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What the hell direction am I going?
hofautos
Posts: 1,934
Have any of you changed direction in your collection once or twice?
Sean struck a note with me when he found fault with me for always selling parts of my collection.
THe problem is I have expensive tastes, but not a big budget to go with it.
I used to collect just graded rookies of hofers and future hofers...and i pretty much finished all i wanted.
But I enjoy collecting and got onto beckett and not many there were interested into vintage, most were interested in autos.
I then moved into autos, then rookie reprint autos, and now I am getting into sets.
I am losing interest in sets fast, because the Goudey Sports Royalty don't seem possible (the maddux isn't ever going to be available), and I think UD is holding out on all the SP's....all the autos in that set seem to pop up in "spurts".....and the other sets, i really have found there is not much enjoyment in collecting sets, because many of the players I could care less about.
I feel like i went in a full circle, and wished I kept my vintage and rookies to begin with.
The problem with collecting rookies is after collecting all the vintage players I want, and get to the 80s stuff...all the 80s-90s stuff is just too common, and most of those players I like, but there isn't much enjoyment in collecting a card that are a dime a dozen, that have no upside potential, and are literally 1000 for everyone who wants one...
I just can't seem to find something I like and stick with it....
Well, I have planned yet another new direction, which is kind of a combination of all i have learned to date...
I am going to go back to "mostly rookies"...this will be the plan
The budget will be about $30- $50k total...
I will get a nice grade vintage rookie of all the major record setters or major history moments for players before my time.
For the players of the 80-90s I will get PSA/DNA autographed rookies (have most of them already).
For players 1994-2001 forward of future hofers, get their best rookie
for players 2001-present of future hofers, get rookie #/500 or less, preferably an auto rookie.
In addition to the rookie collection, I will maintain a small collection of $5K or so of a few amazing cards which i will call funstuff, like this for example... LIKE THIS OR THIS
Lastly, I will have my player collection (Vladimir Guerrero), where I will collect anything that catches my eye....mostly on-card autos (have all his rookies already), and a few nice patches.
I am still on the wall if i want to continue my goudey auto set....over half way finished, but it will tie up $10K or so to get them all, which could go to a few nice vintage cards.
...ughghg....thanks for the vent....
Sean struck a note with me when he found fault with me for always selling parts of my collection.
THe problem is I have expensive tastes, but not a big budget to go with it.
I used to collect just graded rookies of hofers and future hofers...and i pretty much finished all i wanted.
But I enjoy collecting and got onto beckett and not many there were interested into vintage, most were interested in autos.
I then moved into autos, then rookie reprint autos, and now I am getting into sets.
I am losing interest in sets fast, because the Goudey Sports Royalty don't seem possible (the maddux isn't ever going to be available), and I think UD is holding out on all the SP's....all the autos in that set seem to pop up in "spurts".....and the other sets, i really have found there is not much enjoyment in collecting sets, because many of the players I could care less about.
I feel like i went in a full circle, and wished I kept my vintage and rookies to begin with.
The problem with collecting rookies is after collecting all the vintage players I want, and get to the 80s stuff...all the 80s-90s stuff is just too common, and most of those players I like, but there isn't much enjoyment in collecting a card that are a dime a dozen, that have no upside potential, and are literally 1000 for everyone who wants one...
I just can't seem to find something I like and stick with it....
Well, I have planned yet another new direction, which is kind of a combination of all i have learned to date...
I am going to go back to "mostly rookies"...this will be the plan
The budget will be about $30- $50k total...
I will get a nice grade vintage rookie of all the major record setters or major history moments for players before my time.
For the players of the 80-90s I will get PSA/DNA autographed rookies (have most of them already).
For players 1994-2001 forward of future hofers, get their best rookie
for players 2001-present of future hofers, get rookie #/500 or less, preferably an auto rookie.
In addition to the rookie collection, I will maintain a small collection of $5K or so of a few amazing cards which i will call funstuff, like this for example... LIKE THIS OR THIS
Lastly, I will have my player collection (Vladimir Guerrero), where I will collect anything that catches my eye....mostly on-card autos (have all his rookies already), and a few nice patches.
I am still on the wall if i want to continue my goudey auto set....over half way finished, but it will tie up $10K or so to get them all, which could go to a few nice vintage cards.
...ughghg....thanks for the vent....
0
Comments
Once or twice PER WEEK for me
1957 Topps PSA
1961 Fleer SGC
i buy dvds in 30 box lots and sell on ebay to support most of my card budget, this way my house budget is not affected too much.
i tend to focus on 2 or 3 of the 6/8 for a while then move to on of my other
i don't really sell much once i get my hands on it, just some dups and cards i may have upgraded
good luck
hank
2004 spx
1989 topps psa 10
1959 phillies
Phillies of the 70's
I feel like i went in a full circle, and wished I kept my vintage and rookies to begin with.
this is one of the reason i am usually not selling
i hate to rebuy something i once had
2004 spx
1989 topps psa 10
1959 phillies
Phillies of the 70's
<< <i>I feel like i went in a full circle, and wished I kept my vintage and rookies to begin with.
this is one of the reason i am usually not selling
i hate to rebuy something i once had >>
Yea, and unfortunately most of the vintage stuff went up!! Fortunately I kept a few of my better cards that I had a hard time parting with. I was never able to get rid of my Hank Aaron, because it is by far the nicest 5.5 I have ever seen, and couldn't get a 7 that looked this nice for double the money.
Sean, is also right, I LOVE to show off my cards!!
<< <i>My problem is, I'm not willing to let go of the cards I have collected. I'm much more willing to trade a card valued $50 or more than I am to sell it. I've never made money on collecting. I don't know why, whatever profit I made would go straight back into the hobby; however, I much more enjoy trading. I've never really changed directions, but I had to back off of collecting for awhile in college and am now just getting back into the hobby. >>
Because of my expensive tastes, I could not afford to keep buying at the rate of my addiction, to change directions in my collecting habits. Also, I have learned my lesson not to hold onto something that has a big downturn...ie, i will never buy a rookie that makes it big in his rookie year....I did that with ichiro base (grin).... I also got burned bad on high grade tiffany rookies...it seemed the hobby direction for the 80s 90s guys moved to autos, and the rare tiffanys in high grade went from $300+ to less than $100 overnight.
I am not collecting for profit, I do collect for fun, but it hurts, when you see some of your prized stuff go from gold to dirt. Vintage seems like the only somewhat solid? That is really posed as a question ...can someone get me caught up on vintage cards? Has most gone up, anything go down? (not talking about 80s stuff). PSA 9 rickeys seem to have come down some..they were about $250....but most of the older stuff seems somewhat stable?
<< <i>THe problem is I have expensive tastes, but not a big budget to go with it. >>
<< <i>The budget will be about $30- $50k total... >>
: eye roll :
<< <i>
<< <i>THe problem is I have expensive tastes, but not a big budget to go with it. >>
<< <i>The budget will be about $30- $50k total... >>
: eye roll : >>
I concour
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>THe problem is I have expensive tastes, but not a big budget to go with it. >>
<< <i>The budget will be about $30- $50k total... >>
: eye roll : >>
I concour
I don't know if that meant you considered it a lot, or that i am crazy to consider that a lot.....i know there are some really big collectors here with mucho $$ invested....a collection of T206 must be a few bucks...I am sure some would consider that amount a drop in the buckett, and to others it may seem like a lot....
anyway, that is why i like to keep my collection to around 200 cards... and continue to rotate.
<< <i>
I don't know if that meant you considered it a lot, or that i am crazy to consider that a lot...... >>
Don't take this personal because it's not meant that way. Anyone who doesn't realize 30-50k is a lot of money for collectables is out of touch with reality.
http://sportsfansnews.com/author/andy-fischer/
<< <i>have you seen some of the collections on network54....those would make your eyes roll... >>
I'm not really rolling my eyes at the collections or collectors. I understand. There may be dozens of people who can afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars on cards, but those people need to realize (and I'm sure most do), that regardless of their personal finances, that's a heck of a lot of money to 99% of the rest of us. Not realizing that is why someone would roll their eyes.
<< <i>was 30-50 thousand a yearly budget, or what you think you would spend in a lifetime making your collection? >>
TOTAL...I would like to DEFINE the "complete" collection so that i don't keep going on tangents, then having the pain of reselling (it is so much more fun to buy than to sell)...and so that i have a realistic goal in mind.
<< <i>
<< <i>was 30-50 thousand a yearly budget, or what you think you would spend in a lifetime making your collection? >>
TOTAL...I would like to DEFINE the "complete" collection so that i don't keep going on tangents, then having the pain of reselling (it is so much more fun to buy than to sell)...and so that i have a realistic goal in mind. >>
How about an HOF set with each card being one issued during the playing days of the HOFer. I'm not 100% sure that can even be done but I think it can.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>was 30-50 thousand a yearly budget, or what you think you would spend in a lifetime making your collection? >>
TOTAL...I would like to DEFINE the "complete" collection so that i don't keep going on tangents, then having the pain of reselling (it is so much more fun to buy than to sell)...and so that i have a realistic goal in mind. >>
How about an HOF set with each card being one issued during the playing days of the HOFer. I'm not 100% sure that can even be done but I think it can. >>
I actually started my colllection out like that, but found myself wanting to get some of the newer guys and went on several tangents. Also, there are just so many hofers, and then there are some players that never will make the hof, that I do like. Also, by getting all of the hofers, I wouldn't be able to attain the more classic cards in a nice grade, and keep within the budget. I have changed directions so many times, to me it is important to really find something I will enjoy and stick with it, which is why I pretty much have decided I am going to stick to my rules, which basically is:
In order for me to collect the player, they should be either a
Major Record Holder, Major History, or one of my Favorite Players.
Get Rookie card if you can get a nice one for under $1000
Get 2nd or 3rd year cards where their rookie for a nice one costs > $1000
Get 2nd year card where 1st year card depicts multiple players (I just dont like the appearance of 63 rose, 68nolan, etc..)
I have started my list...I know I am missing some, but this is off the top of my head...
T206 Ty Cobb
T206 Cy Young
T206 Walter Johnson
1933 Goudey Ruth
1934 Gehrig
1941 Ted Williams
1948-49 Leaf Jackie
1952 Musial
1952 Topps Mays
1953 Topps Mantle
1954 Hank Aaron
1955 Koufax
1957 Frank Robinson
1964 Rose
1966 Morgan
1969 Nolan Ryan
1969 Bench
1971 garvey
PSA / DNA or Rookie Reprint Auto
1978 Eddie Murray
1979 Ozzie Smith
1980 Rickey
1982 Ripken
1983 Gwynn,sandberg
1984 Clemens
1985 McGwire
1986 Bonds
1986 Canseco
1987 Maddux
1988 Biggio
1988 Glavine
1989 Randy Johnson
1989 Curt Schilling
1989 Griffey
1989 Smoltz
1990 Sosa
1990 Bernie Williams
1990 Frank Thomas
1991 Chipper Jones, Bagwell,
1992 Jim Thome, Manny, piazza, mariano
Rare rookies only
1993 bazooka helton, jeter
1994 arod SP Holoview diecut ,posada
1995 vlad, andruw refractor
1996 no one?
1997 ortiz auto rookie
1998 magglio auto rookie
1999 alfonso, matt holliday auto/intl refr
2000 cabrera, beckett, santana auto rookies
2001 ichiro, pujols auto rookies
2002 mauer, wright auto rookies
i hate to rebuy something i once had>
haaaaaaaa- i know the feeling on that one-ya never need something till ya sold it two weeks before!!!
Collect them all. But you also don't have to buy everything all at once. Use patience and look for good deals. Cards you want will come along again...and again...that's what is cool about collecting, people are always buying and selling. If you can't find anything that interests you this week in vintage rookies then look for cards for a set or buy a wax box. Do it all but don't buy just to feed the hunger. I have accepted that I cannot afford to buy every PSA 8-9 rookie that I want so I stopped trying to. Most think I'm crazy but only buy raw...then grade them. Some I keep, most I sell. Anymore I but crappy 80's baseball boxes just to build cheap sets for something to do dealing with cards because there's nothing worth buying on ebay. I have 3/4 of a '48 Leaf football set but that's a test of patience trying to put that together in a decent grade....again raw. But almost all of you have a bigger budget than me so I'm kind of the low guy trying to make a buck just to buy a pack of cards. But I still have tons of crap to play with and I focus on different things every week like you. It's just the way it is. Lastly, and this is big for me, I just had a Butkus rookie grade an 8 so I'm pretty happy with that. And I'll sell it and be happy with the money it makes but of course I'll always wish I didn't. But that's why I bought it. And in a week I'll probably sell all the 80's sets I've been tinkering with...at a loss...and go back to football rookies...back to sets....on to graded flips....back to rookies. You aren't alone.
Just one guys two cents.
<< <i>Why do you feel you need a direction? You apparently want to collect vintage rookies, future hall of famers, sets etc. So keep doing that.
Collect them all. >>
I don't know why, maybe my type personality, but i need a methodology to my collecting habits....actually has to have rules and an obtainable goal.
Anyway, thanks all who have responded. It's nice to know that I am in the same boat as many others in regards to changing directions. After much thought, I have decided to continue a project that I once started, that I believe is attainable. Besides I already spent quite a bit of time putting the bucket together.
Here is the bucket
bucket with direction and attainable goal
I will just add one section called "fun stuff" which will allow me to go on my tangents (Grin)...
PS - you did offer a lot of good advice in your comments. I think my biggest problem is lack of patience....i guess it would be ok, to put it aside for a month or two when i get bored (or feel it consuming my life) for awhile.
One thing about your comment about buying raw....i would only do that with lesser expensive stuff....believe me i have been burned a couple times even on the no-name grading companies, before I even visited a message board years ago. Fine for the lesser expensive stuff...(btw, a friend of mine, but a 1975 yount advertised as mint, and turned it in to psa and got the first (only at the time, dont know if still true) psa 10.
<< <i>I stopped buying Roger Clemens cards after he re-signed with the Yankees. >>
LOL - thats not much of a change of directions to a collection...although i have stopped collecting many players after they left my padres.... which is why i am hesitant to collecting padres SOLELY just for the fact they are my home team anymore... Actually I think that is how I first started collecting...only padres....boy that was awhile ago. I guess I am more into the history of the sport now, along with current stars with HOF potential.