Part 4 shifts into a roundtable with Karvin Cheung, Chris McGill, and Josh Adams, digging into why wax is so pricey and who’s actually opening it. We compare breakers vs. LCS demand, online buying behavior, and how distribution/licensing ripple through box prices. Chris puts wax costs in macro context (USD purchasing power, gold/bitcoin/S&P comparisons), while Carvin explains the ecosystem effects—and revisits Exquisite’s DNA, the “1-of-1-of-1-of-1” idea, bold on-card autos, and game-used (plus where Topps Dynasty fits now). We also hit goat-chasing, sentiment signals, and whether “don’t open it” is the only lever to push prices down.

Highlights

Breakers vs LCS: who opens more, and why it matters

Distribution, licenses, and the feedback loop that lifts box prices

Macro lens: cards vs gold/bitcoin/S&P; the dollar’s bite on the hobby

Exquisite legacy & design: bold autos > grades, and the true “1-of-1-of-1-of-1”

Game-used patches today; Dynasty’s role for high-end, on-card autos

Cycles, sentiment, and practical ways collectors can still “stay in their lane”

If you’re into the real reasons wax is expensive, how breaking reshaped the hobby, and insider takes on Exquisite/Dynasty and game-used patches, this episode is for you. Watch Sports Cards Live most Saturday nights on YouTube for live, interactive hobby conversations.

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