Is the Wicked Good Pulls podcast a sports card show or a true crime series? In Episode 2, Mike and Matt dove into some unexpected territory. From a highly successful tiered sales strategy for Michael Jordan cards to a customer betrayal that led to a “guy cry,” this sports card podcast episode had it all!
The Unexpected “Murder Stream” in the Sports Card Hobby
The episode got weird with the discussion of an infamous Mark Jackson sports card featuring the Menendez Brothers in the background. This card sent the sports card community into a frenzy, triggering an accidental “Murder Stream.” Viewers started requesting sports cards for convicted figures like Aaron Hernandez and O.J. Simpson, as well as a brief mention of Henry Ruggs and an (unfairly categorized) request for Johnny Manziel cards.
The hosts reflected on the bizarre community interaction and the excitement generated by collectively searching for and discussing these notorious cards within the sports card hobby.
The Tiered Michael Jordan Card Sales Strategy on Whatnot
Mike recapped his new, highly successful tiered sales strategy for mid-range Michael Jordan sports cards on Whatnot. This innovative approach helps manage inventory and maximize profits:
Understanding the Tiers for Selling Sports Cards
- Base Level MJ Cards: Mike started these at $3 (in penny sleeves), making them an attractive deal for buyers with low starting bids and under-one-ounce shipping. These typically sold for an average of $6–$8 per lot, creating accessible entry points for collectors.
- Mid-Tier MJ Cards: Slightly better Jordans, presented in top loaders, also started at $3. These lots commonly sold for about $5–$6 on average, offering a good balance of value.
- Premium/Ultra Premium MJ Cards: These were single, more valuable Michael Jordan cards (e.g., Electric, Black Diamond inserts) with a strategic starting bid of $23 (in honor of MJ’s jersey number). These generated significant profit, with one “Electric” card selling for $60 and a “Black Diamond” for $55, proving the effectiveness of targeted pricing for rarer hits.
Mike concluded that this tiered sales approach helps prevent “buyer fatigue” and is a successful strategy he plans to continue for selling sports cards on platforms like Whatnot.
Navigating Customer Feedback: The 3.2-Star Review Betrayal
Despite successfully bonding with a customer who was buying a lot of his sports cards and wax packs, Mike suffered a major emotional blow based on a dishonest review:
- The Complaint: The buyer left a 3.2-star review, calling the product “suspicious.” The complaint alleged the wax packs “opened up way too easily as there was zero give when opening,” implying Mike was resealing the packs—a serious accusation in the sports card community.
- The Aftermath: Mike was deeply hurt and offended, feeling a sense of “betrayal” after building a friendly connection with the buyer. He privately reached out, refunded the customer for the specific packs in question, and attempted to get the review removed. However, he mistakenly posted a half-written public response, complicating matters further and adding to his frustration with the customer experience.
Mastering Sports Card Shipping: Tackling Buyer Expectations
Matt shared his own sports card shipping frustrations, which centered around buyer expectations and a lack of understanding regarding cost-effective shipping methods for collectibles. Managing these expectations is crucial for sellers:
Common Sports Card Shipping Challenges
- Standard Mail Confusion: Matt prefers to use standard bubble mailer shipping for sports card shipments to keep costs down for the buyer (typically 5 to 12 days). However, he often gets “crap for it” when buyers complain about shipping delays, not realizing the significant cost-saving benefit of this method for trading cards.
- Federal Holiday Delays: Matt recounted a situation where a buyer questioned a delay that overlapped with Martin Luther King Day and a weekend, showing a clear lack of awareness about postal service schedules for sports card deliveries. This highlights the ongoing need to educate buyers on realistic shipping timelines.
The hosts acknowledged that despite the setbacks and emotional toll from selling sports cards, the community component and friendships built through live streaming are a powerful motivator for continuing their card-selling hobby.
Find Wicked Good Pulls On Whatnot
coachhoops - https://www.whatnot.com/s/X2Id73oC
retroripping - https://www.whatnot.com/s/MFuQRBEy