Are you more picky about picking up our gems?

[Leon]

In the current economic snowstorm are you more picky about picking up cards? This can be either for your collection or to flip, if that is your desire. I have found myself being quite a bit more "careful" on both sides of that equation. Also, it seems like a straight sale, 4 figure card, is almost non-existent anymore. Even if the card is fairly priced most folks seem to want to buy at auction to make sure they aren't paying too much. And I understand there could be hanky panky in auctions but I am putting that aside for this discussion. Thoughts?

[barrysloate]

I'm extra careful because many of the cards I buy for resale turn out to be worth no more than I paid for them- and on occasion a little less. It's a very difficult market to figure out.

[chris6net]

I have been very careful the last 2-3 years. I wonder how the Euro Crisis will affect our hobby? CN

[Cat]

I haven't been more careful, but perhaps I should. I have been very careful with stock purchases in the last year, if not doing it can be classified as careful.

[ChiefBenderForever]

I think we are all very picking but if the price is right we can justify the purchase and maybe someday upgrade if the right card comes along. I have been thinking lately how our national debt is going to affect everything if the value of a dollar keeps dropping. I believe we are currently at 92% deficit, or for every dollar we have 92 cents is debt and it will reach 100% in the next year. It seems that these numbers don't really affect the average prewar collector, and not sure how much the value of vintage cards will be affected if at all since most collectors seem to be above water and many very successful. I am just a small time collector and feel very fortunate to be able to buy any cards at all, as I think we all know people who are on the verge of losing everything, and many who were very successful. They say things are turning around, but the jobs are not there. Instead of focusing on what card I don't have, I'm trying to enjoy what I do have but being and addict am constantly looking for the next card lol !!

[alanu]

The card addiction in me makes it difficult to be more careful, but I suppose the BIN trend on ebay has forced it on me since there aren't a lot of "deals" out there and I mostly buy/sell on ebay.

[rdixon1208]

I'm still buying, but only cards that I want to keep for a long time. I don't know that I own a card that I could sell for more than I bought it for...but I don't really care.

[Bosox Blair]

I am not really holding back, partly because I think the economy and the fears of others have created a buying opportunity. I think 2009 was probably the best of it. Prices were way down from a few years earlier and some really good cards became available. I have noticed that 2010 prices seem a bit stronger (Sunday Ebay closings on pre-war cards have been quite strong for the last month, in general).

I'd say I buy at least 90% of my cards through auction, but I have bought some bigger items on a straight sale recently. I bought my E94 purple Cicotte from Tony (3-2 Count). I have also bought a few other cards from him too.

My friends who have done well from investing remind me that you often make the most money when you do the opposite of what the majority of the market is doing (assuming you understand what's going on).

Cheers,
Blair