If you are a fan of sports cards and collectibles, you may have heard of the recent announcement by Topps, one of the leading card manufacturers, that they will ban local card shops (LCS) from offering breaks of their products starting from next year. Breaks are a popular way for card collectors to buy into a share of a box or case of cards, and then watch the cards being opened live on a streaming platform. But why did Topps decide to implement this policy, and how will it affect the card industry? In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this controversial move, and the potential consequences for the LCS business, the card collectors, and the card market. Topps LCS Breaks Ban can drastically effect the hobby.

How Breaks Work and Why They Are Popular

Breaks are a form of group buying that involves splitting the cost and the contents of a box or case of cards among several participants. The participants can choose their teams, players, or other criteria to determine which cards they will receive. The cards are then opened live on a streaming platform, such as YouTube or Twitch, by the breaker, who is usually an LCS owner or an online retailer. The participants can watch the break session and interact with each other and the breaker through chat or voice. The cards are then shipped to the participants after the break is over.

Breaks have become a huge part of the card industry, especially during the pandemic, as they provide an exciting and affordable way for collectors to chase rare and valuable cards. Many LCS rely on breaks as a source of income and customer engagement, as they can sell more products and reach a wider audience online. Many collectors prefer to buy into breaks rather than buying boxes or packs individually, as they can save money and have more fun.

Topps’ Reasons for Banning Breaks

However, Topps has recently informed its direct accounts (LCS that buy products directly from Topps) that they are not allowed to offer breaks of their products, starting from January 1st, 2023. According to Topps, this policy is intended to protect the integrity of their products and ensure fair distribution to all customers. Topps also claims that breaks violate their terms and conditions, which state that their products are not intended for resale or redistribution.

Topps argues that breaks create an unfair advantage for some customers over others, as they allow them to access more products and better odds of getting rare cards. Topps also believes that breaks reduce the value and appeal of their products, as they expose the contents and quality of the cards before they are sold. Topps wants to preserve the mystery and excitement of opening their products for all customers, not just for a few.

Arguments Against Topps’ Policy

This announcement has caused a lot of controversy and frustration among the card collectors and shop owners, who see this as an unfair and unreasonable move by Topps. Some of the arguments against this policy are:

• It will hurt the LCS business and force many of them to close down or lose customers. Breaks are a vital part of the LCS revenue stream, and without them, they will have a hard time selling their products at competitive prices. Many collectors prefer to buy into breaks rather than buying boxes or packs individually, as they can save money and have more fun.
• It will limit the choices and opportunities for collectors. Breaks offer a variety of options for collectors to enjoy different products, formats, and prices. They also create a sense of community and excitement among the participants, who can interact with each other and the breaker during the live stream. Without breaks, collectors will have fewer options to collect what they want and how they want.
• It will benefit the secondary market and scalpers. Breaks help to regulate the supply and demand of the card market, as they distribute the cards more evenly and transparently among the collectors. Without breaks, there will be more unopened products in the hands of resellers and scalpers, who will inflate the prices and exploit the collectors. This will also create more uncertainty and risk for collectors who buy sealed products online, as they may receive tampered or counterfeit products.
• It will damage the reputation and relationship between Topps and its customers. Topps has been accused of being greedy and out of touch with its customers, who feel betrayed and disrespected by this policy. Many collectors have expressed their dissatisfaction and anger on social media platforms, and some have even vowed to boycott Topps products or switch to other brands. This could hurt Topps’ sales and market share in the long run.

The Future of Topps and the Card Industry

In conclusion, Topps’ decision to ban LCS from offering breaks of their products is a controversial move that has sparked a lot of backlash from the card industry. While Topps may have some valid reasons for implementing this policy, such as protecting their products and customers, it also has many negative consequences for the LCS business, the card collectors, and the card market. It remains to be seen how this policy will affect the future of Topps and the card industry as a whole.

What do you think of Topps’ decision to ban LCS from offering breaks of their products? Do you agree or disagree with their policy? How will it affect your card collecting hobby or business? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with your fellow card collectors. If you want to stay updated on the latest news and trends in the card industry, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.

This article is for entertainment and informative purposes only and is just an opinion nothing more.