What's the best way to collect modern cards?

Lawnboy45

I started collecting cards as a kid in the mid 80's and would usually get box of football cards for Christmas. My goal was to try and complete the set with trading and buying the singles that I needed. I also had a select few players that I collected like Barry Sanders and David Robinson. I'm getting back into the hobby after about 15 years and am trying to figure out what people collect now. It seems impossible to collect sets with all the inserts and short prints and what not. I'm tempted to just buy vintage stuff from BBCE, at least I'm familar with that stuff. Perhaps an unopened pack collection or something. It would be nice to collect some current stuff too though. Any advice?

Thanks!

eagles33

the most cost effective way is to just buy singles. I have no interest in inserts only rookie cards. 2004 is a pretty good year for modern football rookies. I gave my wife a list of gift ideas from bbce. She got me a box of 2004 topps chrome for 125. i din't get any autos.. and the only rookie card i got out of the whole box was a big ben that will prob grade an 8 or 9 based on the centering. No eli, fitz, rivers ect.. the box was fun to rip but i would have been better off just buying the singles. The prob with buying boxes is that they are inflated because of the inserts. Unless you are buying a pack or box for thrill or to keep sealed it is a terrible purchase. Just buy sets or the singles you want.

ThoseBackPages

I'm a baseball guy who really has no interest in anything post-1989
That being said, I do like the Topps Heritage line. I think that's because they have the old feel to them

thehallmark

Stick with the sets from your youth. Most from that era aren't expensive and you'll get more joy from that than gambling with modern unopened material.

Decide on a collecting focus that involves medium & long term goals. Make sure that those goals are completable, but not too easy. Do these things and you'll be a happy camper.

verb1

You can try digging through dumpsters for them? Just kidding, I'm just trying to ride the modern-hating bandwagon. It's already been said, but buying singles off eBay is how I do it. Unless you want the thrill of opening a box, singles are the most cost effective way to go. I just bought a Chrome blue refractor of Starlin Castro for $2.50 off eBay.

Lawnboy45

Thanks for all the advice so far, keep 'em coming. I do like the idea of collecting just RC's and maybe some older sets.

frankhardy

The only advice I can give you is to tell you what I collect.

First of all, if you have a favorite team, a team set collection is the way to go, in my opinion. I collect St Louis Cardinals team sets. Start off with just base sets, and then expand from there. The reason it is so enjoyable is because it involves your favorite team and there is never an end to it. Even if you keep it basic, you still have a team set coming out every year.

I started off in 2002 with a goal of trying to get every base Topps Cardinals card from 1952 Topps to the present. I didn't think I would ever get there, but within a year or two, I had them all and started to expand. I went to vintage Bowman, to Fleer, Donruss, Upper Deck, and Score. Then, I started really expanding to Topps insert, test, and misc. issues. Those have been very rewarding to collect, though I will never get them all. Some are impossible to find, but I love the chase. My latest vinture has me collecting Cardinals team sets of Topps Chrome and Topps Chrome Refractors. I have been working on those for about 6 months. Topps Chrome/Refractors started in 1996. I have from 1996 to present with the exception of a few 2001's. Those are hard to find. One that I still need is the Gold Pujols.

As of now, I have 19 albums full of Cardinals team sets - 1950's Topps, 1960's Topps, 1970's Topps, 1980's Topps, 1990's Topps, 2000's Topps, 2010's Topps, Topps Inserts/Misc #1, Topps Inserts/Misc #2, Topps Oversized, Topps/Bowman Heritage, Topps Chrome/Refractors, Fleer, Fleer Misc (ie boxed sets, Donruss, Donruss Misc (ie boxed sets), Upper Deck, Bowman (vintage and modern), Vintage/Modern Misc (ie Exhibits, Bond Bread, Red Man, Berk Ross, Post, Jello, Kellogg's, Hostess, Globe, Burger Chef Discs, Score, Sportflics). These are all complete team sets except the 2001 Topps Retrofractors.

If you have a favorite team, that is the way to go. I use the SCD Standard Catalog and www.teamsets4u.com as resources to make out my check lists. I have a spreadsheet that documents everything I have. It is an easy way to keep track of what I have and what I still need.

Also, another area of collection is just collecting Topps base sets and traded sets. I have from 2010 down to 1973 completed with all traded sets. That has been very rewarding as well. When you collect the base sets, it keeps you away from all of the clutter. The closest thing I come to with the clutter is the Chrome and Refractors.

One piece of advice that goes along with all of this - you have to draw the line somewhere. You can always expand later. Keep it simple at first, and then expand as you go along.

Lawnboy45

I'm happy to say that I have a favorite team again with the return on the NHL to Winnipeg. Maybe collecting all the old school Jets cards and the new team would be a good way to go. Thanks for sharing frankhardy!

storm888

I have a huge modern collection that I visit a couple times a month.

It is mostly unopened packs and unopened boxes. Tho, sometimes
there are some raw cards left by the looters.

My collection is stored at WMT and TGT.

For me, that is the "best" way to collect modern cards. I can visit
them whenever I want to AND my "investment" in them is ZERO.

I also like to look at the card pictures that folks post here. Again,
no financial outlay required.

mrmint23

<< <i>I have a huge modern collection that I visit a couple times a month.

It is mostly unopened packs and unopened boxes. Tho, sometimes
there are some raw cards left by the looters.

My collection is stored at WMT and TGT.

For me, that is the "best" way to collect modern cards. I can visit
them whenever I want to AND my "investment" in them is ZERO.

I also like to look at the card pictures that folks post here. Again,
no financial outlay required. >>



Priceless in both fact and reality

Boopotts

Personally, I'd go with some of the tough '90's insert sets (#'ed to 25 or less). These sets have a couple of things going for them:

1) They are small.
2) The cards tend to be very attractive.
3) They hold up in value surprisingly well.
4) They are-- or can be-- extraordinarily difficult to complete.

frankhardy

<< <i>I have a huge modern collection that I visit a couple times a month.

It is mostly unopened packs and unopened boxes. Tho, sometimes
there are some raw cards left by the looters.

My collection is stored at WMT and TGT.

For me, that is the "best" way to collect modern cards. I can visit
them whenever I want to AND my "investment" in them is ZERO.

I also like to look at the card pictures that folks post here. Again,
no financial outlay required. >>




Great point. However, your collection is only one year old at all times.

By this, are you saying that you do not have a collection at all? I find that hard to believe since you post here regularly.

digicat

Collect what you want and let your focus wander.

When I got back into the hobby, I wanted to complete the sets I started as a kid (late 80s, early 90s). Then I wanted to build sets I wanted as a kid from unopened material (BBCE). Then I started picking up individual SF Giants cards from 1958 on up. Then I did a bunch of PSA registry sets for award winners (using only their rookie cards). Then I got into Hall of Famer rookie cards (PSA graded). Then I got into getting rookie cards for everyone who ever played for the SF Giants (not graded).


I don't like clutter, so as I meandered through the hobby, I've sold off that which I wasn't interested in anymore without regret.

At this moment, my primary collection focuses are:
#1: raw SF Giants "rookie" cards
#2: graded HoFer rookie cards and "key" player rookie cards
#3: raw SF Giants team sets from 1952 to now
#4: raw award winners rookie cards (though this is starting to lose my interest)

fiveniner

FORGEDABOUDIT!!!!

Sportsamerica

I just do basic Topps.. I buy one box from each series, I try to get in before release day or close to. I get the inserts and sell them on ebay right away. Most times, it ends up costing me about $20 for the set. I get the thrill from opening packs, and get my set without overpaying for stuff which is not worth it. Also if I get a hugh hit from an insert, I end up getting ahead in the game.

I don't do inserts or anything, I don't see the long term value in them.

twiley

I collect modern. For me its only a matter of collecting what I like. I see something I like. I pull the trigger.