Approach to PC

[Meercat]

I have been actively collecting hockey cards of different varieties for the last couple of years, having rediscovered the hobby fairly recently. One problem I have though, is focusing my PC. My strategy has been mainly trying to get the top YGS and when possible the main YGS Canvases from every year. A pretty ardous task, but at the same time manageable.

However I also try to collect a few (......) select players, focusing on their YGS and on card autos. The problem though is my tendency to add new players come every new season. The result is that my PC keeps growing and growing, and growing............. I really envy collectors that can be disciplined enough to manage a more focused PC, with only a few or even one player.

What is your approach to this dilemma of mine? Any advice? What is your approach to maintaining a PC?

[Covet]

Your PC, your rules. However, go outside the guidelines you set for yourself and you will run into one of two main problems:

1. a cluttered mess where if you waited for the exact item(s) you were looking for you would have a more clean and streamlined collection

2. you may run out of funds when the exact item(s) you wanted appear after the moment you spent on 'outside' items that really do not fit your PC

Sure, in a museum of art where there are rare and priceless painting they can add classic automobiles as they may be considered works of art as well, but not really fit into the main theme of paintings.

It is better to be stuck with the funds than to be stuck with something that really doesn't fit in your collection. You can buy a bag of snacks with your funds, but you cannot walk into a shop and do the same with a piece of cardboard.

Hope this gives you a little food for thought.

[Meercat]

Your PC, your rules. However, go outside the guidelines you set for yourself and you will run into one of two main problems:

1. a cluttered mess where if you waited for the exact item(s) you were looking for you would have a more clean and streamlined collection

2. you may run out of funds when the exact item(s) you wanted appear after the moment you spent on 'outside' items that really do not fit your PC

Sure, in a museum of art where there are rare and priceless painting they can add classic automobiles as they may be considered works of art as well, but not really fit into the main theme of paintings.

It is better to be stuck with the funds than to be stuck with something that really doesn't fit in your collection. You can buy a bag of snacks with your funds, but you cannot walk into a shop and do the same with a piece of cardboard.

Hope this gives you a little food for thought.

Thank's! Some great input to think about.

[RGM81]

At the end of the day, you've got to go with what makes you happy. There's very little I or anybody can tell you that will really shape your PC as much as your own desires. We can say, "Collect X,Y, and Z" till we're blue in the face, but you're the one putting skin in the game, not us. It may take you a couple months but you'll ultimately come to realize that you prefer snagging certain players/teams over others when you're chasing rookies. You may also realize that the budget just isn't there to get Matthews/Marner/McDavid type players if you're spending on the second-tier guys. It's rarely easy but we all chart our own path out here. Good luck!

[Meercat]

At the end of the day, you've got to go with what makes you happy. There's very little I or anybody can tell you that will really shape your PC as much as your own desires. We can say, "Collect X,Y, and Z" till we're blue in the face, but you're the one putting skin in the game, not us. It may take you a couple months but you'll ultimately come to realize that you prefer snagging certain players/teams over others when you're chasing rookies. You may also realize that the budget just isn't there to get Matthews/Marner/McDavid type players if you're spending on the second-tier guys. It's rarely easy but we all chart our own path out here. Good luck!

Thanks! Good points all.

[creasecollector]

At the end of the day, you've got to go with what makes you happy. There's very little I or anybody can tell you that will really shape your PC as much as your own desires. We can say, "Collect X,Y, and Z" till we're blue in the face, but you're the one putting skin in the game, not us. It may take you a couple months but you'll ultimately come to realize that you prefer snagging certain players/teams over others when you're chasing rookies. You may also realize that the budget just isn't there to get Matthews/Marner/McDavid type players if you're spending on the second-tier guys. It's rarely easy but we all chart our own path out here. Good luck!

This is really good advice here.

I think that's what is really great about a collectors collection.... it's yours and yours only. That's what makes it fun.

I would really sit down and try and decide what/who you want to collect and go from there, even if it takes awhile. In my opinion, don't look at value, or resale value of these cards or players, but think about what really gets you excited about the game or a certain players style or approach to the game if you decide to player collect. I think if you have that connection to your collecting habits it will really help you have fun with your collections and make sure you're not just hoarding stuff.

Have fun :) Great questions by the way. I may come back and add more if I think of anymore advice on the fly.

[Meercat]

This is really good advice here.

I think that's what is really great about a collectors collection.... it's yours and yours only. That's what makes it fun.

I would really sit down and try and decide what/who you want to collect and go from there, even if it takes awhile. In my opinion, don't look at value, or resale value of these cards or players, but think about what really gets you excited about the game or a certain players style or approach to the game if you decide to player collect. I think if you have that connection to your collecting habits it will really help you have fun with your collections and make sure you're not just hoarding stuff.

Have fun :) Great questions by the way. I may come back and add more if I think of anymore advice on the fly.

Thank you! Yes, that rings true. I have a lot of great things brought up here in this thread to consider

[30ranfordfan]

There is no right way to collect. Collect what you like. If that's YGs of star players / top picks: That's a good thing to do (if you like it).

Going after a variety of stuff from a variety of players can be a tough one though.... I would just set limits to what you want, and don't go too crazy on any one guy - but if it's your favorite player... why not load up on that one guy?

What you don't want to end up with is a bunch of random cards you don't care about.

[sparty07]

I focus on 2 players (Ryan Miller and Justin Abdelkader), and will include other players with a similar appeal (former Michigan State players) when it makes sense to "balance" a trade. However, I do not actively seek to start a trade for one of the secondary guys. I will expand my PC when MSU produces another player with a fresh set of cards (Miller is on his way out and I was told by a UD guy that Abdelkader recently decided not to sign a new auto contract) in a couple years.

[MR.M's Cards]

great read so far !!!!!!!!!!!