Looking for some card advice

[Bryan Long]

I have been struggling with something and looking for some advice. If you had the opportunity to pick up two cards in pretty decent shape, but it was going to take getting rid of some nice stuff in your collection to raise the funds would you? Most would say yes I assume, but here is the kicker....as some know I am going for the back run of Matty Dark Cap and have some nice ones up to this point. I could possibly pick up two nice looking cards and one of them in an incredibly rare back. But to raise the funds I would need to part with many of the rarer backs I have right now, especially since my collection is only my Matty run at this point. Do you sell them off to get the hard backs thinking you can pick the others up again later? Oh the decisions - I think I know what I might do, but I am looking for some thoughts one way or the other.
Thanks in advance.

[E93]

If you are unlikely to get another chance at this card, but will have more chances at the ones you would have to give up, I'd say go for it.
Just my .02.
JimB

[ethicsprof]

I agree with the very wise professor,JimB.

all the best,

Barry

[Bryan Long]

and I am agreeing with you, but it was a struggle in my head to give up that much. I agree with you though, I don't know if they will come around again for me. Thanks.

[Republicaninmass]

Sometimes all the money in the world cant buy the card you need because it is just not available.

Go for it!

[Leon]

For me, I always go after the hardest card to acquire first, if given the opportunity.

[Michael Peich]

Hi Bryan,

I'm with Jim, et alia, especially Leon--if you can get the harder back now, the rest can be replaced. Go for it and post the card when it's in your hands. Good luck!

Cheers,
Mike

[ullmandds]

i agree with the majority sentiment...strike while the iron is hot...get the toughies for you may never have the chance again!

[cdn_collector]

This is a tough decision, in my opinion. I've sold and traded plenty of cards over the years to add cards to whatever was my 'core focus' at the time. Never have I considered selling/trading something *in* my 'core collection' to add something to that very collection.

If I was faced with that decision it'd probably boil down to which group of cards I'd rather own -- those that I wish to obtain or those that I would have to give up to obtain them?

And in terms of giving up some tough cards, which card or cards am I more likely to have a chance to obtain again -- those that I wish to obtain or those that I would have to give up to obtain them?

Gut feel just based on how I read your initial question, those that you could obtain are more difficult, and although tough, those that you have are more likely to be re-obtained. Based on that, I say go for it

And on that note, something else you might consider: Perhaps those that buy the cards you sell are willing to give you the 'right to first refusal' if they ever decide to sell/trade those cards away.

Good luck, which ever way you decide to go.

Richard.

[JollyElm]

Metaphorically, it comes down to this. Are you taking one step ahead and then 2 steps back? Or are you taking a step ahead with no steps back? If you feel this situation is the latter, then by all means get your feet moving!

[kamikidEFFL]

Very tough decision. I feel like if you think you can get what your getting rid of later than do it but sometimes its tough to let go of PC stuff. I hate selling my PC to buy something but sometimes its a deal you just cant miss so you gotta do it. Best of luck man

[thehoodedcoder]

you can always borrow some money and buy the card then pay the loan back.

kevin

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by thehoodedcoder

you can always borrow some money and buy the card then pay the loan back.

kevin

I can't imagine borrowing money to buy a baseball card.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Mikehealer

I can't imagine borrowing money to buy a baseball card.

I can. I'm still paying off the Pirate that I bought last May in REA.

But I'm still glad that I bought it. I could wait the rest of my life and not get another shot at that card.

[mrvster]

I'm always in arrears

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by Sean

I can. I'm still paying off the Pirate that I bought last May in REA.

But I'm still glad that I bought it. I could wait the rest of my life and not get another shot at that card.

I understand, but my personal view is if I have to go into debt to
buy a baseball card then I can't afford it. There's been quite a few
of those through the years, some I've never seen again, but that's the
way it goes.

[Bryan Long]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I can't see me taking out a loan to buy cards. I think I will see what I can barter with for the time being. But I doubt I will see this one come to me again. If I manage to grab it I will show everyone, don't worry.

[the 'stache]

I concur with Jim B. If you have a chance to acquire something rare for your collection, and I mean truly rare, go for it. I've read more than a few stories here of members that had a chance at a special pickup, and did not acquire it. Now they truly regret it.

[wolf441]

Originally Posted by Bryan Long

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I can't see me taking out a loan to buy cards. I think I will see what I can barter with for the time being. But I doubt I will see this one come to me again. If I manage to grab it I will show everyone, don't worry.

Hi Bryan,
Not sure what you do for a living, but if you work for a company and have a 401K, you can usually take out a fairly short term loan (3-5 years) at a low interest rate (you are basically borrowing your own money) and the payments are deducted right out of your paychecks. Plus, you always have the option of paying it off early if you choose. Obviously, it's never ideal to borrow to pay for a card, but if it's a once in a lifetime purchase, something to consider.

Good luck,

Steve

[Leon]

Back in around 2000 I sold 300 shares of Microsoft that were at $71ea. and put in another 5k and bought a card I couldn't really afford.. I ended up selling it 7-8 yrs later for over 10x what I paid for it. I can't say I have ever taken a 3rd party loan out for a card but if I thought it was something that was good for me (and my family) I would consider it....again, I have never done it.

[Section103]

I like this thread a lot. It gives me validation.

I don't know if I could sell off cards out of my true core collection. Ive sold cards I never thought I would sell and cards I definitely didn't want to sell (too many times). Its probably the right decision to sell off to make that truly rare acquisition, but I would have a very, very hard time doing it.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Mikehealer

I understand, but my personal view is if I have to go into debt to
buy a baseball card then I can't afford it. There's been quite a few
of those through the years, some I've never seen again, but that's the
way it goes.

Mike, I probably should have been more specific. I took a loan from my 401K, not from a third party. I still have to pay it back, though.

[wolf441]

Originally Posted by Sean

Mike, I probably should have been more specific. I took a loan from my 401K, not from a third party. I still have to pay it back, though.

I did the same, Sean. Well, ostensibly, the loan was to help with our house purchase, but I was able to "negotiate" some T206's in there with the wife. I called it points on the mortgage!!

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by Sean

Mike, I probably should have been more specific. I took a loan from my 401K, not from a third party. I still have to pay it back, though.

Hi Sean, I didn't mean to be offensive, I hope you didn't take it that way. It sounds like you made the right decision for you. Great card by the way.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Mikehealer

Hi Sean, I didn't mean to be offensive, I hope you didn't take it that way. It sounds like you made the right decision for you. Great card by the way.

Thanks. And no, I wasn't offended.

[mark evans]

Depending on how much money is involved, I think I'd be inclined to borrow the money to acquire the cards, assuming they are not likely to appear again for years. The alternative of selling other rare cards that are also critical to your collection doesn't seem very appealing to me.

[Cobra Kai]

Leon,

What was the card you are referring to?

Thanks