It’s time to take a stand against unscrupulous breakers, questionable hobby companies

If you're reading this you’re most likely an active participant in this great hobby. I tend to believe the majority of the people in it are honest, decent people with moral fortitude.

Unfortunately, even if you are new to the hobby, you are probably well aware that statement doesn't apply to everyone across the board.

From burglaries, thefts at card shows, counterfeiting, trimming and altering CAT scans, and breakers switching cards or not sending someone what they're entitled to are just some of the indiscretions that occur daily. Unfortunately, that doesn't even cover everything on the dark side of the hobby.

Recently, a major breaker said something unscrupulous, offensive, and immoral during a live break, causing outrage throughout the hobby.

Also See: Forgery suspects charged in major sports memorabilia fraud case 

Speaking only for myself, I was appalled when I learned what was said. Was I surprised, though? Not really. The financial aspect of the hobby often brings people of questionable character into the space.

What can we do? I've often said we have more power than we realize. Going back to the recent transgression mentioned above, it occurred on a popular live shopping and marketplace platform that I don't utilize. As a collector who doesn't buy into breaks, I obviously don't do business with that group.

What would I have done if that wasn't the case? I, for one, would not support that kind of behavior, so I would have found a company that does things the right way.

There are plenty of choices in the world of breaking, and most are decent folks who do things above board. As far as that platform goes, I'd give them time to respond to the situation at hand and if they accept that group representing their brand in that fashion, then it would be time for me to move on from that platform. (The company that hosted the offensive breakers suspended them from their platform, but have made no other public comments on the incident.)

Therein lies the power we can wield collectively together. We can make a difference if we so choose, but where money is the driving force, bad decisions tend to occur. I can only speak as one hobbyist and for myself but I try to support people and companies that do or try to do the right thing.

Nobody's perfect but there are no excuses for that kind of unacceptable behavior as far as I'm concerned. Let's all try to be better and do better. Let's also demand better.

— John Newman is a collector, dealer, and the host of the Sports Card Nation podcast. Catch his Hobby Quick Hits on Monday and his guest interviews on Friday on your favorite podcast plat­form. You can reach him at sportscard­nationpc@gmail.com or on Twitter at @sportscardnati1