Yesterday: Say Day For Me

[davescards]

Well yesterday was one of my worst days in recent memory. I had to part with a collection that took me years to put together. I was so proud of what I was able to accomplish. So here's my story.


I used to collect cards back in the mid 90's. I was a set collector, and I tell you, I had pretty much every card you could get your hands on. When I finished high school, I put the cards away and never thought about them again until about 4 years ago.

I had no idea there was an online community of traders and when I found our facebook group, and then found SCF, I was taken back and first, but very excited at the same time. I told my wife that I wanted to put a collection together. I didn't have a hobby at the time, so SCF to me was a Gold mine.

I went to a local card show with two cards... A Ray Bourque RC and a Cam Neely RC. The only two cards I had to my name. I was starting a collection without any money, and without any traders. T'was quite the challenge. So I was able to convince one of the sellers to take my Bourque and Neely RC, and in return, I got a box of MVP and a box of Ultra. The only two box breaks I did by myself, and today, those were the only two boxes I ever opened on my own. I got very lucky when I pulled a Malkin that was numbered to 17, which I traded to get trade bait.

I started with Victory Rc's, chasing everyone around for the cards they didn't want, and I was convincing myself that all cards were wonderful. It took a very long time of being ignored and stepped on, but I finally put a decent collection of rookies together. Through the last three years, here are some of the cards that have been in hand:

Alex Ovechkin YG x2
Patrick Kane YG
Jonathan Toews YG
Sidney Crosby Parkhurst RC
Sidney Crosby MVP Rc

I've had quad patches, Fab 4's, Ice\99 RC's, the whole shot. Not bad for someone who hadn't actually bought a card, and just traded and traded to put a collection together.

This year I was very excited because I was able to finish a project for my son. 1 RC for every active NHL'er today, and a Graded Bruin RC spread that was for myself. I had the collection I wanted 4 years ago, and yesterday... Yeah, Yesterday. I was forced with a decision that made me either forget about bills, and put my family in more debt, or sell my collection and break even. Which is exactly what I did. SCF Member Kevhur came to my rescue and bought my cards (He's getting a fantastic deal, wait until he sees what he's getting). $190 US later, and I'm back down to 5 cards again.

As it stands right now, I don't have a collection anymore, and if I'm to continue, I have to start from scratch, start at the bottom, and struggle, kick, scream, beg, and fight for every card I get. But this time, my Bourque RC and my Neely RC are Mint. They would grade a 9.5 or a 10 and my Bruins Graded Rc's (Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, Rask, Wheeler, Stuart, Wideman) are something I feel really close to and wouldn't be able to part with.

So where to go from here? Can't get a budget for cards, and have no trade bait. So its back to scratching and Clawing my way back up, or just leave it the way it is and walk away.

Because of this situation I've been late sending packages which has hindered my reputation in the trading world (ask althegod, he never got his package, so I had to send the card he gave me back).

Thanks for listening to my story, I just wanted to share with everyone, maybe as a lesson for some of the not so fortunate traders on the site who struggle as I do... Be thankful for what you have, becasue it might not be there tomorrow. Life comes first, and as a wise man once said, it will get in the way, I guarantee you, life will get in the way... Its why its called life.

Thanks everyone!

Dave aka Davescards (546 combined online trades: Cards to show for it: 5)

[Nathan7070]

Sorry to hear all of this Dave. I sometimes forget what cards are all about and take them for granted. But family comes 1st and if I had to make the same decision as you if it came to my cards or my wife and daughter's health/well being my entire Lucic collection would be on ebay or sold on here in a heartbeat.

I hope everything gets better for you Dave, it has been a pleasure dealing with you the past year or two!

[jbmmadman]

I totally understand that situation, I had to go through it myself recently, although to a much higher degree... I was forced to sell off all my cards, even my pc cards to cover bills. my Doughty Cup RC/99 ?...gone....my Stamkos Ice RC/99 ?....gone

it stings a bit, but after all, they're only cards. keeping the family fed and clothed is far more important.

[davescards]

Still Breaks my heart to know that all those trades, all that money spent to send packages, is now gone.. All Gone.

[MacGruber]

Dave, we never traded (from what i can remember) but I totally feel for your happening as I am in a similar deal. Bills, future with the GF (soon to be fiancee) and a move. Job loss a week before Xmas did not help matters. Also a unexpected medical scare flipped my whole view of where my $ goes. Though my love for the Pens and the players Ive collected from 2007 to now have been nothing short of amazing sometimes priorities take shotgun for this ride.

Best of luck with any and all future happening and who knows as I have been told you might find yourself back into the hobby sometime in your life.

[Memento21]

Dave, I understand you totally, I have to sell the rest of my collection twice since I'm collecting. I realized I have to slow down, because I don't want to do it third.
That's not a question between hobby and family which comes first. I'm sorry, and I hope you'll be able to put a nice collection together in the future, as you did once before.
Good luck!

George

[davescards]

Thank you for the message MacGruber... Good to know people are relating to what I'm going through. Like I said to my wife yesterday, "yes there pieces of cardboard and have no real purpose, but its fun, I love the interation with people, and I love the fact I can honor the great players in the game."

[davescards]

I might have a way back into the hobby pretty quickly. I have an ongoing deal which is going to get me two cards with a total book value of $160 (1 is 100, and the other is 60) and if I can find like 50 bucks, I can put it with the two cards, and ask one person who has a big collection, to provide me with some smaller trade bait so I can start trading again and to build my PC back up to where it was previous.

[patsfan84]

sorry to hear about the collection, like its been stated your choice was a no brainer. although this may not have been the case for you dave someone said medical expenses played a role in his sale, fortunetly us canadians have free health care so a broken bone or life saving scan doesnt cost us anything so our $ can go towards everyday things like bills and food. from what i have heard the US medical bills can put a family on the street for soemthing they couldnt control. i am sure people will be more than willing to help u out dave, there are some great members on this forum.

[rdmack]

Bad luck on having to sell but you made the right decision. If you were able to build your first collection from a small start I sure you will have no problem (and probably some fun because that is what this hobby is about) building it back up when you have the time and resources.