Why'd you get started?

[nickmyster16]

Hey everyone. I'm relatively new to collecting and was wondering what got you all started. What's your story? How long have you been going at this hobby? Why do you continue to do so!?!?!
Thanks for sharing and your time!

[andrewhoya]

My Uncle got me a box of 1991 Fleer for my 5th birthday ten years ago. Thousands of cards and dollars later, I'm still going strong

[IAFTBL]

I have been searching online for a place like this so I knew I had to get started right away.

[reggie31]

ive been collecting since i was like 9 yearsl old and im 27 now. what got me started was the famous pacers vs knicks playoff game i found out obout cards that same day when my stepfather told me he used to collect baseball cards. ever since that day ive been collecting. took some breaks here and there but never stoped.

[Ianril]

Collected pretty hardcore from 1991-2001. Took a 10 year break and just getting back into it again myself. I just missed it I guess.

[asujbl]

It gives you a connection to sports - it's the equivalent of Fantasy Football to me - it gives me a "reason" to have a vested interest in other players. I'll only ever "root" for the Browns - but I sure don't mind seeing Matt Stafford or Aaron Rodgers throw some TD's against anyone other then the Browns - because I have a RC Auto or them or whatever and it gives me a reason to follow.

I love sports regardless - but it's an added bonus when you can watch the market for players fluctuate based on the game you're watching at home.

[Helmutt]

I do it for the chicks, man.

Lol, actually I collect because I love sports and have been collecting since I first opened back of 1986 Topps baseball outside my towns convenience store. Great memories of trading, collecting & enjoying sports with friends. Collected until 1997 when I was broke and off to college. Picked it back up in 2006 when I had realized how much collecting has changed and was psyched about GU and autos. Unfortunately now they're a dime a dozen. 31 now and I no longer prospect, just collect the players I love to watch.

Have fun. That's rule #1.

[ASTROBURN]

I collected a little back in the late 80s, mainly cuz I was in little league. But it wasnt until a trip to Houston in 1994 sparked an interest in all things Astros, which led to my collection that I have today.

[CoolHandLuke]

I have collected for 40 + years. It's hard to say when I started to collect them. My oldest pack pulled card is from 1968. My mom was telling me she would buy me 10 packs of cards if I was not crying when going to the dentist. Then I used my pocket money to biy pack. We add fun trading cards amoug friends. I started to place them and organise them in the 70's and in the 80's I was definilty collector. So in a way it took time but my mom never trought away all my cards. Back in the 80's, mother had the good abitude to do big clean up. In the 80's the cards were not worth much but a boom started to happen in early 90's that lastest 3 years and then lkind of crash. That is when many started to collect and this is when news on tv started to make report on cards value like old OR or Patrick roy RC, Gretzky RC etc...

This is when many realise their mom trew everything in the garbage. I was lucky and still have all of my cards. Bought a lot in early 90's and left collecting in 95. Sarted back in 2007 where I left before. This is how I have build up my collection. Took 43 years to have the 60,000 cards.

[mikefri]

started in the mid 70s beacause me and a friend would walk down to the store and buy the cards for the gum inside mainly then he would want the yankess and i would get the red sox and all the others would get thrown out unless they were stuffed in our pockets lol.after all i was only 6 when i started and you could feel safe walking to the store if you were 8 years old.so was in it for the gum