What has PSA set building taught you?

RobE · August 23, 2004 8:36AM

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.

67standup · August 23, 2004 8:52AM

Among other things, it taught me that the herd mentality is not relegated to only the stock market. Also taught me that those never seen cards will eventually appear.

Also - good will towards men, eat all your food, can't we all get along, ya da, ya da...

WinPitcher · August 23, 2004 8:58AM

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.

goodriddance189 · August 23, 2004 8:58AM

its taught me that pieces of cardboard are more addictive than booze and cigarettes

BugOnTheRug · August 23, 2004 9:38AM

<< Also good will towards men, eat all your food, can't we all get along, ya da, ya da... >>

<< 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. >>

<< 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

jaxxr · August 23, 2004 9:40AM

Set building has first taught me: that my money and me are soon parted, to pharaphrase a famous saying.

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.

theBobs · August 23, 2004 9:45AM

I should've held my 1965 #22 for a couple more years, then sold.

67standup · August 23, 2004 9:48AM

<< 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.

Buccaneer · August 23, 2004 10:04AM

Based on nearly everyone's experience, it has taught me not to play this expensive game.

magellan · August 23, 2004 10:21AM

Good thread Rob, I'd have to echo almost each & every sentiment posted above. I've run into the same sort of dilemma that you did as I've built my set a little too fast and now find that I must slow down for a while for several reasons. None of my sets are complete yet but it gives me a chance to really think about how I do finish them.

1420sports · August 23, 2004 11:00AM

PSA set building has taught me that a PSA 7 can look as good as a PSA 8 for 1/3 the price (67 Set), that PSA 5's still have the same color and artwork that PSA 8's do (52 Bowman), that it is okay to be #1 for a long time only to eventually be surpassed (Rose Master), that it is easy to start a collection and then sell, sometimes at a profit (many, many sets that were started and stopped) and basically that this hobby can be quite enjoyable.

qualitycards · August 23, 2004 11:11AM

It taught me... That commons are cool too! Like everyone, I collected the stars, now w/ collecting the entire set, there is no junk, every card is needed and appreciated...jay

SKINSFAN · August 23, 2004 12:04PM

how much $ i can spend

Basilone · August 23, 2004 12:22PM

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.

theBobs · August 23, 2004 12:34PM

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.

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"...

Buccaneer · August 23, 2004 12:37PM

<< 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?

Buccaneer · August 23, 2004 12:37PM

Basilone · August 23, 2004 12:42PM

<< 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.

Basilone · August 23, 2004 12:47PM

<< 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.

Buckwheat · August 23, 2004 12:59PM

Not to be too mushy, but it has taught me that there are a lot of great guys who collect cards. They more than make up for the few jerks.

slvnumber2 · August 23, 2004 1:21PM

I have learned that the cards that I own are not worth squat when I want to sell, and the one's I want are never available or are selling for twice book. I have also learned that I once I sell the said card it will then be worth two times SMR.

67standup · August 23, 2004 1:35PM

oh yeah, I forgot...when I want to buy it's a possible 9, one-of-a-kind gotta have it, the market hasn't realized potential gem. When I sell, it's at best a 7, low interest, over-valued, out of fashion player, I got my overhead costs, you send me the card before I send you the money transaction.

but it's the friendships that are made along this journey.

pc · August 23, 2004 2:45PM

psa set registry has introduced me to some
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.

scottsusor · August 23, 2004 2:57PM

<< 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.

ctsoxfan · August 23, 2004 3:06PM

Nice thread here, Rob!

It has taught me that I will pay upwards of $100++ for a common card that isn't worth 50 cents raw. Crazy.

VMFA115 · August 23, 2004 10:34PM

That what I learn and know about collecting increases at half the pace of what I don't know. Hummm, I get dummer and dummerer every day.

highend · August 23, 2004 10:55PM

patience, patience, patience........what goes up WILL come down.

jimtb · August 23, 2004 11:44PM

Great thread,
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

aro13 · August 24, 2004 12:19AM

Good thread!
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..

minibeers · August 24, 2004 7:12AM

It has taught me that I used to suck at grading cards. Now I'm OK at it.

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

thejam · August 24, 2004 11:38AM

it taught me that it is more fun to sell a psa 10 1970 kellogg's common for over five hundred dollars than to have it in a notebook that I look at twice a year ps what ever happened to price of horlen in psa 9?

Scoop · August 24, 2004 4:25PM

It has taught me:

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

Basilone · August 25, 2004 1:03AM

It has also taught me that some people....

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)

RobE · August 25, 2004 4:00AM

Great Stuff,folks!

Keep spitting it out.

1967topps · August 25, 2004 6:45AM

That Andy Boyer sucks, but knows how to raise reasonable doubt that nothing can be proven

dude · August 25, 2004 7:15AM

"All I Really Need to Know I Learned in PSA Set Collecting"

- 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.

Scoop · August 25, 2004 8:15AM

John B.

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

theBobs · August 25, 2004 8:36AM

<< Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. >>

Too bad everyone can't follow this one.

What has PSA set building taught you?

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