Set building.......is it worth it?

[Savard18]

When I break a few boxes of a product and I'm close to completing the base set, I try to make trades to complete the sets. I have a 3200 count box full of base sets, stuff like MVP 98-99 and UD 1 13-14 without YGs ( I have multiples of each). I also have a bunch of binders full of base sets, some I like, others I don't care much about. I want to downsize, but with the shipping costs it is not worth it. Maybe I'll try to sell locally at some point, or get a few bucks for the lot in a big cardshop in town.

I enjoy sorting the base cards, to me it's a relaxing activity. If you enjoy the trading part, maybe the 12$ you spend per year is worth it.

That's how I built my vintage sets. I won a huge 5,000 count lot of mixed vintage from the 60's & 70's on eBay - mostly 70's, some 60's and went to work from there.. Obviously it wasn't packs but a lot of partial sets.. And I love vintage hockey, er vintage cards in general so it was/is really fun.. I have the 70's Topps done however the 70's OPC is proving to be more difficult - especially the 72-73 OPC with the WHA high numbers which are almost impossible to find in a respectable grade..

[Savard18]

So you put sets together without the rookies? I am just asking as to me the UD young guns without the rookies is not a true set. Look at the young guns of the past the year Ovy and Sid came out. Those base sets would be pretty nice in price and there a few classes that are not that bad either. Of course there going to be duds from year to year but if you truly do all the base sets you have yourself covered imo. If your just putting the base sets together without the rookies it is truly worthless as you say imo. The great question is whether your collecting for fun or for profit. Many say it a hobby but many just want dollars though they say otherwise.


DON

I agree about the YG's being part of the set however I don't think the base set adds any value tho... I don't foresee any collector paying more for a complete set with the YG's than what the top YG's in the set are worth combined.. I'm sure collectors would pay a little more but not much so is collecting the base set really worth the work?

I mean if I wanted a complete UD set, I would start with the YG then just pay the $10 bucks for the base set.

[skgord]

I used to collect every Upper deck set. In 1998-99 they started to short print some of the cards. I completed the 1998-99 Upper deck set.
In 1999-00 when they had the Young guns rookies and the Dany Heatly YG RC was worth $80. I decided it was not worth it getting the complete set with YG.
I still collected Upper deck base sets without YG for many years. Now I many just collect the local team sets and maybe some of the star players.

[cjb]

I don't care if they''re not worth anything. All I'm saying is that considering the high cost f cards these days you would think that people would value base cards a little more.

[odjickfan]

I don't care if they''re not worth anything. All I'm saying is that considering the high cost f cards these days you would think that people would value base cards a little more.

I've been in the hobby for over 15 years. During that period, I accumulated 7 3200 count boxes full of base cards. I have a shelf full of binders, a huge box full of inserts, 2 big storage boxes full of PC stuff. I'm sure many collectors are in a situation like mine, when at some point they judge they have too much stuff and just want to downsize and keep the bigger cards.

There are thousands of cases of hockey cards produced every year. Even common jerseys and autographs are available for cheap. There's just too much stuff out for the demand. That's where the low prices are coming from.

[subban7677]

Base sets are really just about the fun of putting it together, and not much else. An already put together base set isn't worth much because all of the fun has already been taken out of it.
Edit: I am of course only referring to modern base sets.

[leafer70]

If you just want to own a complete base set and take no pleasure in the actual pursuit, then just buy an already built set. I used to sell them for $5 per set on Kijiji and found plenty of takers. You can usually find them for that price at card shows too (whenever they return.) I'm a master set builder of Series 1/2 myself and while the base cards are obviously a necessary part of my collection, there is absolutely zero pleasure in completing that part of the set because it's all but guaranteed by purchasing 1 hobby box. I also build OPC every year and that base set is far more satisfying to complete because it actually takes some effort. I'm all about the hunt.

[30ranfordfan]

Card collecting is a great hobby... and the beauty of it is you can collect whatever / however you want.

If you enjoy collecting base sets, then collect base sets. If you enjoy piecing them together - I think you're doing it the right way. If you simply enjoy owning them.... you "collect sets": It's probably a lot cheaper to just buy complete sets. Should be able to get 1-200, or 251-400 for $5-$10 if you buy it the year it comes out, and marginally more a few years later.

If you're putting the cards away, because you think they might be worth something someday: I have my doubts that will ever happen.

I've got plenty of "worthless" cards of my own, that I enjoy having.... and I'll be the first to say that I used to really enjoy building Series 1/2 sets every year (until I didn't).

[cjb]

I grew up in the 80's when set building actually meant something. Back then you pretty much had an equal chance of getting any card in any pack. Obviously it's different these days. All the desirable cards are short printed.

I only collected sets these days because i thought it was a necessary evil. I mean what's the point of spending 75-110 dollars on a hobby/retail box if you're not going to complete the damn set anyway. For that type of money you're already 75% in. Miight as well spend the extra 6 bucks online and finish the set, event hough I really don't care.
.

[cjb]

Looking back I kind of regret spending money on completing base sets that I really don't care about.