Greedy little noobs?

[Walter Sobchak]

So lately Ive seen a lot of threads about how the hobby has changed and become all about greed and money and blah blah blah. In almost every post that hits these themes, this "problem" of a shift towards higher end stuff is attributed to people like me and many of the collectors who I know that have come back into the hobby post-lockout.

In one thread, collectors like me were referred to as "noobs". Ive also seen the term "greedy" thrown around in the same conversations. The fact that id rather not make a ton of low end deals is my choice, just as others choice to build sets is theirs.

We all like what we like and I dont see any of us "noobs" going around complaining about low-end/set collectors. In fact, I have a lot of respect for base cards and low end inserts but they Im not passionate about them the way I am higher end stuff. I pick up Vanek/Ennis stuff whether its a Score base or a Dual Auto/Patch from The Cup...

Its all about passion and personally I dont feel as though Im a noob. I collected cards as a kid and picked it up again when I had more disposable income. Also, it seems odd to complain about new people joining our hobby. Isnt that what this is all about? Having fun and bringing new people in to enjoy the hobby too?

It just seems that a small group of old school collectors feel a sense of ownership and entitlement that they shouldnt. Collect what you like and dont call me a greedy noob for doing the same.

Anyway, just having a little conversation with a friend and decided to see what others think about this subject :)

[TMacfreak91]

I, as said friend, lol agree. I do think that SOME I emphasize some as it's not a large group of collectors but SOME select collectors do seem to feel that the younger generation of collectors is ruining the hobby.
My personal opinion is that while some newer collectors out there ARE in it just for the nice stuff, there is still a VERY large group of newer/younger collectors who are JUST as passionate about this hobby as anyone. I know some people think that game-used cards and so many autos have tainted the hobby but to me, it just shows how far this hobby has come. I've collected since the earlier part of the 90s when I was very young and I've seen the hobby evolve from all the different sets like Topps Gold Label to sets now like The Cup with lots of nice autos and Game-used cards. I feel like these cards show just how much the hobby has developed. The idea that younger collectors overlook or ignore base cards is extremely overstated in my opinion. I myself have a 10 year-old brother. He collects cards because he likes the pictures, the players and the game, whether it's a base card or a jersey card he's happy. I honestly think this is the case for more collectors than people realize. At some level, many of us still love base cards but we simply embrace the advances that the card industry has made over the years and I see no problem with that.

Steve

[comfortably9numb]

i agree...the hobby needs balance...if UD is going to make "The Cup", and there are no high end collectors...what...the cards are just gonna sit there??? We need high end collectors just as much as we need lower end collectors...the reason i don't trade base or inserts is because i simply don't have the room...i live in a college dorm...i don't have the room for 15 boxes of base cards so i don't get them...people need to learn to be a little more understanding...i started collecting around 1998, and i breifly stopped for about 4 years once the lockout hit...but i still don't consider myself a "noob" (a term i HATE...i mean...if ur gonna call me a name...call me something badass..something Clint Eastwood would call me...not something a 12 year old Call of Duty player would call me)

[comfortably9numb]

maybe it a buffalo thing :) all 3 of us are from buffalo....i think anyways lol

[TMacfreak91]

maybe it a buffalo thing :) all 3 of us are from buffalo....i think anyways lol

Hahaha yeah we all are from Buffalo. I do think that people saying things like "noob" about someone in the hobby is just plain dumb but that could just be me.

I LOVE your point about living in a college dorm because I'm in a similar situation. I have over 15 binders full of base and old inserts at home already and I simply have run out of room. I used to keep base and still admire the often PHENOMENAL photography used on today's base I just don't have the room to keep them. I only keep base of players that I collect.

Steve

[BrokenHalo]

The following line should sum up my feelings on this subject: To each their own.

With that said - Yes, it is all the Sabres Mafia's fault. :)

[myersfan57]

I am not a member of the Sabres Mafia (yet -- who exactly do I have to kill to join?), but I felt obligated to post in here since everyone was from Buffalo.

To stay topical, I am a noob (and a bit of a boob if you ask those close to me), and I can see the validity of both sides of the argument. I think that the quote "to each his own" sums it up best, or, if you prefer, "No, Donny, these men are nihilists. There's nothing to be afraid of," and I happen to think that this card definitely ties the room together, man: http://imageevent.com/amodestcollect...=0&w=4&s=0&z=2

Seriously though. It's a hobby and I have fun.

[mightykeebs]

As someone who is just getting back into the hobby, i used to collect cards when I was younger (late 80's early 90s), I'm just amazed at the variety of products out there now. Now I'll admit I dove into the hobby head first and it set me back a bit, espeically since i'm a college student, however I'm not out there just selling cards like a mad man for top dollar. I actually enjoy collecting the base sets as well as a few of the parallel sets. It definitely takes some dedication to get actively back into the hobby now a days it seems. Especially if you start going the way of a having a select player for a PC. I'll give you guys props for that because that is devotion indeed!

That being said I'm also looking forward to getting my nephew into the hobby, he's 3. I'm going to be seeing him with a box of UD series 1 French, he's french, and if he pulls a hall/eberle I could care less because hopefully he'll just have fun with the cards like I used to when I was younger.

Kory

[Habitforming]

I'm old school, collecting since the mid 80's (yeah I know...very old)

But... I am not from Buffalo so maybe I can shed an unbiased opinion?

I never have, and never will, collect low end stuff such as Victory, MVP, Collector's choice etc ... and I don't collect base sets either. I collect the higher ends of the spectrum and I do it for 2 reasons.

#1. I like knowing that the rookies of players I have collected actually have some value, just in case I ever had to sell them for some unexpected reason (Job loss, death in the family etc). Plus the cards have more appeal.

#2. I can afford to do it.


Don't get me wrong, I don't collect cards for the money at all. I collect mostly rookies and high end cards, but its because I like the design, player, or relevence to my collection (rc or limited sp) and the lower end sets don't have the same flash and flair to offer.

just my opinion

[dmaksymyshyn]

Interesting...I just had a trade I was trying to make for some game used and auto cards for a handful of inserts...hey, I would have traded in his favor, and only wanted 2 or three cards to many, and he walked away. That is cool...his choice. I don't blame him. sometimes it gets a little frustrating, but I just move on and look for the next trade and see if I have something others want.