Collectors, why do you sell?

[UKCardGuy]

This is for the collectors among us. (it's pretty obvious why dealers sell).

I thought for a bit of fun, I'd post a survey about why collectors sell. I'm sure many of us could choose multiple items, so just choose the one that best fits. Feel free to post a reply to elaborate on your response.

I'll start thing off, I mostly sell my dupes. Sometimes I buy a big lot especially when starting new set. So I tend to sell the dupes that I accumulate. But the idea of a mosuleum is kind of tempting.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by UKCardGuy

This is for the collectors among us. (it's pretty obvious why dealers sell).

I thought for a bit of fun, I'd post a survey about why collectors sell. I'm sure many of us could choose multiple items, so just choose the one that best fits. Feel free to post a reply to elaborate on your response.

I'll start thing off, I mostly sell my dupes. Sometimes I buy a big lot especially when starting new set. So I tend to sell the dupes that I accumulate. But the idea of a carcophogus is kind of tempting.

I think it's mostly to fund other purchases. Not that I've sold anything in a minute but if I'm presented the opportunity? That's going to be the reason why. Selling some cards that I don't necessarily care as much about to fund a bigger purchase, makes sense to me!

[DeanH3]

Usually, I sell something to fund another purchase. But recently, I have started selling some items to help fund family trips. So those two would be my choices.

[BobbyStrawberry]

No one answered #4 yet?

[bnorth]

I sell cards that are no longer my focus to buy different cards/bats/memorabilia or to pay for vacations. I have so much stuff I no longer want from collecting for close to 40 years that it makes sense to sell something I no longer care about to buy something I think I want now. Also if I sell something to pay for something new the wife is happy.

[OhioLawyerF5]

I'll let you know when I sell something.

My collection is a black hole. Cards go in, but never come out.

I have planned to sell things to recoup money after a big purchase, but never follow through and sell anything.

[robw1959]

I sell to pay off the collection at large. I can rest much easier and enjoy my collection much more, especially in retirement, knowing that I am in the black, financially speaking, in terms of overall expenses and earnings. Am I there yet to the point where my collection has completely paid for itself? No, I'm not, which is why I am still selling.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

No one answered #4 yet?

I don't believe TiffanyCards has seen this thread yet, that's probably why.

[Yoda]

Sometimes there is no real reason. I just feel like it, perhaps only to test the market.

[raulus]

4 reasons for me:

1) Selling dupes, typically after an upgrade to a nicer copy.

2) I thought I wanted to work on a set, and then realize that it's not my jam, and I'd rather focus on something else.

3) To get a card that I want, I have to buy a larger group, and now I'm selling off the pieces that I didn't really want, but had to buy anyway.

4) Sometimes I pick up something nice that I think is worth a lot more and is usually difficult to find. So I pick it up with a plan to someday sell it for more, or use it as trade bait for something that I want more. It's mostly worked out, although often stuff will sit for a long time, waiting for the right buyer to come along.

[LEHR]

I've almost exclusively sold over the years to downsize my collection and because I've changed focus. Only on a couple of occasions have I sold to fund a bigger purchase. Otherwise I've never needed to sell and my wife is respectful of my hobbies and would never tell me to sell anything.

[CobbSpikedMe]

I'm a little down on my luck right now, so I mainly sell to fund my family. But I used to sell to fund other purchases like many others here do.



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[nebboy]

Like Leon I will sell cards to fund my child’s school tuition for his doctorate degree. Can’t think of a better reason for me to sell. I don’t have any wants or needs for myself but would gladly give up my collecting passion to better his future.

[Tyruscobb]

I only purchase cards that I like, or have meaning to me. Therefore, I only sell duplicates after I’ve upgraded existing cards.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by tyruscobb

i only purchase cards that i like, or have meaning to me. Therefore, i only sell duplicates after i’ve upgraded existing cards.

+1

[steve B]

I seldom sell cards that aren't duplicates. And even then sometimes not.

I do on occasion sell or trade here, especially if it's for a project and I end up with a similar card.

[JCM2009]

Retirement. I am retired and the wife retired in July. So, funds available for cards has plummeted to zippo. Time to sell, I guess. No heirs interested in cards. Still love the hobby though.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by nebboy

Like Leon I will sell cards to fund my child’s school tuition for his doctorate degree. Can’t think of a better reason for me to sell. I don’t have any wants or needs for myself but would gladly give up my collecting passion to better his future.

Some questioned my motives! One of those is no longer here as he was shown the door not too long ago. He completely lied about things that happened also.

Rule 1 - Don't lie about the person who knows the firsthand truth and holds the key to admittance.
.

[commishbob]

I sold off most of my complete sets a couple of years ago, Topps/Fleer/Philly Gum baseball and football from the 50s thru the 70s. I just figured it was time. It was easier for me to do it than to let my family mess with it after I'm gone.

I'm slowly organizing the sets I have left as well as my more valuable singles for a second round of selling.

[jcmtiger]

The hunt for me was the best thing. Once I completed a set of cards and enjoyed for awhile sold and moved to something else. This included memorabilia too.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by JCM2009

Retirement. I am retired and the wife retired in July. So, funds available for cards has plummeted to zippo. Time to sell, I guess. No heirs interested in cards. Still love the hobby though.

I have a friend who was in a similar situation. He had a decent sized collection but no big cards worth several thousand a piece. He took easily 4 if not 5 years to slowly sell it off. Kept him in the hobby longer and also gave him something to do.

So now I still send him pics of stuff I am buying and he sends me jokes and pics of women.

[UKCardGuy]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

The hunt for me was the best thing. Once I completed a set of cards and enjoyed for awhile sold and moved to something else. This included memorabilia too.

I like it. I suppose it works best if you're a good hunter (e.g. you sell for more than you bought).

[jcmtiger]

Oh ya, worked for me, picked som great items in the 70’s still remember all of them