Completing an expensive set....on a budget

incugator

I became a member of these boards in 2006. At the time, I was about 40 cards into my favorite set. A 1933 Goudey PSA 5 complete set (minus the Lajoie). It's about 4 years later and I am about 200 cards deep (239 is complete) I have managed to put this set together on a budget (It is still very expensive). I had allotted what I was willing to spend on each card and haven't gotten off track. The economic downturn probably helped my progress. Now with about 40 cards to go, I have 3 key cards left (#53 Ruth, #92 Gehrig, and #223 Dean) and a handfull of HOF'ers.

I am a considering being a little bit less conservative in spending on these last 40 cards, but not drastically. If there is anybody out there who has been in a similar situation in putting together a high dollar set on a budget and been able to get it done, any tips or help would be great.

I have other stuff in my collection, but this is and will always be my "big prize"

CollectorAtWork

There is someone else in the PSA registry forum who is just starting out on the 33 Goudey set. The advice I gave there was to buy auction lots around the grade that you wanted, and then sell duplicates or lower grade cards. However, you being so close to the finish line, not sure if that would work for you. It might depend on how many other cards you have which you would be willing to part with, but you might start looking into trading as an option. You might be able to inexpensively get the cards that you need and help other collectors also. On net54baseball, there is a forum where you can do some trading, and you can probably do some here also. With trading of course, you need to be careful to make sure your trading partners are reputable. The thing about 33 Goudeys is that there are so many people who collect them, it's hard to find a steal in auctions / ebay because so many collectors want the cards, especially in mid to high grade like your set. (The low grade cards you can probably nab at really good prices occasionally.) However, mid to high grade is where most collectors want to be, so it's tougher. As you said, however, the thing working in your favor is the economy, so you might still be seeing an overall downtrend in pricing that you can take advantage of. Good luck!

Mefer

Greetings--

I just started a thread on my 33 Goudey set. Though my set will be a lower condition one (PSA 1s for the Ruths and Gehrigs; PSA 3 or better for the rest, minus LaJoie), it just seems that being patient is what is needed for this set to get it at a good price. Given the 25,000 (exagerating) BINs constantly up on eBay, you could easily complete this set, for come pretty darn close (minust the Lajoie) just hitting that BIN button. Of course, you will pay through the roof. I know, however, that as you get towards the finish line the urge to complete gets greater and you become willing to spend more; I have been there and done that with another set.

My advice is to make offers on those that have BINs (worst that can happen is you get a decline or a counter offer you are still not happy with; sometimes you will be suprised). Also, if you see a card you need with a BIN with no offer, write an e-mail to the seller and see if they will sell for less. I have had some success doing that too. I think you just have to be patient with the set. Look on the bright side, you could be like me and only five or so cards in! Nice work!

Matt