Venting~~~

[sportscardsnstuff]

I am going to get into this to. I completely agree with how the hobby is turning out these days. Hell I pulled a 1/1 caddy auto in september of last year. I dont collect him at all. I got rid of him for some vick autos and ohio state player gu/auto.

After that i got rid of the vick autos for more of my ohio state collection. Yes i know my Ohio State players done seem to do too well in the NFL but hey i was born and raised in columbus ohio...home of the buckeyes. I follow them true and faithfull. I could care less on how much they book...if they are a player from the team i adore...well i will pick it up.

Also growing up during that time when the bengal or browns where not good at all!!! I was a steelers fan. Always have been and always will. Bettis stuff i have collected for years. Now it seems that i have a great collection of his stuff i will never get rid of. Never knew he would turn out so good. But besides that point.

The hobby is turning into a money hungry economy. Eventually i believe that will be its downfall.

[fact81]

Glad to see this post got so many hits~

[pr0phet]

I agree with many thoughts, heres one from somebody who has collected half of his life.... BTW Thanks all for keeping this one ON TOPIC and CLEAN. Its nice to do some reading on a very good topic with NO flaming back and forth :D

#1 Rick has hit it perfectly and this is where Internet trading falls into a downward spiral. If BV is equal, I have trouble not agreeing to a trade. This comes with exceptions of course. I am not trading a 55 dollar auto for a 55 dollar serial number card of the same play. That is quit silly. But if you want certain auto's of a player and you have certain autos of a player that other trader likes, why not make the swap. Most of you had admitted that they are there as trade bait anyways.

Granted most of us dont get the opportunity to hold into major high end cards that often and when we have the chance to trade one we want a good offer in return. If you cant get that offer but you still get a good PC deal, why not make the swap. So many exceptions on so many different angles.

#2 As to the whole collecting whos hot theme. I have never fell into that one. I started off by collecting Wisconsin Badgers that made it into the pros. Now I just stick with, well not much.. Thats a whole different story.

This is what drives the hobby though. If Shaun Alexander runs for 155 and 3 TD's then this will drive the hobby into next year. People need trends in cards, just like in life, to run with until the next and best thing comes along. And don't tell me we dont run on trends. Just think of something in general like cloths, music, toys. Who the hell has any beanie babies or furbies around any more. And I bet those FUBU cloths are in rummage as we speak :D But for that time being it was the best thing out there. For the ones who don't like this idea its what keep us going as well because we first buy cards for our current PC and to enjoy a good ripping session. After that we sit on them until the thrill of finding a card selling for 50+ on ebay. I have done that a few times when a major issue comes up with somebody which is also another subject that I know I will get critized for.

Oh yeah just to put the trend thing back on cards. How many of ya cashed in on Ryan Fitzpatrick the week he beat the Texans. His contenders auto was selling for 50 bucks when people in STL said they got them 2 weeks ago for 10.00. Now that one didnt last. But Willie Parker had a good run as well. So when you head into the card store its like Im going to buy a few packs in hopes of pulling something good. First the big names, then PC guys, then guys like Willie parker who may be inserted a bit more often but will always save your packs.

More thoughts still there but I feel like Im repeating myself, so Im out.

Jay

[rayny1]

I don`t think I`ve ever traded a card since my childhood years. I`ve given a few away only because I don`t want/need the cards. I do sell on eBay though. I pretty much buy/sell just to keep my hobby of ripping packs and busting boxes going. Occasionally I do build a set here and there. Nothing extravagant either. Hopefully the hobby takes a turn back in time when set building was the main part of this business. The "trading" cards will be fun again.

[Insane Irish]

Some very good points here, by all posters. I don't have much time, but I just wanted to say that I think Prophet really summed it all up!!!
And to add my funny story, I actually bought an absoulte Hasselbeck Auto jersey at the begining of the year (cause I was collecting Absolute stuff, plus he's a Boston Boy) Anyway the card was a grand total of $4 and some change. Now it's selling for $40!!!
Not a bad!!! I guess it's time to sell!!

[Ravenous52]

Come on Jay, you know you collect Anthony Davis b/c he is the HOTTEST practice-squad running back ever...lol sorry, had to dude!!

Maybe Im lucky b/c it seems NOBODY really collects Ravens....

I have to agree with what everone has said in this post!! Some excellent points...defenitly!!

Alot of you here may know me from SCF, and some in person (Craig, you traded a Favre auto for an Eli auto...shame,shame...Im telling). I almost 100% will NEVER trade for trade bait. It just doesnt end up doing me any good.
The whole point of me ripping(which is way too much) is to pull something I can 1) put into PC (which never happens) and 2) trade for Ravens players. Pulling big names are great, but usually doesnt do ME any good.
Im not sure who stated this(maybe a couple of you) I will defenitly trade down to get something that I really want....to an extent (ex: was able to trade my 05 SPAuthentic Gold John Elway SOTT Auto /25 for an 05 Ray Lewis Contenders Auto /6). Some of you may think Im CRAZY for doing that, but its something that made pulling the Elway auto worth it for me!! But, when people do the following, it drives me nuts. This offer came from a great guy, but made me frustrated for the simple fact of what the offer was. Im trying to sell my Favre/Culpepper/Boller triple auto(bv $300). I got an offer for a 03 LCM Ray Lewis 3 color jersey /5 (very rare and nice) and a 03 showcase 1/1 master print Ray Lewis(obviously super rare) and like $25 (yeah, $25). Does this not seem ridiculous to anyone?? Trading up/down is one thing, but people need to realize- (like Jay stated) a $100 serial numbered card or jersey is NOT "equal" to a $100 auto...not even close...and I cant believe people actually make offers/trade like that.

My appologies if my post didnt mean/do anything for readers, or was off the subject...but I felt the need to blab/get this off my back b/c I feel Im pretty tight lipped about trends/collecting fades around here...

WOAH- its gettin late-

Rob

[BravesFan4Life]

The hobby is going the way of the hyped player. Eventually I believe there will be very few sets to build and we will all have sets like Ulti Coll and Exquisite. Which is fine if you like that type of high end chance but for certain people(myself included). I am more than content with low to mid range items. I epitomize the player collector. I collect 2 players seriously and a couple others casually. The biggest is of an ex-UNC player who tore it up in college and never did anything in the NBA. I started collecting him after he tanked and still do to this day. Will I ever see 1/5th of what I spent on him if I sold? Heck no and I dont care. If i have to try and move his stuff somehow one day would I? Yes even at a loss, things out their more important than cards. The next biggest collection is that of a great player Oscar Robertson but who gets no hobby love. Arguably the best player ever and I have only seen one other collector(at least on boards, there are a few on ebay with some impressive collections judging from what they buy). I stick with players I really like and admire(more so Oscar Robertson than Forte but regardless). It amuses me how people can go through those let me gets what hot and offer crap for it.