My new collecting strategy... everyone please read!

ahendi

I was talking to some card collecting experts at a show redently and I confirmed what I had been thinking all along:

ROOKIES are the only cards that will have potential to go in value in the future.

Think about it:

Jersey cards are sooo overproduced, and more and more come out each year. Autographs are a little better, but same thing; more come out every year. Rookie cards are the only cards that cannot be made year after year; making them more valuable in the future.

Rookie cards especially form sets such as Playoff Contenders, Spx, Sp Authentic, Pacific Titanium are the best investments.

Jersey cards are good for kids who have $15 and want a memorabilia card from their favorite player, but not for the collector with the long term in mind!

Because of all this I am only going to collect HIGH END rookie cards and AUTOGRAPH MEMORABILIA from UDA, STEINER, etc...


The reason is I would rather have a nice signed full size jersey of Namath to display than and autographed card with a piece of jersey on it.

This is the reason I cam selling some of my HIGHEST VALUED CARDS including a Namath Auto/jersey /25 and a Starr Auto/Jersey /25, and more to come tonight...




here is a link to my auctions for anyone who is interested




So, in conclusion, do you AGREE with me or DISAGREE with me...

I want to know what everyone thinks,

Thanks

KLS23

Aaron,

That is been my philosophy for almost 2 years. I collect almost exclusively rookie cards and autographs. Autographs more for personal pleasure than for long term investment. Although, I think that they will continue to be valued in the future. You should see my room full of sports memorabilia - signed baseballs, footballs, bats, footballs, baseballs, helmets....even a pair of Muhammad Ali signed boxing gloves from Steiner sports.

Obviously, I agree with your approach....

Ken

Remster

I think you collect what makes you happy and that you'll enjoy owning...think about this...the people giving you the advice do what??? sell sports cards and memorabilia !!! I do think autos hold their value more than cards but paying top dollar thinking any of this stuff will increase is a crap shoot at best

my advice...collect what you like and enjoy the hobby

dirtmonkey

By the same measure, most of the jersey cards and auto's probably wont increase, but they may not decrease. On the other hand, I would have hated to be one of the people that invested in a Heath Shuler or
Ryan Leaf collection of rookies. When they came out, their RC's were around $5 to $25 depending on the set.
Now it's more like .05 to .25 per card. RC's can drop like a rock...

ahendi

I have to disagree with you:

While autos may hold their values, game-used cards will take a nose dive.

dirtmonkey

You say "will" like you're a fortune teller. I assume they will also, but you truely never know...

danandkat

<< <i>I have to disagree with you:

While autos may hold their values, game-used cards will take a nose dive. >>



Game used cards have taken a dive.

As for what to collect, I prefer graded vintage. Not for investment, but because these cards do hold their value. But hey, who am I to tell you what/who to collect.

Thanks
Dan

Viking

I'm sarting to do the same thing. Here's how I divide my wantlist:
1-2 sets I'm working on
high end RC's
1 GU set
1-2 insert sets

I've just started this new philosophy. A specific GU card may hold value, but every year a GU insert set comes out the value will be lower and lower. That' my opinion.

dirtmonkey

Also, autographs are really no different in the fact that they have been inserted into sets for years...There's some players who have auto's in 20 or more sets. It's the same guy signing the same signature, over and over. Not much different than Game used...
Also, you'd be a poor salesman. You shouldn't say I'm selling my good stuff because it's soon to be crap. You will get more takers if you simply say "this $hit rocks"...
Finally, they could never make more game used cards than they did rookie cards in the early '90's. Those '90
Donruss Sosa RC's have to range well into the 250,000 range I would guess.

KLS23

Aaron,

I like graded vintage, also. It's an expensive pursuit though. I prefer buying ungraded and having them graded myself.

Ken

autobilia

Rookies are not like they use to be. Too many different rookies of each player.

baljitgill

Collect what makes you happy!!

dirtmonkey

Yes auto, how true. 15 years ago, you had 2-3 rookies of each player at the most. Now, Upper deck has 15 different kinds of sets for each sport. They say one set may have RC's #ed to 1000, but there's really 3000 because they have 3 seperate variations. Then there's the limited versions, the auto'ed and GU versions, the postmarks and 10 different inserts sets with each rookie. Too much stuff....

uwftke26

GU will not drop in price, they'll drop in market....for example, at shows around here, a high end rookie may command 60% of book while a high GU may sell for 30-40% of book. Low end GU go in the dollar box.

Regardless, I still say collect what makes you happy...While GU are more stable, not likely to go up or down (like bonds), rookies offer higher risk...some my skyrocket, some may plummet (like stocks). Both have their pros and cons to collecting them.

As for these "card collecting experts:" well, I am dubious to say the least. What makes one a card collecting expert? More importantly, what other predictions have these gentlemen made that have been correct, giving us reason to put any stock in their predictions? Just having a lot of high end cards doesn't make you a card collecting expert, it just means you have a lot of disposable income.

I collect patches, 3+ colors and logos, because I enjoy them. Sometimes, I sell for profit, sometimes I don't. That's why it's a hobby and not my job.

baljitgill

uwftke26, well said!! Like I said earlier, collect what makes you happy. I'm trying to get every single Webber card. Thats what the hobby is to me. It's different to everyone.

Cardinal88

I agree.. but auto's and jerseys are fun just to have... Im collect some jerseys and autos now, but not as much as I use to... Right now Im putting together the 1986 Topps Football set (if you have any commons lmk, I have the Rice, Young, Smith, and White already).. Right now I like to collect RCs of different players.. My biggest collection is 110 different McNabb RCs at $1,200... I think I will start to get out of gu/autos and get into the bigger RC's, like SP Authentic, SPx, and Playoff Contenders..

Cardinal88

true uwftke26, its a hobby also, people should collect what they like.. If you enjoy collecting gu or autos, do it.. Why does it matter what it books at?? It should matter what it means to you.. Like I have a Derrick Thomas Leaf Certified Gridiron Gear jerseys 100/300 and it books only at $30, but I dont care because Im not going to trade it or sell it and it means a lot to me... The card might lose value but will never lose it's meaning

dirtmonkey

And as Ryan (my twin) and I both said, high end RC's can be a big risk. If you have a young star like McNabb or Manning's RC who's value could range from $50 to $250 lets say. If he gets a terrible Theisman-like injury tomorrow, kiss your investment goodbye. RC's are cool and so are other cards in general. But don't think you are in it for investment cause your tail might get chopped off..

uwftke26

I truly believe that if you are truly in it to invest, then

a) you're not going to have much fun, and if you just want to grow your money their are better ways, and
b) the only way to do it is graded vintage. The player's career is over, they can't go blow out a knee and kill their card values. All they do at this point is get super famous (like OJ) or die (like Walter Payton). Either way it's good news for the card value.

Cardinal88

OJ thing killed his cards.. He is the most uncollected player that is in the hall of fame, since that murder trial and Payton is just Sweetness..

autobilia

<< <i>GU will not drop in price, they'll drop in market....for example, at shows around here, a high end rookie may command 60% of book while a high GU may sell for 30-40% of book. Low end GU go in the dollar box.

Regardless, I still say collect what makes you happy...While GU are more stable, not likely to go up or down (like bonds), rookies offer higher risk...some my skyrocket, some may plummet (like stocks). Both have their pros and cons to collecting them.

As for these "card collecting experts:" well, I am dubious to say the least. What makes one a card collecting expert? More importantly, what other predictions have these gentlemen made that have been correct, giving us reason to put any stock in their predictions? Just having a lot of high end cards doesn't make you a card collecting expert, it just means you have a lot of disposable income.

I collect patches, 3+ colors and logos, because I enjoy them. Sometimes, I sell for profit, sometimes I don't. That's why it's a hobby and not my job. >>



People try to deny it, but they don't collect for collecting purposes. They are investors which is why they always wondering what book value is. A true collector doesn't worry about book value. They pay what it is worth to them and get what they are missing (ie. Nash who collects just about anything nice of Philly players, baj who collects Chris Webber, etc.). Nothing wrong with investors, but they need to be honest with themselves or they will just keep confusing themselves (like someone on this board who remains nameless . Always giving themselves a headache worried about what Beckett says.)

I don't have a favorite team, just certain players (mostly vintage). I buy patches because they are "unique" and a plus to them is that the "unique" ones have a great resell value. I also collect Fred Williamson (1962-1965 cards and memorabilia) and autographed memorabilia. Through the mail success is gr00vy also. Openning the envelope is like openning a pack of cards. You don't know what you will get or who.

autobilia

<< <i>OJ thing killed his cards.. He is the most uncollected player that is in the hall of fame, since that murder trial and Payton is just Sweetness.. >>



I have a graded OJ RC that I don't plan on ever selling, but OJ is not the most uncollected. His rookies and autographs still get bids. Check Ebay. OJ RC was in a popular set. There are 3 football players turned actors RCs in that set (OJ Simpson, Bubba Smith "Police Academy. Played the role of Hightower.", and Fred Dryer "Hunter TV series. He played Hunter, of course").

Cardinal88

I dunno, just read the new beckett thing and it has it in there... p.16 Juicy Shoes... thats where I got it from..??

Bobstar

So,these so called experts were able to sway your way of thinking about what to collect.Hmmm that doesn't say much for your own peace of mind now does it.It has been our experience,limited as it may be,that most of the so-called experts or investors in this hobby are lucky to be right maybe 25% of the time.
Even they will tell you how wrong they are most of the time except for the clowns that outright lie to people just to make a profit.
We collect what we like.
That is why we have hundreds of Cal Ripken
cards,along with other baseball,football & hockey.Do we look at Beckett;yes but only for a guide.We are smart shoppers when it comes to either trading or eBaying.We ENJOY this hobby like alot of the other traders on here! We'll leave the ulcers & nervous tremors to all those "investors"out there hoping for the big hit.

dirtmonkey

I like to know the BV's on cards for 2 reasons...

1) I personally would like to get the most bang for my buck when dealing with my personal collection. So the higher my cards value, the more cards I may get for my collection.

2) It's kinda fun to see that you may have a card in your collection that books for $1,000, even if you never plan on selling it. Look at my ebay ID... I've never attempted to sell a card. I always say I'd like to, but I always end up trading it for something else. I'm clearly not an investor, just a spender. These cards will be here at my house long after I die...

uwftke26

I just can't figure out what exactly makes one an expert.....if I knew a guy who had been predicting the card trends for years and always nailing it, maybe I'd listen, but some random schlub at a show w/ a lot of high dollar stuff...well, his opinion carries little weight to me.

dirtmonkey

Self-proclaimed

autobilia

<< <i>I like to know the BV's on cards for 2 reasons...

1) I personally would like to get the most bang for my buck when dealing with my personal collection. So the higher my cards value, the more cards I may get for my collection.

2) It's kinda fun to see that you may have a card in your collection that books for $1,000, even if you never plan on selling it. Look at my ebay ID... I've never attempted to sell a card. I always say I'd like to, but I always end up trading it for something else. I'm clearly not an investor, just a spender. These cards will be here at my house long after I die... >>



Problem with that is, you said "cards value". If it book value at $300, but only sells at $100, then it's not worth $300, but only worth $100. Just like patches for example. BV on a patch may say $25, but when you have a nice multi-color patch, it may sell for $40-$50. So, BV in a price guide is just that.. a guide. A good example of the good ol' book value. 01/02 Topps Chrome basketball. There were $120 refractors selling for $12-$20 when they first came out. So, can you honestly say the value of that card is $120 just because the price guide says so?

baljitgill

Autobilia, great points!! I just collect because:

1. I like Webber. He's my favorite athlete

2. It's kinda cool to see if I could actually get every card of him, even the 1/1's.

3. Its great having the chance to know other people that share the same passion around the world.

I do keep track of the total book value on my site but that's purely for just tracking along with the percentage.

And I totally agree, there's investors who want to make money on cards like stocks and there's collectors. I consider myself a collector.

BG

TEDCOLLECTSSHAQ

Well for the investor this is not really a conversation but for a true hobbiest and sport card collector I will tell you a story that is fact as I am the guy. First off I collect because I like too not for a living or a business, just for fun. I retired from the Army so you know I'm NOT rich. I have traded more Vince Carter Jerseys to kids for Shaq inserts than I can count, but, we were both happy after the trade. Card value is only valid at the time you get rid of it...... I had eight(8) 1985 Topps Mark McGwire USA rookies that I had gotten from packs while stationed in Germany, in 1990, they booked for 4-6 each, as I am a StLouis Cardinal Fan, I traded these cards in 1991 for a pile of Vince Coleman Rookies, I still have the pile..... the point is that I enjoy the hobby and if I want a particular card, the value that I trade for it is insignificant to me.
I send cards in a top loader, bubble envelope and Priority Mail w/receipt whether they are .10 or $100. as you may feel the card you traded for is the most valuble in your collection and I think they are all equal.
I read about guys getting ripped off but it seems to always be I sent and someone else is at fault, I have a receipt for every card I trade and a signature for most of those of much value, needless to say I Have NEVER been ripped off, I have received some trash, but have always received. By the way you only get one opportunity to send trash.

jabber, jabber, jabber, now that I'm done jabbering, enjoy the hobby....

dirtmonkey

Problem with that is, you said "cards value". If it book value at $300, but only sells at $100, then it's not worth $300, but only worth $100. Just like patches for example. BV on a patch may say $25, but when you have a nice multi-color patch, it may sell for $40-$50. So, BV in a price guide is just that.. a guide. A good example of the good ol' book value. 01/02 Topps Chrome basketball. There were $120 refractors selling for $12-$20 when they first came out. So, can you honestly say the value of that card is $120 just because the price guide says so?

Auto...I agree and disagree. I know the guides may call for higher prices on some cards than on others, but ebay isn't a sufficient guide either like many think it is. My wife sells many beanies online. We have had the exact same beanie with the same post and everything closing on the same day sell for completely different prices. One for $11 and the other for $37. The same thing at almost the same time. So which is the more accurate gauge for the price? Kinda hard to tell. And I hate when someone asks me what price I would sell a card for and I give them one. They come back and say I can get it at half the price on ebay. So my response is of course, "Go to ebay then". There is no accurate price gauge other than what each card is worth to the collector/buyer. But if I have to trade $100 to get a card, I'd like $100 in trade for it if it still books at that price. I'm not a stickler for book for book trades. I gave up quite a bit for a GU Red Wings stick card I have. It books for $40 with no multiplier for dual colors, but it was dual color (4 to be exact) and I loved the card so I gave $100 in trade for it. I collect cards because I enjoy them. They're fun and a good hobby....period

YanksFan

Your right about game used, I used to try to get all the gu'ed I can, until I realized there just overproduced. I don't like all these flashy rookie cards(ie: Contender, Spx). So I collect Topps and Topps Chrome rookies. I can trade a game used card of somebody for a ton of topps rookies, just because not many people collect them. I like them b/c they aren't flashy, and thats what I collected as a lil kid. I also collect autographs of pretty much any star, not to trade or sell, but just to have. I'm not getting cards to "invest" in, thats why it's a hobby. I've got prolly 200+ topps rookies in the past couple months, and I just recieved about 25 yesterday from cardnyou. Usually for cards that don't have good centering or good edges, I'll just put them in a penny and put around 20 in a team bag. All the rest, I put in penny's and hard cases.



If anyone has a ton of Topps rookies that they would like to trade as a lot, I will give you gu'ed or higher end rookies for them. Looking for all mid range(20 and under) from 1980 and up in NFL, MLB, and NBA. If you have any you'd like to get rid of, pm me and I'll set up a deal.

autobilia

<< <i>
Auto...I agree and disagree. I know the guides may call for higher prices on some cards than on others, but ebay isn't a sufficient guide either like many think it is. My wife sells many beanies online. We have had the exact same beanie with the same post and everything closing on the same day sell for completely different prices. One for $11 and the other for $37. The same thing at almost the same time. So which is the more accurate gauge for the price? Kinda hard to tell. And I hate when someone asks me what price I would sell a card for and I give them one. They come back and say I can get it at half the price on ebay. So my response is of course, "Go to ebay then". There is no accurate price gauge other than what each card is worth to the collector/buyer. But if I have to trade $100 to get a card, I'd like $100 in trade for it if it still books at that price. I'm not a stickler for book for book trades. I gave up quite a bit for a GU Red Wings stick card I have. It books for $40 with no multiplier for dual colors, but it was dual color (4 to be exact) and I loved the card so I gave $100 in trade for it. I collect cards because I enjoy them. They're fun and a good hobby....period >>



Haha!!! So true, so true (referring to the bold text). I'm still wonder why people even bother you with that. They hate waiting and hate the possibility of getting snipe. I usually tell them since you want it at an Ebay price, I'll sell it to you at the "Buy It Now" price.

I rarely ever trade, so BV means less to me than others who do trade. I guess Beckett is a standard for "trade" value, but not cash value. When you mentioned selling one for $11 and the other for $37, that's just like Beckett's low book/hi book, but for cash value of something.

dirtmonkey

It's all a shot in the dark anywho... But I guess that's what makes it a little more fun (most of the time)

AlanB

I collect cards for more fun than investment. I keep some that I think may keep their value or go up but if I want a good investment item, I'll go visit the coin b/s/t board.