Quote:
Originally Posted by familytoad
I think the best approach is to just go for lower grade sets. You can still buy the nicer stars or the nicer cards that appeal to you if you please....but a card is a card is a card...who cares if your Arnie Portacarrero is in mint condition 
Spend far less by not worrying about the tiny differences of a dinged corner or crease.
If you are not chasing NR Mint Art Mahaffey or Lou Klimchock for 10x the price of a well loved common, your budget will go much farther 
Same with the stars...you either have a 1954 Willie Mays or you don't....the price between fair/good and NR mint is ridiculous if you are mainly interested in filling the set  |
Nothing better than finding a well centered 1956 Clemente with amazing color... and a well placed crease at the bottom right. Great eye appeal, for a small fraction of the price.