The Staging Area #24: Inside the Acceleration Era of Card Collecting

The Staging Area #24: Inside the Acceleration Era of Card Collecting

From Stacking Slabs by Brett McGrath

May 5, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 949

About this episode

Brett and Tory discuss the rapid changes in card collecting and the strategies collectors need to adopt to keep up.

The hobby is moving faster than ever. In this episode of The Staging Area, Brett and Tory break down what speed means right now for collectors and operators. They dig into the pressure of rising volume and what it takes to keep up. Tory shares how dcsports87 is handling over 100,000 cards a week and the real decisions behind cutting services, hiring aggressively, and tightening operations to reduce wait times. You’ll hear how speed impacts your strategy as a collector. When to sell. When to grade. When to move on. They also explore: Why new release timing matters more than ever How breakers, consignment, and marketplaces are collapsing timelines The rise of moment-based cards and why they hit harder than ever What operational excellence looks like behind the scenes If you’re trying to keep up, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to move. Because in this environment, slow decisions cost you. A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night. Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On…

People in this episode

Host: Brett McGrath

Guest: Tory

Topics covered

  • card collecting
  • speed in collecting
  • operational excellence
  • market trends
  • decision making

Keywords

  • card collecting
  • dcsports87
  • grading
  • selling strategy
  • moment-based cards
  • operational efficiency

Sponsors

dcsports87

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: dcsports87

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