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New collector here

Yankeehero74Yankeehero74 Posts: 139
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Just starting out in the hobby and wanted to get some tips or advice about collecting. There are so many choices out there so before I drive myself insane I was hoping to get some helpful tips. I appreciate the help.

Comments

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi and welcome!

    I've been collecting for almost 25 years without a break.

    My best advice:

    1. Establish a FOCUS - I found myself all over the place - trying to corner the market and wasn't having much fun.

    2. Determine a BUDGET - early on, it's easy to go nuts and spend too much money - then the night sweats ensue - with flashbacks - and ya wind up running - screaming into the nite!

    3. On ebay - "You can go broke saving money!" Stay on budget. Learn to "Pass" on items. In general - with some exceptions - if you pass, another will come along when you genuinely have the money.

    4. STAY ON FOCUS AND BUDGET!!!!!

    5. If your gut tells you to hold off on something questionable? No matter what they want for something - hold off or get advice here or another web where there's experience/knowledge.

    Hope this helps.

    Good luck and don't be a stranger.

    Mike
  • JustinsShoeboxJustinsShoebox Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭
    Welcome!

    What sports are you interested in? For me it's only and always will be Baseball.

    Justin
    Retired - Eddie Mathews Topps Master Registry (100% Complete) Rank 1

    Retired - Eddie Mathews Master Registry Set (96.36%) Rank 1
  • Yankeehero74Yankeehero74 Posts: 139
    Hey Justin well Im mainly interested in baseball. Ive always loved the history of vintage baseball cards and their appeal. I dont know if you can tell but I'm a huge yankees fan..image I see alot of cards out there that I like so its kind of difficult to decide which route to go
  • 76collector76collector Posts: 986 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. Establish a FOCUS - I found myself all over the place - trying to corner the market and wasn't having much fun. 2. Determine a BUDGET - early on, it's easy to go nuts and spend too much money - then the night sweats ensue - with flashbacks - and ya wind up running - screaming into the nite! 3. On ebay - "You can go broke saving money!" Stay on budget. Learn to "Pass" on items. In general - with some exceptions - if you pass, another will come along when you genuinely have the money. 4. STAY ON FOCUS AND BUDGET!!!!! 5. If your gut tells you to hold off on something questionable? No matter what they want for something - hold off or get advice here or another web where there's experience/knowledge. Hope this helps. Good luck and don't be a stranger.

    Great advice from Mike. It's even tough when you do have a focus (mine is baseball) to stay on budget. I have gone through a few different periods of time where I would see something on ebay, and just "have" to have it. He hit the nail on the head with "another will come along" in the vast majority of the cases, that is true. Wait, and stay within your budget, your collection will grow to something special over time.

    Good luck, and have fun collecting.
    I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid.
    Collecting:
    post world war II HOF rookie
    76 topps gem mint 10 commons 9 stars
    Arenado purple refractors(Rockies) Red (Cardinals)
    successful deals with Keevan, Grote15, 1954, mbogoman
  • BrickBrick Posts: 4,998 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi, hello, how are ya? image
    Focus is very important. Mr Stones advice is spot on. When I decided to get back to purchasing cards I wanted I decided to be a lurker on ebay for several weeks to get a feel for it. I made no bids and feel I learned a lot and avoided getting burned at start up.
    Collecting 1960 Topps Baseball in PSA 8
    http://www.unisquare.com/store/brick/

    Ralph

  • robert67robert67 Posts: 1,347 ✭✭✭✭
  • heritageheritage Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭
    1. Establish a FOCUS - I found myself all over the place - trying to corner the market and wasn't having much fun. 2. Determine a BUDGET - early on, it's easy to go nuts and spend too much money - then the night sweats ensue - with flashbacks - and ya wind up running - screaming into the nite! 3. On ebay - "You can go broke saving money!" Stay on budget. Learn to "Pass" on items. In general - with some exceptions - if you pass, another will come along when you genuinely have the money. 4. STAY ON FOCUS AND BUDGET!!!!! 5. If your gut tells you to hold off on something questionable? No matter what they want for something - hold off or get advice here or another web where there's experience/knowledge. Hope this helps. Good luck and don't be a stranger.

    Great advice from Mike. It's even tough when you do have a focus (mine is baseball) to stay on budget. I have gone through a few different periods of time where I would see something on ebay, and just "have" to have it. He hit the nail on the head with "another will come along" in the vast majority of the cases, that is true. Wait, and stay within your budget, your collection will grow to something special over time.

    Good luck, and have fun collecting.




    I agree with Mike 100%.
    Best of luck and welcome to the board.
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