Helping fellow board members become "better" collectors

[Econteachert205]

My mistake has always been diving in too soon without doing proper research.

[conor912]

I think you'll find patience will be the major theme of this thread. It is hard to learn, and even harder to master. Without it, you will pay dearly.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

My mistake has always been diving in too soon without doing proper research.

A big +1 on that one re my early collecting days. Now my practice is to assemble all the info I can on an expensive purchase beforehand. Second biggest mistake was in the early '90's, investing in a lot of hot, young phenoms--hence my oft made argument on this board that it is far better to wait until that "phenom" has reached the downside years of his career to truly and accurately evaluate him (although you can never rule out subsequent disclosure of PED use at just the wrong time). By then, the speculative and transient elements of the demand factoring into an inflated price will have long since dissipated. Case in point--1990 No-Name on Front Topps Frank Thomas rookie, booking at $1600 (high Beckett value) in the early '90's. Prior to his HOF election in 2008-2010, a very nice NMt-Mt example could be had in the $500 dollar range, even though he had clearly put together a HOF career (the only debate was the time he put in as a DH vs first baseman).

Highest and best regards,

Larry

[EvilKing00]

Didnt see anyone add here, buy the card not the holder.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

Didnt see anyone add here, buy the card not the holder.

Unless.......you're a registry participant

[rhettyeakley]

Whenever I show people any part of my collection they always ask... "Where do you find the stuff?"

The biggest difficulty I have had in the past is that you have to be opportunistic and ready to purchase when the item you want becomes available. Sometimes it is nice to have patience but it always seems like it is "feast or famine" for me, either there is so much available to buy that I can't afford everything I want or a month or two will pass and I am literally having to talk myself into purchases because there is so little available. When you see a good deal on an item that you want or that you can make some money on you have to prepared and ready to just take the plunge at that time.