How I Spent My Christmas & Birthday Cash
vintagefun
Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
Someone recently asked a question about how you'd spend a thousand dollars. Since my parents and my brothers wanted to get me cards for Christmas and my birthday, 12/31, they gave me a total of $700. I decided to take $300 of my hopeful fantasy winnings and put myself to the test. Since my focus is shifting to mostly mid-grade RCs, I figured I should set some parameters.
The Rules:
Have to get at least 6 cards, with at least 1 from each BB, FB, BK, HK, and not spending more than 500 on any card. Though the last one is more of a guideline, as I don't want to rule out a good deal. (did not come into play)
The Results:
I wasn't quite sure where to start. So many cards I wanted. I decided to make a list of about 50 to 60 cards at a variety of price ranges and watch the BST board. The three at the top of the list were 68 Ryan, 76 Payton, and 80 Magic/Bird. No luck, at least in my range. But two others on the list did, so...
First Up:
From a fellow board member, Johnny and Ozzie. Great cards. Nice looking and budget friendly. Thanks epruyne.
The Core:
With time starting to run out, I had to resort to eBay. I don't like auctions and prefer the efficiency of BIN or BO, which suited these circumstances. While that caused me to slightly overpay on these first 2, I think I got a great deal on the third. The Ryan looked better than every 6 I saw, and though it was a bit steep, I bought the card, not the holder. The Magic/Bird is well-centered and I thought it might be bumpable, but some print stuff seals it to its 7. But the Payton. I love it. It's got a small corner ding, but presents beautifully, and came at a solid price. Couldn't be happier.
Finally:
With both time and budget almost expired, I still needed a hockey card. I found these two thru probstein, and though technically only the Yzerman should count, I was able to scoop the Montana and stay within 10%, which I justified as fair since time restraints forced me over to eBay where I paid a bit more than a little patience would've allowed.
What I Learned:
I really enjoyed buying this way. And am already almost half way through the next grand, Gibson, Bradshaw, Staubach. My Want List has cards mostly from $30-300 with a few that'll test the $500 rule, but not being bound by grade offers a lot of flexibility. Not being bound by time will hopefully offer the luxury of buying off BST. Forcing the mix of sports offers variety. And I can weight the spend on a core 1-3 or spread it evenly around all 6.
It forced me to look at the qualities I appreciate in a card, not the number grade. I saw so many 6s that I'd rather have than 7s, even at the same price. I'm not saying they're mis-graded, just that we each weight flaws differently. I'll sacrifice some corner wear and surface issues for centering. However, no amount of centering can save an unfortunately placed print dot. Handled cards have character, so I'm cool with that, I just want to want to look at it.
I'll be posting my Want List on the BST board soon. I just don't know if I should throw the whole list up, or if I should pare it down by sport. I do plan on having 2 lists going at the same time, so if any of the whales or something that would bust the budget pops, I can still get it.
I'll list the budget toughies here in case anyone can help.
58 Jim Brown (4-6)
61F Wilt (3-4)
61F Oscar (3-4)
61F West (3-4)
65 Namath (3-4)
79 Gretzky (6-7)
86F Jordan (6-7)
Thanks for reading. I'll update as each list is completed, probably once each quarter.
The Rules:
Have to get at least 6 cards, with at least 1 from each BB, FB, BK, HK, and not spending more than 500 on any card. Though the last one is more of a guideline, as I don't want to rule out a good deal. (did not come into play)
The Results:
I wasn't quite sure where to start. So many cards I wanted. I decided to make a list of about 50 to 60 cards at a variety of price ranges and watch the BST board. The three at the top of the list were 68 Ryan, 76 Payton, and 80 Magic/Bird. No luck, at least in my range. But two others on the list did, so...
First Up:
From a fellow board member, Johnny and Ozzie. Great cards. Nice looking and budget friendly. Thanks epruyne.
The Core:
With time starting to run out, I had to resort to eBay. I don't like auctions and prefer the efficiency of BIN or BO, which suited these circumstances. While that caused me to slightly overpay on these first 2, I think I got a great deal on the third. The Ryan looked better than every 6 I saw, and though it was a bit steep, I bought the card, not the holder. The Magic/Bird is well-centered and I thought it might be bumpable, but some print stuff seals it to its 7. But the Payton. I love it. It's got a small corner ding, but presents beautifully, and came at a solid price. Couldn't be happier.
Finally:
With both time and budget almost expired, I still needed a hockey card. I found these two thru probstein, and though technically only the Yzerman should count, I was able to scoop the Montana and stay within 10%, which I justified as fair since time restraints forced me over to eBay where I paid a bit more than a little patience would've allowed.
What I Learned:
I really enjoyed buying this way. And am already almost half way through the next grand, Gibson, Bradshaw, Staubach. My Want List has cards mostly from $30-300 with a few that'll test the $500 rule, but not being bound by grade offers a lot of flexibility. Not being bound by time will hopefully offer the luxury of buying off BST. Forcing the mix of sports offers variety. And I can weight the spend on a core 1-3 or spread it evenly around all 6.
It forced me to look at the qualities I appreciate in a card, not the number grade. I saw so many 6s that I'd rather have than 7s, even at the same price. I'm not saying they're mis-graded, just that we each weight flaws differently. I'll sacrifice some corner wear and surface issues for centering. However, no amount of centering can save an unfortunately placed print dot. Handled cards have character, so I'm cool with that, I just want to want to look at it.
I'll be posting my Want List on the BST board soon. I just don't know if I should throw the whole list up, or if I should pare it down by sport. I do plan on having 2 lists going at the same time, so if any of the whales or something that would bust the budget pops, I can still get it.
I'll list the budget toughies here in case anyone can help.
58 Jim Brown (4-6)
61F Wilt (3-4)
61F Oscar (3-4)
61F West (3-4)
65 Namath (3-4)
79 Gretzky (6-7)
86F Jordan (6-7)
Thanks for reading. I'll update as each list is completed, probably once each quarter.
52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
0
Comments
Jmaciu's Collection
As everyone has already said, great stuff.
Jeff
Bosox1976
Congrats!
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.