How do we get young collectors back?

newfiecomicguy1

newfiecomicguy1

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This morning while having breakfast I had a great discussion on the hobby with my son. He collected for years but has tapered off over the past year.

Is the industry doing enough to try and get new kids involved or to try and keep the few that already collect? I understand that the industry has changed drastically trying new innovative ideas like autographs, game used and now ecards. Are the card companies the biggest problem, all these new ideas have driven prices through the roof making it tough for kids to collect. Or is it the kids have changed into a digital world and cards are something that do not appeal to them.

Back in the 70's and 80's when I grew up cards was a big part of life. We had OPC cards and sticker books available at every corner store. We couldn't wait to get a few packs to try and pull cards to complete our set. We had cards in certain food products which was fun and exciting. Now I never see packs or stickers in any store except a LCS or a bigger store like WalMart etc.... If these packs were available to the youth would they buy them? I know they have tried a few cheaper products but they are in the LCS on the shelf next to the expensive flashy stuff. Would these products sell better and get kids involved if they were back in the general and drug stores and gas stations?

What can the industry do to try and make card collecting more about collecting and less about the big hit? What can they do to bring the kids back to collecting? Would advertising on sites like youtube, snapchat, TV and other places help? We have a dying hobby.
 
I don't think there's a lot that can be done. Why would a kid buy a box of victory/MVP/OPC when they can buy a few packs of higher end stuff and hit the "cool" cards. I used to own a shop and we did have some kids that came in but for the most part even the little kids went directly to the middle of the pack looking for the hit. They have SO many other opportunities that we didn't have growing up in the 80's and 90's. With all the technology and lack of attention span, cards just arent that cool for most kids. I think the Epacks may be a good idea for young people but again like you mentioned its still expensive. I really feel like with all the turmoil over the last couple years that the hobby is in a lot of trouble.
 
My son has no interest in collecting. I think it's a digital world now and pieces of cardboard just don't keep their interest. Also, like mentioned above, what fun is it going to be for him buying a lower end product to put a set of cheap cards together when his dad is spending hundreds and he's seeing all these autographs and patches and low numbered shiny parallels being pulled? That's like eating a steak in front of them while you push a hot dog in front of him and tell him it's the same thing.

Derek King
 
No kids of my own.... but a story from a friend of mine who collects, and has a couple of kids.

The Tim Horton's set, he was really into. I asked if his sons (they're 8 & 10, I think) were into cards at all, and he laughed.... "only way they'd be into cards is if they went digital".

Then he found out about the codes, and that the cards could be digital. They still weren't interested.


The world is a lot different now. I think there's just too much else to do... and a bunch of pieces are cardboard aren't as exciting to kids as they used to be.
 
I remember it was a treat to get $1 - $2 packs back in the early 90s... Hardly anything in the hobby is geared to / affordable for kids. I feel that in the last couple years, even the cost of OPC/UD1 & 2 has creeped way up.
 
I am with the crowd, kids won't be collectors for now. Maybe when they reach their 20's and 30's and are established in careers with extra discretionary income, they might "find" this hobby, or for some, reconnect with it through their parents.

As mentioned, the kids today have SO much at their fingertips technologically, so many other things that are way cooler then collecting cards. (to them) I know a lot of kids still love toys and I see tons of younger kids collecting action figures and buying LEGO sets, with middle school kids into games and such, and, thankfully, a lot involved in sports. I think some of those sports kids may connect through cards by watching games with their friends and then trading with the same circle if interested. But it's hard to find a a whole group of kids, even athletes, who finish playing said sport, then wanting to watch it, and then wanting to do a hobby associated with it. Most finish their game and want to go eat and go home and rest, not go to the card shop.

The ePacks might bring some in because of the tech aspect and ease of collecting and connecting. But also there is the finance factor involved. To have any of the "ritzy" cards that impress or wow, they need their parents to bankroll it. And I know a lot of people don't have the funds anymore for the hobby, or want to put the funds anymore into cards, it's not what it used to be; an affordable and fun hobby. It's now a high stakes gambling event for many.

Speaking on my end, my youngest thinks cards are fun to look at it but doesn't ever ask about them or clamor for them. Out of sight, out of mind. My oldest used to be very into it and was constantly trying to get all the cards he wanted or didn't have. But eventually he found games, sports, toys, etc, and now still dabbles a bit but maybe only 10% of what he used to, especially since we explained what things cost to him and that he couldn't be financed forever by mum and dad. He also said it's "kind of boring" how cards just sit in a binder and you look at them over and over and it's nothing new. These kids want excitement, once they see a card, it's over for them most times unless it transforms into a robot. Ha. Oldest also said he enjoys getting a players autograph that says his name on it because only he can (or someone with his name) can have that autograph. Maybe that's why he might prefer 1/1's! He also said meeting the real people, not looking at them on TV or a card, is more fun. He said cards don't tell him the things he learns talking to them. He enjoys the personal connection. not justs eeing stats and pictures on cards. But that's not for everyone, most connect with the sports side of it.

Maybe companies can make a BAP Profiles type set where kids like my sons ask the players questions of stuff that interests them so they can connect with said players? Maybe a kid wouldn't collect before but then they find out player A likes the same games, player B eats the same food, and so forth. Pretty cheesy, I know, but I am telling you kids just don't dig this stuff that much. I know UD posts some stories here and there but that's a few people, just like we are one hobby site, we are ignorant to believe this is the market as a whole. I had/have some good ideas to reach other markets and segments of kids but UD shot me down.

My answer is, in short, the kids will probably pass on this hobby while the older crowds 25-55 sustain it, and then those kids may become involved later when they reach the same age group and income level.
 
Open it up!

In the UK where football (soccer) is king there is virtually no interest in Football sets- Futera, Panini to the point they sell very little of it in the country.

Topps match attacks however fly off the shelf, or 4 sets a year and more in WC and Euros years.

The key to that product is a single set price point of a £1 a pack and a game to play with the cards.

My son is 6 and he plays with them at school and often is swapping and trading with friends, no perceived "value" to the cards just a fun game and a set to collect.

Pete
 
I don't think cheap packs is the answer. I have gotten into this via another thread but producing cheap sets is not the starting point in my opinion. Secondly you can't just assume digital is the answer either. There has to be a meaningful play that appeases this market.

Don't forget that this generation is very complicated and will generate even more fragmented generations to come. Generation fragmentation is a tough nut to solve.
You need multiple handbooks on how to make this work. All generations moving forward are hardened by their influencers. Every play is around the influencers. Keep in mind, that kids don't necessarily follow their parents into our worlds of fun. We are the least influential aspects of our kids lives. While this is not necessarily true for all kids, a good portion are not buying their parents version of the truth.

Now you can fire a retort back to me saying "oh but magic trading cards are tangible pieces that kids will buy". Sure that is true but look at how this industry works. Its not even comparable to sports, there is no "gamification" tied to it.

I could go on for hours but the strategy here needs a lot of thought and small % of luck.

Cheers
ameet
 
For most collectors, the joy of collecting is the thrill of the hunt. The process of searching and acquiring the card is often the most fun. Then, as Grice Boy #1 pointed out, the cards become a little more boring as we stash them away -- rarely seeing the light of day again. To build collectors, you need to somehow instill the sense of adventure. That is the real challenge -- especially in this age of instant gratification. Patience is now a lost virtue.

Since we are in a Me-Me-Me society, perhaps the manufacturers can sponsor personalized cards for the kids' sports teams. I know some teams do this, but make it more widespread and into older ages. If kids start out with getting sports cards with pictures of themselves and their friends, that may be the gateway drug to get them hooked on this Hobby.

Upper Deck has been getting more involved with schools over the past 3 years. They have social media for elementary teachers to share lesson plans, etc. At the Spring Expo, they were handing our UD Educates packages. I'm curious how widespread this program is and how the kids are responding -- both to the learning material and possible interest in the hobby.
 
webottew said:
For most collectors, the joy of collecting is the thrill of the hunt. The process of searching and acquiring the card is often the most fun. Then, as Grice Boy #1 pointed out, the cards become a little more boring as we stash them away -- rarely seeing the light of day again. To build collectors, you need to somehow instill the sense of adventure. That is the real challenge -- especially in this age of instant gratification. Patience is now a lost virtue.
Click to expand...

This is very true and sites like Ebay and COMC have also killed this for newer cards to some extent IMO. You can go the two of them and have most/every parallel available to you for a certain player in 2-3 days from release.
 
I send batches of singles to school with my daughter to hand out to her classmates, etc. They love the cards. The problem is not the cards. It's kids. Kids these days are bombarded with mental stimulus ... take away school and activities and they still have social media, streaming video content, video games, phones, tablets. All things that we didn't have when we were kids. The only thing I can see that can possibly catch their attention is the digital content offered by Upper Deck. I laugh when the older collectors on this site take issue with how digital collecting sucks because you can't get the cards in-hand. Your age is showing. Digital content is the norm for kids these days. An online account with a bunch of items in it that their friend's don't have is "collecting" to them.

To answer the op's question ... card collecting as we've known it will never be the same again. It will always be a niche hobby but will never again have the huge crowds at card shows like they did in the late 80s and early 90s.
 
Whenever I'm at the LCS and there is a stream of kids that come in with their parents. Some of the kids just look for the hits, but I've always emphasized about having fun with it, not to worry about the money/value aspect to it as the main priority. No matter what some say, there are still people out there that have as much fun with the $2-3 packs as some people do ripping the Ultra High end stuff.

I get them to focus on getting cards of their favourite players/teams and if they want to get a jersey or an autograph of their favourite players - it can be affordable if they save for a star or if it's the third line grinder, maybe they can get it sooner. But those are extras.

It's all about how the options are presented to them - I still see kids coming in after practice or a game on the weekend with a parent and they get their handful of packs. Same thing with collecting - if you're a parent or aunt/uncle, and it's something that you can do together as an activity that only you do - that attachment/association can go a long way. I've started that with my 6 yr old nephew - and if he gets more into it to the point he starts knowing the players and teams - he may have a complete 2015-16 UD set given to him to get him started...

Start small, and if they get more interested as time goes along, start expanding their horizons
 
Believe it or not, I've tried to discourage my kids from getting into the hobby. The last thing they need is one more thing that would keep them glued to a screen.
 
A small act of generosity goes a long way as well. On the ever less frequent occasions when I bust at a shop, I usually dish the base to any kids that may be around. Never had one that was anything less than happy to get a pile of hockey cards for free.
 
I agree with Steve, some of it starts with us to involve kids with random acts of kindness.

But
the biggest thing in my opinion is the actions of the players depicted on these cards. they are the ones who have to make their images collectible!

AND

Someone needs to set down and describe exactly what a HOBBY is!

A hobby is something for your leisure, to embrace and enjoy!
It has nothing to do with investments, flipping, net worth etc!
 
Removing all game used cards would go a long way to righting the ship. It would bring pack prices down and give manufacturers incentive to actually get creative again. Also pieces of history will no longer get destroyed to essentially inflate the price of packs.
 
Q's right. I tell people, "If you aren't giving away a few a day, you aren't doing it right."

We bought 1,000 packs of UD's HDIC packs and I am still giving them out to kids I see in the mall. They are always grateful, and frankly, their dads are surprised someone still sells hockey cards.
 
not what most want to hear but epacks/digital is the way to go.
so many of my buddies who have kids who are the target audience are buying and trading the star wars ecards on their ipads and cell phones.
the devices are glued to the palms of their hands, they never let them go.
 
The answer. Upper Deck app on I-tune. It's a hockey game with many levels and you can win digital cards and trade for cool stuff on the app.
it needs to be a game and not just a hobby.
 

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