Cards....let us talk.....

[Redman5006]

I have been collecting about 4 years now and have spent a good amount of that time collecting Chipper Jones. I had a good bit of everything I guess, gu, patches and autos as well as tons of base and inserts. I became very obsessed with trying to collect everything and it drove me nuts with all the "rainbow" #ed parallels and new products coming out every month. It is really silly the amount of cards that are put on the market each year. The "letterman" cards really did me in. Most are not gu letters at all, just some piece of fabric with an auto on it. I ended up trading and selling my Chipper collection and now collect prospects and rookies of Braves players only. I enjoy this much more now as it really norrows things down a little. I am also able to learn more about my teams new players and older ones from decades ago. I pretty much collect any players rookie cards that have played as a Brave. Anyway, thats my story.

[bangsportscards]

Good story Red. It's like a beast waiting to devour- the card industry. Better be careful, better choose wisely, or he may deceive you out the "hobby" altogether. BUT - He want and can't win!

Brian

[PatsCards]

I started off collecting Jeremy Roenick cards through the 90's. It didn't phase me back then, that there are so many different cards. I just wanted to get'em all. I went to shows with my uncle who was trying to get a helment signed by all of the '85 Bears, which he did, and watch him drop big bucks on Jordan memorabilia that now we know probably isn't really signed by him.

After a layoff of a few years, I'm getting back into collecting. I collect cool looking cards of the Chicago Blackhawks. I'm also trying to flip some cards and/or sell cards that I pull out of boxes. There is still a huge rush for me to rip a pack open and see what I got. Like when I pulled my first jersey card, I was absolutely giddy.

There is some cool stuff out there in all price ranges of the buying spectrum, but I'm trying to get only the good stuff. Back in the 90's I bought a lot of the "cheap" stuff, so I'm hoping that spending a couple extra bucks now, will bring me a couple extra bucks down the road.

[MiracleMatthew114]

I think cards have come quite a long way, even since the nineties. I just hate now how every dang card comes autographed just about. That takes the rarity of pulling an autograph card away. Seems there are so many 1/1 autos, and gu, and even barrack obama cards now. I think it's getting to be a little much

[rjcla30]

How could you sell off 2000 Elway cards :)

I have been collection for about 20 years now, I got really heavy into to in the mid/late 90s and have picked back up again in the last few years. I really enjoy it. Its hard to build sets but I think next year I am going to pick a set and go for it. Not sure what though. I think you hit it dead on - if you are buying your team right now is awesome, there is so much cool stuff out there!!! But if you are trying to sell it is not worth it IMO.
Side note -but kind of ties in with selling...I worked in a LCS in 97 before I went off to college for about 6 months - BEST JOB EVER, I have never in my life had a job since where I was so excited to go to work everyday! I mean I got to talk sports, sell cards, open packs with people, see their cards, talk about new RCs and new products, the owner even let me do trading from my own collections. Min Wage, but AWESOME, but I guess you can't make a living working 25 hrs a week on Min Wage (unless my mom would let me move back in...probably not I'm been out of the house for 12 years). Anyways, even though at the time I thought it was awesome to own a store, I probably wouldn't do it, but it would be fun to work in one again! Sorry about the ramble.

[bangsportscards]

Elway was the man!

I actually got the snub on the deal as I traded off in desperation for some crummy baseball collection. Sorry- obviously I wasn't thinking clearly when I said sold it all.

Yes- it's the buyer's time. There are many cool things to be had.

I loved your explaination of working at a card shop. I have had two stints which were around a year each and they were fabulous. I concur with everything you liked in experiences, it is awesome!

I dream of one day having a local shop. There's only one left in Columbia.SC where I live out of 15 that were around 20 years ago.

You picked the right team to collect. :)

Brian

[rjcla30]

I've been to Columbia a couple of times (used to live in Georgia), can't believe that town only has one shop, but I guess their really isn't major sports teams around.

[75zito]

I think cards have come quite a long way, even since the nineties. I just hate now how every dang card comes autographed just about. That takes the rarity of pulling an autograph card away. Seems there are so many 1/1 autos, and gu, and even barrack obama cards now. I think it's getting to be a little much

thank God now only Topps brand can make baseball!! It will cut down on the GU/Autos.. well Im sure UD etc.. will still make cards but with no logo etc.. I wouldn't buy them!

I mainly am focused on 2007 bowman chrome... trying to put the refractor set together has been fun... the xfractor set will be even more fun once I start on that... I already have 10% of the set so its a start!!!

Christopher

[BAM1984]

I have been going at it for almost 18 years and the cards are defiately getting better and better with their designs; however, it seems that card companies are trying to out-do one another to get the buck but aren't taking the time to realize they are hurting the new collectors.

For 2010, Panini makes basketball, Upper Deck makes football (with the rights to NCAA) and Topps makes baseball. During the 1950s, didn't Bowman sue Topps for their monopoly-like practice of sportscard manufacturing... to me it just seems like next year is going to be the beginning of the end with sportscard collecting. I am really expecting to see numerous sets being introduced, by the card companies, just to keep the flow going; almost like they are going to saturate the market and cards will have the same value as cards from the 80's.

I would say that I am at a high right now with collecting. I have tried to focus on insert sets and those that are considered harder to assemble. If next year pans out like I expect, I will be spending more time on older sets and less on the competition of the card companies.