What do you collect for?

robr1967

For me there are several reasons.

I grew up collecting baseball cards, and enjoy continuing to do so. But now that I am older, I have other goals as well.

The main reason for my collecting, is basically the ability of saving money in a sense. If I had $100 in my pocket it would probably be burning a hole in my pocket wanting me to spend it. In this case, I do spend it, but I get it back as a BB, FB, BSKT card or what ever.

When I get a set finished or nearly finished, I look to sell it to a good home at a small profit. Now when I say a small profit, I am not trying to break the bank for anyone. I look to try and make 10% maybe as much as 20%, but again, I do it for the collecting and savings. Hell, if it would come down to it, I would do it to break even, because I just get the enjoyment of putting the sets together.

I am just a little guy, that attempts to build quality sets on a budget. I have worked on sets from every decade so far, and have found there really isn't much of a chance if any to make much of a profit collecting anything from roughly 1975 on up.

Presently I am working on a couple sets, and enjoy amassing the cards and the history.

About 2 years ago now, I had worked on a 1949 Bowman BB set in PSA 8's and had roughly 190 of the 252 cards before I sold it. That was a lot of fun and enjoyable putting it together. The best part is learning about all the names and players from generations past as well. My being born in 1967 myself, makes you learn a lot more about the players, back when they ACTUALLY cared about the GAME itself.

Anyones thoughts?

Rob Ruth

Stingray

I collect for the fun of it. I do not do the card shows like I use to. I would go once a month or so to the big shows here in Michigan. I would buy some packs of new stuff just to see what it looked like. But once I found this board it sort of changed the way I collect. Now I just buy off Ebay and now have started selling too. I have limits to what I can afford, started off doing 67s, found that it was too rich for me, then tried 75s and realized that it too would be out of my price range. Settled on doing 84s, not too much compition, a price range that I can afford. If I would not have come accross these boards, I am sure that my collecting habits will still have been the same a previously stated, did not have much direction of focus, but after being here I think it has as long as I stay with the 84s and not get bored with them and move on to something else. I know at this point there is no profit in what I am doing, only spending what I can afford.

Stingray

1420sports

For fun ....

I collected in the late 70's/early 80's and then stopped when I was in HS. After college I dabbled here and there, but I really did not start back up again until 5-6 years ago - and that has only been graded cards. At times I will sell cards to buy others, so buying PSA cards make sense both for authenticity and resale. I still buy an occasional pack or box, but I wouldn't dream of grading those. They are authentic and 9 times out 10 there is little resale value.

Stingray - 67's are not that expensive. I have been buying common 7's for less than the grading fee, and I would imagine 75's may be around the same. For every 84 Topps you submit, that could be a 75 or two.

edited to add: there have been plenty of times that I wish I started building my 1967 set as a raw set. At close to 60% completion with major stars out of the way, I might as well see it through.

perkdog

For the love of cards and something to keep me busy, I dont plan on making money on any card that I purchase although I would like to see my cards hold value to what I paid.

The registry has really motivated me to attempt a "complete set" someday and its fun to see how my collection stacks up against other people attempting the same set.

envoy98

I collect my graded stuff for the fun of it. But like you, it kind of works as a savings account of sorts as well. Notice I didn't say "investment" account. Certainly, I would love for the cards to appreciate but truthfully, if I get back what I paid, or close to it, I figure I've gotten my monies worth.

eyebone

I, too, collect mostly for the fun of it....keeps me out of my wife's hair.

Wish we had more shows here in Canada though, as I love wandering the tables and looking at vintage cards. It is a nice day out whether I purchase something or not.

Eyebone

MorrellMan

Interesting thread - I collect for the love of the cards and the memories or meaning they hold. However, as I read this, I realize there is "collecting" and there is "having". "Having" happens after you've collected. How do you collect, besides upgrading, if you have completed the set? I enjoy looking at many of my sets, but not all of them, and lord knows I have a lot of them. The thrill of the chase is one thing and pride and enjoyment of ownership is another. I think there is a big difference between collecting and owning - kind of like dating and being married.

softparade

<< <i>For me there are several reasons.

I grew up collecting baseball cards, and enjoy continuing to do so. But now that I am older, I have other goals as well.

The main reason for my collecting, is basically the ability of saving money in a sense. If I had $100 in my pocket it would probably be burning a hole in my pocket wanting me to spend it. In this case, I do spend it, but I get it back as a BB, FB, BSKT card or what ever.

>>



Rob, I had a conversation with you on the phone OVER a YEAR AGO about some 1978 Topps you had and remember you telling me the SAME EXACT STORY! This was when I was first getting into my 78 set and was too much of a sissy mary at the time to write a big check A big enough check in my eyes anyway!