Anyone get worn out when trying to complete a set?

RonBurgundy · March 9, 2006 1:04AM

I finished a '68 set about 18 months ago and wanted a challenge. So I started a '57 set. I have about 250 of the 411 cards for a set, and have started to feel serious fatigue about it. I'll get it completed, but it is painstaking, time consuming, and expensive. All of those feelings are telling me it's time to take a break for awhile.

Question: if any of you ever get this way, do you take a break entirely from cards or do you move to something else for awhile?

fiveniner · March 9, 2006 1:22AM

I have tried however my addiction is quite serious.I would need blinders and a Straight jacket to keep me from working on sets and I am not too positive that would help either.Good thing I have a Day Job.

theczar · March 9, 2006 1:56AM

it seems to be a never ending battle. after a while it gets soooooooooooooo expensive.

ArchStanton · March 9, 2006 2:18AM

I have been working on a 1976 Topps set on a tight budget for a looooong time. I was pretty well burned out, and the set was on the back burner on a low simmer. I was just looking at some other sets to start, then rbdjr listed some of his 1976 cast-offs. They are some of the jewels of my set. The break from the '76 set gave me a chance to add to my Pirates collection. Also, Heritage has been a huge distraction. I will eventually get back to my '76s, but I'm in no hurry. I'll get excited when a good deal comes along.

lostdart58 · March 9, 2006 2:22AM

I am down to the last 12 cards on my 72 Topps set (787 cards) after 15 months ............I am not worn out by any means.............but I do not plan on EVER putting together a complete graded set again...................

.....but one never should say never...........

RonBurgundy · March 9, 2006 3:08AM

Wow, a complete graded 787 card set is a serious challenge, even if the cost does not approach a 50's set. I'm doing a graded set too and trying to find at least half the cards raw..........it is fun but is taking awhile.

Stay classy,

Ron

Stone193 · March 9, 2006 3:15AM

I have been working on the 63F BB set for 2 yrs and I'm at 52%.

The pain I sometimes feel is the rather large stick hitting me in the ass that is my wife!

I have heard guys say that, even with funds not being an issue, the time and effort needed for find and "win" higher grade cards can be cumbersome.

Taking a break from set building is not a bad idea.

I will probably never do a large graded set. But, I was wondering how many have alternative interests.

I collect baseball cartoon art, sports related whiskey decanters like Jim Beam and Ezra Brooks, baseball board games and other things in limited amounts like vending machines, jerseys, bats etc.

I know this is predominantly a "card" board - get it? - but branching out may give people a "new" perspective and bring new life into ones hobby.

mike

Fabfrank · March 9, 2006 3:33AM

I am so close on my 66 and 67 Philly football sets. I have been getting annoyed with the 63 Topps football and 57 Topps football sets. Prices have been through the roof on some of the harder 8's and I refuse to pay such premiums. I waiting for more samples to be graded and hoping for a drop in price.

Stone193 · March 9, 2006 3:37AM

<< I am so close on my 66 and 67 Philly football sets. I have been getting annoyed with the 63 Topps football and 57 Topps football sets. Prices have been through the roof on some of the harder 8's and I refuse to pay such premiums. I waiting for more samples to be graded and hoping for a drop in price. >>

Frank

Is part of your "quest" registry driven?

I have seen some really nice 7s and even centered 6s that are very attractive and way less money.

mike

ctsoxfan · March 9, 2006 3:43AM

Take a break from it. Assuming you are talking about graded sets, especially 700+ card graded sets, it takes a lot of time and money to do even one of these. I have decided to build a few smaller sets instead of these monsters (which I started out doing), but a break from collecting does wonders for figuring out what to do next.

Stone193 · March 9, 2006 3:59AM

<< Take a break from it. Assuming you are talking about graded sets, especially 700+ card graded sets, it takes a lot of time and money to do even one of these. I have decided to build a few smaller sets instead of these monsters (which I started out doing), but a break from collecting does wonders for figuring out what to do next. >>

ct

Can you imagine doing 100 sets like Davilillo is doing? AND, in PSA 8 or better?

Wow!!!!!!

I think it might be easier to find a cure for the common cold!

mike

lostdart58 · March 9, 2006 4:58AM

<< 

Can you imagine doing 100 sets like Davilillo is doing? AND, in PSA 8 or better?

Wow!!!!!!

>>

I thinks Davilillo has an employee?...assistant? of some sort.........

(be assured I am not trying to take away from Davilillo's accomplishments)

Susquehanna · March 9, 2006 5:25AM

<< Take a break from it. Assuming you are talking about graded sets, especially 700+ card graded sets, it takes a lot of time and money to do even one of these. I have decided to build a few smaller sets instead of these monsters (which I started out doing), but a break from collecting does wonders for figuring out what to do next. >>

I agree, and coming back from a break will also give you a new perspective on how far you have come. Good luck.
Nick

RonBurgundy · March 9, 2006 5:30AM

Thanks for all the perspective. I actually feel incredibly lucky I've gotten as far as I have with the '57 set. The past few months I haven't had time to just enjoy what I've built so far. I've even started to think about the cards I need to upgrade, no need to get ahead of myself. I think I need to hit the "off-season" for awhile then gear up for the stretch drive!

I can't imagine doing what Jim is doing all at once, even if I had the funds to do so. That is going full throttle!

Stay classy,

Ron

Fabfrank · March 9, 2006 5:44AM

Is part of your "quest" registry driven?

I have seen some really nice 7s and even centered 6s that are very attractive and way less money.

Hi Mike. Actually no. I would like to do the set in 8 minimum, but I buy 7's until I can find a nice 8. I even include 9OC and 8OC cards. I'm over 90% for both sets, but the last few cards have been a chore.

eyebone · March 9, 2006 7:39AM

Yes and no. Some sets just frustrate/annoy me for no apparent reason and I cannot wait to rid myself of them. On the other hand, I have been puttering away at some of my OPC hockey sets for upwards of a decade. Am I normal?

Eyebone

jojowest · March 9, 2006 10:28AM

Ron,

I am also collecting the 57 set. I know where you are coming from. I have been working on the graded set for about 5 years now. I took a break for a couple of years and got back into the set in November of last year. I am down to about 75 cards however would like to upgraded many cards as well. It seems the lower number of cards you need the harder they are to come by. I have a bunch of PSA 6 and 7 doubles if you would like to explore a trade.

Good Luck

Stone193 · March 9, 2006 10:55AM

<< 

<< 

Can you imagine doing 100 sets like Davilillo is doing? AND, in PSA 8 or better?

Wow!!!!!!

>>

I thinks Davilillo has an employee?...assistant? of some sort.........

(be assured I am not trying to take away from Davilillo's accomplishments) >>

Just one?

softparade · March 9, 2006 11:25AM

I am 29 cards shy of completing the 726 card 1978 Topps baseball set in PSA 9 and better. I never once got tired of it. It is real slow going now as I am having ALOT of trouble locating the cards I need. I can tell you that I won't ever do another monster set graded like this again. Once the dust settles from me getting married and I find out how poor I really am I will start a PRISTINE 1980 Topps baseball set in a binder. At least that is the plan now!

RonBurgundy · March 10, 2006 12:25AM

Jo Jo,

Thanks. You might send me a list of what you have. I'd be happy to take a look.

Stay classy,

Ron

jskirwin · March 10, 2006 4:06AM

2 Years ago I "limited" myself to building raw 1967-78 baseball.

Since that time I have worked backwards and am now hitting the '72 and '71 sets hard. However those sets don't mean as much to me as the mid-70s - the ones I actually collected as a kid - so I'm wondering if I should just let it go.

Then I see a nice lot of choice cards on Ebay and bam! I'm back in the fray...

jojowest · March 10, 2006 8:31AM

Ron,

My list of doubles is in the set registry as jojowest 1957 Topps #2. Ranked 67 or there abouts. The cards I need are in my jojowest 1957 Topps Set Ranked 30th. Have a look and see if you need any of the cards in the second set. I allow have a good portion of the set raw that have been grading out between PSA 4 and PSA 6.
My email if interested is georgehartery@hotmail.com

I am not sure if your set is on the reigstry and am new to the boards and can't figure out how to email you directly - sorry.

thanks jojowest

WinPitcher · March 10, 2006 9:38AM

Ron

I am 8 cards shy of a complete 598 card set (1965 Topps baseball). A few times during the quest I got 'carded out' so I took a break and worked on my smaller Mars Attacks set which is 1 card shy. It is a 55 card set. The key I found is when I was carded out I would not even bother looking for the cards on ebay and if I did i would lowball bids. I won a few tuff cards that way. All in all it has been a great ride. has taken me over 2 years to assemble the set. I have around 20 cards that i want to upgrade from 7 to 8 or 9 (at my price) so that will keep me busy for another year or so. When I am all done I hope to have the set in 8.00, (it is at 7.82 now) I also have 3 cards in 6 that need to be upgraded to at least 7's.

Steve

Anyone get worn out when trying to complete a set?

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