eBay Mindset vs Real Auction Houses + Active Reserves Explained + Protecting Yourself as a Bidder
Sports Cards Live 290 kicks off with co host Joe Poirot and special guest Jeff Marin of Rockhurst Auctions for a deep dive into how traditional auction houses actually work, why reserves exist, and what the latest Snipe and COMC drama says about trust in the hobby. This is the first of four segments cut from the full live stream recorded on November 22, 2025.
In this episode you will hear:
Jeremy’s Saturday night open, with updates on the Fanatics Collect Weekly Auction Ending Watch Party, the new “From the Front Row” series with Front Row Card Show, and his recent conversation with hobby OG Brandon Steiner.
Recap of Jeremy, Joe and Chris McGill’s appearances on Graig’s Midlife Cards channel and how those conversations set up tonight’s focus on auctions, reserves and hobby trust.
Gretzky rookie talk, Topps versus O Pee Chee, what population reports really tell you, and why more collectors are demanding strong eye appeal instead of just an old grade on the flip.
Reaction to Dr Beckett’s appearance on Hobby Hotline, the Geoff Wilson interview, and the fatigue many collectors feel around apology tours and “can we move on yet” discourse.
Breakdown of the Snype launch issues after Rick Probstein’s move off eBay, the site going dark on its first big night, worries about data and screenshots circulating on social, and what all of that means for any new auction platform.
Discussion of fresh COMC rumors, a long time employee exiting, a tweet suggesting the company might be “in trouble,” and why broken telephone and the hobby rumor mill can distort reality fast.
A full segment with Jeff Marren of Rockhurst Auctions covering how traditional auction houses handle reserves, why “active reserves” exist, why most lots actually run without reserves, how opening bids create momentum, what consignors misunderstand, and how bidders should assess whether to stay in or step out.
Jeff’s take on how eBay trained the hobby to chase last second “wins,” why many collectors are addicted to the idea of scoring under market, and how old hobby scars from scams and bad deals make drama based content so magnetic.
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