I just dont know what to do

perkdog

Ok

I am back into the cards after a three month break....again...Big Time.

Earlier in the year I began to seriously attempt to put together a psa 7 1956 Topps set, I get about twenty percent # 33 on the list with a few 8's and a gorgeous collection of almost all Dodger/Yankees and HOF's.....Other cards are starting to get my eye and the commons are just not doing it for me so I sell the entire lot, I just cant stick with ONE set so I have decided to buy what I like and thats it....no more set registry for me. Now a few months go buy and the set registry is catching my eye again.

How do you guys stay disciplined with sticking to one set? I just cant do it. Baseball, Football, Im Heavy into about 5 different issues and try to spread my $$$$ around these cards and as I go along Im tempted to register AGAIN. What to do???????????

Buccaneer

I don't (stick with one set). I love vintage cards (and the history of baseball) so much that I am even starting a type set. Lol. What helps me, though, is that I can build the sets in mixed raw and graded. I don't let the Registry and it's contrived competition influence me in trying to complete my sets. But there are many different ways to collect and build vintage sets - you have to stick with doing what you would love to do, regardless of peer pressure and what anyone else says (including me). Also, there is nothing wrong with changing your mind if you get tired of building something. No one has to complete anything.

mudflap02

You have to view the set registry as more of a survey than a leaderboard, unless you have bottomless pockets and the only point of your collecting is to be #1, in which case you would be better suited to buy a European sports car. Just find something you can really be passionate about, that you know won't be possible to finish in under a year. That way, you get to know all the nuances of the set, whats tough, what's not, what's a good deal, common things to look out for, etc. My advice for the registry is to go after one set at a time - if you don't stay focused, it's too easy to go after a second and then a tenth set, and you're just in way over your head. Pick one set for the registry, and collect whatever the hell you want raw. My two cents, and it's not even worth that.

SDSportsFan

For me personally, I don't really care so much about being #1 in overall grade in a given set. I feel that a 100% set completion is more important. It means you've conquered the challenge of completing a given set, whether it's a 1956 Topps set or a Nolan Ryan player set. #1 in grade point average just means you've got more money than others, not necessarily that you've conquered the set completion challenge. I'm more than happy with my PSA 4 collection of T206 HOFers. Even a one point jump to PSA 5 would mean thousands of dollars more in cost, and to me, a solid PSA 4 T206 is more beautiful than a PSA 8 or 9 of the same card

Also, I personally don't collect the Topps or Bowman (or whatever other company) complete year sets. I just don't have much of a stomach for buying cards of players that I've never heard of, or at least heard very little of. I collect cards of specific players that I like, as well as HOFers. That seems to keep my adrenaline flowing. As a good point, even though a major part of my collection is graded cards of San Diego Padres and Chargers, I still won't pay graded card prices for the commons. Again, I limit it to the HOFers and my favorites. I have probably 99.9% of the Padres and Chargers in raw form, so that satisfies my appetite.

The bottom line, IMHO, is just to keep it fun

Steve

WarHoundR69

I sold off all my baseball cards in the early 90's. I got sick of the flood of new issues. I began to concentrate on World War 2 era War cards like Horrors of War, World In Arms, Uncle Sam, Home Defense etc. These cards cost $30.00 to $50.00 for high grade commons with probably the most expensive being HOW#240 ( The Death Card) & HOW#283 (Hitler) - but even these can be bought for less than a thousand dollars. They are neat, relatively inexpansive and fun to collect. Just my 2 cents worth.

perkdog

Great insight guys,


A lot of good points, I think the biggest reasons I stopped "Set Collecting" is because of paying twenty something for a "Common" card and passing on other great cards.

I think I might use the registry for inventory and thats it.
I am going to stick with what I have been doing and diversify. Thanks for the input.

Hey Warhound I agree with you on the non-sport cards, I always pick a few civil war news and target Moon cards up at every show I go to, the art work is top shelf and adds a little to the mix.

jrdolan

<< <i>I think I might use the registry for inventory and thats it. >>


This comment made me think. I too use the registry for inventory and proof of ownership for insurance purposes (don't know if it would satisfy an insurance company). And I also like the competition.

But the word "inventory" made me wonder: What's to stop anybody from using the Collector's Showcase (where you can list any group of cards that you wish) as a free web site for sales? They could even list payment and shipping information in the introductory comment and prices in the individual card comments. PSA posts (small) scans for free. I trust BJ & Co. are watching for this sort of abuse.

perkdog

Possibly it could be used for those purposes but I really havn't seen anybody advertise to sell using the registry, I would think they have a better shot at listing them with scans on the forums.

gtbeaker

Like many others, I use the registry for inventory purposes, but I also enjoy the competition. I'm currently focusing on 3 sets heavily (Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez Master Sets), but I also dabble in a few others. It definitely spreads the money thin, but I'm in this for the long haul so I'm not too worried.