Total Cost for T206 Set
 

Those of you who are chasing the Monster, what budget have you set yourself at as far as total cost? (minus the big 4)

Matt

I really haven't set a budget. It's going to take me a long time to complete, and I have no way of knowing what the market will be 5 years from now, or 10 years from now. I am also not working on the set exclusively, so factoring that in, it will take me longer.

Unless you are planning to conquer the monster in a very short period of time...I don't really think an accurate budget can be set?

I tend to follow the same situation as "the stache". I am acquiring cards over time and will pay a fair market value when I come to a card, but don't have a set budget as I'm not trying to get to 520 in just a year or two and as we've seen in the past few years, this set can really be all over the place. This is more of an issue depending on how you collect it as the variance between condition and different backs can create a really drastic variation in total budget.

you will need at least about $20K to put together a low grade 520.

Even though this is a rough number and can go up quite a bit, its nice to have an idea what it might cost to work on the monster. I'm not planning to tackle this one any time soon, well not until I compete my 1934 Goudey Set at least.

Recipe for T206 set
 

Pick any condition you choose and decide what you are going to pay for a common, graded or ungraded, and then add three zeroes. Mix gently with a wooden spoon for three minutes and place the set in a secure undisclosed location. The result should be a relatively accurate estimate of your cost for a 518 card set. A sprinkle of O'Hara, Demmitt & Magie as a garnish is not included in this estimate. Wagner, Doyle and Plank will require more zeroes.:D

You can have my set for only $22,000, or $30,000 with the Magie. You can pay in 520 equal installments of $42.31.

Each month you will receive a card in the mail, along with a brief description of each player. Ever wonder why Mike Donlin had the nickname Turkey? Well, you'll find out that fun fact and so much more when when you purchase The Monster! Offer not valid in Tennessee. Shipping and handling included in the price. The O'Hara and Demmitt cards, along with some select HOF'ers, will be withheld until the end. Back may include any of the following brands: Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, Polar Bear, Sovereign, EPDG, American Beauty, Hindu, Cycle, Old Mill and Tolstoi. You may cancel your order at any time. T206 cards may cause hair loss and loss of friends. Consult a doctor if conditions persist.

I don't have a set budget.

A beater set could be done for under 7500...not including Magie, Demmit, O'hara.

You are looking at about $12k for a beater set, $25-$28k for a low grade 1 and 2's set.

All of the above fall within the estimates that my recipe (see above) would estimate.;););)
jlehma13 just didn't follow the directions to mix gently. He used a blender.:D:D:D

Haha. Most of my cards look like they spent time in a blender!

I am guessing I finished mine in the $15,000 range, the Ohara being the card that set me back the most, the Cobb bat off finishing second. I have it insured for $25K because it would take that to replace it. There are a lot of 1s and 2s, but not many beaters. I had the advantage of getting a good start (first 100 cards or so) on the cheap. I have also been upgrading, but I sell the card I replace so it isn't all that expensive.