It's a funny hobby, collecting cards

DMasci

First let me say I only collect graded football cards but I believe many of my thoughts and observations would crossover to other sport cards as well.

First off, these are pieces of cardboard.....I think it's important I keep that in mind when I think about some of my potential purchases in general. Secondly, it's the grading of these cards. I have been looking at a particular RC from the mid 80s of a well known HOFer; the cards are plentiful and easy to find. I found this particular card if graded PSA 7 can easily be purchased around $15, PSA 8 jumps to around $50, PSA 9 jumps to around $200 and I didn't even see a 10 when I last looked. Now, is the difference between the visual appeal of a PSA 9 piece of cardboard really that much more than a PSA 8? I don't know but most of my collection is PSA 9s.

Why do I even buy these cards in the first place? I have absolutely no illusion that I'm going to make money on them, most cards I sell on ebay I sell for a loss but I found one better....i.e. 9 vs. 8. I have a large collection of BGS/BVG cards of football HOFers most with good grades.....but, I have kind of decided to move to PSA mostly because it's new for me and I like the whole set registry thing. I'm amazed at some of the collections, and that is for football, my guess is baseball is even more impressive. So what do I do with the BGS/BVG cards? Well if I buy a PSA graded card to replace the BGS/BVG card I generally try to sell it and as I said....usually I lose a little on it.

Finally, I guess it's just something I like to do and it keeps me from going crazy during this self isolation period many of us are practicing....so keep collecting and stay safe!

Dave

rexvos

The largest part of my collection is PSA graded football. Lots of 9s some 10s. When I bought most of my higher end 9s they were a fraction of the price they are now. It takes time and patience and a lot of buying and selling to upgrade. Buy what you like in the grades that you can afford abs are happy with.

1957Braves

Like you said, it’s a hobby. For people that ask me about starting collecting cards, I say collect what you like, spend only money that is truly discretionary, realize you cards are worth exactly nothing once you buy them, and most importantly, have fun.

Of course most cards can be sold for something, but if you’re collecting assuming a profit over a certain period of time, you have to realize it’s a risk.

As you mentioned again, it’s a piece of cardboard with a picture and printing on it. I suppose that is what cash is too, but I don’t think grocery stores accept stacks of 1988 Donruss Gregg Jefferies for steaks and beer.

Hawknestmonsters

Two cents of opinions:
Totally agree with many comments. I’m not a collector of specifically graded cards. After decades away, is the whole grading process really necessary? My eyes are good and I don’t need somebody, who carved out a hobby collecting niche, to create values for me. Obviously many people are obsessed with that need.
It’s irritating to see two identical cards be valued differently, by many $$, because it’s graded versus not graded. Quite sure the original intentions of card companies and collectors was to generate a sizable bank account. Like any business, it’s all about the money in today’s world.

DMasci

Hawknestmonsters - while I agree having a card graded is not necessary, especially if you are collecting cards you like with no thoughts of selling. I would imagine part of the popularity stems from so many cards being bought and sold over the internet as opposed to brick and mortar card shops and in person card shows. So many cards are listed as mint by the seller when in fact they are nowhere close to mint and sometimes its hard to tell from pictures.
That said, perhaps the premium being asked for graded cards is a bit high but you can always just pass it by.

2dueces

It’s a hobby and it’s supposed to be fun. Some take it way to seriously. To each his own. Me? I scour eBay for PSA 5’s with razor sharp corners. 99% of the time the submitter missed a surface wrinkle. I crack it and add it to my folder. Collecting Mint cards at a discount.

mrmopar

Collecting cards as a hobby IS fun. It is when thoughts of value and return on investment creep into the discussion that turn it into something completely different. I have never been a fan of grading. I am not willing to pay a premium for it. However, I can see the need, especially for people starting to collect vintage stuff later in life. Assuming you have 100% faith in the companies, this can provide you peace of mind that a card has not been altered (until recently a least). It also provides a nice way of maintaining condition that original cards did not have and thus why higher graded examples command such a premium.

Because I started this 40+ years ago with no intention of selling it, I have always enjoyed picking up exactly what I like the most. Favorite players, teams, sets and such, solely based on my preferences and not what I thought would drive future value. That has helped me in some cases and hurt me in others, if I look at current values. I also preferred to always collect as nice a copy as I could find, w/o paying any sort of higher premium for it. No major flaws (creases, holes, writing, etc), nice centering and just a general appealing look to them for any commonly found cards. Harder to find cards, I allowed for some level of wear or damage just because the cards were hard to find in any condition. This plan has served me well over the years.

Now that I passed the 50 mark and my boys, who are nearing the end of High School, never really took a liking to cards, I have to think hard about what I want to do with all these cards and stuff. Still a true collector at heart, I realize some of this stuff I have has real value. I never really saw myself selling in general and I can't bear the thought of selling some of the specific favorite items I have had for years, but the reality is that if my kids don't do a 180 in their interest, I need to get rid of these before I die or someone else is stuck dealing with it. I want my collectibles, at least the good stuff, to survive and move on to another owner who appreciated it as much as I did. We don't last forever, but this stuff can if we take care of it and keep passing it along.

MantleMarisFordBerra

Well said mrmopar. Best of luck with your decision.

ArtVandelay

Everyone has their own niche when collecting. Some people might be in it for the love of collecting and have no interest in selling while others can really enjoy the investment/commodities trading side of the hobby. To each their own.

Mrmopar, I can definitely sympathize with you dilemma. My advise would be to scale down your collecting into a smaller niche (Dodgers cards, HoF cards, etc) that you really enjoy and start selling off the excess. This will allow you to sell be involved in the hobby you have enjoyed much of your life and take what you earn from selling the excess and put it into something else you enjoy.

softparade

I honestly don’t understand ANY criticism for the way ANYBODY collects. Whether it’s 100% graded, 100% raw, 100% unopened, 100% junk era, or anywhere in between. One of the biggest horse poop thought processes in this hobby generally always begins with .... “I’m a true collector because....”

So collect what makes you happy and can afford and lose the criticism.

DMasci

Great comments, I agree with ArtVandelay, just go with what you like. I was one of those weekend warriors in the early 90s setting up at the local card shows and selling wax as well as baseball, basketball and football cards but I really only card about the football cause that's the sport I love the most. Since that time I have given away thousands of cards and sold quite a few on ebay. I no longer have any baseball or basketball and only concentrate on HOF football. It's funny, I'm buying cards that I have literally thrown away but it keeps my busy and I can think of worse ways to spend money.

Like everyone says....keep it fun cause it's a funny hobby