Category: Whatnot
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The Art of Losing: Why Smart Collectors Let Auctions Go
Experienced collectors know a secret that breaks the spell of winning: sometimes, the smartest move you can make is to stop bidding entirely. The “win” of the auction is often a loss to your collection goals and your wallet.
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You Blocked Me and That’s Okay
I’m loud. I riff. I chase side quests mid-auction. I don’t dog your bids or shame your picks—but if you’ve heard me riff on Craig Griffey one too many times, I get it. You blocked me. I pivot. No drama. No debrief. The room finds its rhythm, and I find…
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I’ve Blocked You and That’s Okay
I’ve never seen blocking as war; I see it as a quiet decision to claim my peace. Blocking isn’t a dramatic statement—it’s the choice to manage my energy. Good, bad, or indifferent, I don’t owe anyone my bandwidth. You should still go be you, but I’m curating what I tune…
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Why Whatnot is a Boom for New and Returning Card Collectors
Whatnot pulls collectors back in with low-cost nostalgia and instant community, then tempers them into disciplined hobbyists. For both newcomers and returnees, it transforms the thrill of junk wax into a gateway—rekindling old passions, sparking new ones, and proving the hobby is still alive and communal.
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Why Whatnot Might Not Be the Right Source for My Collection Anymore
Whatnot streams are fun, fast, and full of cards — but that variety is also the trap. Sudden-death auctions and impulse buys pull me off course, while the time sink and community ties make it harder to walk away. For my collection’s focus, Whatnot just isn’t the right source anymore.
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The Oddball Chronicles: When Baseball Cards Came in Everything, and Why They Vanished
Once, baseball cards came in cereal boxes, snack cakes, and fast-food meals—quirky oddballs that made collecting fun and accessible. Though the era has faded, nostalgia keeps them alive, and modern collectors can still hunt the strange and offbeat through Whatnot streams dedicated to odd, overlooked, and delightfully unusual cards.
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Was I Wrong to Argue That Pete Rose Was a Better Hitter Than Barry Bonds?
The debate over who was the better hitter, Pete Rose or Barry Bonds, pits longevity and consistency against peak performance metrics. While Bonds dazzles with superior analytics, Rose’s record-setting hits and career batting average reflect enduring excellence and dedication. Ultimately, each player represents a different interpretation of what defines greatness…
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When a DM Crosses the Line in the Hobby
The post discusses the nuanced dynamics of direct messages (DMs) in a hobby context, emphasizing the importance of context in these interactions. Positive DMs foster relationships and trust, especially when offering fair deals. Conversely, unsolicited advertisements degrade communication, turning valuable exchanges into unwanted noise. Meaningful DMs enhance the experience while…
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Did I Outgrow Your Whatnot Stream? Did Your Stream Outgrow Me?
It is a classic collector’s dilemma: your favorite streamer on Whatnot has either not evolved their product to match your refined interests, or their popularity has made it impossible to compete in their auctions. The personal relationship and shared interest are still there, but the circumstances have changed.
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When Auctions Get Personal: Respect, Reputation, and Karma on Whatnot
In online collecting, winning isn’t just about the highest bid—it’s about how you treat people. When a Whatnot auction turned personal, I learned firsthand how respect and reputation carry more weight than cardboard. This is a story of hobby karma, and who really walks away the winner.
El Cardquistador 