what tech.

Tech is frustrating that way, you know, and but I love where we're going. You're going to see some new things coming out. But the data thing I'm super excited about. L-U-D-E-X. They're in the App Store. Go download at collection management, values, linkage to upload all your stuff to eBay who we were talking about, who actually I love, I love eBay.

I've been on there since 2001. Just telling them how they can improve, you know, free advice, right? That might be what it's worth. But go check out L-D-X at the App Store. Best collection management, scanning, all that stuff. They spend a lot of time, energy, and effort, and it's worth your time. I promise you, if you're a collector, you got to get your stuff in there.

You got to know what you got. You don't want that shit sitting in your closet and you're going, yeah, I've got four of those to it. No, you got to know what you have. You got to manage it digitally. That's why we blend the digital and the physical. Bella, final words from you. Nothing from me. Just excited to see where the hobby takes us from here.

You never know. Brian, any final thoughts today? No, man, all good. You enjoy your weekend. And we'll be back on the boat. Always great being with you guys. Yeah, we love you, Brian. And guess what?

We love you for listening. Check us out, thecollectoration.com and the collector station.com. That's the store website. Those all linked together. And Mootek coming soon. We actually moving some of this Loddick technology into the store. Hey, more to come. The best is yet to come here on Collector Nation.

We'll see you next time. Thanks for tuning into the show. Be sure to follow us on your ghost. to podcast platform and catch the full video episode over on YouTube, visit us at collectornation.com, and follow Ryan on Instagram at Ryan Alford. Now get out there and collect yours.