To you; what is the most enjoyable part of the hobby

[Rich Klein]

Please post

[roarfrom34]

the relationships forged with like minded people

[FrankWakefield]

ditto that.

Sometimes I'm able to give someone something they've been after for a while... And sometimes a card I've sought just appears in the mail. It is like having angels out there.

Once in a while someone can enlighten you on the nuances of a set, stuff that the guides and the magazines miss... there are some great guys out there. Many don't post here, they don't even look here. Still waters run deep...


Like how years ago I met Rich Klein when he was attending a Diamondbacks game with Lew Lipset. I was at the game, and went down to meet Lew, whom I'd known through letters and the telephone for years... Rich was with Lew. And years later, Rich and I realized that we'd met... (Jose Jimenez no hit the Diamondbacks, and won, 1-0, beating a dominate Big Unit, who allowed a broken bat single to drive in a run in the 9th). Hey Rich!

[Kawika]

The chicks.

[Bicem]

the hunt.

[rhettyeakley]

The hunt...for Chicks

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Kawika

The chicks.

Yeah, chicks dig guys who collect cards.

The friendships.

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

ditto that.

Sometimes I'm able to give someone something they've been after for a while... And sometimes a card I've sought just appears in the mail. It is like having angels out there.

1) the STUFF!
For me this hobby's enjoyment has always just been about the stuff to collect.
2) The People!
I found this Board in 2006 and since then, I have had a few occasions where something pertinent to my collecting shows up unannounced in my mail. Freebies. But not like 1989 donruss freebies. Serious freebies. Nothing worth more than $50, but serious personal value. Here's a few examples: Rich Klein sent me a fantastic photo of one of my cousins that I had never seen before, and just said to send him sometihng small back if I ever feel like it. The photo is amazing, and I never would have found it if not for his help and generosity (paying it forward, you might say), so I had no worries at all about hooking him up with a pretty decent Whitey Ford card that no longer fit in my collection. Dan Bretta gave me the most amazing gift of knowledge in March of this year when he alerted me to a listing for two of my cousin's bats. I have never dropped $600 faster without even a whiff of a second thought! And for the first time in a long time, I experienced the exact opposite of buyer's remorse - I don't know what it is, but I love it. On a couple occasions I have also received Burke photos in the mail from a couple of prominent West Coast collectors...This kind of experience is not to be overlooked when examining why we collect, and post and read on these types of boards, etc...

3) the chickens. If you follow the early portion of this thread, you will see that the question is begging to be asked: Has anyone here experienced buyer's remorse after the thrill of the hunt for the chicks is gone?

[calvindog]

The great guys in the hobby.

[Bicem]

Exposing shady auction practices.

[D. Broughman]

Learning about the players and the game. I love to hear stories of how the players affected the game and our history.

[mark evans]

The friendships. But, a close second: the adrenalin rush of finding a card I've been seeking for years, bidding, hopefully winning, awaiting/receiving in mail.

[mcap100176]

Mark's close second is "it" for me. Nothing like walking to the mailbox hoping that the most recent purchase came. I feel defeated when they don't come.

Rob - My chick fully tolerates my involvement in the hobby. You need to move from State Island to NJ.

[Robextend]

I agree with Mark too, when I open my mailbox and see only bills it gets pretty depressing.

I am in Jersey a lot!! My Brother is in Edison, my best friend is in Middlesex and SGC is in Parsippany!

[drdduet]

The education.