How do you collect?

[supplystud]

I am curious as to how people approach collecting cards. I think we all have our little quirks about what we want and how we pursue these cards. I would like to share mine with you and I would like to hear your methods and ideas.

- I have a list of "My favorite" players. This list is made up of players that I like for whatever reason. To make this list you can be one of a couple of things:
1. Be a Packer! (this is an automatic selection...you can be barred...Javon Walker)
2. Not have an attitude problem (like TO, Javon Walker, Randy Moss etc)
3. Be productive and care about the game
4. Have a connection to my favorite colleges (Utah State, Univ of Utah) (Kevin Curtis, Alex Smith etc)
5. Play my favorite positions (TE, WR, RB, QB, DE) (I think TE's are the most pure football players in the game...they block...they run...they tackle...they catch...THEY ROCK!)

- Once you are on the list I collect the following items
1. Rookie Card (Non Auto Non Jersey)
2. Rookie Card (Auto)
3. Rookie Card (Jersey)
4. Autograph Card (Not from Rookie Year) (On the card not a sticker..if possible)
5. Jersey Card (Not from Rookie Year) (I track how many colors...I prefer 3 or more and keep searching and upgrading until I have 3 or more colors)


I have a spreadsheet that tracks everything on each player from their school, position, jersey number, team, rookie year, rookie card year, retirement year, year into HOF, death year etc. On this spreadsheet I also keep track of whether or not I have their RC, Auto card (whether it is a sticker auto or an on the card auto), Jersey card (and how many colors on the jersey patch). I currently have 367 players on my football list.

I also collect rookie cards for every Green Bay Packer that has played in at least one game since 1960.

Well there you have my strategy.

Let me hear about yours.

[jedijohnson]

I focus on Cowboys
- my main two are Emmitt & Aikman, but I do like Staubach alot (Navy too).
- I'm always looking for deals on other Cowboy's autos or gu.

Emmitt
PSA 10s - I have all his RCs less the Madden, now I'm looking for that & other kool cards.
Auto/GU - Have a few nice ones, but overall...too expensive.

Aikman
PSA 10s - I have all his RCs less Score which I have in a GAI-9.5, now I'm looking for other kool cards.
Auto/GU - Have a few nice ones. These aren't too expensive, so I keep an eye out for good deals.

I have a pretty decent Cowboys PC, so now I'm looking at expanded to other QB legends I grew up with: Montana, Elway, Favre, etc...
Not a big Marino fan. Never won the big one. That's important to me. Your hear that Manning?...LOL

[zephyrmaster]

I collect mainly Crumpler, but I also collect all Falcons, primarily Patrick Kerney, Justin Griffith, Deangelo Hall.

I agree with you on the TE's, that's my favorite position, not too many collectors are that high on them though.

[realtyczar]

I used to go after sets in the 80's and early 90's. But sold them off and got out of collecting all together. The only cards I really kept, besides boxes of baseball cards of starts is my Colts cards.

3 years ago I got back into collecting but changed to team collecting. I started trading and pack buying for Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Carolina Panthers and added just recently Charlotte Bobcats. I did add this year Eli Manning really for no reason. I have about 3,000 Colts card (lots of dups in there), 1500 cards of Carolina Panthers, 800 Pacers cards and 50 each of Charlotte Bobcat & Eli Manning. However withing each team I really concentrate on 1 or 2 players. Colts, it's Peyton Manning, Pathers it's Delhomme & Peppers, Pacers it was Reggie Miller, now Danny Granger. I also get a few cards of players that I can get signed. (Muggsy Bogues).

Everything else I have is up for trade. (Some trades have not ben good, and other have.)

[Covet]

Simple: I like the team colors, so I'll go after multi-colored patches.

[Greenbay4]

I got for Brett Favre and Peyton Manning,....can't go wrong with that

[supplystud]

I like your username Greenbay4 :)

[kr580]

I pick a player I want to collect and then try to get 1 of each card that he has. I don't care too much about fancy patches. If it's a card I need I'll take whatever and not spend a fortune for the BEST one. Look at the SP Authentic patches. Barlow 1-color is $15 and multi-color is $30+... I'll take the 1-color all day.

[truffleshuffle]

I collect barry sanders cards But i don;t like base cards much becuase they just take up to much space. After barry sanders i collect sooner and just players i like. I have resently got into putting sets togher and have one set done and one almost done I have about 7 or 8 cards left for my 2004 sweet spot rookie auto helmet left to get.

[golfman61]

I have the same collecting criteria as you, just with different players and teams.