[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by SOX75

I have done exactly what you described within the last year and I track everything I buy. Here's what I have into my set:

Purchase of complete set on eBay: $842.07
Upgrading 132 cards including Bench, Rose, Jackson,
Mays, B. Robinson & numerous high numbers: $473.63
Sale of my lesser grade cards: -$77.48
Total cost: $1238.22

For $1240 I have a good EX-Mint/NM set with 95% of the cards with 4 sharp corners.

The high number cards seem to go for about $5-6 each, with many much higher. One of the hardest cards to find at a reasonable cost was #700, Bobby Murcer In Action. That was $13. I bought my cards between Greg Morris on eBay and at large card shows from dealers that specialize in set building. The low number commons are between 50 cents-$1 each at the shows, usually $1-1.50 on eBay. If I was going to do it over again I would do it the same, except check the base set better for condition of the high number cards.

Appreciate the info. and insight. This is valuable info. Sounds like you made out pretty good.