E55 | Chris Ellis's Collectible Chronicles: From Funko Pops to High-Stakes Trading Cards and Million-Dollar Hits

Happy Hour Holidaze

Send us a Text Message.

Introduction to Chris Ellis: The episode kicks off with a warm welcome to Chris Ellis, a web developer, entrepreneur, and co-owner of Funko Chases. Chris shares his journey from collecting Funko Pops to diving into the lucrative world of trading cards. Discover how his passion for sports memorabilia transformed into a profitable business venture.

The Basics of Card Collecting: Sean and Manny explore the fundamentals of card collecting with Chris. They discuss the differences between PSA graded cards and raw cards, highlighting the importance of grading in determining a card's value. Chris explains the various types of cards, from base cards to rookie inserts and the intriguing world of numbered and jersey-matched cards.

Navigating the Business Side: Delve into the complexities of the trading card market. Chris shares his strategies for staying ahead in this competitive industry. Learn about the hustle involved in sourcing cards, from battling other collectors at retail giants like Walmart and Target to understanding the volatile pricing of blaster boxes. Chris offers a behind-the-scenes look at the effort required to turn a profit in this market.

The Thrill of the Chase: Experience the excitement of cracking open card boxes and the potential high returns that come with savvy collecting. Chris recounts the thrill of finding rare hits like a one-of-one CJ Stroud card and the million-dollar bounty for a Wemba Nyama basketball card. This segment captures the essence of the chase that drives many collectors.

Understanding Card Value: Chris breaks down the factors that influence a card's value. From jersey matches and bookends to autograph certification and grading, he provides valuable insights into what makes certain cards more desirable. Learn about the role of grading companies like PSA in ensuring memorabilia authenticity and how this impacts resale value.

Case Hits and High-Stakes Investments: Explore the concept of case hits and the significance of purchasing entire cases rather than individual boxes. Chris explains the guaranteed high-value cards in case hits and how they can significantly impact profitability. He shares real-life examples of valuable case hits and offers advice on navigating these high-stakes investments.

Challenges and Rewards: Understand the risks and rewards associated with card collecting. Chris discusses the potential for hitting big with valuable cards as well as the possibility of ending up with less desirable pulls. This segment provides a balanced view of the hobby, emphasizing the importance of calculated risks and informed decisions.

Long-Term vs. Short-Term Strategies: Sean and Manny discuss different approaches to card collecting, comparing short-term flipping with long-term holding strategies. Chris offers his perspective on building a diverse collection and the potential benefits of holding onto cards for future value. This discussion highlights the various ways collectors can approach their investments.

Autographs and Certification: Learn about the nuances of autograph certification and the impact on a card's value. Chris explains the process of grading autographs separately from the cards themselves and the importance of ensuring authenticity. This segment provides valuable information for collectors looking to enhance their collections with signed memorabilia.

Audience Q&A: Sean and Manny address questions from the audience, covering topics such as the most valuable cards in Chris's collection, the challenges of maintaining a profitable card business, and advice for new collectors entering the market. This interactive segment adds a personal touch to the episode, connecting with listeners and providing tailored insights.

Chapters

1. E55 | Chris Ellis's Collectible Chronicles: From Funko Pops to High-Stakes Trading Cards and Million-Dollar Hits (00:00:00)

2. Trading Cards Business Opportunity (00:00:21)

3. Card Collecting Business Strategies (00:08:02)

4. Investing in Card Collecting Industry (00:14:09)

5. High Stakes Card Collecting (00:19:25)

6. Autograph Grading and Collectible Value (00:28:28)

7. The Value of Rookie Cards (00:38:40)

8. Collecting Sports Cards Industry Insights (00:42:30)

9. Card Collecting Investment Strategies (00:46:19)