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First of all, welcome back Matt! great to see a somewhat "elderly statesman" come back around.

I can only speak for myself personally so here's my take......

While I stay very ingrained in the hobby "buzz" and converse here somewhat regularly, I've veered way away from collecting hockey cards because I don't have the extra time nor the interest in what's currently being produced.

I need and want the time with my sons, they're growing up fast and I don't have the time to be a pecking at a keyboard searching the world for cards when I can play them one-on-one at hoops or read books with them.

I have focused my extra income on collectibles for my sons that they enjoy, and baseball and non-sport cards for myself along with other hobbies and family stuff.

It's getting stagnant, there definitely needs to be another licensee, UD has gotten immensely lazy and sloppy.

Yes, Upper Deck makes some gorgeous sets and inserts and when they do something right, typically it's stellar and unparalleled. Unfortunately that's few and far between these days as they have no one to push their standards.

In a marketplace over-saturated to the hilt, as Q said, be selective, find a niche or thing to focus on, laser-focus on, and go with it. You can get caught up going 8 different ways and burn through money and stamina for this hobby quickly.

Also, as Giuseffi said, ITG and BAP aside, He hinted at something, there is no money to be made in this "hobby" unless you hit the big rookies, or have deep pockets for vintage or high end stuff. And even then you may have to sit on some cards to get your value back. The money isn't there anymore like it was pre-2008, nor is the value. I would say 85% of the cards you pull from wax (or epack) will be relative rubbish in a few months time as more "popular" products hit the market.

Also a lot of the old guard is gone and there are a ton of new people who turn and burn cards and PCs weekly. The true "collectors" are a dying breed. It's all the new millennial and younger generation gimme gimme gimme NOW and what have you done for me lately. (monthly)

There IS fun to be had, but it'll take energy and focus to find it, which is an kind of counterproductive as you probably want a hobby to RELAX.

That one word holds it all together though is FUN. If you are not having FUN, bail, just don't start again.

And if it's not fun then just spend the time on your newborn, that is far and away the most important and the best way to spend your time. :beer: