What has PSA set building taught you?
RobE
Posts: 1,160 ✭✭
It taught me to pace myself.I put my blood sweat and tears into going as far as I did on one set,but I think the approach is going to change on the next round.Probably more of a passive approach and probably more than one year so I'm not pigeonholed to a single set.
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Also - good will towards men, eat all your food, can't we all get along, ya da, ya da...
<< <i>Also good will towards men, eat all your food, can't we all get along, ya da, ya da... >>
<< <i>this week it taught me that a 1965 common card in 8 can go for more then a mantle in the same grade if 2 people want it badly enuff. >>
<< <i>its taught me that pieces of cardboard are more addictive than booze and cigarettes >>
Yep, yep, and yep, Rob's wisdom and I'm sure oddles to boot.
Here's one..........That someone in Joe O.'s camp should be getting royalities on the brilliant idea of enticing grown men to relive their childhoods by suggesting that grown mens income could be used to indulge the ego inside these grown men to be 'king of the hill' or at least show up on the topo map of the funny world of 'competition'.
Here's another..........Just by adding hard plastic with little bars and some numbers, a nice clean $75 set can turn into one of several thousand dollars. Of course, when it's time to sell, you may end up closer to the $75 again.
It's only money.......it's only money.....
BOTR
The costs associated with this pursuit can be great, but of course the fun provided makes up for much of it. As to really being taught, I am sure I am now much more a responsible budget maker when it come to hobby money.
All cards do NOT have to be bought when first needed, we have all seen many " tuff", 1 of 1s, 1 of 2s, Etc., cards go for big money... yet a bit later, many become available at a much less cost
I also learned that there are many more than I assumed, true collectors out there who are, for the most part, quite interesting, helpfull, and reallly dedicated to quality sportscard collecting. The volume of information, suggestions, questions, wit, and so forth, found on this board is proof enough that there are more card addicts than I imagined.
CU turns its lonely eyes to you
What's the you say, Mrs Robinson
Vargha bucks have left and gone away?
hey hey hey
hey hey hey
<< <i>this week it taught me that a 1965 common card in 8 can go for more then a mantle in the same grade if 2 people want it badly enuff. >>
...that for the price of a high grade common, you could purchase an entire EX+ raw set.
...that a paid-for subjective opinion slabbing an '80s card "Gem Mint" is worth x times more than me opening a pack and calling it "Gem Mint."
...that if you wait until after other set/players collectors purchase their card, you can get the same one for a fraction of the cost.
...that I'll look back years from now and place the high price I paid for post-war slabbed cards right up their with my investments in 1981 Fleer and 100 card lots of Eric Davis and Joe Carter rookies.
Now collecting:
Topps Heritage
1957 Topps BB Ex+-NM
All Yaz Items 7+
Various Red Sox
Did I leave anything out?
Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
Nice Thread!
It has taught me that if you are on a budget..dont worry.....time is on your side with 99% of the 60's & 70's cards out there...the POPs are only going to go up.
No matter what a collector's intentions, its nearly certain, at some point a card or set will be sold. Considering this fact when one buys is paramount to one's continued enjoyment of the "hobby"...
CU turns its lonely eyes to you
What's the you say, Mrs Robinson
Vargha bucks have left and gone away?
hey hey hey
hey hey hey
<< <i>Nice Thread!
It has taught me that if you are on a budget..dont worry.....time is on your side with 99% of the 60's & 70's cards out there...the POPs are only going to go up. >>
I really believe that is true (that was the "expensive game" that I won't play) but why am I still reading posts about those in a bidding war for "low pop" commons or just generally paying star-like values for commons?
<< <i>I really believe that is true (that was the "expensive game" that I won't play) but why am I still reading posts about those in a bidding war for "low pop" commons or just generally paying star-like values for commons? >>
Steve-
In regards to 60's & 70's issues...in truth...there are only a few cards from each set that command serious bidding wars. When talking about a 600 card set that is a small percentage.
<< <i>Being slightly more serious than my first post, the #1 thing I have learned (largely from watching moreso than doing) is that money is made on the buy side -- not the sell side. >>
Brian-
Yep..you first said that years ago..and it is so true. I tell that to some people and they get upset at me because they say they are collectors and they are never going to sell their cards...but one has to consider the long-term investment angle in all of this.
The truth is that all cards are sold at some time or another....whether by you or someone else.
"
" Go ahead and get your fancy barely visible cell phones that get the internet, play DVD's, and can speak 5 languages. As for me and my Atari cell phone it works, it weighs 7 pounds, it is 14 inches long, and it looks like I could call in an airstrike from a remote desert it is so large!"
but it's the friendships that are made along this journey.
fabulous people that i'ld never have met with whom
ive communicated via telephone,in person or email.
it has provided an enjoyable interface that features
a format that enables me to follow the direction i intended
and made it easy to track my progress as well as the
accomplishment of others.together with the SMR and POP
report the set registry has really made the hobby as
enjoyable as i can imagine.
<< <i>I really believe that is true (that was the "expensive game" that I won't play) but why am I still reading posts about those in a bidding war for "low pop" commons or just generally paying star-like values for commons? >>
Because the population of collectors looking for them is going up too.
It has taught me that I will pay upwards of $100++ for a common card that isn't worth 50 cents raw. Crazy.
It has taught me to be patient and that I don't have to be number one all the time. I just love the thrill of the chase!
Jim
If you stick to a budget, and exhibit patience eventually you will complete a set in the grade you desire. Knowing who collects the sets you are interested in and what they need also can help save money.
Set building has also significantly helped me in what cards to submit to PSA. Before, I would submit any nice without realizing the pop, how many people were looking for that card etc..
It has taught me that sellers of raw cards on ebay are full of poop on their grading.
It has taught me that I'm a crazed addict and that it is OK to spend $75 on a PSA 9 1986 Topps Pete Rose to complete my set.
It has taught me that it is fun to collect cards again.
that is all. as you were. nothing to see here...
cheers
minibeers
edit: fixed typo
1963T Dodgers in 8s
Pre-war Brooklyn 5s or higher
that a good eye and a bit of experience in the submission (and also the re-submission) game can be a very valuable asset.
to buy raw in person at shows or shops, but if buying on ebay, buy only from sellers or fellow collectors with whom you have had previous success.
that the more knowledgable you are on any issue, the better the bargains you will be able to find, even in graded cards.
that all PSA ----'s (fill in the grade) are not equal.
that you can sell your set as a whole and get top dollar (454% profit at 104% SMR was my take) if you consign to Mastronet.
and finally, that you find many new, interesting, and friendly people that you wouldn't have met otherwise.
Thanks guys.
JIM S
Use the press/wrinkle method for card restoration: (for edification.....wet wrinkled card back with distilled water using tip of finger; dab away excess water; put in folded piece of paper or envelope; put in middle pages of any book; put several pounds on top; leave for 2 to 4 weeks; take out and set on any flat surface for several months; check with 10x loupe from time to time for reoccuring shrinkage or wrinkles; submit to PSA for grading; sell or keep in your collection)
Keep spitting it out.
My Auctions
1967and 1973 Topps baseball wantlists (any condition) welcome. Once had the #14 ATF 1967 set. Yet another collector like skylaneflyer, gimel1 who made it to the completion of 1967 only to need the money more than the company of 609 close friends.
Looking for oddball Norm Cash and Cleon Jones stuff, and 1956 team cards
- Share everything.
- Play fair.
- Don't hit people.
- Put things back where you found them.
- Clean up your own mess.
- Don't take things that aren't yours.
- Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
- Keep your hands clean.
- Live a balanced life.
- When you go out in the world, stick together.
- Be aware of wonder. Remember the that first card you entered in the registry? Eventually your set got bigger and bigger, but we are all like that.
- Cardboard and plastic don't last forever. Neither do we.
- The biggest word of all - LOOK.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.
Still can't let go.
Except for my set, I have not bought or sold a card in over 18 months, check ebay history, and while you are at it, check my perfect feedback history. I will still take back any card that I have ever sold (cert #'s are on file) with no questions asked and full refund.
I understand your admirable watchdog mentality in this dog eat dog business, but please move on...you have much bigger dogs to hunt.
I am surprised that an ardent P Pirate and Stargell fan would not be able to forgive....you don't have to forget (as I see you haven't).
JIM S
<< <i> Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. >>
Too bad everyone can't follow this one.
CU turns its lonely eyes to you
What's the you say, Mrs Robinson
Vargha bucks have left and gone away?
hey hey hey
hey hey hey