If you've been collecting for awhile, did you think you'd still be collecting cards in 2008?

TheCARDKid · January 8, 2008 3:13PM

This question is mostly aimed to those that started collecting in the late 70's, through the 80's boom, or through the early 90's. Did you think you'd still be collecting by 2008?

Did you think you'd be collecting other things by now? Or not collecting at all, given up. What keeps you in it?

For me, I've branched out more into toys, other things from the 80's. Not quite as gung ho about cards, although they're still fun.

-I didn't think sports would change so much, that's one thing that's shocked me. The decline of baseball and the NBA. I'd collect more modern cards (post 92/93) if they hadn't declined.

-Other forms of entertainment, options, youtube, all the choices you've got now, cards used to be it.

I'm kind of suprised I'm still in it. But maybe other people have gotten more enthusiastic about it as time goes on...more money to spend, more deals, more cards to get you've always wanted, learned from past mistakes.

kylehess10 · January 8, 2008 3:20PM

I first started collecting in 1999, when I was 9 years old. I never once thought that I would someday be collecting the equipment used by players; I always planned on having the most Braves cards. Back then, all I wanted to do is get a card of every Braves player; and now-a-days, I just want to get as much game used Braves memorabilia as I can. Heck even when I first started collecting game used memorabilia in 2006, I never even had a clue that I would have a collection like I have today, only 2 years later. I always thought then that I would just have a lot of common-player bats, but instead, I have items from the World Series, All Star Game, historic homeruns, big-name players, etc.

I guess it just goes to prove that you'll get what you'll always never expect.

11235813 · January 8, 2008 5:14PM

Yes,

I always thought I would be collecting. However, my interests have narrowed significantly from when I was a kid in the 70's/80's. I rarely buy new boxes these days (except for some of the Topps Heritage issues), and otherwise only buy cards for the sets I am working on and a few other things.

ArnyVee · January 8, 2008 9:31PM

I started collecting in 1980 and the age of 8. Started getting serious in 1984 and collected heavily (while working in card shops for a few years) up until 1990. From there, I lost interest and the cards were 'on the side' gathering dust for the next few years. I picked collecting back up (slabbed this time) towards the end of the '90s (1998 or so). Now, after being all over the place with picking up cards, I've settled a bit on finishing a couple of sets here and there.

I never thought whether I'd still be collecting in 2008. It's like the Gatorade commercial...."Is it in you?"....and I'd have to answer yes.

If you were passionate about sports and the hobby, you can't just give it up altogether. The hobby will find you at some point. "Just when you thought you were out, they suck you back in!"

fiveniner · January 8, 2008 11:39PM

Had my first cards in 1958 Billy Martin and Frank Zupo. Got reaquanted with cards in the early 70s again.

OnlyThe10s · January 9, 2008 12:00AM

Personally, I have no interest in modern cards. I have not purchased a box or even a pack of cards in well over a decade.

The new #'d cards, GU stuff, overpriced "high end" (Sterling, Triple threads, etc) stuff, etc is just boring.

So yes, I'll continue to collect (like many others) but i will not collect any modern stuff.

AlanAllen · January 9, 2008 12:03AM

I had a passion for cards from the beginning, and never gave any serious thought to getting out. I've been collecting for 28 years and expect to have 28+ more collecting years in front of me

.

Joe

Stingray · January 9, 2008 1:01AM

Bought my first packs in 74, seriously collected cards in mid 70s to about 1980 or so. Once I got to High School, not so much, then when I went off to college, not at all. Bought into the hype of the late 80s early 90s stuff and stopped really collecting, just bought packs here and there. Really started collecting again in 2005 when I found this site and began to buy graded cards. Now if I can just stay focused on something for more than a few months!!

TNTonPMS · January 9, 2008 2:47AM

<< <i>Had my first cards in 1958 Billy Martin and Frank Zupo. Got reaquanted with cards in the early 70s again. >>

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Woe, I never knew there was a ball player named Frank Zupo ?

My friend is named Frank Zupo and so is his old man , he used to take us flying all the time , he used to rent a single engine Cessna from the airport near us and we all got to fly , the best times I have ever had in my life !

I don't think I have really ever thought about how long I would be collecting though, it just seems like something I have always done since as long as I can remember , it's just like eating or sleeping , I'll do it forever I guess .

mcolney1 · January 9, 2008 6:05AM

I bought my first pack in late 1973 from 7-11. All last series Topps baseball. Traded my very worn Schmidt rookie years ago. Collected heavy until I discovered cars and girls in the late 70's, got back into it after college buying into the hype - big mistake. Signed up on ebay in 1999 and it took me the better part of six years to sell off, donate or trade all my mid 80's to mid 90's junk.

Now I am very focused on sets from my birth to the mid 80's. I'd like to be all NM and complete. Ebay, for all the abuse they've received has saved me more time and money than I could every count. I get the specific cards I need at the price I want - no haggling. I also have a market for my extra cards that I can sell in one week via ebay that might very well take a lifetime of selling at shows.

I met a man name Bud in Seattle back in the day and he said never stop collecting. Good advice and I wish I would have paid attention through the late 70s and early 80s when bargains were plentiful. Now I pay more for what I want, but I also have a lot more money now.

Collect because you love the hobby and don't stop. It was sad when (I forget his name) had to sell is lifetime collection last summer through Mastro because he was too old and too fearful of having his stuff stolen...very sad story.

DrJ · January 9, 2008 7:25AM

Good Topic.

For me, I have just gotten back into the hobby in a serious way the past year. I was a big collector in the 80's and 90's and kind of got drawn away by the Baseball strike and the ridiculous cost per pack that some manufacturer's were charging per pack (sadly this has not changed and has even gotten worse).

I got drawn back in by a couple things....

1.) Most of my cards were stored at the parents house and never made it over to my home. Well my dad was doing a clean-up and it was take the cards or he was getting rid of them. The cards represented a lot of good memories so I took them and began enjoying my collection again. Along the way I finished high school, college, got married, and now have my first child.

2.) Affordability of of nice older cards. I make more money now which may play a part, but I really thinking the grading market has helped those who like nice collectible examples (PSA5/6/7) of vintage cards. The high end is out of the reach of many, with the exponential growth at the higher grades when compared to those just a few lower. Cards for me has always been about collecting, and there are nice deals to be had for my collection.

J

TheCARDKid · January 9, 2008 7:44AM

Interesting replies guys.

The thing that sticks out for me is, how many more things there are to do now, even compared to 10 years ago.

When I collected cards in elementary school, middle school, 86-92/93, all you had was...

-Basic tv, 10 channels, cable, maybe 50-75 channels

-4 sports, its differnet compared to now, where you have x games, skateboarding, alot of alternative sports, golf is bigger because of Tiger Woods.

-I remember trading on the playground in elementary school, in 87, 88, cards were the only information you had on players for the most part. I.e., the statistics on the back meant something.

Although on the plus side, I'm glad grading caught on, I wouldn't want to go back to the days of buying a $750 Jordan rookie raw, and expensive cards, and you dont know if they've been messed with.

RonBurgundy · January 9, 2008 8:09AM

Great thread. Could write a book about this, but here's a condensed reply:

Started in 1978. Still remember the first pack I bought, a '78 baseball rack pack.

Quit around 1993-94 timeframe. Cards collected dust, totally ignored the hobby and did not even know or care about grading. In 2001, while spending time at home recovering from surgery I wandered over to the card section of Ebay and bought a '68 partial set on a lark. Things have never been the same. A year later I made the decision to get rid of the crap I did not want and to build the collection I have always wanted to have, high grade vintage. 5 years later my quest continues and I enjoy it so much I can't imagine not collecting.

Stay classy,

Ron

TheVon · January 9, 2008 8:18AM

It seems to me that everybody that started collecting as a kid had a time away from the hobby at some point and to some degree. It's as if we were all prodigal sons for a while.

I blame girls, the 90s, and college . . . in that order.

If you've been collecting for awhile, did you think you'd still be collecting cards in 2008?

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