What is the most important lesson you've learned through collecting?

[topcat61]

Hey everyone, I wanted to find out what is or was the most important lessons you've learned while collecting? Has it changed your life or outlook for the better or worse?

I bring this up because for me, collecting has been mostly good -very positive and those I've met along the way have helped to shape my life.

I've met so many fantastic people through collecting, but about a year ago one of my best friends, a guy I met though collecting passed on from cancer and it's been fairly tough. I don't think there was a card show we didn't hit, even a National. Now if you ever had the chance to have gone to the Shriners Show in Boston, chances are, you probably bumped into my friend Bob Ward -probably one of the nicest collectors you'd ever want to meet -a collector's collector and a true kid at heart.

The good news is that I've learned so much from all of you as well. I take pride in the education I've gained through sports cards and though the players -everything from American history to economics to business and how to treat others and the history of the hobby. It's been an amazing adventure but I want to hear from you. Thanks.

[Cliff Bowman]

Stay away from autographs unless you see the person sign it yourself, although I’ve known that for over thirty years.

[Promethius88]

That at the end of the day, they are just pieces of cardboard. Don't let them consume your life or you will end up alienating the things that really matter.

[Jim65]

That when you have a chance to buy a rare piece, buy it. You may have a long wait to find another.

[barrysloate]

Acquire as much knowledge as you can before sinking a lot of money into collectables. Knowledge is power.

And I agree wholeheartedly with Tim at post #3.

[Bigdaddy]

Patience and decisiveness.

Patience for those things that are common and decisiveness for those things that are not.

Along with #3 above, first and foremost.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Jim65

That when you have a chance to buy a rare piece, buy it. You may have a long wait to find another.

+1. In addition, stay away from current players who appear to be on a HOF track until they are at least in their mid-thirties. By that time, their legacy or lack of same will be well-established, and the early speculative and transient demand which forms a large part of their usually inflated prices will have largely departed. After all, the market for current and/or recent players is certainly not divorced from vintage--today's heroes and those of recent yesteryear are destined to become yesterday's stars also, and they and their cards will have to compete with vintage stars and HOF'er based on their true merit and ratio of supply to demand.

In addition, Barry is absolutely right--knowledge is power. The more you know in this context, the better your purchases will be if you have any interest at all in value appreciation over the long term.

Best of luck in your collecting,

Larry

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

That at the end of the day, they are just pieces of cardboard. Don't let them consume your life or you will end up alienating the things that really matter.

This is it, although a version of it is that I try to buy what I'll enjoy even if the bottom falls out in the market. Even if it is almost worthless, if I've bought something I can still enjoy having, then that's a win.

[RedsFan1941]

if it’s from the Great Pittsburgh Find it’s got to be good

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by RedsFan1941

if it’s from the Great Pittsburgh Find it’s got to be good

I can't stop laughing.

[Touch'EmAll]

Figure out your max bids based on some due diligence ... and don't go over. Its ok to not buy. You can get into a hole if the card is ultra rare and you really want it. But I am not a set collector and never really "need" anything. But most importantly, enjoy the hobby.

[bcbgcbrcb]

One lesson that I learned the hard way, it is virtually impossible to differentiate a Type I photo from non-Type I photos by just looking at scans online. If you have the photo in hand, that's a different story. If buying online, stick with reputable sellers that you know. Also, from experience, around 95% of vintage Negro League images listed on e-bay are not Type I originals so that's probably not a good place to buy. Like everything else, you can get lucky once in a while but the odds are not in your favor and you will lose many, many more times than you will win.

[Republicaninmass]

The best source of new material (business) is the competition

[dabigyankeeman]

How to lie better. I got real good at acting casual when my wife complained about all the yellow envelopes coming in, and I would tell her, "Ah, just a bunch of cheap cards, a couple of bucks each"........

[frankbmd]

How many cards my closet will hold?

and when it's full, seller's remorse isn't so bad.

[kmac32]

Learned several things. First, not everything is about money. You may have a card somebody wants that is more valuable than what they can afford or want to pay but you make the deal anyway just for the goodwill it creates. Helping other collectors with their collection can change their day from a bad day to a great day.

Next, fairness. Life is not always about me. You learn to be kinder and more forgiving.

You also learn to appreciate what you have. Just seein* my collection makes me smile.

[Johnny630]

A card is worthless until you sell it. Never let emotions get the best of you when selling or buying a card.

Merry Christmas to All :-)

[Yastrzemski Sports]

I collected for many years before opening my store. Life is short - do what makes you happy.

[mrvster]

seeing one of those collection I would imagine you would need some O2

[terjung]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

That at the end of the day, they are just pieces of cardboard. Don't let them consume your life or you will end up alienating the things that really matter.

This.

[rjackson44]

Making friends

[brian1961]

Several key ones. Among them:

1. Don't ever be afraid to over-pay, and perhaps even set a record for a buying price, if the piece you are contemplating is first, in ultra-high grade for the issue, and second, if it rarely comes up in that grade, and third and foremost, if the card is one you've wanted for a long time and love dearly, and have to tear yourself away from looking at it. This occurred with me each time I bought a Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle.

2. Be double-dog sure before you sell, or get rid of, a choice card in your collection. You might be ready to let it go, but YOU BETTER KNOW YOURSELF. I got rid of a nice 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson in the late 80s. Nice buyer, a Canadian, who told me he'd take it with him to the grave. That was nice. It wasn't long before I began to regret selling it. The card was a solid EXCELLENT -TO- MINT, and nicely centered. I really like how Jack looks, and I love the promotion. Overall, those beauties are rare today. They've appreciated handsomely, but are probably still quite underrated. It was only when I produced my fantasy 1954 Wilson Franks Jackie Robinson did my pain vanish.

3. Treat as many people as possible with kindness and dignity. You never know who you're actually dealing with. I've hauled off and slugged some collectors verbally who were being belligerent with me, true. But life is hard as it is, and I try to show a glad hand, and congratulate other collectors when they're full of joy over a new acquisition. Then again, there's all too many thoughtless, udder assholes in this hobby, full of pure selfishness---- braggadocios of the third degree, and it's kinda hard sometimes. So, I say all that to say, it's good to hold thy tongue, lest one stick their smelly foot in their mouth, and regret it! 'Course, I keep my feet nicely scrubbed!

Though I admit I am out of the ball game as far as buying vintage material, and have been for some time, the basic drive and collector strategies and intermingling have not changed one whit.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only hope for peace was born in the Middle East. His name is Jesus Christ, the Kind of Kings, and the Lord of Lords! The promised Messiah---to the Jews first and the Gentiles second.

---- Brian Powell

[gregr2]

For me, since I don’t collect rare issues, the biggest thing I’ve learned is to relax, there will be another card.


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[ALR-bishop]

Always snipe if possible

[Thecafewha]

It’s not a race, enjoy the hunt.


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[puckpaul]

I think i learned that it is important to have a focus to your collection and not to make a lot of random purchases. Buying and selling is very costly if you have to move stuff, so dont waste money buying random things that look cheap. The 20% cost of auctioning at a minimum is very expensive if you buy and then need to sell. So, as others have said, buy what you truly like to collect and dont do it to try to make money.

Secondly, when something you have been looking for comes up and hasnt been for sale for a while (but you think its not that rare), be wary of chasing it in an auction. Often high prices draw out more of the item and the sexond and third auctions can go a lot lower. That one is hard to follow because you can get excited at the first opportunity!

Lastly, enjoy it, keep it fun for yourself.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

I think i learned that it is important to have a focus to your collection and not to make a lot of random purchases. Buying and selling is very costly if you have to move stuff, so dont waste money buying random things that look cheap. The 20% cost of auctioning at a minimum is very expensive if you buy and then need to sell. So, as others have said, buy what you truly like to collect and dont do it to try to make money.

Agreed. I definitely have a focus, I'm just not sure what it is.

[Howe’s Hunter]

so don't even try and don't worry about it.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

so don't even try and don't worry about it.

#this

[Bram99]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

I think i learned that it is important to have a focus to your collection and not to make a lot of random purchases. Buying and selling is very costly if you have to move stuff, so dont waste money buying random things that look cheap. The 20% cost of auctioning at a minimum is very expensive if you buy and then need to sell. So, as others have said, buy what you truly like to collect and dont do it to try to make money.

Secondly, when something you have been looking for comes up and hasnt been for sale for a while (but you think its not that rare), be wary of chasing it in an auction. Often high prices draw out more of the item and the sexond and third auctions can go a lot lower. That one is hard to follow because you can get excited at the first opportunity!

Lastly, enjoy it, keep it fun for yourself.

I liked this post the most of any so far. These are great learnings though for a hoarder they are hard to follow.

I would add that if you are buying with an eye for long-term appreciation, buy stars in really nice condition.


If you are not as concerned about return, then set collecting is a fun pastime. But set collecting is not the way to maximize long term appreciation.

For any card, the lower the grade the less scarce and so the lower the potential appreciation.

[PiratesWS1979]

The chase is a lot more fun then owning forever.

[JollyElm]

1. Always be prepared for disappointment.

2. When you run across something on ebay and immediately think, "Wow, that seems like a great price!," be ready to jump on it. (The usual caveats apply, so I'm not suggesting anyone be ignorant or get taken or anything like that.) I've run across cards that were seemingly listed way low, made a mental note of them, and then went to research pricing, but by the time I went back to find said cards BOOM!! they were already gone (would've been great if I could have linked The Eagles' 'Already Gone' video here) and I was left with regrets.

[BearBailey]

Collect what you want/like.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BearBailey

Collect what you want/like.

It's the old cliché, but this is really what it all comes down to. There's no right or wrong way to do this, most people have a pretty good idea of what interests them and moves them and works for them so trust your instincts.

And I would add another cliché on the flip side. When in doubt, pass.

[Hankphenom]

The hunt is exciting, but can also become all-consuming. Try to squeeze as much pleasure as you can from the prizes you have already acquired, don't just put them away and turn all your attention to the next acquisitions. That's why I love display pieces on the wall and displays created in riker mounts, etc., just to look at as I go about my day or play my guitar.

A corollary to this is to learn to let things go. There's not a single item you own that you can't live without, and when you sell something you will forget about it almost immediately. And if you always sell off the "bottom" of your collection in terms of your interest, you are constantly improving it. Took me a while to get there, but now I enjoy selling from my collection almost as much as adding to it!

[Gradedcardman]

That when you are ready to sell, no one gives a damn what you paid and they shouldn't. Its all about the market at that moment.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by Gradedcardman

That when you are ready to sell, no one gives a damn what you paid and they shouldn't. Its all about the market at that moment.

+1

I hate when I make an offer that is more than fair and the seller replies that he paid more than that, I'm sorry that you overpaid but it does not mean I'm going to.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Jim65

+1

I hate when I make an offer that is more than fair and the seller replies that he paid more than that, I'm sorry that you overpaid but it does not mean I'm going to.

I like this one. Brings to mind the experience I had at last year's National with a dealer who had a 1917-20 M106 Felix Mendelsohn Tris Speaker with two large tack holes in the card. It is, in truth, a rare card, but the tack holes were quite distracting and decreased the eye appeal substantially. Still, I made him what I considered to be an extremely reasonable offer for the card. His indignant reply was, "I paid more than that for it!" My response was that maybe it was time to cut his losses. He disagreed. Who knows? If restoration continues to make an impact and this set continues to gain recognition, maybe time will reveal that he made the right choice!

Best to all this holiday season,

Larry

[HercDriver]

That is so true!! I bought GE stock, and it has tanked. So who do I complain to that I lost? I hate when people want to pass their bad decisions on to me...

Cheers,
Geno

Originally Posted by ls7plus

I like this one. Brings to mind the experience I had at last year's National with a dealer who had a 1917-20 M106 Felix Mendelsohn Tris Speaker with two large tack holes in the card. It is, in truth, a rare card, but the tack holes were quite distracting and decreased the eye appeal substantially. Still, I made him what I considered to be an extremely reasonable offer for the card. His indignant reply was, "I paid more than that for it!" My response was that maybe it was time to cut his losses. He disagreed. Who knows? If restoration continues to make an impact and this set continues to gain recognition, maybe time will reveal that he made the right choice!

Best to all this holiday season,

Larry

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by Jim65

+1

I hate when I make an offer that is more than fair and the seller replies that he paid more than that, I'm sorry that you overpaid but it does not mean I'm going to.

2 Things -

1.) Buy High - Sell Low and
2.) Pete Rose deserves to be in HOF

[EvilKing00]

Have patience .... but if you see something that never comes up that you want buy it asap

[yanksfan09]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

Have patience .... but if you see something that never comes up that you want buy it asap

Sums it up for me! ... Be ready to strike! Watch softy but carry a big stick.

[mrvster]

I have learned collecting has been very cruel yet rewarding at the same time....


most important lesson:


"PEOPLE ARE WORTH MORE THAN CARDBOARD, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU"

"RESPECT OTHERS AND TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED"

I try to follow this at all times, sometimes the cardboard gets the better of me, my passion, but in the end collectors / people are worth more than any dream card.... RIP to our fellow collectors, especially Jantz

[topcat61]

Originally Posted by mrvster

I have learned collecting has been very cruel yet rewarding at the same time....


most important lesson:


"PEOPLE ARE WORTH MORE THAN CARDBOARD, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU"

"RESPECT OTHERS AND TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED"

I try to follow this at all times, sometimes the cardboard gets the better of me, my passion, but in the end collectors / people are worth more than any dream card.... RIP to our fellow collectors, especially Jantz

That is so true. I've found over the years that card collecting has taken a backseat to the knowledge I've gained though the cards (like history, economics and how the game and hobby have evolved) and through the people I've met.

I think the hobby has a lot to teach us and I love these comments, great perspectives.

[Fred]

When you think you've seen it all, you find out you haven't.

Third party autograph "authenticators" are not as good as they think they are.