1 AM Rant: GameStop, Pokemon, Graded Cards, PSA, and MISSED OPPORTUNITIES! Why GameStop, Why?!?

Guess who's back...tell a friend! Welcome back to Reserved Investments, the only non-hype driven collectibles finance channel on KZbin that caters to the entire antiques and collectibles trade. The corporate 'Timmies' are still running GameStop and they actually came up a great idea (for once), but the devil, as they say, is in the details...and unfortunately, GameStop comes up with some great ideas, but executes them poorly (anyone remember when they took in vintage video games only to end up being scammed by sellers who traded in tons of counterfeit games at their expense?).
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Link to article being discussed in the video:
www.theverge.com/2024/5/10/24...
Disclaimer: Videos are not intended to provide direct investing advice. Please use caution when attempting to speculate or invest in the antiques and collectibles trade.
Remember, I am just a figment of your imagination. Reserved Investments is only here because you imagined him many years ago...I'm like Max Headroom and have been stuck in the d*mn Matrix for many years now...

[@LouisZezeran]

I think I wanna do a blind A/B test and see what its like being slapped in the face with a stale donut vs being slapped in the face with a fresh one. Also, might need to adjust for plain / cinnamon or some more rough topings

[@ReservedInvestments]

The stale donut hurts more, trust me. I’ve been slapped in the face by a stale donut multiple times in my life, hence why this channel exists…

[@bc3102]

I love how you made a whole video on how to fix GameStop and they decide to do this 😂

[@ReservedInvestments]

It was probably in the works for some time, but who knows with them. lol.

[@tedsmiles8145]

Hot take. Gamestop should just make a marketplace and try to undercut ebay fees and become a consigned selling website rather than owning a significant (low-end) stock. I'd love that. They have the brand recognition to pull folks in, and the up-front costs would be significantly lower after they improve the poorly made website they already have for selling. Obviously, ebay has first mover advantage - others have tried before. But I agree that this just feels half-assed.

[@JohnnyEvilsVids]

My only thought on why Gamestop isn't getting involved with the high end cards is for cash flow reasons. The "meat" of any collection, when you're reselling, is always your mid tier product. That's your cash flow stuff. At least for me, as a reseller of video games, what I have experienced after nearly ten years of selling online is that my $5, $20, $40 video games sell REALLY well. Heck, even my .99 cent - $3 games sell really well. Then sort of downward from there. $50, $100, $200 , etc. Where my sales hit the wall is with the $300 and up games. Not that they're not worth it and not that i've priced them to high for their condition, it's a purely economical thing. It's just a lot of money, no matter what! Those games can sit in my inventory for a year or more, unless I want to discount them. Now if something happens in the world economy and video games take a 40% nose dive, I'd rather that happened to a collection full of .99 to $50 games instead of the top tier games. Again, just from a cash flow point of view. a 40% dive is a 40% dive no matter what but it hurts less to your cash flow when it's...well...less cash being hurt. I think maybe Gamestop is looking at it like that. But I don't know. They've messed up a lot of layups in the past.

[@matthewbryant2972]

The issue has to he the amount of stolen graded cards in the market... if a stolen card worth thousands is bought by them, and then that serial psa number shows up in some counties felony stolen goods case, that has organized hood crime cases needing to be solved... stuff like that turns off big publicly traded companies.

[@Exstend0007]

excellent information . Miss the long videos

[@ReservedInvestments]

Thank you for the feedback.

[@unitix]

The $500 is surely to protect themselves. The level of fakes right now and the amount of fraud are at all time highs. GameStop employees are not going to be trained to identify if a 1st Ed Zard in a PSA case is real or fake. This whole thing will be interesting to watch, but the $500 for sure is for them to keep a low bar and see how this pans out without dealing with all the hassle that can come with higher end slabs.

[@blueodum]

It isn't that hard - just look up the serial number and see if the card is the same. 1 hour of training can help you determine whether the PSA case has been tampered with. You can even have AI software that automatically compares the two images.

[@Mudkip_Trader]

I feel like the 500 limit is for insurance/theft purposes - the other thing is modern is selling much better than vintage generally

[@mangoman9290]

Yep, customer theft, employee theft, fraud, so many avenues that this could be exploited.

[@ReservedInvestments]

They are in the same mall as the Rolex store that has $25K items readily available for sale.

[@Mudkip_Trader]

@@ReservedInvestments sounds like a GameStop policy thing in that case

[@mangoman9290]

@@ReservedInvestments If one was to compare employees, customer base, store layout/display, product price points and foot traffic, I think there would be a wide difference in all of those areas between those two stores if an independent risk assessment were to be undertaken.

[@bat2275]

I wish you made more videos about traditional antiques.

[@ReservedInvestments]

They’re coming, slowly but surely…

[@gravyhippo]

10:43 😂😂😂

[@j.franks3299]

EBay and other online platforms already caters well to the Sub $500.00 collector/investor folks. I agree, GameStop should focus on the higher end higher return collectables. It might be more niche, but it's low volume/higher payout. They wouldn't have to handle as much volume that probably sells for pennies of profit. We'll see, but I'm doubtful. I'd like to be wrong about it tho, I have fond memories of how GameStop used to be pre-2020.

[@fishtrix5177]

It’s simple. Because if it became common knowledge that gamestops could be holding higher end six figure cards behind their counters, gamestops all over would start getting robbed. Or new employees would accidentally misplace cards….

[@ReservedInvestments]

They don’t need to hold those cards in store.

[@monkey39128]

If local card stores can deal with this issue then I'm sure GameStop can.

[@BoopDoopPoop]

I don't think GameStop executives understand their customers

[@stickyrice1127]

Exactly. They have no clue who their clientele is.

[@PattysCards]

I support them not buying super expensive cards. That’s a small portion of people. They are selling to kids and families who come In with a couple hundred dollars. Not Sean who isn’t going in anyways

[@ReservedInvestments]

I beg your pardon, I just bought Another Code: Recollection for the Nintendo Switch from them a few days ago. 😂

[@le_med]

Also NOBODY grades MTG cards compared to Pokemon or at least it is a very tiny part of the overall grading volumes

[@lowrollerscratcher3563]

Shawn pump GameStop stock today since he releases the video yesterday. 🤩🤩

[@mikestyer3909]

They couldn't handle being involved in retro games

[@bc3102]

Hi Shawn

[@BanditsBest686]

whats the nick names we have for the pushers and hypers and enablers out there? we got the weird collector timmy point dexters, but what about the snake oil salesman out there?

[@Kornheiser10]

Gotta disagree with you because unless they fully centralize buying, they can't count on their store-staff making good offers on high priced cards. Also, you significantly raise the chances of store robbery if you keep high-priced cards at the stores, or being used as a fencing hub for already stolen cards. Would you have them buying and selling gold coins as well? They can make some $$ on under $500 cards without the problems, otherwise they'll have to put in protections that Pawn Stores implement for buying items.

[@richardgarcia7792]

Shawn: "Gamestop, it can't get much worse for you every day." Gamestop executive: "watch me make it worse." 😂

[@monkey39128]

It certainly feels a bit pointless. Sub 500 is very low. A lot of modern era cards exceed that threshold so I'm not sure who exactly they're catering to. Enjoyed the video!

[@Possu81]

Maybe not after this announcement :)

[@silverwolf6866]

hmm they are catering to the vast majority of people who do not have boat loads of $500 cards. The person ranting is clueless. GameStop is not a high end boutique business why would it cater to the 1% those people don't need gamestop.

[@monkey39128]

@@silverwolf6866 I'll let Shawn answer that one since you called him clueless. 😅

[@silverwolf6866]

@@monkey39128 Yes I'm sure he will explain this to me. After that he should rant why MacDonald's does not sell premium $50 burgers to it's "wealthy" customers.

[@TOSStarTrek]

What do you think of CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph Label?

[@ReservedInvestments]

I think it’s definitely a step up, that’s for sure. If you collect signed books…

[@TOSStarTrek]

@@ReservedInvestments Great I have a handfull I want graded. Got a few I want to submit. Bob Kane is #1.

[@lowrollerscratcher3563]

Shawn is pumping GameStop stock when releasing the video yesterday. Roaring kitty is back. GameStop pump 37 percent this morning. Thanks to Shawn video from yesterday.

[@ValariaxSword]

I actually disagree with your take here, Shaun. GameStop is known for being notoriously cheap with their trade in value. What person do you know with a high end trading card is going to take a 50% loss and sell it to GS? They will most likely go through an auction to sell that card. Also, say if they did buy higher end cards who would buy them from GS? They probably have done innumerable studies on their customers demographics and incomes. They know anything beyond $500.0 that a majority of their customers won’t buy so they don’t want to be stuck with it. They are looking for the quick flip and volume selling instead.

[@ReservedInvestments]

I appreciate your comment. GS could do this and handle more expensive cards. They choose not to, hence my criticism.

[@mfdoom1898]

GameStop will be Blockbuster sooner than later

[@Johndeplume.]

Spot on! I'm very surprised they aren't already!

[@NegativeBananya]

They have 2 billion in cash. 300 million in T-bills, cash flow positive, profitable last year, margins increasing etc. Only bearish thing going on is revenue decreasing. But they closed down stores to focus on profits where they had about 310 million dollar swing making to the company profitable. No cash burn and 2 billion in cash. So how are they going to go bankrupt?

[@mfdoom1898]

@@NegativeBananya how long you think kids will be buying tangible video games? 🤣🤣🤣 It's already starting. Why do you think they're buying Pokemon cards? Wake up homie

[@NegativeBananya]

@mfdoom1898 digital has been going on for a decade. Physical is still around. Let me know when you can play digital games on digital consoles and digital PCs. Software is very low margin, always has been. It's resale that was GME bread and butter but hardware is a big part as well. Their software sales are about 20-25% of revenue. It's not going to 0 because there will always be people that want physical so another 10% drop won't kill them and it's low margin. Why are they buying PSA cards and resale them? To make money and the margins are better then software Wake up buddy... they won't go bankrupt

[@mfdoom1898]

@@NegativeBananya if you don't think that's next I don't know what to tell you. All kids so now is play games on the computer. Maybe you don't have kids or are a kid idk but it's happening. If it wasn't already happening, GameStop wouldn't be buying pokemon cards. Proof in the pudding. You should change your name to denialbananya

[@Fostercards]

Shawn, I think we need a $GME video :)

[@The_real_Y2]

You want minimum wage clerks in charge of thousands of dollar transactions? LOL

[@ReservedInvestments]

Who says you have to pay them minimum wage? 🤔

[@The_real_Y2]

@@ReservedInvestments The bottom line.

[@tomneijnens4048]

Thank you very much

[@user-pp3dl8id7r]

Excellent content

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

What a great way to launder money for them, cards to cash, to the unknown when bankruptcy follows. Go GameSpot! 😂❤🎉❤😂

[@PokeRetroFan]

i clicked on this video so fast

[@iMixMaSteR1]

Nailed it

[@kenrogers1948]

GS knows that the buyers and the sellers of $5k Pokemon cards aren't likely to see GS as a retailer for higher-end graded cards when they can potentially negotiate price in other marketplaces... GS becomes a juicy target for theft with inventories of $5k slabs that are easy to pilfer... Your average GS customer is under 30 years old and isn't spending $5k on individual Pokemon cards... just 3 reasons off the top of my head as to why GS may be correct in dealing only in cards valued at $500 or less... but we are talking about GameStop and they will probably screw that plan up...

[@Peeweez0]

Shawn bullish on graded Pokemon cards - niceeee

[@custum18]

Get your really good fakes ready.

[@dragline7287]

I try to support gamestop because I like having a dedicated gaming store in my town and I like that they employ young people but they just continue to baffle me and leave me no choice to spend less and less money there.

[@M3LTUP]

Seems like GS is trying to get their feet wet on graded cards. Nothing to lose ? Keep in mind , GS operates brick and mortar stores. If they take in $1k+ cards. Means they have to secure them and insure them until they sell. They cant stash them in a secret basement vault like retail buyers can do.

[@ReservedInvestments]

They have stores in higher end malls that sell $25K+ Rolex watches and $10K+ Hermes Birkin bags. GS chooses to not do this, nothing more.

[@katielowen]

🤔I bet GameStop’s real plan is to offload these slabs to mystery box companies, or to make their own mystery slab boxes. They’re probably only gonna buy customer’s slabs at 50-60% market value. 🤷‍♂️

[@matthewbryant2972]

I randomly follow GME stock, and noticed it get down to $10, and remember 2017-2020, and thought, well I guess it's going back to $3, but it rallied like 60-100% in days... all you Pokemon Graders got to direct anger at Roaring Kitty when GME does crash and takes graded pokemon into the beenie baby world, if all that happens...

[@matthewbryant2972]

Oh snap... no cards over $500? That's just super dumb, and that's about their legal liability to court cases involving them buying stolen graded cards...lol

[@oscar_likes_stuff]

Gamestop wrote the script for buying low and selling high. My concern is how this will effect the bulk slab market. I'm not excited

[@le_med]

Nobody but an old senile person would sell a psa 10 shadowless to Gamestop at 30% of its value. I suspect they do this at the start to avoid expensive frauds and because their audience is not made of people who can throw $10k at a card. They want to churn slabs and only cheap ones will be bought in stores by people who have no idea what s the difference between a first edition shadowless and a last year reprint (you get the idea). I think they only want the cheap stuff that has less risk and try to get volumes there. But who the hell would sell something to gamestop which is known for paying ultra low prices

[@ReservedInvestments]

You’re assuming they won’t pay up for those kinds of cards. GS could make this work if they actually wanted to. They choose not to.

[@lowrollerscratcher3563]

GameStop need change their name. Pokémon and sports card shop. 😄😄

[@lowrollerscratcher3563]

GameStop need hired alpha investment to work at GameStop 😁😄

[@KeyKiller74]

I can see every bad actor trying to sell of their fake PSA Pokémon cards at GameStop.

[@Possu81]

Or overgraded jank

[@Teacherguy06]

You may be forgetting that minimum wage employees shouldn’t be purchasing 10k Pokemon cards from complete strangers. $500 is more than fair to start.

[@ReservedInvestments]

How much do you think Rolex retail employees make? They handle $25K* watches. To be fair, Rolex pays more than GS, but not much more…