Confession: I am horrible at building sets

Aric

I'm a set guy. I love building sets. I can't open a new product without immediately sorting them into numerical order and wanting to build the set. My problem is that I often "complete" a set only to find out I am still missing a card or two or three... It's extremely frustrating and I'm not sure where the breakdown in bookkeeping is taking place. I keep a google doc with my set needs, move them to an incoming section when I purchase them and then delete them when they get inserted into the set. I am guessing its the initial needs list that has the error but it could also be a purchase that was misplaced.

Anyway, just wanted to vent. Any one else have this problem? Or a solution?

cjaccardi

do the the opposite add them to the spreadsheet when actually added to the set

SidePocket

Sets are big. It's hard to not overlook a card or two somewhere along the line. Just be glad it's not a Mantle you overlooked!

tennesseebanker

I am probably the most horrible set builder on the planet. I lose interest quickly and move on to other projects leaving a unfinished set stored in a box for years. I finally just gave up on trying to build a set, I chalk it up to the ADHD I had as a kid which is now passed on to my son. I admire those who have the stamina to see large difficult set projects through to thier fruition.

totallyradd

When I rip open a box or am sorting through a lot I bought last summer I put em all in stacks of 100's, then break those down to 10's, then put em in order. When I do that I write down the missing card on an index card. I've done this with four sets. 83 Topps, 83 Fleer, 86 Topps, and 13 Topps.

The only one I think is probably not worth it is the 83 Topps. I still have a good 100 or so commons to go, and the set is EX/NM. Doesn't seem like it's worth it.

jmmiller777

Aric, I am the same way with the same issues. I have to go back and fill dozens of sets I've started over the past 20 years. Is there anything we can work on together?

1all

I think I found the perfect solution!

Seriously though, I've had similar issues. You're not alone.

PaulMaul

Count your blessings. It means you're not a completely anal OCD nut like some of us.

grote15

Putting together sets? I just put all my cards from pack rips in 100 ct plastic snap tight cases with all years mixed together lol.

LarkinCollector

<< <i>I'm a set guy. I love building sets. I can't open a new product without immediately sorting them into numerical order and wanting to build the set. My problem is that I often "complete" a set only to find out I am still missing a card or two or three... It's extremely frustrating and I'm not sure where the breakdown in bookkeeping is taking place. I keep a google doc with my set needs, move them to an incoming section when I purchase them and then delete them when they get inserted into the set. I am guessing its the initial needs list that has the error but it could also be a purchase that was misplaced.

Anyway, just wanted to vent. Any one else have this problem? Or a solution? >>


Most of my issues have come down to initial bookkeeping, so I spend more time on that rather than trying to rush through it. I keep track on paper while going through the set, transfer to a spreadsheet, and put the initial paper copy in the box with the set. Binders/pages are probably the solution for raw (easy to see which cards are missing), but takes up a lot of space.

The occasional issues I've found have always traced back to the initial paper copy, either a complete miss or transposition of numbers. Since I started taking more time on the initial list, no issues.

giantsfan20

Try this a blank checklist you can use for cards.

checklist form