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Changing focus. I've decided to do it.

BobSBobS Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
in PSA Set Registry Forum
For the past year, as some of you know I have been actively collecting and assembling a few graded sets, and even managed to complete one of them (79 Venorlandus). However, my interest has waned a little and I think I'm going to shift gears back towards mid-high grade vintage RC's and autographed items. The thrill of the chase has been fun, but my collecting roots have beckoned me back to the days before the Set Registry.

Anyone else feels the same, or do most of you guys have enough coin to do both? I had to choose one over the other or the repo guy would likely be paying me a visit this year.

I've listed two of the partial sets on Ebay (64 Giants and 70 Kellogg's Football). You can PM me if you would like my seller ID. I hope nobody thinks this is spam; I would just like to know if anyone else has waned like me.

Thanks

Comments

  • JasP24JasP24 Posts: 4,645 ✭✭✭
    On the contrary. Since finding out the Registry had started a Hall of Fame RC list, I have kicked in to high gear. I've been collecting NFL HOF RCs for years, and now with the Registry I can compare my collection to others doing the same. I've never got into collecting graded commons or yearly sets. I just don't think commons hold their value as well as HOF rookies. Plus I get to collect vintage as well as some newer stuff "future HOFers" that I will need down the road.

    Good luck with whatever you are going to collect, and maybe you can come up with a list that you can submit to the PSA Registry.

    JasP24
    I'm here to question, not to inspire or build up. To live how I want, as I see fit,
    according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
  • JeffVNJeffVN Posts: 322
    I'm in the BobS group, and recently sold two of my best Rookie cards (87 Donruss Maddux PSA 10, 91 Topps Tradded Tiffany Bagwell PSA 10) on E-Bay and have at least one there now (85 Topps Tiffany clemens PSA 9) with others to follow (89 UD Randy Johnson PSA 10, 84 Fleer Clemens PSA 9). I'm going back to my vintage Reds roots, and using my Rookies and other good modern to finance at least a part of it. If finances were not an issue (like that would ever truly be the case), I would be jumping on some of these soon to be HOF cards, teams, and Sets.
    I need that 69 Bench ASimage

    image
  • anjcollectionanjcollection Posts: 213
    I'm already on BobS's train...

    The chase was definitely more fun.

    It's kinda tough to wean myself from checking eBay and all the other auction houses for cards for my sets. There's only a few others out there that I'd really want for a 'collection' that I'd keep for my grandkids...
  • BugOnTheRugBugOnTheRug Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭
    I've turned it up a few notches. I'm focusing more these days and pursuing my raw set needs, of which many sets and partials have been sitting idle for years.

    I'm still sitting on the fence with the registry. Why? Do I want to my spend money on raw needs or grading fees.....................hummmmmmmmmmm.

    BOTR
  • 1420sports1420sports Posts: 3,473 ✭✭✭
    I have been on the BobS train, and will take another trip soon. I started a 33 Goudey set - got to 25% and sold it, thought about a 55 set, same thing, contemplating a 67 set still ... most likely will just collect a nice raw 1967 set.

    It does a take a lot of coin to pursue a large set. Coin that I do not have. Plus, every now and then you see a really cool card, maybe purchase it and think "Hmmmmmm, maybe I'll start collecting these .... "
    collecting various PSA and SGC cards
  • waitilltheytrytosellwaitilltheytrytosell Posts: 378 ✭
    The ease of which anybody can sell a PSA graded card is one of the best reasons to buy PSA graded cards in the first place. It gives you the flexibility to change your collecting focus and not be stuck trying to sell stuff that nobody else seems to want. Knowing there's lots of people out there who also have an interest in what you might be buying gives collectors a lot of confidence when buying. If you buy wisely, you may even come out ahead when you sell. You can hop around from sets, to rookies, to stars, to completely out, quite easily, and when the years of the thrill of the hunt are over, you will have something to show for it. This is something that is blatantly lacking in most of the other grading company's product. They'll tell you how it's just a good or better than PSA. They'll grade it cheaper than PSA does for you. They'll grade it higher than PSA does for you. They'll grade it quicker than PSA does for you. They'll sell it to you cheaper than those PSA guys will. But wait until they try to sell. Then it won't be just like PSA. You'll be all alone. Maybe there was a good reason why it seemed like everybody was collecting PSA. They must have known something.
  • GeorgePattonGeorgePatton Posts: 21 ✭
    The ease of which anybody can sell a PSA graded card is one of the best reasons to buy PSA graded cards in the first place.

    I thought the best reason was the ease of switching cards in and out of the holders.
  • WabittwaxWabittwax Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭
    I think with the amount of PSA vintage out there, it would be crazy to put together a nice vintage raw set. There is way way too much trimmed and altered stuff out there. Finding really really nice raw cards is kinda tough these days and you could get really burned on altered cards. I've had my share burns already. I would rather have a PSA 5 of a 1957 Mantle than a raw 1957 Mantle that looks like a 7. The authentication is the most important thing about a card being slabbed.
  • kobykoby Posts: 1,699 ✭✭
    I agree with everything that waitil has said about the liquidity of PSA graded cards. That combined with the ease of selling cards on ebay has really allowed hobbyists to change directions without losing a lot of money. In the past, the only options were consignments with autionhouses who take thirty percent off the sell price or selling to dealers who will lowball and pay ten cents on the dollar. INdeed, the combination of PSA and ebay has leveled the playing field for collectors.
  • BasiloneBasilone Posts: 2,492 ✭✭

    BobS-

    Best of Luck with your new venture...collecting what makes you happy is the #1 priority. For me...Im just getting started....Ive have 40+ years of active collecting ahead of me and will be building PSA graded sets for many, many years. The nice thing about this hobby (graded or raw) is that you can never run out of things to buy!

    John
  • TipemTipem Posts: 881 ✭



    I have started shifting to vintage also.I have been collecting some vintage over the years,but I am going to go to vintage exclusively.I am getting ready to sell all my newer cards and sets as I have started a 56 set and am enjoying that more than all my newer cards. I don't even look at my new cards anymore.I also feel that vintage is a much better investment and will hold its dollar value.


    Vic
    Please be kind to me. Even though I'm now a former postal employee, I'm still capable of snapping at any time.
  • VirtualizardVirtualizard Posts: 1,936 ✭✭
    Vic,

    Amen! Vintage is the way to go.

    Does anyone else here just love to read the backs of the '74 Topps Baseball cards (other years as well - this was just the first example I could think of)? For example, card #87 - Ferguson Jenkins - Did you know "Fergie turned down several pro hockey offers"? How about #95 - Steve Carlton - Did you know "Steve once worked as a lifeguard"? And what about #280 - Carl Yastrzemski - I know I was not aware that "Carl has his own auto dealership in Boston". If it wasn't for the #351 - Dwight Evans card, I would not have known that "Dwight grew 3 inches since entering pro ball". And how many of you have wondered: well, card #582 - Bucky Dent answers that often pondered question, "Bucky got his nickname from his grandmother".

    The new cards are boring (I will admit I buy a few boxes each year though). The fun is gone. Every kid out there now carefully opens a pack and places the cards in top loaders, hoping they will be worth something someday. It's not even affordable for the average kid anymore.


    JEB.
  • braves72078braves72078 Posts: 465 ✭✭
    I have not bought any "New" cards in 8+ months and I don't plan to. I love the vintage cards because they were what I grew up with. I remember going to the grocery store every Saturday morning and buying 1975 Wax packs, and hell I even chewed the gum!!!!!!!!!!!
  • BobSBobS Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    Hey, lots of great replies. I think the one that rings most true is "always remember-collect what you like". I think too many newer collectors have only been exposed to a "value-driven" hobby, and that is sad. Once these sets are gone, I will have nothing left in my collection that was purchased strictly for investment, with no regard as to actually "enjoying" the card.

    I also agree that the liquidity of PSA graded cards is wonderful. If the reserves on my auctions are met (which I'm not too sure of right now), I only stand to take a small loss. This mostly from the fact that the shipping costs really begin to add up when each card is obtained one-at-a-time. Without Ebay (or other "buyer-driven" auction houses), we would all be doomed when making these sort of collecting changes and are looking to sell. Just ask a bunch of the dealers at the next local show you go to if they can give you comparable to Ebay $$ for ANYTHING in your collection. My guess, for the majority of stuff out there (not talking about super rare stuff here) is no.

  • downgoesfrazierdowngoesfrazier Posts: 1,515 ✭✭
    Waittil, Your post has merit. The contents are, for the most part, factual and well said. But, dude, you've gotta be a PSA employee. If you're not--you oughta be on the payroll. That post was as forced an infomercial as I've encountered. You're like the....mmmm...let's say...the anti-Wentz.

    Patton,
    Sleep it off.
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