Collectings going Stale...

[HIJACK12]

I know thats another shot at me. you seem to like taking shots at me lately.

In Tyler's defense, alot of people truly have "left" only to return a week or so later.

[BravesFan4Life]

Why not do one of two things?

A. Take a break. Just stop trading, buying, everything for a while. Come back in a few months or maybe a year and restart. I know I will take a break for a bit and it makes me want to come back and start collecting again. If I did not that do that I would have permanently stopped 4 years ago.

B. Just keep plugging away, make trades here and there, continue with the Pistons and Big Al. There are always lull periods in collecting. If all else fails go for another player. I had to do that. My first player collection is near completion so I have a second and that one should keep me busy for 10 years more.

[NickRadz23]

Jack, you would agree with me if you knew what else he's reemed me on...

[tarheelsnipe]

Gladdy
I've been collecting since 1988. I can offer a different perspective on collecting and I hope it helps.

Regarding your frustrations with online traders, look at the bigger picture. Collectors understand the state of the economy, and they're looking for the poor sap that lost his job or took a pay cut. They're like vultures circling a dying animal. If you get lowballed by one collector, then just move on. Know your collection's value, not what the price guides say they're worth. It's extremely frustrating when people in these collecting forums offer "junk" or lowball. No doubt about it. On the flip side, I've seen some ridiculous prices on cards across the internet, and the sellers get frustrated that the cards aren't moving. I've been in the hobby long enough to realize that after 10 years of a player signing #/100 autographs for 10 different sets, that's 10,000 autos in circulation. Should these cards continue to maintain value? Of course not. Magic and Bird are perfect examples. Yet sellers continue to ask over $100 for these. Give UD Premier, Exquisite, and Black 3 more years. Their prices will drop by 50% from their current values. It just takes patience.

Some of the patterns I've seen in the past:

A lot of "collectors" act like they're Wall Street traders, used car salesmen, or hustlers. The buy low/sell high mentality that found its way into the hobby in the early 90s is, unfortunately, here to stay. It didn't used to be a problem when there were no inserts being produced. Collectors could trade cards without the fear of lowballing because the cards weren't sp's. Not much you can do about it.

I take the "wait and see" approach to rookies. Sometimes it takes years for the price of a card to come down, but it's worth the wait in my opinion. With a few exceptions like Kobe, Lebron, and a few others, the rookie cards routinely drop in value by their sophomore seasons when the new class starts hitting the market.

Avoid the gimmicks. Some of the inserts are absolutely absurd. The Topps Treasury cash insert is a perfect example. You might as well go out and buy a lottery ticket. At least you're not stuck with a bunch of base cards that will sit in your closet for years. A few others include the Score Bo Jackson black and white and the Pro Set Santa Clause and Payne Stewart inserts. Their values were at one time $20 - $50 each. Now you can get them in lots of 10 for $.50 each.

You have to keep collecting fun. Easier said than done. For me, I have more fun getting out into my local community and finding other collectors. The online community doesn't compare to personal relationships I've built with local collectors over the years.

OK, now for some things to try:

- Go to your local card shops and ask them to start a "swap night" on one of their slow nights. Most hobby shops see a revenue drop toward the end of the month, so they will be more willing to host something like this to bring in potential customers.

- You and a couple of your friends get together and set up a table at a flea market/swap meet. In my area, tables are $5-$10 per day. For me, it's less about making that money back and more about establishing contacts for guys with similar collecting interests.

- Keep your collection focused. Even team and player collecting can become overwhelming with so many products on the market. For my tarheels collection, I decided to only collect Tarheels autographs. I'm sure you've seen Italy's collection of Bulls' autos and GU. I want my collection to be something I can show off to other basketball fans. I don't want to see thousands of base cards in binders. I'm more impressed with a team autographed set from a particular year of a championship or milestone (the '69 Mets is a good example).

It's all about having fun. The long term collectors understand this. It is never about the money or resale value. If other "collectors" want to play that game, then just move on.

[gladdyontherise]

Gladdy
I've been collecting since 1988. I can offer a different perspective on collecting and I hope it helps.

Regarding your frustrations with online traders, look at the bigger picture. Collectors understand the state of the economy, and they're looking for the poor sap that lost his job or took a pay cut. They're like vultures circling a dying animal. If you get lowballed by one collector, then just move on. Know your collection's value, not what the price guides say they're worth. It's extremely frustrating when people in these collecting forums offer "junk" or lowball. No doubt about it. On the flip side, I've seen some ridiculous prices on cards across the internet, and the sellers get frustrated that the cards aren't moving. I've been in the hobby long enough to realize that after 10 years of a player signing #/100 autographs for 10 different sets, that's 10,000 autos in circulation. Should these cards continue to maintain value? Of course not. Magic and Bird are perfect examples. Yet sellers continue to ask over $100 for these. Give UD Premier, Exquisite, and Black 3 more years. Their prices will drop by 50% from their current values. It just takes patience.

Some of the patterns I've seen in the past:

A lot of "collectors" act like they're Wall Street traders, used car salesmen, or hustlers. The buy low/sell high mentality that found its way into the hobby in the early 90s is, unfortunately, here to stay. It didn't used to be a problem when there were no inserts being produced. Collectors could trade cards without the fear of lowballing because the cards weren't sp's. Not much you can do about it.

I take the "wait and see" approach to rookies. Sometimes it takes years for the price of a card to come down, but it's worth the wait in my opinion. With a few exceptions like Kobe, Lebron, and a few others, the rookie cards routinely drop in value by their sophomore seasons when the new class starts hitting the market.

Avoid the gimmicks. Some of the inserts are absolutely absurd. The Topps Treasury cash insert is a perfect example. You might as well go out and buy a lottery ticket. At least you're not stuck with a bunch of base cards that will sit in your closet for years. A few others include the Score Bo Jackson black and white and the Pro Set Santa Clause and Payne Stewart inserts. Their values were at one time $20 - $50 each. Now you can get them in lots of 10 for $.50 each.

You have to keep collecting fun. Easier said than done. For me, I have more fun getting out into my local community and finding other collectors. The online community doesn't compare to personal relationships I've built with local collectors over the years.

OK, now for some things to try:

- Go to your local card shops and ask them to start a "swap night" on one of their slow nights. Most hobby shops see a revenue drop toward the end of the month, so they will be more willing to host something like this to bring in potential customers.

- You and a couple of your friends get together and set up a table at a flea market/swap meet. In my area, tables are $5-$10 per day. For me, it's less about making that money back and more about establishing contacts for guys with similar collecting interests.

- Keep your collection focused. Even team and player collecting can become overwhelming with so many products on the market. For my tarheels collection, I decided to only collect Tarheels autographs. I'm sure you've seen Italy's collection of Bulls' autos and GU. I want my collection to be something I can show off to other basketball fans. I don't want to see thousands of base cards in binders. I'm more impressed with a team autographed set from a particular year of a championship or milestone (the '69 Mets is a good example).

It's all about having fun. The long term collectors understand this. It is never about the money or resale value. If other "collectors" want to play that game, then just move on.

WOW! Great post here, i know i obviously am not in here to make money because i'm collecting the wrong guy then..lol Jefferson is very low end, and thats why i like to collect him..i would like to do Autos/GUs onl but i'm not sure how man i can really obtain...people wont trade those guys like Rebraca, Jon Barry, Darvin Ham etc etc..they want my superstar stuff for guys who just never panned out, and since i have very limited funds to spend, i cant buy these cards either..although it would be fun...

[MatthewLee]

Been there a few times myself Dan.
I probably collect the lowest end players on SCF and still experience it.
I've come to the conclusion that there are traders/sellers on this site and then there are friends/collectors.

It's just funny how random/forgotten players suddenly become giants when someone shows interest.
IDK, I better stop.

[olsont5]

It's just funny how random/forgotten players suddenly become giants when someone shows interest.

soooooo true!!!!

[olsont5]

yea...i've started getting bored just player collecting DJ Augustin because i don't have much to trade in return, so i'm thinking about possibly starting to build some sets. nothing real hard maybe just like try to build the topps and upper deck sets to get started. something real simple to get me going again

[BravesFan4Life]

I forgot about building sets...I am currently working on like 20 diff just straight base sets. No RCs, no special inserts, just base(you know the stuff no one wants)...I like having a few base sets around..gives me a sense of something I accomplished. Sometimes they are easy, others are a pain but its something other then just the grind.

[olsont5]

I forgot about building sets...I am currently working on like 20 diff just straight base sets. No RCs, no special inserts, just base(you know the stuff no one wants)...I like having a few base sets around..gives me a sense of something I accomplished. Sometimes they are easy, others are a pain but its something other then just the grind.

yea...that was what i was planning to do too...just so i can A.) get some trades done and B.) give me a sense of accomplishment and a feeling like im actually starting and finishing something lol