How Did You Beat the Monster?

[Niko]

After lots of thought and lots of good advice/opinions from you guys, I decided that if I'm going to go for a set, I'm going to go big with the t206 (minus big 4, hopefully).

For those who have attempted

How did you start?
How long did it take you?
What condition were you going after?

Any other interesting details, feel free to share.

I think I am going to attempt to build the HOF set (minus Wagner, Plank) in PSA 1-3 form (mostly 1s and 2s I'm sure). This way, if I bail, I can easily recoup my funds, I think.

Zach

[Robextend]

Hey Zach,

I am going up against the monster as we speak, but I am not fighting quite the battle you will be. I am going for Tolstoi backs only.

At first I wanted to go for the whole set like yourself and got about 15% of the way with a good mix of backs when I decided to sell them off and only concentrate on Tolstoi because of my Russian ancestry. So far I have about 60 of the 243 or so possible backs. I feel its a great subset, and whenever that is near completion I might move on to Southern Leaguers. The good thing about the monster is that there are countless ways to collect it.

I wish you the best, and please keep us posted on your progess.

Rob

[donmuth]

I haven't beat the monster yet, but hope to one day. I'm at about 70 cards, so around 13% complete now.

Mainly I have taken the opportunistic approach - i.e. whenever I find a deal and have some spare cash I'll pick up a card or two.

My more methodical self has been working on the complete backs set (toughest one I have now is a Carolina Brights) as well as pursuing Cubs/Detroit/Giants/Pittsburgh team sets, SL'ers, and any of the tougher commons (150 only series, Ganley, etc.).

I've been at this since the late 1980's, but haven't been putting all my focus or resources into it.

The benefit of breaking down the monster into subsets and tackling those is that you get rewarded sooner and more often when you complete a subset (think of it like the Dave Ramsey debt snowball idea... it gets you excited about continuing on the path!). However, there's a catch... you can sometimes be halted in your tracks waiting for that one last card in the right condition, at the right price, at the right time (e.g. catching it before someone else does on the B/S/T) to become available.

So, my best recommendation is be flexible in everything - the order in which you acquire the cards, the condition, etc. Every card you pick up is one closer to the end and they are all great. Enjoy crossing off even the most common of commons from your want list. It'll make the trip easier and much more fun!

[Bicem]

The only way to beat the monster is to collect something else or have a ton of $, either way.

[iggyman]

Merely a myth! One does not beat the monster, the monster plummets its victims into submission. There is no other fate!

Oh, and to answer your question. Took 10+ years (but I'm still collecting it), a bunch of flipping, and now I can die with a smiley on my tombstone.

Lovely Day...

[DixieBaseball]

The short answer is I didn't... I got the 48 Southern Leaguer's completed, and decided I could not focus and dedicate myself to the remaining balance. Was I upset ? No. Did it kick my arse ? Sure.

[Jim VB]

Jeff nailed it in post #4. None of the cards in T206 are really difficult to find. I'll bet every single card in the set has come up for auction in the last 2 years. (I think I remember a Doyle in REA 2009, but I may be wrong.)

It does come down to a question of your available cash, and your definition of "set." If you are satisified with 518 (or 520) out of 524 (or 525 if you like Cobb/Cobb) it's actually pretty easy.

[mickey7mantle7]

Originally Posted by Bicem

The only way to beat the monster is to collect something else or have a ton of $, either way.

hell yea...

[judsonhamlin]

It has taken me 23+ years to get to 518, but I have made it difficult on myself - I have only purchased a couple of Piedmont and Sweet Caporal backs since '93 or so. I started by shooting for one of each major league player and the minor and SL guys who had been in the majors. For a little while, I deluded myself into thinking that I was good with just that, but I drank the Kool-Aid or Drum-Aid or whatever you want to call it and I was hooked on finishing it. Realistically, I should get to 520 soon and, with some luck (and $$), maybe 521 (Magie).

[lharri3600]

Believe it or not, it took me 2 years to complete my first set (graded out to 4.5. Then it took me 4 months to do my raw/graded set. i'm busted but i'm happy

[Scott T]

I went about tackling "The Monster" in entirely the wrong way, but have enjoyed doing so. My collection is 98% complete (SGC graded, mainly 20's and 30's)

I bought most of my collection raw in one and two card lots and then submitted them to SGC.

However you get there (and I never will) tackling "The Monster" is a worthy goal and a fun journey.

[ethicsprof]

excellent, drew!!!
not being able to hear is a winning technique!!
all the best,

barry