Lulls in collecting?

Leon · #1 05-22-2009, 07:31 AM

So I tend to watch the board every now and then and notice sometimes there is a lull in the action. Sometimes I feel I have a lull or two in my collecting. Anyone else go through that? And if so, do you have very many lulls? Is it mainly economics or the economy that "makes" you go into a lull? I know sometimes I wonder if I want to continue....then a minute later realize I do. Idle thoughts on a slow morning...

jcmtiger · #2 05-22-2009, 07:37 AM

You are right Leon, I think we all go through these periods. Sometimes I am ready to sell everything, but can't do it. As far as buying I am buying less because I can't find what I want and don't want to pay the high prices for some items.
Joe

Mrc32 · #3 05-22-2009, 07:37 AM

I have had many lulls over my collecting life. Sometimes I think about selling everything and then sometimes I find myself scouring eBay for hours looking for something cool.

Before last fall I hadn't picked up a card in 3 years. So, my last lull might have been pretty long, life just took over and my interest (and free time) faded. But now I am back and making great progress on my collection.

I've been collecting for over 20 years (wow), off and on and I will probably continue to collect that way for a long time.

GRock · #4 05-22-2009, 08:05 AM

I'm currently in a "lull". I'm picking up a card here and there, but I'm not scouring the net daily. Maybe when the National rolls around and I'm in a giant room full of goodies, I'll be jump-started.

JamesGallo · #5 05-22-2009, 08:10 AM

Lulls are I think the norm in any hobby. Since my collecting it rather um diverse especially with cards I haven't had this happen just yet. When I had almost complete my Cracker Jack set, I was like what now, and have since continued with several other sets that have kept me going.

I think there is a general lull with the board for whatever reason and that would slow things down for me as I used to get a kick out of checking the BST 100 times a day and seeing new stuff, now stuff is either not posted or stuff stays on the main page for days....

James G

barrysloate · #6 05-22-2009, 08:24 AM

I think in general most collectors spend more on their collections than they really should. So economic necessity forces them to take breaks. It's often impossible to keep up the pace of buying cards regularly unless money is no object. And for most money always is an object.

It's good to take a break now and then. You come back to it with greater enthusiasm.

T206Collector · #7 05-22-2009, 08:46 AM

1. More specialization means fewer cards coming to market.
2. Our ever-dynamic wallets.
3. General boredom of past collecting philosophy.

alanu · #8 05-22-2009, 08:50 AM

I'm making an effort to not put any additional money into my card collection, so my current lull is caused by the need to sell cards before I buy more cards.

toppcat · #9 05-22-2009, 12:18 PM

I hit lulls all the time in various aspect of life, not just hobby-related. I think it's normal human behavior.

Bicem · #10 05-22-2009, 12:40 PM

they'll come around, all in good time.

Writehooks · #11 05-22-2009, 01:10 PM

In my 30 years of collecting I've found periodic lulls to be both expected and welcome.

For me, a lull in any one particular area of my collecting invariably triggers a rejuvenated interest in another. Whenever I sense that my cards are becoming too "familiar," for example, I put them away for a couple of months and concentrate on my programs, scorecards and other printed ephemera. When those items begin to grow a little stale, I put them back on the shelf and break out my binders of vintage wirephotos and try to fill some gaps.

During extended dry spells of not buying/trading/selling cards or memorabilia, I like to use the time I might otherwise devote to cards, etc., to catch up on hobby-related reading or research, or to rearrange the display pieces in my basement.

I just wish I was wealthy enough to do this stuff full-time.

donmuth · #12 05-22-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Writehooks

I just wish I was wealthy enough to do this stuff full-time.

me too!!!!

judsonhamlin · #13 05-22-2009, 01:42 PM

Came looking for a Ramon Llull reference... anyone?
Okay, maybe not.

I am in bit of a pre-war lull right now. Work has been over the top lately and I'm down on eBay (still/again). I have been filling some of my post-war sets (54 Bowman and 52+66 Topps) since the prices have been a little better of late. Next week, who knows?

Fred · #14 05-22-2009, 04:54 PM

I'm lulling right now. I'm not in a stop buying mode. There's just not a lot available to fill my want list. Also, work is getting to be hectic so I don't spend as much time looking around on the net. I check this board less frequently but I'm always looking to find an interesting post that contains neat vintage card info.

bikerider60 · #15 05-22-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

So I tend to watch the board every now and then and notice sometimes there is a lull in the action. Sometimes I feel I have a lull or two in my collecting. Anyone else go through that? And if so, do you have very many lulls? Is it mainly economics or the economy that "makes" you go into a lull? I know sometimes I wonder if I want to continue....then a minute later realize I do. Idle thoughts on a slow morning...

My other Hobby, a rebuild of my Koi Pond has me obsessed. I have not picked up a card in some time... Pond has changed since this shot in March.