$1M Trading Cards Heist, Trevor Milton Returns, The Death Of Common Courtesy | Diet TBPN
$1M Trading Cards Heist, Trevor Milton Returns, The Death Of Common Courtesy | Diet TBPN
Podcast33 min 7 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights
  • Avoid treating high quoted prices as proof of value in graded collectibles; resale, theft, and insurance-limit risks make them speculative.
  • Treat Cyberjet/SJ36 as a highly speculative private venture, not an investable public stock; production execution and customer trust remain major hurdles.
  • For United Airlines (UAL), monitor whether fare increases and service investments support future performance; the discussion gave no price target or buy recommendation.
Detailed Analysis

Trading Cards / Graded Collectibles

  • A theft outside PSA’s California grading center involved 250 packages of graded cards. The first two pallets were estimated at about $963,000; the value of the third was still being determined.
  • One card was described as having a $500,000 valuation. The hosts expressed skepticism about such valuations, while acknowledging that collectors pay substantial sums for rare cards.
  • PSA deactivated the certification numbers for the stolen cards, which could make legitimate resale difficult. The hosts noted that this may not prevent sales on black markets.
  • Compensation is being assessed at fair market value, but payouts are capped by the insurance limits selected by customers at checkout.

Takeaways

  • Collectibles were discussed as a market with potentially high stated values, but the conversation also highlighted resale, theft, and insurance risks.
  • Anyone considering graded cards as an investment should distinguish quoted valuations from prices they could realistically sell for, and understand the insurance coverage and limits before shipping valuable items.

Cyberjet / SJ36 Private Jet

  • Former Nikola CEO Trevor Milton is leading Cyberjet, which is promoting the SJ36 light jet and a broader aerospace platform.
  • The aircraft’s underlying program has a long history: it received FAA certification in 2005, but production never scaled, with about 10 aircraft built before production ceased in 2009. Later efforts to restart production did not lead to large-scale commercial deliveries.
  • The panel saw potential value in reviving an already-certified aircraft, and noted a partnership with Williams for the engine. They also said demand for private aviation is high.
  • The discussion was largely bearish on the business’s prospects. Concerns included the challenge of restarting production, Milton’s history—he was convicted of fraud and later pardoned—and the decision to develop in-house avionics and promote autonomous features rather than relying on established cockpit systems.
  • A panelist questioned whether buyers would trust the company with a major purchase where reliability and safety are critical. The discussion floated $14 million as a possible purchase price, but did not establish it as a confirmed price.

Takeaways

  • The existing certification may reduce some development hurdles, but the transcript emphasized execution, credibility, and customer trust as major obstacles.
  • Treat the company as a speculative private-business story, not an established jet manufacturer. The discussion did not identify a publicly traded Cyberjet investment.

United Airlines (UAL)

  • United CEO Scott Kirby said airfares may need to rise because it is expensive to operate aircraft, and suggested that passengers may have to pay more to avoid middle seats.
  • The panel reported that United’s stock had risen more than 300% during Kirby’s tenure. It also described a broader recovery in the airline industry since the COVID-19 crisis.
  • United is investing in Wi-Fi, entertainment, and its app to improve the travel experience. The discussion also cited common airline frustrations, including delays, lost luggage, chaotic boarding, and cramped seating.

Takeaways

  • The transcript offered a positive historical performance figure and noted the possibility of higher fares, but past stock gains do not establish future returns.
  • For a forward-looking view, monitor whether pricing and service investments support the business despite the operational problems travelers still face. No price target or specific buy recommendation was given.

Mercedes-Benz / Electric AMG GT 63 SUV

  • Mercedes announced an electric AMG GT 63 SUV, described as having 1,153 horsepower and a claimed 400-mile range.
  • The panel was skeptical about its sales prospects, citing possible depreciation and questions about whether electric SUVs meet buyers’ needs for long trips, cold-weather use, and access to charging.
  • A panelist suggested the vehicle might be more appealing around $130,000 than at $220,000, but those figures were discussed conditionally, not presented as confirmed pricing.

Takeaways

  • The discussion was bearish on this particular vehicle’s market prospects, not a direct recommendation on Mercedes-Benz shares.
  • The key issues raised were price, depreciation, and whether buyers see an electric SUV as sufficiently practical.

Porsche / Electric Cayman

  • The panel discussed Porsche’s consideration of an electric sports car, including a possible electric Cayman.
  • One host preferred the electric Cayman over a large electric SUV, arguing that a small, sports-car-like EV could appeal to a distinct buyer group. The discussion did not include a sales forecast or a specific launch timeline.

Takeaways

  • The conversation was comparatively more optimistic about the potential appeal of a small electric sports car than a high-powered electric SUV.
  • This was a product-market opinion, not a specific recommendation on Porsche AG shares.

BMW XM

  • The BMW XM was described by a panelist as a “massive flop.” It was used as a comparison when discussing the risk that expensive, high-performance SUVs may struggle to find enough buyers.

Takeaways

  • The transcript’s comment is a negative product-market signal, but it did not provide sales figures or make a direct assessment of BMW AG shares.
  • Treat it as an anecdotal comparison rather than standalone evidence about the company’s investment outlook.
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Episode Description
Diet TBPN delivers the best of today’s TBPN episode in 30 minutes. TBPN is a live tech talk show hosted by John Coogan and Jordi Hays, streaming weekdays 11–2 PT on X and YouTube, with each episode posted to podcast platforms right after. Described by The New York Times as “Silicon Valley’s newest obsession,” the show has recently featured Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Mark Cuban, and Satya Nadella. TBPN is made possible by: Ramp - https://ramp.com Public - https://public.com Cisco - https://www.cisco.com Console - https://www.console.com CrowdStrike - https://www.crowdstrike.com Figma - https://www.figma.com MongoDB - https://www.mongodb.com NYSE - https://www.nyse.com Railway - https://railway.com Shopify - https://www.shopify.com/ Follow TBPN:  https://TBPN.com https://x.com/tbpn https://open.spotify.com/show/2L6WMqY3GUPCGBD0dX6p00?si=674252d53acf4231 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/technology-brothers/id1772360235 https://www.youtube.com/@TBPNLive
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By John Coogan & Jordi Hays

Technology's daily show (formerly the Technology Brothers Podcast). Streaming live on X and YouTube from 11 - 2 PM PST Monday - Friday. Available on X, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.