What is the most important lesson you've learned through collecting?

[BearBailey]

Collect what you want/like.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BearBailey

Collect what you want/like.

It's the old cliché, but this is really what it all comes down to. There's no right or wrong way to do this, most people have a pretty good idea of what interests them and moves them and works for them so trust your instincts.

And I would add another cliché on the flip side. When in doubt, pass.

[Hankphenom]

The hunt is exciting, but can also become all-consuming. Try to squeeze as much pleasure as you can from the prizes you have already acquired, don't just put them away and turn all your attention to the next acquisitions. That's why I love display pieces on the wall and displays created in riker mounts, etc., just to look at as I go about my day or play my guitar.

A corollary to this is to learn to let things go. There's not a single item you own that you can't live without, and when you sell something you will forget about it almost immediately. And if you always sell off the "bottom" of your collection in terms of your interest, you are constantly improving it. Took me a while to get there, but now I enjoy selling from my collection almost as much as adding to it!

[CobbSpikedMe]

Sometimes it's more fun to give a card to someone who needs it rather than sell it. It all comes back around eventually.

[quitcrab]

I have learned that a nice raw card that I would put a 200 dollar price tag on at a card show could be submitted to PSA and come back a 9 and be easily sold for 800 to 900.

Card Grading has changed the way we buy,sell and collect.

Also:
Buy the card not the grade
Collect what you like
Overpay a bit for something you really want
Take a risk and buy something you have never seen before and hope for the best.
Add a little extra in a deal when you can.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by CobbSpikedMe

Sometimes it's more fun to give a card to someone who needs it rather than sell it. It all comes back around eventually.

^^THIS^^

Also always get scans/pics when doing a trade. Just saying as long as there is no major problems will get you a card that looks to have been folded in half and one with several pieces of tape stuck on it.

[Gnep31]

I have learned this is my hobby and not my business.

I have come across too many collectors who are all business all the time. They want to squeeze every penny they can from you on a trade/deal/postage etc. Thankfully, the majority of members here are like myself, but I have had to walk away from a deal or two. This is fun for me and I would rather sacrifice a deal than to make it a job.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Gnep31

I have learned this is my hobby and not my business.

I have come across too many collectors who are all business all the time. They want to squeeze every penny they can from you on a trade/deal/postage etc. Thankfully, the majority of members here are like myself, but I have had to walk away from a deal or two. This is fun for me and I would rather sacrifice a deal than to make it a job.

totally agree with this!

[HercDriver]

Originally Posted by CobbSpikedMe

Sometimes it's more fun to give a card to someone who needs it rather than sell it. It all comes back around eventually.

The mantra of OBC!! Nothing better than sending Random Acts of Kindness...

Take Care,
Geno