When to Sell ...

[botport]

Recently I have reached the conclusion that I have no one that would be interested in taking over my collection. I still enjoy collecting but I am starting to wonder about the fate of my cards when my number is called.

Another thing I worry about is the age of the collecting community in general. I am sorry if this offends anyone but I often feel we are a diminishing group and it concerns me that in possibly another generation or so there will be little interest in our cardboard commodities.

Lastly, is it best to make a clean break and sell everything or sell piece by piece? If anyone has gone either route (and still reads these boards) I would value your opinion greatly.

Any comments or guidance would be appreciated here.

Thank you in advance for your time and contributions.

[ullmandds]

Well if I were going to sell my collection... I would sell the stuff I cared the least about first... And keep my favorites as long as possible.

[jcmtiger]

Sell it little by little. This is what I did.

I had over 100 Bobbers 1960 versions, included Mantle, Mantle Mini and Maris, never got the Clemente, sold them

I had the complete set of original Hartlands and all the 1990 versions sold all of them except the Cobb.

I had 30-40 Hartland Westerns sold them too.

I had 50-60 Hartland Religious sold

I had complete sets of cards 1967 through 1985 sold them through auctions.

Sold a complete set of T207 Tigers.

Sold near set of Glendale Tigers including Houtteman

Sold a complete run of Detroit Tigers Yearbooks 1954 thru 1990.

Sold complete run of Detroit Tigers World Series programs 1934 thru 1984

Sold complete run of Detroit AS Game Programs.

Still have some nice pieces

I loved all the items that I solds and can tell you where most were purchased or traded for.

Main collectible interest is 19th Century Detroit Players.

I still have pictures of sold items

You will know when to sell.

Joe

[Cardboard Junkie]

.....I should add, sell when you can, not when you have to.

[Luke]

I've seen this question asked on here before. The best response I saw was something along the lines of:
-Sell the small stuff first, and hang onto the more valuable ones.
-Then print out clear instructions for what to do with the cards that you keep
-Have a list of the cards you have, as well as approximate values
-Include instructions on who to contact to help sell them (for example, "contact Xxxxxx at Yyyyyy Auction house, and tell him you want to consign these cards)
-Having the cards you keep graded, will make it easier for someone who is unfamiliar with the hobby to sell them

I also wonder about the future of the hobby. I'm 31, and I'm not sure how many collectors will be around 40 years from now. I'm ok with it either way. If prices collapse, then I can start working on a e107 set

[toledo_mudhen]

Been waitin 40 years for the bottom to drop out as I still need to put together a T206 Set. As for when I check out - they're goin into the box with me. That way we'll all be encapsulated.

[Bocabirdman]

There are a bunch of factors to consider. How extensive is your collection? Does it include more higher dollar items? Or is the value in quantity versus quality? Do you have the make-up to sell it for the best price, piece by piece? Do you have a spouse that understands the hobby at all? Will the profits realized (or not) change the lifestyle of the person who might inherit your collection? The list goes on. This is not a simple cookie cutter situation. One size DOES NOT fit all.

I am presently working on what amounts to my third collection. My first go-round, I sold my collection in one fell swoop. I did it to finance a marriage and a sailboat back at the start of the 1980's. (The sailboat is gone but I still have the wife). I sold in a single transaction because I worried about getting part way finished and having seller's remorse. I sacrificed total profit for ease of "gettin' it done".

In part, my first collection is why I took thirty years to get back in the hobby. I always feared the anguish of retracing my steps. When I finally started collection #2, I blew through the Bowman/Pre-1970 Topps world and amassed a 90%-plus pile in a couple years (Except for those damn '52 Topps). I originally joined this board while still working on Post-War. Being exposed to the crazy-good collections here, I made the decision to sell collection #2 for the sake of down-sizing and a new addiction to chasing the Monster (Damn you, Frank!) This time, after fielding offers for a single transaction, I decided to sell the collection right here on the BST, individually-ish. The return was substantially more than I was offered for a bulk sale, over 100% more. In the spring of 2013, I lost a fat month of my life PM-ing, negotiating, scanning, setting up BST threads, maintaining them, putting orders together, packaging them and getting on a first name basis with the folks at the local Post Office. It was a lot of work. I was lucky in that my wife jumped in to help. I HAVE been informed that she will not do that again.

My third (and final?) collection consists of less volume. I have maybe one-twentieth of the cards that I had at this time last year. I just turned 55 this past weekend, so I hope there is no rush, but it is my hope to splash around in the hobby for a few years until retirement and then start thinning the herd. My emergency plan, should "space junk" fall from the sky and take me out, involves an auction house. I just have to dodge the falling junk until I decide which one

So, as you can see, more than one avenue is open. Unless you are under the gun, think about it a bit. Good Collecting.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

.....I should add, sell when you can, not when you have to.

I like this attitude, fire selling your collection sucks. If I were to drop, Al at LOTG would get a rather consignment afterwards.

[joeadcock]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

I like this attitude, fire selling your collection sucks. If I were to drop, Al at LOTG would get a rather consignment afterwards.

I agree David and Steven.

David, hope your bout resolved and no further problems with that. My daughters dont have interest either though one now likes baseball.

My collection would also go to an auction house.

Like idea above of keeping everything set up and easy for the family in case something unexpected were to occur.

[Cardboard Junkie]

I have already had one bout with cancer, and I will be 63 soon. Single, with 1 daughter who hates baseball and doesn't know a t card from a tea cup.
I have sold off most of my collection. When I kick I want everything to go to her in the easiest way.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I have already had one bout with cancer, and I will be 63 soon. Single, with 1 daughter who hates baseball and doesn't know a t card from a tea cup.
I have sold off most of my collection. When I kick I want everything to go to her in the easiest way.

I am praying for your continued health.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Mahalo, Scott! I'm an atheist but I appreciate the thought.

[soccersaver97]

Yea, I would not worry about the next generation. I am only 16, but I collect T206's and other T's ( I have about 40 T206s). I think that vintage cards will always hold great value because they don't only hold value to card collectors, but even to antique and art collectors. Many of the card collectors my age collect modern cards, but I see a big drop in their value in the future due to mass production, so I think those modern collectors might switch tracks toward vintage cards. Worst case scenario I am wrong, but then I can actually afford to buy some of those HOFers!

Jarrett

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

This makes me think of one of my favorite quotes "eventually the things you own can begin to own you."

[insccollectibles]

I almost sold my entire collection when my wife was diagnosed with cancer in her late 20's last year. To make it short I'm really glad I didn't and she is as well. Continuing to collect has been kind of a good distraction/therapy for us.