Thinking about getting out/advice...

[steviey2493]

Hey guys MIGHT be a long read but this is how I feel on the hobby right now with pros and cons, and i dont know if i should get out, or how to manage to fill my needs.

PROS
1.Hockey is an absolute HUGE part of my life, and autographs and cards of favorite players/teams is very cool.
2.Opening a box to see what is inside is 1834783 times better than a lottery ticket.
3.It gives you something to do and something to always want to try to find/go for.

CONS
1.Money, period. While I am only 20 and I make pretty good cash and can spend a bit, it adds up buying mid end cards (example a few cards for $20 a piece). I always have said I want one HUGE card or I want to open just ONE tin of the cup and can't between college books, and gas in my car/jetski and clothes. The only way to do that would to be selling pretty much all of my PC which brings me to my next point.
2.If I get out, I am going to absolutely down on myself not having some really cool stuff I hunted for and took my hard earned money to purchase. Might not find some of that stuff ever again.

How do I do this? I have some autos of like Ovechkin and Stamkos as they are two of my favorite non red wing players, and I pulled the Ovy myself so it makes it that much better to have, so I feel I can't sell them. Yzerman would be my main PC guy but he is too expensive and I don't want to sell my Zetterberg and Datsyuk items. Any advice and tips are appreciated, really been pondering this. Thanks guys.

[heritage21]

Well man if your in the hobby to turn a profit and keep opening, dont sit on your cards. Sell Sell Sell

[steviey2493]

Not in it to make a profit at all sorry if I didnt make that clear, it was money aspect as far as spending

[redwingsfan11]

It's funny because i am facing the same dilemma. Recently today i found out that there are more Zetterberg rookie auto's (my main pc ATM) out there than i had thought. Being a 20 year old college student myself, money is the main factor for not only my activity in the hobby but in other necessaties. In my case i have made the decision to take a break after purchasing my last Zetty. But for you i say to hold up a bit because may wind up regretting selling some of your collection and who knows where you'll financially be in the next year or so, maybe next year you can make that big purchase without compromising your collection.

[CJ1510]

Look, im an unemployed 17 year old and I sometimes feel the same way when i see a card id love to have but it is just too expensive. I save my money from the little I get for report cards, Christmas, my birthday, and etc what i do is just save up for awhile and don't go on ebay, only SCF. The more I go on Ebay the more I want to spend all my money when really I need to have that money for other things. Every so often I just "treat myself" get some small things that you like for PC off of ebay. For me, I get Flyers and for you I'd reccommend Red Wings and not just main guys like Yzerman or Datsyuk. Recently I got a lot and some singles from a guy on ebay, it was about 15 cards of the new Victory for like $10 (I know it might alot but shipping is $3 or 4) and honestly I am happy with it! It's not a shield or anything huge but its just about as good as I can do and it keeps me from spending unnecesarily. Hopefully this helps and honestly I dont think it's worth leaving the hobby and selling your collection.

[andrewhoya]

Maybe just take a small break from buying and then get into the swing of things in a few years?

[brian045]

Id say all you need is a break. If you love hockey ,you will always love collecting the players. The autos and game used give us a connection to the players and the game. In my case and im sure yours, alot of my cards are a piece of hockey history. Why would you want to give that up? Not too many people can open cases of the cup, if you spend 100 dollars a year on cards you can still have fun and get some really cool items. As the years go on and i get raises at work im able to afford better cards, at 20 your salary will only go up ( hopefully ) and you can buy the cards you really want.

[marekschwarz33]

I just started college and I knew I wasn't going to be able to afford collecting like I used to (buying/selling/trading). I just sold all of my tradebait and kept my PC at home. Now I'm just sitting on a fair amount of PayPal so I can snag a card for my collection if I see one. I think this is the most economical approach. Busting wax and trading the hits can get expensive so I would advise against that.

[steviey2493]

Basically I don't want to take money out of my pocket for cards, I like using whatever paypal balance i somehow acquire. I have definitely slowed down only because products haven't been impressing me. When "The Cup" and Dominion come out I am going to be drooling again.

I think you guys are definitely helping me not sell my collection. I have considered but I absolutely would regret it. I think what marek said is what should be done. And if I somehow sell something not PC and can bust something big maybe try it ONCE for the thrill.

Thanks everyone. Ill be popping in and out of here always lol, but won't be visiting buying/selling too much!

[missionhocky10]

im in the same boat(20 in sept) so i know exactly what your talking about but instead of completely going out because i still want to collect, im just trying to slow down a TON and just pick up cheaper cards i like for my kings/random pc and when im able to sell stuff thats when im going to splurge a little and buy something nicer. having mixed results so far HA