I seem to always run into the same problem...

[policeradio556]

I seem to run into a problem with my collecting habits...I am a sucker for buying hobby boxes and tearing into them...I for one think it links me to my earlier collecting days and also presents the element of surprise...Not too mention who does not enjoy having a chance to pull a MOJO piece along the way...My problem however is that I often find myself treading the waters of collecting...I such a devout sports fan and have my favorite teams and players however that doesnt always translate much in the way of collecting...I really dont know who or what I am collecting anymore...Ive taken several steps back from this hobby and sold off my collection only to rebuild in the future a few months down the road...Majority of the cards I obtain are either from my own box breaks or through trading on this site...as I am disgusted with the Ebay experience...Ive tried collecting the hometown guys but I can only have so many autos and gu pieces from them before I start to become bored..and lets be honest Philadelphia Flyers really dont always book the greatest so using them for tradebait is difficult...Any suggestions or comments as to what might help me out..

[G0SHARKSG0]

I recommend building a set.....I have been having the same trouble as you, I was getting a bit bored of collecting solely Joe Thornton. Im not going to get rid of my cards of him, just going to add more stuff to collect. I now collect also sharks rookie Jamie McGinn and for a set, no base or anything, just really like the look of these. Sweet Stitches and Sweet Beginnings 07-08. This way I dont collect one thing, I have a bunch of things to collect and go for

[policeradio556]

I had been collecting 07-08 SP Authentic set base/FW/Notables.....but was thrown through a loop with the Rask Redemption FW Auto which apparently no real card exists...Good idea though collecting Jersey Subsets...Just dunno if I have the tradebait or set that catches my eye yet to be doing that...Gives me something to work up too again though...My problem too is I like the grittier guys..the 4th line superstars that often times may have a few cards and rookies but nothing real flashy like autos or jerseys...

[Goose97]

Well first of all! This is a hobby that doesn't necessarily need full time commitment, so you don't have to put big time pressure on yourself to get everything all at once.
I personally have just gotten back into it after about an 8 year hiatus. My main players I collect are in my tagline, and I still after 14 years collect them.
I bust boxes, and build sets too(mostly base, but a few inserts).
The one thing is, you can always step back for awhile, and come back to it.
You have to remember not to get disillusioned or down on yourself here. This is a fun hobby. Nothing beats the MOJO for sure. Find ways that make it fun for you. Meeting people on sites like SCF is great as well. Try to look for the positives in this hobby. I could rattle of a hundred reasons why I like this.
If you are feeling bored... Step away, or shake it up a little. You have to ask yourself the questions. What do I really like about all this.
And most important. Do NOT put a dollar value on your collection. All three of my players dropped in value over the years, but that wasn't enough reason for me to stop collecting them. It made it more affordable yes, but I liked all three for various reasons.
Man this sounds like a counselling session, but keeping a positive mind, and finding the fun is key here, and be commited over the long run.
Like I said. You can always go away from it. You don't need to sell them off. Tuck them into your closet. One day you find them. That itch will be back.
Hope I had some words of encouragement for you here.

[30ranfordfan]

My best suggestion is to branch out, while still setting priorities. The main focus of my collection is Bill Ranford. I follow that up with a more general Oilers collection (going after a RC / Auto / GU of everyone to ever play for them..... if it's available). Then I try and do a couple of sets too (Upper Deck 1 & 2, plus McDonalds).

Aside from sets I'm working on, I don't buy a lot of wax, and I do use eBay a lot... never really had any problems with it. I just find wax, unless you're collecting the set, is such an expensive route to take. Why lose money busting wax (because, inevitably, you will) when you can spend that money on the cards you're actually looking for?

[policeradio556]

Appreciate the feedback guys....Wax serves too purposes for me...1st being that chance for the sweet highend pull and yes I have had it before lol....Ive also hit bottom and lost out big on some boxes in the past too...Either way the MOJO outweighs the misses for me because on alot of the cards Ive pulled there is no way I couldve paid or traded outright to get hits like that....2nd and more importantly purchasing boxes allows me to build up my tradebait on players I normally wouldnt get otherwise...The closest hobby store is about 25miles from me...And their hockey selection is less then desirable...Im not too keen on Ebay because the one or two times Ive had a dispute or a problem, Representatives from the site are impossible to get a hold of..My collection has never really been about a dollar amount to me...But with that said I do use beckett frequently as a guide and I am not going to make a lopsided uneven trade just for the sake of making a deal..

[terpstradust]

I like to finish sets. I am working on 08-09 Fleer Ultra. Look to my sig for ym progress

[DarkHorseCards]

I hear you. My joy in the hobby comes from opening wax. I buy the occasional auto or something off of ebay but that doesn't do it for me. The part i want to experience is opening packs...

The idea of completing sets helps... I've set up a few in my sig that, well they're going to take me awhile at my pace, but its a goal. And in the meantime i buy boxes when i can, but try not to go to crazy.

[Memento21]

I chose one guy whos cards are easier to collect and not very expensive (Maxime Talbot), a goalie (Tony Esposito) but only the highend and unique ones, and a player/set (2007-08 UD Artifacts Tunda Tandems Patches Turco Zubov) which is funny because I won't able to collect them all. Ever.
And some cards, I usually put those cards into my PC, which are higher end and I've pulled, because it's always good to remember the luck :)

And as Goose97 said, you don't have to be in rush. Because you will get bored again. I had to slow down, because collecting took all my freetime, but now it's okay.


George

[DarkHorseCards]

I'm really enjoying reading people's responses to this thread. Sometimes I feel like my hobby crosses the line into gambling with how i buy boxes, and while I'm not against gambling per-say, I'd rather have a... a more productive hobby.

But on the other hand, I have found through this hobby that I enjoy collating and sorting. Who would have thought that? I was in starbucks the other day and the clerk (barista? whatever) was stacking those cardboard sleeves for your cup? She put them down to make my drink and i found myself picking them up and ordering them so they were all facing the same way... annnd now i'm rambling, sorry if thats OT.