It's time to move on.

[CrackaJackKid]

I'm officially getting out. It seems to me
the hobby has turned into 90% dealers on Cracker Jack cards. Unfortunately for me I don't make 6 figures a year and can afford to pay 3x what market or VCP is. It's been fun.

[Bigb13]

Very sorry to hear this. It's always sad when we lose someone one way or another.

[nebboy]

I just got my 1st CJ Hof a couple months ago for a price I was OK with (even happy). It has a back stamp and I'm fine with that. And it's a 15.

I hope you stick with you collecting and just be OK that you may have to take much longer and expand your searching to score a card that your proud to add to your CJ collection.

Stick with it - good luck either way.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

I say hang in there! It's never been a better time to be a cracker jack collector as heightened interest in both the 14 and 15 sets since the 100 year anniversaries have brought more raw cards and attic finds like the recent one in LOTG. Prices for low grade commons have come back down to earth recently making set building more attainable (there's been 5+ new 14' sets posted to psa registry in last couple months alone). Yes the legends of the set - Cobb, Matty, JJ, Wagner, Wajo etc have increased in last 4 years but less so proportionally to many post war cards making them in my opinion excellent investments for future appreciation across all grade levels.

[Snapolit1]

Wow. . . I totally agree. Hang in there. CJs are the coolest of the cool (and I don't even collect them). When I took my wife to the Met to see their small exhibit she was floored with the CJs. The red color just leaping off the cards. Beautiful beautiful. Amazing creations. Was it Hunter Thompson who said something like "don't let the aholes know they are getting to you" or something like that.

[mechanicalman]

My comment is not directed at the OP - I wish him well - but I am curious as to the purpose of these types of posts. Since I've joined, I've seen at least three declarations of "leaving the hobby," some more dramatic than others, and then lo and behold most of those dudes are sharing pick-ups in the next month. I don't get it.

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by CrackaJackKid

I'm officially getting out. It seems to me
the hobby has turned into 90% dealers on Cracker Jack cards. Unfortunately for me I don't make 6 figures a year and can afford to pay 3x what market or VCP is. It's been fun.

Word of advice: Be sure you're done. Once you start liquidating your collection, if you do ever choose to get back into it, you'll be kicking yourself.

[Golfcollector]

I totally understand this post by the OP!

I don’t think you ever walk away from it completely (at least I couldn’t) But…….. I can relate to getting like I was tired and frustrated with where my collecting and spending habits were going and needed a fresh start by hitting the “reset” button.

Some years ago – not the far in the past…I had somewhat of the same epiphany. I was a large collector of vintage golf cards….definitely had one of the larger collections in the US at the time in terms of quality – but….most of these were sitting in PSA Boxes in my closets – and they were never seeing the light of day. Upgrading cards, when they did come available, became more expensive than what I wanted to do.

So….I up and sold ALMOST all of my collection over the course of about 18 months. I kept a few things that were near and dear to me, and yes, I sold a number of things that part of me wished I kept….but the monetary side of it was nice as well. It helped me put a down payment on building a new home and also set aside some money for my son’s college education.

Since them I have bought a few things for my own collection and found a few new things to collect. I have also bought and sold a few larger collections to make a little money. These activities have kept me close to the hobby I enjoy and has made it FUN again.

[Econteachert205]

I just reset my expectations of what my collection would be and changed to a specific focus that would take more time than money. Much happier.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

I just reset my expectations of what my collection would be and changed to a specific focus that would take more time than money. Much happier.

This, plus...

You need to determine WHERE you get your joy from in your collecting goals. Is it in the owning of the cards? Upgrading to the best example of a card? The pleasure you get in looking at them? The beauty you see in artwork? The hunt itself? If you can define WHAT exactly gives you the pleasure, then you might find the best avenue to pursue that. (if this makes any sense)

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

My comment is not directed at the OP - I wish him well - but I am curious as to the purpose of these types of posts. Since I've joined, I've seen at least three declarations of "leaving the hobby," some more dramatic than others, and then lo and behold most of those dudes are sharing pick-ups in the next month. I don't get it.

I share this observation.

[Snapolit1]

I can imagine you are going through something in your life that calls the whole collecting thing into question in a big way. Health scare, financial crunch, just malaise or a sense of boredom. And after you unload a few items it starts to lift a little, and you think all of a sudden I can do this is a little more laid back fashion. I could see myself in that spot at some point.

[Jewish-collector]

I agree with Taylor. You have to determine WHICH aspects of the hobby make you happy. There are some aspects that don't cost much money, you spend more time than actual money, ie corresponding with older players, researching the cards, researching the old stadiums, reading books about the early players, etc,...

[mattjc1983]

Originally Posted by tschock

This, plus...



You need to determine WHERE you get your joy from in your collecting goals. Is it in the owning of the cards? Upgrading to the best example of a card? The pleasure you get in looking at them? The beauty you see in artwork? The hunt itself? If you can define WHAT exactly gives you the pleasure, then you might find the best avenue to pursue that. (if this makes any sense)

This is a very wise post. For me personally, it's as much the hunt as anything, for the right card at the right price. I never get too upset when I miss out because that just means it wasn't the right one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Orioles1954]

I've sold off my collection over the past few years. I have nothing left. I was always told I would regret it. I know I'm supposed to feel regret but I don't at all.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

I just reset my expectations of what my collection would be and changed to a specific focus that would take more time than money. Much happier.

Funny, I kind of have done the opposite. I move around my collection to the things I find to be the best buy at the time. One of the things that helps me do this is that I have a great appreciation for every era of the game.

[botn]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

My comment is not directed at the OP - I wish him well - but I am curious as to the purpose of these types of posts. Since I've joined, I've seen at least three declarations of "leaving the hobby," some more dramatic than others, and then lo and behold most of those dudes are sharing pick-ups in the next month. I don't get it.

Sign of the times...I think our culture is very comfortable (maybe overly comfortable) with airing things out publicly. Not my way of doing things but we have certainly seen our fair share of posts like this.

[orly57]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I've sold off my collection over the past few years. I have nothing left. I was always told I would regret it. I know I'm supposed to feel regret but I don't at all.

And yet you linger on a website dedicated to card collecting.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by orly57

And yet you linger on a website dedicated to card collecting.

I work full-time in the hobby.....so yeah.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I work full-time in the hobby.....so yeah.

I would argue that you remain more invested than many with card ownership. Hard to miss it if you are steeped in it.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I would argue that you remain more invested than many with card ownership. Hard to miss it if you are steeped in it.

Completely agree with you. I live cards 40 hours a week so there doesn't seem a point in having a personal collection

[glynparson]

If this market you speak of has the items available at half of these prices why are you not buying them at this market you speak of? Obviously the material is not available so readily at what you perceive market to be. Pricing isn't just what a buyer wants to pay what a seller is willing to let it go for is also a part of the equation. Some buyers constantly undervalue because they feel entitled to the the cards every bit as much as some sellers over price them. The tone of this post sure sounds that way to me.

[EvilKing00]

Why not just take a cj break and look toward t205 or t206 or t3, or what ever else catches your eye? These are alot of nice old sets to think about.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

My comment is not directed at the OP - I wish him well - but I am curious as to the purpose of these types of posts. Since I've joined, I've seen at least three declarations of "leaving the hobby," some more dramatic than others, and then lo and behold most of those dudes are sharing pick-ups in the next month. I don't get it.

I agree, we hear this alot (not directed at the OP). I also keep in mind that if this general person wants a price no one will pay and not sending their collection to an AH they arent really getting out of the hobby either

its like a guy saying he cant sell his house and complains to everyone but its been on the market for 9 months because the price is too high.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I would argue that you remain more invested than many with card ownership. Hard to miss it if you are steeped in it.

I dont gamble anymore, i just hang out in the casinos and smell the smoke and enjoy sitting in semi circles...

[Sean]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I dont gamble anymore, i just hang out in the casinos and smell the smoke and enjoy sitting in semi circles...

... or perhaps I spend 40 hours a week watching dice games, so I've lost the desire to gamble in my free time.

[ksabet]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I work full-time in the hobby.....so yeah.

LOL, I also enjoy when people end up with a foot in their mouth!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I dont gamble anymore, i just hang out in the casinos and smell the smoke and enjoy sitting in semi circles...

That's pretty funny for those of us who have gambled in casinos.

Ad don't ya' just hope it's a young, hot chick that squeezes in at the semi-circle and not some old fat dude that stinks?

lastly, to the OP, I suggest you consider another set to collect as has been suggested. Ramly's and T205, and subsets of both, are gorgeous and fun to collect.

[Lgarza99]

Originally Posted by Leon

That's pretty funny for those of us who have gambled in casinos.

Ad don't ya' just hope it's a young, hot chick that squeezes in at the semi-circle and not some old fat dude that stinks?

lastly, to the OP, I suggest you consider another set to collect as has been suggested. Ramly's and T205, and subsets of both, are gorgeous and fun to collect.

Hey, I was sitting next to that fat guy on the plane this morning. Must be heading to a casino near you.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Word of advice: Be sure you're done. Once you start liquidating your collection, if you do ever choose to get back into it, you'll be kicking yourself.

+1 on that! Bought my Gehrig rookie for $500 in 1998 and sold it for $6K in 2007--oh how I wish I had it back!

Larry

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

I just reset my expectations of what my collection would be and changed to a specific focus that would take more time than money. Much happier.

Not bad reasoning, Dennis; not bad at all. Collecting pleasure rules. Another alternative, if you're concerned with appreciation over time is to think outside the box, paying attention to rarity, significance and condition, and employing your best analysis to stay at or in front of the cutting edge, as I did with my Gehrig (and have been doing with a number of other acquisitions over the years). Takes time and study, however--condition is the only relatively easy part of that equation. You'll win some and probably lose some (although the general trend for vintage values is up), but its a heck of a lot cheaper than being on the trailing edge, which can be very, very expensive!

Best wishes,

Larry

[BCD]

But nicer examples have limited availability and the old school collectors hold them which also aids in retaining the high value! It seems 75% of dealer churnings are from broken sets of the 1915's purchased intact or low grade only 1914's. These rotate around a group of known set builders and registry participants Save up and wait for some of the 1914's in better grades to emerg and join the club of those who just hide them away in their safes waiting to complete at least a run of hall of famers if not their sets. I still enjoy pulling them out and viewing them with my son's from time to time. I gave up putting a set together but purchase a hall of fame PSA 7 from time to time! Patience helps!

[mark evans]

If you enjoy the act of collecting, and like to learn about and appreciate new things, there is a lot of stuff to pursue besides baseball cards. I've got pretty much all the cards I want (that I can afford) so I've recently gotten into 'gentleman's folders' (pocket knives). Run a search on eBay -- pretty neat.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Lgarza99

Hey, I was sitting next to that fat guy on the plane this morning. Must be heading to a casino near you.

The problem with sitting on planes when you sit in the middle is which arm rest can i secure because the 2 dudes on the window and the aisle already have an armrest on the end that i cant reach so they each start with one. Sitting in the middle i always attack the arm rest next to the weaker guy. I think if i took steroids i would try to get both my arm rests if it was a hot girl on both sides i probably dont get either arm rest and they both get 2.

[packs]

I don't really understand people who leave due to price. You don't have to like what is expensive and there are plenty of big fish out there who aren't interested in pricey cards at all either. Just collect what you like. I don't know why a person must have a cracker jack or nothing at all.

[BCD]

It can get discouraging if you don't have the kind of money it takes to keep pursuing!

[CrackaJackKid]

Thanks everyone for the kind and not so kind words. After taking several days off and listening to all the good advice I think lowering my expectations for quality will help me in my journey. At the end of the day all that matters is owning the piece of history regardless of condition. In a perfect world I'd love to have nice examples but some of the lower end stuff has so much character that it heightens the desire for me. Thanks everyone.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't really understand people who leave due to price. You don't have to like what is expensive and there are plenty of big fish out there who aren't interested in pricey cards at all either. Just collect what you like. I don't know why a person must have a cracker jack or nothing at all.

You can buy an amazing tobacco card any day of the week for $30 or $40. And they are all amazing relics. Things that few people know anything about. History in your hands.

[CrackaJackKid]

Never really taken a liking to the T206s. A 1914 Cracker Jack was my first prewar card I ever bought. Been hooked since. The rarity,background story and look of them has me hooked. Thanks for the advice though Steve.