Most important bb card advice you've ever rc'vd

[mintacular]

To me it was "Much easier to buy than to sell" or something to that effect. Nothing groundbreaking there but I hear that little voice sometimes before I make a purchase. You?

[glchen]

"Don't spend more than you have."

[christopher.herman]

"Collect what you like in order to stay focused"

[t206fix]

In the 80s, when I would show my dad the Beckett value of some of my cards, he would say, "I don't know... It's only worth what someone will pay you for it."

Still true to this day!

[usernamealreadytaken]

Don't take any wooden nickels

[Pup6913]

Don't be discouraged by a sour deal or two because it will happen. You seem to have a lot of passion for collecting cards so who cares what people think of you.
Joe P.

I recieved this from joe right after I joined the board and had a bad deal with another member. I was never fortunate enough to meet Joe because he passed before the 2010 Balt national but I did make the trip to Arlington to say my thanks.

[wondo]

"Don't rush to buy; there are always more cards than money."

and,

"Another one will come along."

[GregMitch34]

"Don't follow cheaters, watch the barking beaters."

[Paul S]

"Break out that sucker. hands on is more fun".

[rainier2004]

"You have to be willing to walk away" and "realize the difference bewteen buying something with your head versus your heart" - Dad

[Wite3]

Something I say to young collectors today and still try to use...

educate yourself on what you are buying before you jump in.

Joshua

[39special]

If it seems to good to be true,it probably is.

[bbcard1]

A hard one to heed: it's only baseball cards.

[Exhibitman]

When it comes to something you really want, don't sweat a few bucks extra.

[philliesphan]

1. Focus only on Ultra High Grade
2. God Bless the 1%. Do not be an armpit collector.
3. I like applesauce. But applesauce leaves a stain on pre-war ultra high grade rarities.

[Leon]

When it comes to something you really want, don't sweat a few bucks extra.

+1 ..... I have rarely regretted ponying up for something I really want.

[ullmandds]

advice I wish I was told 25 yrs ago..."the time to buy it is when u see it!"

[MacDice]

Avoid the monster, it will defeat you.

[Bicem]

knowledge is wealth

[steve B]

You can't pay too much, just too soon.

Yes, I realize that for some deals the right time won't come in my lifetime.
But even the bad deals in prewar from the early 80's look great today.
Can't say the same for the early 90's cards though, but their day will come and hopefully my great grandkids can enjoy that.

Steve B

[paulcarek]

1. Buy the card, not the holder.

2. Avoid mixing eBay with alcohol.

[Jcfowler6]

It's just cardboard.

[FrankWakefield]

A close second for me would be the sentiment of what Dr U said up there, if it is something you really want that you've seldom seen, buy it when it's available...

But #1... Use a black light.

[iggyman]

Let's Be Careful Out There!

Lovely Day...

[bobbyw8469]

"Buy the best card you can buy quality/gradewise"

[ethicsprof]

And remember: the Monster wants you to quit. Don't listen to it.

all the best,
barry

[UOFLfan7]

"Don't spend more than you have and be cautious not to get too carried away, however most of all, don't be afraid to pull the trigger finger when a great deal comes along. Thats not only true for baseball cards, but also life."
Bob Witmer, my Grandpa or papa as I call him.

"Sentimental value is what truly matters."
David Passafiume, my dad.

[tonyo]

Don't be discouraged by a sour deal or two because it will happen. You seem to have a lot of passion for collecting cards so who cares what people think of you.
Joe P.

I recieved this from joe right after I joined the board and had a bad deal with another member. I was never fortunate enough to meet Joe because he passed before the 2010 Balt national but I did make the trip to Arlington to say my thanks.

Alot of good advice in this thread.

Andrew I'm glad you credited Joe P. Our board time only overlapped about a year or so and I never contacted him but I always enjoyed his posts. I usually felt he had a healthy perspective and I've remembered more than once something he wrote. Maybe not advice, and maybe not the most important, but I have used the thought on other topics when talking with my kids:

"How do you put a price on something you enjoy?"

[scooter729]

Don't rely on SMR prices when making a purchase.

[2dueces]

We don't own these cards. We are just holding them for awhile. Jay Wolt

[phikappapsi]

"Never liquidate an asset you don't have to. Never sell an investment for a depreciable good."

From my grandpa, it was actually his investing advice for the stock market, but I've applied it to cards. I've been collecting since I was 5 years old, only ever sold 3 cards (dips) And only so I could get 2 cards.

[kcohen]

Good sense has no role to play in this hobby.

[nolemmings]

"You can never have too much '88 Donruss--it will only go up".