What causes you the most frustration as a card collector?

[PowderedH2O]

As a kid growing up in the 70's, the biggest thrill was buying packs of cards and gradually completing a set. I still remember the day I completed my 1978 Topps baseball set. Now, packs are so expensive that it would cost several hundred dollars to complete a set. And the packs are full of useless inserts that I wouldn't use to wipe my butt. How about non insert packs that a regular guy can afford to collect a set?

[kmac32]

Ebay auctions offering 15 to 20 card lots when you really need only one or 2 cards from the lot.

[z28jd]

Collecting Old Judge cards on a budget, as if finding specific cards from the set isn't hard enough as it is. It usually takes two people collecting the same team at the same time to make players from that team more expensive. I've seen it with Detroit, Louisville, Browns and Baltimore. If you ever collect a team from the set, do a survey first to make sure no one else is trying for that team too.

[Joe_G.]

Originally Posted by z28jd

Collecting Old Judge cards on a budget, as if finding specific cards from the set isn't hard enough as it is. It usually takes two people collecting the same team at the same time to make players from that team more expensive. I've seen it with Detroit, Louisville, Browns and Baltimore. If you ever collect a team from the set, do a survey first to make sure no one else is trying for that team too.

Agreed, I need to switch teams, maybe Pittsburgh would be easier.

[MuddyMules]

Stopping into a local card show only to find showcases full of game used cards and "sticker" autographed cards (if I peel the sticker autograph off of the card and stick it to my wall, does that make my wall a rare 1/1). What happened to players actually signing the cards? Where do these guys get all of these cards without knowing anything about the sport or players? My guess is that they buy a case, weigh each pack, open the different weight packs and then sell the individual packs to people who think no different. Tip for kids.....never by single packs at card shows, especially when the showcases are crammed full of memorabilia cards. Better yet kids, stay with vintage cards, they have a great history lesson.

We stopped in a show last weekend, with my youngest son who collects newer football cards, and some guy was sitting there behind his display case, crammed full of the above mentioned cards. We asked him about a certain set and he asked "what sport is it?". How do you consider yourself a collector/dealer and not know much about what you are selling? Give me a break.

[bunst]

My frustration is with sellers who post cards for sale without scans, photos or links to images. Generally I will just ignore those listings. Often times the seller will say that scans are available and can be sent by email. If scans are available, why not just include them in the listing? If you don't know how to attach, just ask for help. I hope this doesn't rub anyone the wrong way because it happens alot here on the BST (and other places too)... I'm just saying. Ebay now requires an image, maybe BST should also too?

[jlehma13]

Frustrating but fun: Finding cards within my budget
Just frustrating: Reproductions and fraud

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by Joe_G.

Agreed, I need to switch teams, maybe Pittsburgh would be easier.

I didn't run into trouble finding Pittsburgh players until I got down to the final three, Conway, Nichols and Deacon White. Got the first two, but now White is out of reach. Going after each pose would be a very difficult task! I have bought some extra poses of players I already had, but I'm nowhere near having them all and not really trying.

[ValKehl]

Further to what Brian said above, it frustrates me when an online seller shows only a pic of the front of a card, especially when there is more than one variation for the back of the card (e.g., E121/80 American Caramel).
Val

[Lgarza99]

When a card you want/need finally is available but then the condition doesn't lend itself to the purchase.