What was your initial experience here? First Icon? Impressions?

Stone193

I've been here for 9 years now.

I remember like it was yesterday finding the site - registering and fearful to post - at first.

The board had some incredible collectors - long gone - one that had a shop in Vegas.

First - I WAS intimidated - just wasn't sure what to say - what to contribute.

My first Icon - before I made my own:



One of our main moderators - Zardoz was also a contributor here - one guy posted with himself inside his airplane! Wow.

I will say - there was a sort of reverence and respect for what was construed as "senior" collectors - does that exist today? Really not sure.

But, one day - I wrote a thread intro'ing myself and jumped in - head first and have never looked back.

I was even kicked off here for a bit - it was my fault - I made the mistake of letting someone get under my skin and told him to "F-off" - but I did it in "full" print by usurping the built in censor - I'm sure there's others here who know how to do it - it fully pissed Carol off. But, when I was "given a pardon by Joe" - it pissed her off - again. She sent me an admonition on reinstatement - and then deleted it from my PM record.

Here's a list of people - off the top of my head - that I miss:

Highend, BOTR, IAmtheGreatCornholio, JoeStalin, Kuhlman, Beachbum, Lothar52, Magellan, Pandrews, Rube, Roach, Kalmalonesay, Storm888, Softparade, Slvnumber2, TNTonPMS, PSATAN - Gumby....

So - if anyone wants to jump in with their experience? Please do.

I have fully enjoyed my 9 years here. Have logged way, way too many hours on posting - but - to be honest? Well worth it.

It's been a pleasure and privilege to share my collecting experiences and reading what everyone has to say - "your contributions, passions, collections."

Here's to 9 more years!

zurbs17

Amazing that you averaged just under 6 posts per day for that nine years.

robert67

Southsider

I've been here on and off to varying degrees for 10+ years. I lurked for a bit before I registered my username. I remember many of the same "old-timers" as you do, plus some of the football card guys that were pretty active back in the day on the NFL HOF RC set.

More than being intimidated about posting, I was scared/nervous sending in my first order to PSA. I had no idea what my cards that I had acquired as a kid would grade. I was worried that they would all come back trimmed, altered, or ?authentic. They didn't, but they also sure didn't come back GEM MT 10, either.

MisterBungle

I've used this avatar since I uploaded it shortly
after I joined the forums in 2006.

I'm not much for change.

~

BaltimoreYankee

I read the forums regularly for about 5 months before deciding to chime in. It really rekindled my passion for the hobby (and got me back into spending too much money on cards).

The first reponse to my introductory post was a member (who shall remain nameless) saying that people from Baltimore are scumbags (or something to that extent). I think he/she thought I was an alt.

itzagoner

before i forget, gotta say how much i miss pandrews and zef204, those guys were a couple of forum stars when i first came around.

there was also a dude called MontanaFan who cracked me up quite often.

i will speculate that all three are here under different ID's for different reasons.

i think my first attempt at avataring got me that little Hawaiian Islands thing going on, but i evolved to my Popcorn girl and never looked back with a couple brief exceptions.

not me in briefs. it was a diaper.

when i arrived here with no suitcase, no clothes, no money and no place to urinate, i was still welcomed with open arms by the populace.

the leader of the welcoming committee was none other than Stone193 who took an interest in my interests even though i wasn't quite sure what they actually were yet. now i know.

because of this forum and the roads to which it leads, i've gotten much better at this cards and memorabilia chasing game.

transitionally, this place is like high school. people come and people go, hopefully enriched by their experiences and ready to tackle the big world, while being finished with writing on the bathroom walls.

then again, some of us that have survived here for so long just never want to graduate.

P.S. - my membership and participation here came at the urging of the very last person you might expect to say so: my wife. mmmmm hmmmmm.

Brick

I have old persons memory but I do remember I only lurked around here for quite a long time before I joined in the conversations. I have never changed my avatar however at first it looked like an old man. Now it is beginning to look like a young fellow.

ChiefsFan1st

Storm, I remember from your list
Joe Stalin
Lothar52
Pandrews
Rube(LOVED reading his posts)
Storm888
And I will add barfvader and the miscut museum. Im not sure if hes gone or not(aint seen any
posts in quite a while), but liked reading post from him.
Im sure there are plenty of others that im forgetting.

PowderedH2O

It has been almost five years here for me. I have never been a prolific poster, but I've done my share. I read the forum before I bought my first graded card. I had a nice run of raw sets, but had bought a few overgraded cards on ebay while working on a raw 1967 baseball set and wondered if PSA was a solution. I stumbled onto this forum while doing a search on PSA. I enjoyed reading the posts from the experts. The guys that had collected sets for years gave info that was invaluable. Who knew that a particular insignificant common was really tough to find in top grade? These guys did! I am not sure if it was a good thing for me or not. I've gotten to buying PSA cards exclusively. I sold a good chunk of my collection a few months ago and did really well, probably because of that. But, it has also made me picky and I sometimes miss the raw card experience. I also miss those posters of the past. Today I see a lot more talk on the boards about modern stuff and personalities and shilling and stuff I don't care about. I came here five years ago to read and talk about collecting baseball and football cards. That's primarily what I stick to.
I stay out of the pissing contests as much as I can. I've heard about a lot of you that are really tight with each other. That hasn't been my experience. I've bought, sold, and traded with over a hundred people here. I've subbed with people and had people sub with me. But I've never met anyone here in person or had a private conversation with anyone here about personal issues. And that's ok. It means I've never lost a friend here and I've never been in any kind of argument with anyone. I prefer to keep it that way.
There are still some guys on this board that post about cards from the era that I care about (pre 1960). Those are the posts I follow. The others not so much. I wish it was a bit more like it was when I got here. But, even then, there were guys saying that they wish it was like it was when they had gotten here.

Stone193

<< <i>Storm, I remember from your list
Joe Stalin
Lothar52
Pandrews
Rube(LOVED reading his posts)
Storm888
And I will add barfvader and the miscut museum. Im not sure if hes gone or not(aint seen any
posts in quite a while), but liked reading post from him.
Im sure there are plenty of others that im forgetting. >>

I've seen barf here and there Brian - like Lawnmowerman - I miss Matt here. I went over to try and post at his forum - but I just got the idea that my stuff - mostly non-card - just didn't have any interest?

I agree on Zef - great guy. Also - I just thought of Mudflap - he was a good guy!

And as I posted a long time back - I missed Bearsnum34 - not realizing it was actually an early name for IJustLoveCards.

Cubby

11+ years here for me. Does anybody remember Monkapop? Waittilltheytrytosell? These 2 posters I admired.

nopenotyet

Congrats Old Timers ! The knowledge you guys have must be pretty intense !

Juggs

I don't post too often, but when I do it's usually something unusual.

I lurked for about a year before I started posting....what attracts me to the board are the guys with super knowledge, and the threads with card scans in them. I also like the feel of the community. I've posted on different sports message boards over the years with folks that are pretty annoying. A lot of personal attacks happen and people generally just try to get under each others skin. This place has very little of that, compared to the sports boards I've been on. I like it this way.

Hopefully I'll get to meet some of you one day...maybe when I hit my first National show.

Piggs

My first post included a description of my collection and how long I've collected and the first 3 out of 4 people who responed called me a ALT. LOL, but I do remember some guys stepping up for my defense. I kept thinking, what did I just get myself in too? I don't get into the argument stuff hardly at all and have enjoyed seeing everyone's cards. It's been a great experience for sure. Doug

ChiefsFan1st

I just noticed i mis-typed storm instead of stone. My bad I wont edit it so everyone can get
a chuckle out of it! I kinda remember Mudflap from my lurking days.
As far as Lawnmowerman, come out of hiding!! LOL I can remember years ago, he picked up a
UK version of an Emmit Smith (if memory serves).
Also, he is still around, but you gotta love perk dog and the perkies!!

MrNearMint

I read these message boards for probably 2 months before joining. I was just happy that I found a community that shared the same interests in sports cards as I do since nobody in my life collects cards.
My initial experience was that there are many knowledgeable and helpful people that are very passionate about cards. At the same time, I saw some rude responses to posts but I'm sure it could be worse elsewhere. I just hope the negativity doesn't get worse. (By negativity I don't mean threads complaining about something, I'm talking about the negative and rude responses to those threads. If people want to complain then don't read it, or don't respond! I don't mind reading those threads.)
I don't know how to put an icon on my account so that solves that problem lol.

gemint

I've been here since June, 2001. I started out as 'gemint', then had log-in/password issues not too long after that and just created a new ID '69topps8' until I was able to get logged back in with my original ID. My original ICON was my 1969 Lou Brock card but I changed it to the 1969 pack. I created that ICON from a scan of my pack. Aside from the names mentioned previously, I also miss ACOWA and domdoodle. Alan (ACOWA) was giving away a bunch of cards and graciously gave me a 1952 Topps Walt Dropo SGC84 that crossed to a PSA 8. Domdoodle passed away several years ago and his wife issued a final post announcing the sad news. I also miss many of the 1969 Topps set gang who no longer post. There was mitochondia (?) who is Ron Sanders, Ron Hobbs, Dave Read, Dave Cryer adn Fred Borelli. I don't think mcastaldi posts here any more either. He was another top notch board member. KingKellogg was another great poster.

I occasionally like to refer back to the old board during the early days of the registry. It's funny to read some of the threads where people were just starting to build graded sets. One of my favorites is at the following URL where I took some flack for registering my 1969 set when it was under 20% complete.

Old forum - 2001

Stone193

While we're looking at those who've pretty much left us?

Let me add:

RobE, BigKidatHeart, RichG, Speeder, Gemmy10, Axtell, Bengineno9, Ranch, Aknot, Toppsgun, Wondo - I don't think I've seen Helionaut much?

ReggieCleveland

I owe CU a great debt of gratitude, it led to some incredible experiences and have met some (hopefully) lifelong friends.

Arthur

Stone193

<< <i>The others not so much. I wish it was a bit more like it was when I got here. But, even then, there were guys saying that they wish it was like it was when they had gotten here. >>

Hey Sam

That's pretty much true.

When we look back at 5 yrs or so? And talk about the forum as if it were better or more fun? The newer members could very much see that as a knock on them? And I can understand their thoughts.

What we have here - now - is what we have.

Every time a decade passes? The decade before will be looked at as the "good ole days" - I guess?

frankhardy

I have been here for nearly 10 years. I remember my first post was in all caps and, boy, did I get chewed out. I thought, "Good grief, these guys are picky!"

Does anybody remember the monumental arguments that Gemmy10 and Axtell got into? They were back and forth at each other constantly. I think I even remember that someone accused them of being the same person and just getting into arguments to get attention. Who knows.

It has been enjoyable. I have "met" a lot of good people. Here are some things that I have learned over the years on these borads.

I HAVE LEARNED TO NEVER POST A MESSAGE IN ALL CAP UNLESS YOU ARE YELLING.

I have learned that if Albert Pujols is your favorite player, proceed cautiously if mentioning Pujols in a post.

I have learned that some people can be very generous to people that they have never even met in person.

I have learned that some people like to argue just because that is the way they are.

I have learned that some people cannot post without being sarcastic (which can be very funny at times).

I have learned that some people like to collect vintage wrappers because "they like to have decorations for their bar" and then start making resealed packs.

I have learned that I am not the only one to have a bad dealing with WIWAG.

I have learned not to take pictures of cards on the floor when entering someone else's house!

Mefer

I'm not the most prodigious poster here but believe I have one of the oldest accounts.

I've enjoyed my twelve years here and have pretty consistently checked in regularly to at least read. I just don't post unless I really feel I have something to add (thus only about 60 a year; ha).

It has been and continues to be a great resource. It's also fun to share experiences and see what others are collecting. I've enjoyed some private conversations too with fellow collectors who share my interests though I have not met anyone in person from the boards.

As for icons, I seem to recall when I first joined up you couldn't use one. That changed at some point and I uploaded the icon I still use today (Ace Frehley of KISS fame).

Carry on all. I'll continue to read and continue to post about 60 times a year.

Matt

Publius

Great thread Mike.

I first found CU in 2003 after reading the back of a card I found on Ebay and seeing the website name. lurked for awhile, then figured out how to join. Took me awhile to figure out how to post pictures.... My first name was Admiral, and my logo was some Navy symbol, I forget (Im ex Navy). I lost my log in password, in 2006 or so and had to rejoin under Publus. I think I had 800 posts in my first year or two, its slowed down a bit lately, the people I got along with really well have moved on to better pastures. Still some great people here, Perkdog, Goot to name a few.

Stone193 is one of those guys i remember from those days. Classy fella, so classy I just had to reach out to him. Awkward PM to say the least, just PM'ing someone and saying hey! I tried to keep it as hetrosexual as possible.

Guys I miss
Lawnmowerman for sure
Rube
XanaduNow
Griffin (I heard he cornered the 89 Pacific Largent wax market and retired to Costa Rica)
MAD

onlyanumber

<< <i>While we're looking at those who've pretty much left us?

Let me add:

RobE, BigKidatHeart, RichG, Speeder, Gemmy10, Axtell, Bengineno9, Ranch, Aknot, Toppsgun, Wondo - I don't think I've seen Helionaut much? >>



Fairly sure RichG passed away. He was young.

For those who want to remember the character that RichG was, I present my favorite blast from the past:

kid's collection stolen

mountainsofcards

I would occasionally look at the forum for about the last year and a half. I decided to finally join this past month, as I especially like the vintage aspect.

Stone193

<< <i>

<< <i>While we're looking at those who've pretty much left us?

Let me add:

RobE, BigKidatHeart, RichG, Speeder, Gemmy10, Axtell, Bengineno9, Ranch, Aknot, Toppsgun, Wondo - I don't think I've seen Helionaut much? >>



Fairly sure RichG passed away. He was young.

For those who want to remember the character that RichG was, I present my favorite blast from the past:

kid's collection stolen >>

Sure do remember.

It was very sad.

Rich was a tough nut to crack. I - on occasion - tried to reason with him - he seemed so stubborn and bitter.

If memory serves, he was a pharmacist? Had some nice stuff in his collection to boot.

Stone193

Hiya Joe

Thanx for the kind words.

That was very much appreciated.

A member contacted me this weekend and gave me a very nice compliment.

This has "made my day" - thanx again!

BigRedMachine

Thanks for taking me back Mike. I think I'm most surprised that I've been here nearly as long as you have. I respectfully always considered you the "elder".

A lot of those guys bring back some good memories. I sure felt like I was part of a "club" more then than I do now. No disrespect intended toward the board now, I think it's just easier to long for the "good ole days".

The board has certainly changed. I've endured fake deaths, real deaths, great trades, and scam artists. I still can't look at a pack of '75s and not think of Gary. Guys who were good guys, guys we thought were girls, and a lot of guys I never met who I considered real friends. I've posted 20 times a day, then went 20 days without posting.

All along it's been fun. I've been surprised, and I've been disappointed. My impressions???

I guess I see enough to keep me coming back.

Shawn

Stone193

<< <i> guess I see enough to keep me coming back. >>

+1

EAsports

Judging by the start dates I see in most of the threads, I now qualify as an "old-timer." (Or at the least, a "middle-ager.")

I have (and still do) enjoy the forums. It seems like there was more knowledge shared when I first signed up. It seemed like this board was a bit above the muck that fills other boards. Maybe it's the same, and I just didn't notice it then. Or I've adapted. Whatever.

I've still learned a lot, and seen a lot of wonderful cards shown off. One thing that's great is that the board has helped me to focus my collection and "collect better", if such a thing exists.

As with 95% of my life, I don't take this place too seriously... Which probably allows me to enjoy it much more.

brian26

<< <i>Highend, BOTR, IAmtheGreatCornholio, JoeStalin, Kuhlman, Beachbum, Lothar52, Magellan, Pandrews, Rube, Roach, Kalmalonesay, Storm888, Softparade, Slvnumber2, TNTonPMS, PSATAN - Gumby....
>>



Some great names on that list....traded Heritage with a lot of those guys in 2006-2008.

Big80s

Mike, I believe you originated the longest-lasting and favorite thread of mine, the "Mail Call" thread. To me, that's what this hobby is about - sharing the cards in your collection. I, like many of us, don't have anyone in my home to talk cards with - so this board has been a great place to get my daily fix.

CocoaBeachDodgers

This is a fun thread! Thanks Mike

I tried to log onto this forum about 2 years and could not get in. I was using my PSA account name & password. So one day I get this brilliant idea that maybe they are not the same

So, after years of reading without being able to respond, I have gotten my chance! My first experience is trying to load an icon, then trying to post pictures & or links. Now that I think I know what I am doing, I'm sure something else will come up! Life, as is the CU Forum, is a constant learning process.

I would like to thank everybody that post on this forum, you all add spice & variety.

pdub1819

Great thread!

I thought I would post the card that I was able to obtain because of this board!

grote15

I had to post to see just how long I've been a member of these forums--geez, it's already going on 7 years! I've really enjoyed posting on this forum and have been grateful for all the friendships I've established and the fellow collectors I've met along the way. The forums have changed to some extent over the time I've been posting, but I find it just as enjoyable now as I did in the past. This hobby is always evolving and always changing, and that's part of why it's so interesting.

I was/am a coin collector and when I joined I chose an icon of a 1793 Large Cent (a coin I wish to own someday) as I was more into coins than cards at that time, and just never changed it.

I recall fondly the old vintage wax "case breaks" (post-Gary, that is), and that is one real difference between then & now--back in 2006-2008, Steve would get in wax CASES instead of boxes from late 70s or so, and I still have case fresh 1975 mini, 1978 and 1980 Topps wax boxes from those breaks.

grote15

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>While we're looking at those who've pretty much left us?

Let me add:

RobE, BigKidatHeart, RichG, Speeder, Gemmy10, Axtell, Bengineno9, Ranch, Aknot, Toppsgun, Wondo - I don't think I've seen Helionaut much? >>



Fairly sure RichG passed away. He was young.

For those who want to remember the character that RichG was, I present my favorite blast from the past:

kid's collection stolen >>

Sure do remember.

It was very sad.

Rich was a tough nut to crack. I - on occasion - tried to reason with him - he seemed so stubborn and bitter.

If memory serves, he was a pharmacist? Had some nice stuff in his collection to boot. >>



I missed the story of his passing. What happened?

GR

He passed away in an auto accident in December of 2007

halosfan

<< <i>Mike, I believe you originated the longest-lasting and favorite thread of mine, the "Mail Call" thread. To me, that's what this hobby is about - sharing the cards in your collection. I, like many of us, don't have anyone in my home to talk cards with - so this board has been a great place to get my daily fix. >>



That thread is by far my favorite.

goraiders

I found place by accident as well,glad I did.I sure dont post much but read alot.
A couple guys I dont see around that were very helpful to me were,

Storm-Anybody know more about ebay rules than him??
Shouldabeena10-Got alot of great great sets,cards,fb card knowledge from him!
Envoy-Helped me out on a few low pop cards to finish sets,and his Walter Payton autos were well wow!
Rube-Who dont like randy??Come on nshhdfiwuef dfjkhksdhcuiw kjsdncbjsdhcgweiu for rubes eyes only...

aaaaaaaahh the avatar-its my back,have last supper tattoo.

Basilone

I miss MsGoodAdvice..oh..and PSAtan/Gumby & Klownie as well.

VitoCo1972

Same avatar since day 1!

I actually joined here the same week that Joe O announced half grades, if memory serves. I was an infrequent poster on the BGS boards. Having returned to the hobby in late '06 after a 16 year break, I really didn't know what I was doing. I spent the first week throwing fuel on the fire in the half grade fiasco (that now everyone is totally OK with). Back then it was the end of the world for some people! I think it was the first appearance of the "quitting the hobby" notion.

Never thought I was getting back into the hobby for autograph collecting but it's pretty much my only tie to it right now.

BostonAmericans

I am still somewhat of a noob here (less than a year), but I was glad to find the boards. I had rescued my collection from the attic and wanted to get back into the hobby. My initial goal was to ebay most of my collection, keeping what I wanted. When they first went into the attic, my goal was to at some point have a complete set for each year that I have been alive (born 1966). When I took them out, I realized that that was probably too rich a proposal for me, so with the help of this board, narrowed the focus of my PC to what you see in my sig.

I have learned a lot. Mostly - most of the cards in my PC aren't worth the cardboard they are printed on. I have also learned the "don't by the holder, buy the card". I have learned I will probably not get rich from my collection, either what I have now or what I will obtain in the future. I have learned that graded cards are not the be all end all of the hobby. And I am sure I still have a lot to learn.

And I have learned it all here on the boards. I have enjoyed the group rips (and one of these days I will get a photobucket account to post some scans) and am waiting patiently for the most recent one. I got in on a blue flip submission (loggage any day now!).

I am enjoying a part of my childhood I didn't think I would ever see again. On a semi-related note, I have also reunited with my childhood best friend (we hadn't seen each other since 1981 when I moved away). He and I traded cards all the time as kids. Now - he has a huge memoribilia collection, including lots of autographs. We have gone to a couple of shows and will be going again later this month.

So THANK YOU to everyone here. Your experience as expressed on these boards has been a tremendous resource. I only hope that I can contribute to future noobs in the future.

Stone193

<< <i>I am enjoying a part of my childhood I didn't think I would ever see again >>

+1

softparade

One of my first interactions with anybody here, at least that I can remember off the top of my head was with this dude named Stone

He sent me in the mail .... for nothing and just out of goodwill ..... a pristine raw 1978 Topps Baseball Roy White which then turned into a PSA 10 when I graded it. This was one of the main factors in blasting me off on a 1978 Topps quest. Still in my dormant set!

softparade

<< <i>

I recall fondly the old vintage wax "case breaks" (post-Gary, that is), and that is one real difference between then & now--back in 2006-2008, Steve would get in wax CASES instead of boxes from late 70s or so, and I still have case fresh 1975 mini, 1978 and 1980 Topps wax boxes from those breaks. >>



I bought a 78 rack case from Steve back in those days! Actually it was in 2005. What a thread that was lol

Good times .... so Steve is not scoring cases anymore ????? I have been out of it ..

bobbydigital731

I love being a part of this board but I continue to show my ignorance with each post; however, everyone has been super cool to help me a long the way.

ChiefsFan1st

Reading back through this made me curious, so I went back and looked up my first
threadnewby I had forgot
about the 100 dollar membership fee!! Times sure were tough back in my day

CNote

Same avatar since the first 15th I was able to upload it. Glad nobody else has used it.

When I first started posting, I was still heavy into the Griffey master set (had 1500+ cards) and I complimented ebay seller Shoelessjoejackson since I got some nice cards cheap from him. Steve (Winpitcher) was convinced I was him for a while.

grote15

<< <i>

<< <i>

I recall fondly the old vintage wax "case breaks" (post-Gary, that is), and that is one real difference between then & now--back in 2006-2008, Steve would get in wax CASES instead of boxes from late 70s or so, and I still have case fresh 1975 mini, 1978 and 1980 Topps wax boxes from those breaks. >>



I bought a 78 rack case from Steve back in those days! Actually it was in 2005. What a thread that was lol

Good times .... so Steve is not scoring cases anymore ????? I have been out of it .. >>



Forget a 78 rack case...it's been a long while since Steve had a 78 rack BOX in stock, LOL..

I remember that rack case you bought...I don't recall what you paid for it (was it about $3,800?) but I know it was a bargain compared to today's prices!

perkdog

I remember my first few posts here, I actually caused an uproar by calling some guy an idiot in a thread after he won an ebay auction for over 7K the card was a 1953 Bowman Color Toby Atwell in PSA 8 obviously I had no clue about low pop commons back then but I still thought the guy was an idiot although I did apoligize. After I "settled" in and became more educated and got to know alot of great people here I have always enjoyed this message board.

Alot has changed over the years, I went from a Vintage Baseball guy to a Vintage Football guy and on a few occasions sold everything and rebought the stuff I sold having regretted getting rid of my stuff but those days are long gone now I am 100% certain my card collecting days are over in fact I dont own any graded Vintage cards at all. I hang around and still get enjoyment out of the threads and checking out all the great cards and conversations even though I dont add much to topics.

Lots of great posters have come and gone but some of the funniest topics over the years still ring pretty clear in my memory such as the titanic battles between Stown and Axtell in sportstalk, the hilarious plifter and his Ruth card- not sure if many of you remember the time plifter tried to cross a GAI Ruth into a PSA holder and got denied and lost his mind over it! The Tecknobaily era, funny stuff.

Fortunately I was never involved in some of the scams over the years but Ive seen people get taken and as good as this place has been the bad part of the Hobby has infiltrated here but overall its a pretty educated great group of posters.