Hey everybody, I'm new to card collecting. Just bought my first couple of boxes a few nights ago. Not really looking to collect any certain player of particular team, I just would like a wide variety of cards and maybe end up with a few of them that could potentially gain a little value in years to come. I'm into Baseball and Football cards, so far I've bought only Topps and plan to stick mostly with them. I bought a box of the 2007 Topps Series One cards ($10 boxes), and a box of 2007 Topps Football cards. I also bought several loose packs of series Two 2007 Baseball, a couple loose packs of Topps Turkey Redd and a double pack (on the cardboard backing) of Topps Chrome. I was trying to see what cards I would like the best, I actually like them all so I'll buy a couple of boxes a month of various cards of those brands. I carefully removed all of them from the packs and held them by the edges only and places them into the 9 card sleeves. If I find out I have any of any value ($10 and up) I'll place them into toploaders. Will they be ok the the sleeves for storage of can the sleeves damage them? They are Legends PVC free sleeves if that helps. Now I don't really know anything at all about these things, so from what I can tell I have 3 Refractor cards (Rainbow like and they say Refractor on the back under the number) and in the Topps Chrome, I have 1 Refractor and 1 XFractor card. Are these more valuable than a standard base card? I read a bit through alot of other post trying to gather info and see Refractors mentioned quite a bit. I don't have any GU or Auto cards that I can see though. I'm planning to buy a box of Topps Chrome tonight sometime and hope to find something good in there. Whats a good book that explains alot of the different things to look for? Like parallel cards, what are they? I also notice some player names are worth a bit more than others, is this because of a few number of that card made or just popular demand? And whats with Topps claiming that some a Rookie Cards when they really aren't? Sorry bout all the questions, but thanks for reading!

first, welcome to the site!!

cant help ya much with baseball stuff, but ill do what i can to answer your questions!!

1st, for base/common cards, those 9 sleeve pages are fine. alot of people will keep these kinds of cards in actual card boxes (range from 200ct up to 5000ct). as you start to buy more stuff, the 9 card pages become less viable from a space/storage standpoint. they do work fine though, just keep them out of any period of direct sunlight and in a non humid area

2nd, there are a TON of products on the market, ranging from low end (2 bucks a pack) to very high end (a grand for 1 pack - 4 cards!!). it really just depends on your budget what ya want to collect. all the major companies are good about producing cards for people with all budgets.

there are also TONS of paralles in each set (waaaay too many if ya ask me). luckily, most of the cards produced today are well marked as to exactly what the parallel is (whether by it being actually marked as "refractor", "gold", or base on the serial numbering).

as far as some players being worth more, pretty much based on popularity / performance / scarcity.

baseball has been notorious for years for being vague with their rookie cards. i know there was something that went into place a few years ago that a player cant have a card until he is actually signed (something like that), but didn't help the cause much. you have to be VERY knowledgable of what you are buying, and what is considered a players true rookie card (much easier with football cards)

if ya have any other specific questions, just let me know!!

-The nine-card pages are fine for storage. Just be careful getting the cards in them. Watch the corners.

-Refractors are typically more valuable than the regular base card, yes.

-Use this site for some definitions of collecting terms:
http://www.beckettpedia.com/default.aspx/Beckettpedia/Trading%20Card%20Collecting%20Definitions.html

-Better or more popular players are more valuable than less popular players.


**EDITAll good answers from proudestmonkey, too.EDIT**

Hey everybody, I'm new to card collecting. Just bought my first couple of boxes a few nights ago. Not really looking to collect any certain player of particular team, I just would like a wide variety of cards and maybe end up with a few of them that could potentially gain a little value in years to come.

I spent nearly my first 20 years collecting exactly the same way, mostly due to the fact that I never dealt with online activities including ebay, collecting sites, nor going to card shows. There's nothing wrong with getting a box here and there and "sitting" on your cards, and most importantly enjoying looking at them.

I carefully removed all of them from the packs and held them by the edges only and places them into the 9 card sleeves.

I personally despise 9 card sleeves, but if you enjoy looking at your base, by all means go ahead and uses them. I just stack up my base and put them in large count boxes.

Whats a good book that explains alot of the different things to look for? Like parallel cards, what are they?

Beckett Magazine does a good job of this, but nowadays there are so many parallels in certain brands it makes my head spin.

Hello David and welcome to SCF.

There are many, many GREAT all-around knowledgeable members here as you can see by the great replies above! You will also notice there are many specific forums(see forum jump in orange user bar) so have fun & look around.

Oh...There are 3 very informative posts located at the top of the meet and greet forum *here* (http://sportscardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=128) that should help you get settled in quicker.

These 3
Sticky: Quick FAQ: What is card cash
Sticky Thread Sticky: Your SCF Road Map
Sticky Thread Sticky: Info 2 Know

If you should need any additional help please feel free to send a PM

Enjoy Sports Card Forum
Rich

Very good info, and thanks to all that responded! I bought a couple of Beckett books earlier this evening, should make for some good reading. I'll check out the stickys at the top as well. I have a few more Refractor and another Xfractor card that I aquired this evening. Still looking to get that first GU or Auto card. Maybe next purchase! Who here is from NC, in the Winston Salem area?

Welcome to SCF! I found this place about 4 months ago and it's a God-send man! Any questions you have, everybody is so helpful and they don't make you feel stupid for asking the easy questions. So feel free to ask anything!

One tip I found out when I got back into collecting a couple of years ago...the retail boxes/packs you buy at Wal-Mart, Target, etc are a lot less likely to give you better cards (especially GU and Autos) than hobby boxes/packs that you find at a card shop or on the net. Hobby boxes/packs usually cost a little, or maybe a lot, more, but if you can save up to get those, it's worth it. With some there is a bigger difference b/w hobby and retail than others. Like with Topps, you're not guaranteed an auto in retail or hobby, but the odds are better with hobby. With some like Donruss Threads, you're guaranteed nothing in retail boxes (and usually get just that), but with the hobby box, you're guaranteed 4 hits (either Autos or GUs, usually 1 auto and 3 GU). Of course if you're just addicted to opening packs and don't have much to spend at the moment, retail is a good cheap way to get a fix. Just a little tip I found out after buying too many retail packs.

I am in NC as well...but I'm in the western part, Franklin. Spent some time in Winston-Salem though, had a friend that went to Wake a few years ago. If you're ever headed over this way, let me know...I'll tell you about the only 2 card shops this side of Asheville :(

I know there are plenty of offers and forums for help here, but if you ever need anything, feel free to PM me as well.

Good information, so far I've only bought retail. I'll see if I can locate a local Card Shop in Winston or Greensboro.