I collect for the love of the cards but since I have limited resources and I can’t afford everything I want I definitely have to focus on the money when buying or selling.

I am a collector and enjoy collecting and sometimes flipping for something different or an upgrade

But sadly as the prices go up we have to watch our money more closely and be strategic on when and how to sell or flip to ensure the best for the collection and just hope it is the best for everyone to make it as close as possible to a win win.

When we don't have enough money then we need to subsidize our collections and flipping is fun. Not sure why the disdain for flippers? I love flippers and have bought tons of my cards from them. I collect first but do enjoy trying to make a buck flipping. I love the cards so why not? I guess I could go flip cars but they are so big.
This card was on the BST and a friend flipper saw it first and bought it. I paid him a few hundred dollars more for it. I was happy and he was happy. How can that be bad? I do enjoy collecting more but flipping is fun.
.

I understand and agree with everything you say. And you clearly are having fun, as evidenced by the many chestnuts you pull out and post. It would have to be for you to run this terrific forum along with your hobby.

BTW - I love that Mathewson!

100% agree

Flipping is 100% cool with me; I do it all the time. Just don't lie to another collector to get a deal. Have some respect for your fellow community members or you will quickly find yourself with a rep for being a jerk and on the outs with many potential deal participants.

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.
--William Shakespeare, "Othello", Act 3 scene 3

Like everything in life, it's about context.

Someone buys a card priced low or poorly listed on eBay or the BST, and flips it for a profit. No problem with this at all.

A 30 year old Gary Vee stan lines up at Wal-Mart in his flip flops 6 hours before they open to buy every blaster, creating an artificial shortage to drive prices up and not allow other people to get packs in the modern hobby without paying a huge markup to the folks essentially holding the supply hostage. He's allowed to do this, but it's a **** move.

A collector sees a card I have and emails me, asking if I can let it go to him. He's building the set, and it would mean more to him than it does to me. I pay it forward, let him have it at a buyer friendly place, doing a solid for a fellow collector I have a positive interaction with as many gentlemen have done for me over the years. 2 months later I see my former card on eBay with an INVEST emoji in the title. He's allowed to do this, but its a **** move.

If one behaves with honesty and a smidgeon of class, all will end well and little thought will need to be put into these things.

That pretty much mirrors my thoughts on the topic. I have picked up several cards on here at very fair prices because posters see that I collect racing cards and PMed me. I have also tried to pay it forward, especially when it comes to obscure or hard to find racing cards, because it is such a small group of collectors on here passionate for that segment of the hobby.

I would be disappointed if I saw something I sold on here immediately listed for resale, but most of the posters I have bought and sold from on here are posters I have interacted with frequently on the board and in private messages discussing similar collecting interests.

This sums it up perfectly.

Some of the prices I see on here as of late make it hard to bite my tongue, but it’s easy enough to click the back button. I kind of understand the dreamers trying to treat each sale like a lottery ticket, as who doesn’t like to max their profit. What annoys me is when said seller keeps pumping that overpriced card with no budge and arrogance.

Maybe off topic, but a BST practice I can’t stand, when an original sales post is not updated to reflect sold status. We have certain sellers who will have multiple cards with prices on their original post. Yet, after scrolling down through multiple follow on posts, you start to find what’s been sold. I know this world has plenty of mouth breathers, but updating a post is simple enough. Sorry, carry on with the topic.