Questions from a Youngster

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

1) For those who collect, do you fund any part of your collection through flipping?

2) If you don't flip, do you do anything special - other than just saving - to fund your collection?
- For example, I've made and sold pallet wood homeplates to help fund the engagement ring. I'm considering continuing this to fund my collection once I buy the ring.

3) How can you tell if a vintage or Pre-War card is authentic or fake? Graded cards obviously bring more of a premium, yet raw cards can be risky for an uneducated soul such as myself.

4) How do you organize your priorities/wants and stay on budget? Is it as simple as staying disciplined, or are there little tips and tricks?

I'm always looking to learn, especially when it comes to this hobby. Any advice is welcome! Thank you in advance!

1). Ok, I'll admit to flipping cards to help fund my collection, however, it seems like for every $100 I make flipping, I spend $200 on my own collection. I will also point out a few obvious things to keep in mind that I think some tend to forget. 1. Just cause you sold a card for X, doesn't mean you made X amount. 2. It takes time - both in finding cards to buy at an attractive price and also in selling. Make sure your are comfortable with the amount of time spent compared to the amount made. 3. Know the lowest amount cards have sold for before you buy. This will give you a minimum amount you can use to figure out how much to spend. 4. Before buying, don't forget to factor in fees, both on the selling side (eBay, PayPal, shipping, etc) and the buying side (buyers premium, tax, shipping, etc) and add in a certain amount as a cushion/anticipated profit margin.

2) I don't do anything special. Given my personal circumstances getting a second job isn't an option, but with flipping I have the flexibility to scan and list when I have the time, energy, and desire.

3) As mentioned previously, the more you handle cards the more familiar you'll get.

4) Right now, my main collecting focus is quite narrow and the cards are not easily found, therefore when something comes up I need, I usually will do whatever I can to get it unless it is way outside my budget. For the rest of the sets I'm working on, I generally won't even pay market so it has to be a good deal, then I'm left deciding whether to flip it or keep it.

One other thing I'll add, make sure your girl really wants a fancy engagement ring before you spend a lot. There is a lot more to getting engaged and married than just a ring. My wife never wears jewelry and she would feel very uncomfortable and anxious wearing an engagement ring of any significant value. As a result, I barely spent anything on her ring, but made sure the proposal itself was special, in our own unique way.

DJ

[ALR-bishop]

I started buying my first cards in 1957 from a corner sore at the end of our block. I wonder what the guy behind the counter would have said back then had I asked him how I should go about collecting baseball cards

Hope you enjoy your collecting KMay. It has always just been a hobby for me and I like it that way.

[Touch'EmAll]

Buy what you can comfortably afford.

Go for PSA & SGC - keeps away doctored cards

Buy the best condition you can comfortably afford.

I know a lot of set guys out there, but consider sticking to big name players.

Its ok to only acquire a few cards per year.

Remember centering is very important.

Good luck & have fun!