I quit a long time ago and have been focusing more on non-sports autographs (non-cards). There are a few cards I keep, but for the most part, the rest are being sold off and cleared out. I can't even remember the last time I've been to a card shop or sportscard show.
Out of the hobby, but still love my signature cuts.
Wantlist: 2001 Fleer Genuine Elston Howard Material Issue Jersey 2001 Leaf Certified Jackie Robinson Fabrics of the Game Jersey #32
<< <i>Every man marches to his own beat, Ron, so you have to do what you have to do. But I couldn't help but notice that this post seems to come on the heels of your Maris RC debacle, and as a man who has been torched in any number of card deals (many ranging into the many hundreds of dollars) I can at least say this: Your chances of getting burned on a deal go down exponentially if you don't try to turn a buck flipping cards.
Almost all of my horrible deals-- and there have been many-- one thing in common, and that's the fact that I intended to sell the cards that were involved in the deal. When I look back on deals I made for the purpose of expanding my PC almost none of those turned out badly. >>
<< <i>Every man marches to his own beat, Ron, so you have to do what you have to do. But I couldn't help but notice that this post seems to come on the heels of your Maris RC debacle, and as a man who has been torched in any number of card deals (many ranging into the many hundreds of dollars) I can at least say this: Your chances of getting burned on a deal go down exponentially if you don't try to turn a buck flipping cards.
Almost all of my horrible deals-- and there have been many-- one thing in common, and that's the fact that I intended to sell the cards that were involved in the deal. When I look back on deals I made for the purpose of expanding my PC almost none of those turned out badly. >>
There's a little saying from the 80's that I like to live my life by. It's called .... "Life's a beach!"
Sure, maybe our beach has eroded somewhat and been a little contaminated by factories dumping waste into the water ... and the sunbathers all have skin cancer from the ozone layer problems and global warming. And yea, our lifeguard is a 30 year old crackhead that is listed on the states sexual offenders list, and shouts out offensive remarks to all of the tattooed and body pierced 16 year old pregnant girls that walk by. And perhaps a few of our kids beach toys were made in China with lead based paint, and our picnic lunches may have a few bad tomatoes in them. And maybe the water is slightly shark infested because the food chain was all screwed up by over fishing and government regulations. But the good news is ... with gas prices and taxes being so high, less people can afford to go to the beach this year ... so less people will die by shark attacks.
So let's not hear anymore of that "negative Nelly" talk! Go buy yourself a new pair of Speedos, head to the beach, and jump back into that water!
Just be careful of the used syringes that are washing up on the shore.
dude, it's your biorhythm, you're just in a plunge......your hobby, it may give you the pleasure along with the anger and despair, but without it you will get the emptiness and regret......was that dramatic enough?
Its tough when you realize your vastly over paying for a card entombed in plastic easily compromised. All so you can move up two hundreths of a percentage points on the guy "ahead" of you on a list of no real consequence that would not even exist.... if not for electricity.
At first you told yourself that the competiton was fun and then you realized that the chase actually took the joy out of collecting. Sure you have boxes of generic plastic flips...but where is the smell, the touch?
Forget all that ....its now an INVE$TMENT.
From the shoebox to the bank Lockbox!
"And you may ask yourself How do I work this? And you may ask yourself Where is that large automobile? And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful house! And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful wife!
And you may ask yourself-well...how did I get here?
<< <i>Its tough when you realize your vastly over paying for a card entombed in plastic easily compromised. All so you can move up two hundreths of a percentage points on the guy "ahead" of you on a list of no real consequence that would not even exist.... if not for electricity.
At first you told yourself that the competiton was fun and then you realized that the chase actually took the joy out of collecting. Sure you have boxes of generic plastic flips...but where is the smell, the touch?
Forget all that ....its now an INVE$TMENT.
From the shoebox to the bank Lockbox!
"And you may ask yourself How do I work this? And you may ask yourself Where is that large automobile? And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful house! And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful wife!
And you may ask yourself-well...how did I get here?
I got to "craptastic land" about this time last year with the hobby. I had been selling 50-100 items per week on eBay for a couple of years. Made good money for doing it small time.
So, I gave away about 200,000 dirt commons, and cut down to base Topps and base Bowman. (Okay, and some Heritage from the past few years) I resolved to not purchase anything that wasn't a regular Topps or Bowman card (or an LSU autograph).
I've been working on finishing sets, and actually "collecting."
I feel much better about things now, and have a much better time just staying away from what doesn't interest me.
Ron, please just take a break. You have an uncanny knack for uncovering spectacular vintage cards. I think your post of those 1958's may be my favorite thread in my years on this board.
It would be a shame to give up on this hobby. Just remember, keep it a hobby and keep it fun. Refocus your collection. Remember why you started in the first place.
Sure, we all like to make a few dollars selling on Ebay. However, the times I have enjoyed cards the least is when I have been caught up in values.
Hang in there and I will look forward to your next vintage "find".
Comments
1. an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.
If it isnt fun anymore hang it up. Afterall, it is cardboard and can be picked back up at anytime.
Best of luck either way!
Wantlist:
2001 Fleer Genuine Elston Howard Material Issue Jersey
2001 Leaf Certified Jackie Robinson Fabrics of the Game Jersey #32
<< <i>Every man marches to his own beat, Ron, so you have to do what you have to do. But I couldn't help but notice that this post seems to come on the heels of your Maris RC debacle, and as a man who has been torched in any number of card deals (many ranging into the many hundreds of dollars) I can at least say this: Your chances of getting burned on a deal go down exponentially if you don't try to turn a buck flipping cards.
Almost all of my horrible deals-- and there have been many-- one thing in common, and that's the fact that I intended to sell the cards that were involved in the deal. When I look back on deals I made for the purpose of expanding my PC almost none of those turned out badly. >>
Yep.
<< <i>
<< <i>Every man marches to his own beat, Ron, so you have to do what you have to do. But I couldn't help but notice that this post seems to come on the heels of your Maris RC debacle, and as a man who has been torched in any number of card deals (many ranging into the many hundreds of dollars) I can at least say this: Your chances of getting burned on a deal go down exponentially if you don't try to turn a buck flipping cards.
Almost all of my horrible deals-- and there have been many-- one thing in common, and that's the fact that I intended to sell the cards that were involved in the deal. When I look back on deals I made for the purpose of expanding my PC almost none of those turned out badly. >>
Great point.
There's a little saying from the 80's that I like to live my life by. It's called .... "Life's a beach!"
Sure, maybe our beach has eroded somewhat and been a little contaminated by factories dumping waste into the water ... and the sunbathers all have skin cancer from the ozone layer problems and global warming. And yea, our lifeguard is a 30 year old crackhead that is listed on the states sexual offenders list, and shouts out offensive remarks to all of the tattooed and body pierced 16 year old pregnant girls that walk by. And perhaps a few of our kids beach toys were made in China with lead based paint, and our picnic lunches may have a few bad tomatoes in them. And maybe the water is slightly shark infested because the food chain was all screwed up by over fishing and government regulations. But the good news is ... with gas prices and taxes being so high, less people can afford to go to the beach this year ... so less people will die by shark attacks.
So let's not hear anymore of that "negative Nelly" talk! Go buy yourself a new pair of Speedos, head to the beach, and jump back into that water!
Just be careful of the used syringes that are washing up on the shore.
Mike
ebay i.d. clydecoolidge - Lots of vintage stars and HOFers, raw, condition fully disclosed.
All so you can move up two hundreths of a percentage points on the guy "ahead" of you on a list
of no real consequence that would not even exist.... if not for electricity.
At first you told yourself that the competiton was fun and then you realized that the chase actually took the joy
out of collecting. Sure you have boxes of generic plastic flips...but where is the smell, the touch?
Forget all that ....its now an INVE$TMENT.
From the shoebox to the bank Lockbox!
"And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!
And you may ask yourself-well...how did I get here?
"
Loves me some shiny!
<< <i>Its tough when you realize your vastly over paying for a card entombed in plastic easily compromised.
All so you can move up two hundreths of a percentage points on the guy "ahead" of you on a list
of no real consequence that would not even exist.... if not for electricity.
At first you told yourself that the competiton was fun and then you realized that the chase actually took the joy
out of collecting. Sure you have boxes of generic plastic flips...but where is the smell, the touch?
Forget all that ....its now an INVE$TMENT.
From the shoebox to the bank Lockbox!
"And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!
And you may ask yourself-well...how did I get here?
" >>
+1 for quoting the Talking Heads
So, I gave away about 200,000 dirt commons, and cut down to base Topps and base Bowman. (Okay, and some Heritage from the past few years) I resolved to not purchase anything that wasn't a regular Topps or Bowman card (or an LSU autograph).
I've been working on finishing sets, and actually "collecting."
I feel much better about things now, and have a much better time just staying away from what doesn't interest me.
Only an idiot would have a message board signature.
It would be a shame to give up on this hobby. Just remember, keep it a hobby and keep it fun. Refocus your collection. Remember why you started in the first place.
Sure, we all like to make a few dollars selling on Ebay. However, the times I have enjoyed cards the least is when I have been caught up in values.
Hang in there and I will look forward to your next vintage "find".
Robert
I recommend the book and documentary film.