The question that probably needs to be answered at this point is what is your motive? Are you wanting to collect with the intent of making a gain in the future or are you simply doing it because you enjoy the hobby. That is easy to answer when you are buying 15 cent packs new and holding on to them for years, but when you are plunking down $3-5K and more to buy old cards you never had, then it becomes a much harder call.
$5K will buy a lot of iconic cards if you are willing to accept flaws and lower condition copies. If you are "investing" at this point, you are probably going to have a pretty small collection with that budget.
I'd say I am somewhere in the middle. I want cards that are enjoyable to look at (no major flaws that detract from the overall appearance) but won't break the bank. I don't do graded cards and I don't insist on gem mint cards either. I also don't buy much in the way of vintage anymore either, having grabbed up most of what I have now years ago. Knowing what I know though and with all the recent talk of trimming and the proliferation of counterfeit and reprints, it makes buying that stuff ungraded now even more risky though.
Good luck whichever way you go. I know I couldn't build the collection I have now if I started today and wanted to be budget conscious.
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Looking for: Unique Steve Garvey items, select Dodgers Postcards & Team Issue photos
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