Inexperienced Dumb Young Collector

airjoedan

While I am not exactly "dumb", I am rather young and inexperienced in many different areas of the collecting world. I have bought cards and autographs since I was in elementary school and have spent every extra penny on my favorite players and sets. Though I do not have a super valuable collection, I love the hobby. I've never really introduced myself on these message boards as I've never really been much of an internet message-type person. I do come to read this board a few times a week as many of you provide great information and interesting stories. I think that many of the things that happen on this board are great, I especially like how many people open packs together and share their recent purchases. Though I have had interest in grading and authenticating my collection for years, I joined PSA a mere month ago and have only submitted a few items. I really have enjoyed the results so far and think I now have a new place to spend some of the little extra money that I have from time to time. The people I have sold and traded with on this board have also been fantastic, it has been a pleasure every single time. I just felt like posting something sort of introducing myself - an inexperienced person when it comes to grading and authenticating items, but a lifetime collector and fan of vintage cards and autographs. Though I do not have a lot of time to look at this message board and participate with all the homework and working I'm stuck with until summer, I would like to one day contribute to the topics the way that some of you seem to do. While I do not know many of you by name, from the few topics I read each week I notice several members contribute on a constant basis and keep this an interesting message board. For the few times I read this a week, thanks for the interesting information - I have already and am sure to continue to learn a lot from what everyone posts.


Thanks,


Joe

lawnmowerman

djspann

When I first started collecting again, I bought a reprint of a 1935 National Chicle football card, thinking it was authentic. Luckily, I learned my lesson on one of the commons of the set, and I've come a long way since then.


Doug

Stone193

<< <i>When I first started collecting again, I bought a reprint of a 1935 National Chicle football card, thinking it was authentic. Luckily, I learned my lesson on one of the commons of the set, and I've come a long way since then.


Doug >>

Doug

On the 16th I posted about my club sub and the crap I bought around 1989. Stuff that dealers said was Nmmt - was at best Exmt - I didn't use a loupe or anything.

I'm not out a ton of money or anything - but the cards aren't what they said they were.

It seems there's a crook on every corner just waiting to catch you in a moment of weakness!

That's why I like it here - I can learn from everyone and keep from making the same mistakes over and over again.

mike

airjoedan

haha, sorry I created the thread on accident without a message. Please read the "edit" above.


- Joe

djspann

<< <i>

<< <i>When I first started collecting again, I bought a reprint of a 1935 National Chicle football card, thinking it was authentic. Luckily, I learned my lesson on one of the commons of the set, and I've come a long way since then.


Doug >>

Doug

On the 16th I posted about my club sub and the crap I bought around 1989. Stuff that dealers said was Nmmt - was at best Exmt - I didn't use a loupe or anything.

I'm not out a ton of money or anything - but the cards aren't what they said they were.

It seems there's a crook on every corner just waiting to catch you in a moment of weakness!

That's why I like it here - I can learn from everyone and keep from making the same mistakes over and over again.

mike >>



Thanks, Mike. Happy birthday, by the way.

I agree with you on the crooks and overgrading comments.

I also continue to learn as I read and discuss with people on these boards.

Recently, I've done allright when seeing cards in person, but I have limited opportunities for that. I generally don't collect cards Nmmt or higher, so defects are a little more obvious. But, on eBay, I consistently receive cards overgraded by 1-2 grades, if they are raw. Now, I just expect it, unless I've dealt with the seller before.

I wish I could remember who sold me that Chicle reprint as authentic. It was quite a while before I realized it was a fake.


Doug

zef204

<< <i>On the 16th I posted about my club sub and the crap I bought around 1989. Stuff that dealers said was Nmmt - was at best Exmt - I didn't use a loupe or anything.

I'm not out a ton of money or anything - but the cards aren't what they said they were.

It seems there's a crook on every corner just waiting to catch you in a moment of weakness! >>


Mike-

The hobby has come a long way since 1989 when you bought those cards that were sold as Nmmt. While I don't disagree that there certainly is a crook at every corner now, back then nmmt and mint took on a whole different meaning. I actually think that was about the time period where nm-mt became a greater differentiator between nm and mt.


Either way...

Thanks for coming out airjoe... (not that there's anything wrong with that)

Most collectors and even dealers are good at heart. Just learn what you can so you come to the table with your due diligence done and won't easily be taken by the crook. We all have losses, it's how you learn from them that makes you a better collector.

Stone193

Joe

Everyone is my superior in that I may learn from them.

I learn something here every day.

As a collector - I enjoy reading and learning about the hobby way more than the things I pick up. It wasn't always that way. I think the knowledge is like reaching nirvana and the acquisition of items more like kismet or fortune.

What does that mean? I don't know but it sounds good.

Stone193

<< <i>

<< <i>On the 16th I posted about my club sub and the crap I bought around 1989. Stuff that dealers said was Nmmt - was at best Exmt - I didn't use a loupe or anything.

I'm not out a ton of money or anything - but the cards aren't what they said they were.

It seems there's a crook on every corner just waiting to catch you in a moment of weakness! >>


Mike-

The hobby has come a long way since 1989 when you bought those cards that were sold as Nmmt. While I don't disagree that there certainly is a crook at every corner now, back then nmmt and mint took on a whole different meaning. I actually think that was about the time period where nm-mt became a greater differentiator between nm and mt.


Either way...

Thanks for coming out airjoe... (not that there's anything wrong with that)

Most collectors and even dealers are good at heart. Just learn what you can so you come to the table with your due diligence done and won't easily be taken by the crook. We all have losses, it's how you learn from them that makes you a better collector. >>


Jordan

The crook reference was directed at selling reprints and not grading. The ever changing "view" of what Nmmt was is part of the reason I have what I have.

I agree - some of the people who sold me cards - probably thought the cards were Nmmt - they view cards at the speed of light - and I accepted them as such.

I have no one to blame but myself - that's fer sure.

I agree - most people do the right thing.

mike