Thinking about calling it a day on collecting.

[Brian Van Horn]

No, guys this is not a boy who cried wolf post. I have been collecting since September 1972 and almost exclusively pre-WWII since 1989. I don't know if it is because I am getting a little older or that I have seen just about every kind of card-except a few in Olbermann's collection-but the high has dulled a little. I also just don't like the way the hobby is going. A newer, smaller in number generation is coming in and although I do not have anything against new blood which is essential for this hobby, it is the smaller number that concerns me. Fame is fleeting would be the best analogy.

It also just the prices are out of alignment with reality. I include myself in this observation. If you look at eBay, the same cards are constantly on there, but every now and then a card will pique my interest. Of course, it also piques the interest of auction groups who then sell it in there auctions plus buyer's premium of anywhere from 12.5% to 20+%. Not whining, but even if you beat the auction groups in the bid, you pay an inflated value.

Part of collecting is enjoying what you have and part of it, frankly is investing. The investing part for me is overshadowing the collecting and I am a collector and I have always known that if it got to that point, it may be time to get out.

Admittedly, I haven't decided, but the excitement has waned.

[Peter_Spaeth]

A buyer's premium is meaningless from a buyer's perspective.

[Brian Van Horn]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

A buyer's premium is meaningless from a buyer's perspective.

I would tend to contradict that especially if you are a new person breaking into the hobby. It would sort out now the men from the boys, but the addicts from neophytes.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I don't follow you. If you know X percent is going to be added to your bid, you bid accordingly. It doesn't take experience to figure that out. It has meaning only to a consignor.

[clydepepper]

but, I do understand. I have gone through that stage many times. I have been very lucky to have disposable income to feed my hobby. I try not to pin my feelings about my collection to 1.) pricing 2.) modern products & 3.) today's ML game.

Don't get me wrong, I still have many modern players I like and that along with my never-ending love of the game, keeps the fire burning.

My key is finding 'niches' like players born on my birthday; local players, which, thanks to the draft always has new blood. I found out only a few days ago that a 1952 Columbus Cardinals set exists.

My interest in Baseball and in the BBC hobby is far more emotional than financial and always will be.

I urge you to find a way to 'tie yourself back into it' - attempting very hard not to sound like Al Pacino in Godfather III.

Loosing someone like Tony Gwynn reaches all of us, though I don't know if that entered into your thinking...stay involved if your heart says so...

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I don't follow you. If you know X percent is going to be added to your bid, you bid accordingly. It doesn't take experience to figure that out. It has meaning only to a consignor.

100% accurate Peter which is a concept, for whatever reason, some people still tend to debate. The Buyer's Premium solely picks the pocket of the consignor with the buyer bidding accordingly to "x" %.

Joe

[GregMitch34]

I'm with those who walk the investing/collecting line by, yes, considering the investment angle--but only buying beautiful cards that I love.

[Runscott]

I would never buy a baseball card (or related item) as an investment unless I absolutely loved it - I'm going to be seeing it for a long time so I need to really like it.

Sent from my SM-G730V using Tapatalk

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I would never buy a baseball card (or related item) as an investment unless I absolutely loved it - I'm going to be seeing it for a long time so I need to really like it.

Sent from my SM-G730V using Tapatalk

I agree Scott. You actually have a piece on your site I am waiting for you to get tired of so I can take it off your hands

[Runscott]

If it is the Wagner portrait, I came close to making a deal once, but the potential buyer luckily balked at my price. I slapped myself twice and took it off the market.

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[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by Runscott

If it is the Wagner portrait, I came close to making a deal once, but the potential buyer luckily balked at my price. I slapped myself twice and took it off the market.

Sent from my SM-G730V using Tapatalk

Yup, that's the one

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

No, guys this is not a boy who cried wolf post. I have been collecting since September 1972 and almost exclusively pre-WWII since 1989. I don't know if it is because I am getting a little older or that I have seen just about every kind of card-except a few in Olbermann's collection-but the high has dulled a little. I also just don't like the way the hobby is going. A newer, smaller in number generation is coming in and although I do not have anything against new blood which is essential for this hobby, it is the smaller number that concerns me. Fame is fleeting would be the best analogy.

It also just the prices are out of alignment with reality. I include myself in this observation. If you look at eBay, the same cards are constantly on there, but every now and then a card will pique my interest. Of course, it also piques the interest of auction groups who then sell it in there auctions plus buyer's premium of anywhere from 12.5% to 20+%. Not whining, but even if you beat the auction groups in the bid, you pay an inflated value.

Part of collecting is enjoying what you have and part of it, frankly is investing. The investing part for me is overshadowing the collecting and I am a collector and I have always known that if it got to that point, it may be time to get out.

Admittedly, I haven't decided, but the excitement has waned.

Brian...I agree with many of your concerns as well...aside from the fact that it's just not as exciting as it used to be...there are so few cards I desire that just never come up for sale...throw in the corruption and I may be close to calling it a day too!!

[Brian Van Horn]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Brian...I agree with many of your concerns as well...aside from the fact that it's just not as exciting as it used to be...there are so few cards I desire that just never come up for sale...throw in the corruption and I may be close to calling it a day too!!

Pete,

I was trying to leave corruption out of my reasons, but I can't ignore the elephant in the room.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

Pete,

I was trying to leave corruption out of my reasons, but I can't ignore the elephant in the room.

Unfortunately it seems most collectors can.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

Pete,

I was trying to leave corruption out of my reasons, but I can't ignore the elephant in the room.

I have been collecting for close to 30 yrs and corruption has been around and doing quite well the entire time. Any time there is money to make(steal) there is corruption.

Like several other have said I to have had the same feelings you are having. I have taken several breaks from collecting over the years.

[veleno45]

I am surprised at the number of people that are considering "getting out". Brian, I hope you can get the love back and continue on. In the short time I have been on Net54 I have learned an immense amount about vintage cards from everyone here.

I am a 40-something white guy, and every February I am in my local schools giving talks and presentations on the Negro Leagues. I noticed that all anyone ever knew about was Jackie Robinson. The only books in the library were on Jackie Robinson. I had to take to the classes to talk about Paige, and Cool Papa Bell, and Gibson and so on. I do it because it is a passion of mine, but also if I do not do it, who will?

When collectors as knowledgable as the guys on this site want to get out, it is really a shame. I hope you can not only find your passion again, but view yourselves as mavens or curators for the vintage card and vintage baseball world. You guys help the newbies out and without that knowledge being passed on the bad aspects will just continue to grow.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by veleno45

I am surprised at the number of people that are considering "getting out". Brian, I hope you can get the love back and continue on. In the short time I have been on Net54 I have learned an immense amount about vintage cards from everyone here.

I am a 40-something white guy, and every February I am in my local schools giving talks and presentations on the Negro Leagues. I noticed that all anyone ever knew about was Jackie Robinson. The only books in the library were on Jackie Robinson. I had to take to the classes to talk about Paige, and Cool Papa Bell, and Gibson and so on. I do it because it is a passion of mine, but also if I do not do it, who will?

When collectors as knowledgable as the guys on this site want to get out, it is really a shame. I hope you can not only find your passion again, but view yourselves as mavens or curators for the vintage card and vintage baseball world. You guys help the newbies out and without that knowledge being passed on the bad aspects will just continue to grow.

Kudos to you on teaching more obscure negro league stuff...do many of the kids seem interested?

Getting out of the hobby to me...if I were to ever leave would mean mainly liquidating the majority of my collection...but I would still frequent this board and be somewhat active in the hobby still...just not a collector.

[yanksfan09]

My advice would be to take a break and not sell anything that's really special or hard to replace just yet. Take a long break and see if you start to get the itch again. Maybe wait up to a year or so even before you part with any of your favorite stuff. You may regret it later. If you have no interest still after a long break then do as you see fit.
Best of luck.

[clydepepper]

Don't drink so much or read the label

[glchen]

Maybe you just need a break. Stop reading net54 and scavenging ebay and the auction houses for a while, and see where that leads you. I remember last year, Steven was thinking that the hobby was becoming stale for him: Link. However, after a little while, I believe he's come back and still collecting. Maybe it will be similar for you.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by glchen

Maybe you just need a break. Stop reading net54 and scavenging ebay and the auction houses for a while, and see where that leads you. I remember last year, Steven was thinking that the hobby was becoming stale for him: Link. However, after a little while, I believe he's come back and still collecting. Maybe it will be similar for you.

Nice memory Gary.

Someone told me to pack all my cards up and put them away for awhile. I think they were gone 2 months and in that time I really shifted gears in my collection. It actually led to where I am today as I am selling or finishing all projects, every last one of them by the holidays this year.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by glchen

Maybe you just need a break. Stop reading net54 and scavenging ebay and the auction houses for a while, and see where that leads you.

This is good advice. Sometimes even a week or two completely away can really help.

[Runscott]

I think it helps to add related hobbies such as autographs, memorabilia, photos - you know, the stuff I sell

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[Runscott]

...and fedoras

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[barrysloate]

You can't do the same thing forever.

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

You can't do the same thing forever.

You sure?

[Brian Van Horn]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

You sure?

The toploaders are supposed to be plastic, not the stuff you store in them .

[rc4157]

Brian, one of the things that is still great about the hobby is meeting people, the good people, that are involved. Someone like me, who isn't buying/selling a lot of cards kind of take things in stride, but those who are immersed in the "business" I think are more apt to burn out at some point.

With that said, I have always thought you come up with a grand variety of cards and I enjoy looking at what you have available even though you and I know my interests are a bit more narrowly focused.

Personally, I hope you stay involved at some level but ultimately it is up to you!

RC

[Brian Van Horn]

Thank you, Richard.

[tbob]

I've gone through that funk a few times myself Brian but I always pull back, shift gears (maybe switch for a while to completing late 50's Topps sets) and come back to pre-war. I hope you hang in there.
As far as the investment angle, most all of my cards are worth more than I paid for them over the years, even though some sets have slipped lately, so I'm good.
Take a deep breath, put together an Ex-Mt 1959 Topps set card by card and then come back to pre-war

[JakeStahl'sGloveSHows]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

You sure?

Actually, I think you just made his point......seen pics lately?

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

You sure?

I knew there was something you could do forever.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Brian - When it stops being fun walk away and find something new. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

No, guys this is not a boy who cried wolf post. I have been collecting since September 1972 and almost exclusively pre-WWII since 1989. I don't know if it is because I am getting a little older or that I have seen just about every kind of card-except a few in Olbermann's collection-but the high has dulled a little. I also just don't like the way the hobby is going. A newer, smaller in number generation is coming in and although I do not have anything against new blood which is essential for this hobby, it is the smaller number that concerns me. Fame is fleeting would be the best analogy.

It also just the prices are out of alignment with reality. I include myself in this observation. If you look at eBay, the same cards are constantly on there, but every now and then a card will pique my interest. Of course, it also piques the interest of auction groups who then sell it in there auctions plus buyer's premium of anywhere from 12.5% to 20+%. Not whining, but even if you beat the auction groups in the bid, you pay an inflated value.

Part of collecting is enjoying what you have and part of it, frankly is investing. The investing part for me is overshadowing the collecting and I am a collector and I have always known that if it got to that point, it may be time to get out.

Admittedly, I haven't decided, but the excitement has waned.

I've been where you are now off and on for a year or two. Not yet ready to jump ship though my card mojo is low. Stopped setting up at shows two or three years ago because that stopped being fun. I no longer get warm and fuzzy while looking at material that we see over and over again. Showcases at shows just blend into one another. I know haven't seen it all, but I feel like I have.

Net54 isn't nearly as fun or interesting to me as it used to be though I still peruse it out of habit. Don't know if the membership has changed or I have, Probably some of both. Used to love BST, now it irritates me, seems more like hustler haven now. I certainly skip over anything demanding paypal f/f payment.

Still debating whether to attend the National or not. Maybe that would snap me out of it. Would be nice to hang out with some old collector friends over food and drink. Ironically I am now one card short of "completing" my collection. Just can't summon the juice to acquire it.

Improved cashflow and a fatter checkbook just seem more attractive now.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by kcohen

I've been where you are now off and on for a year or two. Not yet ready to jump ship though my card mojo is low. Stopped setting up at shows two or three years ago because that stopped being fun. I no longer get warm and fuzzy while looking at material that we see over and over again. Showcases at shows just blend into one another. I know haven't seen it all, but I feel like I have.

Net54 isn't nearly as fun or interesting to me as it used to be though I still peruse it out of habit. Don't know if the membership has changed or I have, Probably some of both. Used to love BST, now it irritates me, seems more like hustler haven now. I certainly skip over anything demanding paypal f/f payment.

Still debating whether to attend the National or not. Maybe that would snap me out of it. Would be nice to hang out with some old collector friends over food and drink. Ironically I am now one card short of "completing" my collection. Just can't summon the juice to acquire it.

Improved cashflow and a fatter checkbook just seem more attractive now.

+1

[Leon]

As to the question of our membership changing, there is no doubt it does. Last month was about average for new, (manual) site registrations. We had 97 members join last month. Some members stay, some go and some have joined very recently. Some of the old timers get a bit jaded but the hobby and this site is fine, imo. There is no doubt that the collecting fun factor comes and goes, it's normal. I enjoy carousing with my friends in the hobby almost as much as I do collecting the cards themselves.