Unfortunately, considering getting completely 100% out. Advice/thoughts?

[njdunkin1]

Bummer! Sometimes, things are necessary though in order to have enough funds to actually live. I wish you the best of luck on your sale if you do decide to go that route. Always sad to see a collector leave, but I know it's for a good reason.

[Mark70Z]

In the scheme of things this is just a hobby and most of us when we really need income to live or take care of family it really becomes an easier decision. We all really need to have the correct priorities in life and it sounds like you've come to a decision on that aspect in regard to your particular situation.

Thanks for sharing your plan and I hope all goes well when you do decide to sell.

[glchen]

Normally, I would say, wait a few months, don't buy anything, but just see if you really are certain that you do not have any more interest in your collection anymore. However, if you need the funds, you need the funds, and it looks like you've thought out the scenarios of even keeping your favorite few cards. Good luck in your sales, you have a lot of great cards. Hopefully you'll still pop in on this board every now and then even after your collection is sold.

[Brian Van Horn]

Dan,

I wouldn't blame you one bit. If you look at what has happened with Mastro and Legendary and the ripple effect it has had along with Lifson retiring and the fact that shill bidding is still going on........As I said, I wouldn't blame you a bit.

[Mdmtx]

The shill bidding is depressing but the fact remains that the item was purchased at a price the buyer was willing to pay. I am more concerned about the fraud, forgeries and the like. When those happen you are not getting a product you had bid on. I'm not condoning the shilling, it is appalling. But to me the articles about the product deceptions are much bigger issue. I wouldn't buy an autograph or a piece of memorabilia from my own grandmother. As a whole the hobby has taken a turn for the worse with the grading and certification companies and employees being actively involved in the buying and selling of the same materials they grade and certify. It's quite a disservice to a hobby we all love.

Mark Medlin

[bcornell]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

I wouldn't blame you one bit. If you look at what has happened with Mastro and Legendary and the ripple effect it has had along with Lifson retiring and the fact that shill bidding is still going on........As I said, I wouldn't blame you a bit.

Are you leaving the hobby, Brian? Are you advocating that collectors like the OP get out because of "Mastro and Legendary"? I'm guessing not, but it doesn't stop you from being disingenuous, per usual.

Rob Lifson retiring is a "ripple effect"? I thought he was retiring because he wanted to, as he very clearly stated. You've decided that it's something nefarious, but perhaps you don't know what you're talking about.


Bill

[glynparson]

+1.

The OP clearly stated it is financially driven. Prices continue to be on the rise on great material, most of those shilled on killer items can actually make a nice profit even though they may have overpaid at the time (not excusing the crimes just stating facts). PS I do not think Rob leaving has anything to do with Mastro as I am taking Rob at his word.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Dan:

Sorry to see a fellow BB HOF RC collector getting out of the game but I totally understand. I had to make the same decision a couple of years ago. The only difference was that, in addition to the financial aspect of my situation, I had also reached a point where I was rarely able to pick up a "needed" item any longer as my collection had reached about 85% complete and the remaining items were either too expensive or too rare or oftentimes both. The thrill of the constant buying and selling was mostly gone and a downturn in my health which caused a lot of missed work and ultimately forced me to sell off my collection just to keep paying the bills every month was the final nail in the coffin for my BB HOF RC collection. I was able to keep a few of my favorite Negro League pieces but everything else is now gone, although I was able to buy some property with some of the monies, which has turned out to be a good investment for me. Unfortunately, my greatly reduced workload has resulted in a much lower income level and no discretionary income is left over to afford the kind of vintage baseball items that I enjoyed collecting so much over the years. I am thankful though that my health has returned to near 100% again after nearly two years.

Anyways, Dan, I wish you the best in the future and hope you find happiness with whatever you decide to do.

Phil

[Brian Van Horn]

Originally Posted by bcornell

Are you leaving the hobby, Brian? Are you advocating that collectors like the OP get out because of "Mastro and Legendary"? I'm guessing not, but it doesn't stop you from being disingenuous, per usual.

Rob Lifson retiring is a "ripple effect"? I thought he was retiring because he wanted to, as he very clearly stated. You've decided that it's something nefarious, but perhaps you don't know what you're talking about.


Bill

Bill,

"Disingenuous?"
I don't know what I did to upset you. I stated the ripple effect of Mastro and Legendary and then I mentioned Lifson retiring in the sentence.

Here is the quote:

"If you look at what has happened with Mastro and Legendary and the ripple effect it has had along with Lifson retiring and the fact that shill bidding is still going on........As I said, I wouldn't blame you a bit."

I have stated before I thought of getting out and a board member asked in that thread if fraud was part of the reason? I replied that it was hard to ignore the elephant in the room.

Thank you,

Brian Van Horn

[buymycards]

I think your liquidation plans will depend a lot on how large your collection is and the type of cards that are in your collection. You may be able to sell many of the vintage cards right here on the BST. It is pretty easy and there aren't any fees.

The higher end items may be better off going into an auction.

The tough part is getting rid of lower end modern items and bulk lots, even bulk lots from the 70's. You may have to resign yourself to blowing them out and taking a loss. You might want to set up at a card show. Possibly another dealer will take the whole low end part of your collection.

A few years ago I wanted to get rid of 30-40 thousand baseball and football commons from the 1970's. I set up at a show and another dealer bought the entire lot. I wish I lived closer to CT. I would love to take a look at your collection, but I live in Wisconsin and I can't get away from work right now to make a trip.

Rick

[vintagehofrookies]

Thank You everyone for the kinds words,thoughts and advice. I made this post last night and went to bed immediately after, so excuse me for not replying sooner. I also woke up to tons of emails and PMs with both offers and words of encouragement which I have been going thru this morning. I really have thought about "liquidating" for a few years now (even while continuing to grow my collection) and with the additions of a house and my 2nd child a couple years ago, I got out of "prospecting" first which, while fruitful, was very time and money consuming. With only vintage left (which is mostly my signed HOF R.c's) I have no choice but to part with them,how? I am not exactly sure yet as I really don't know if I should sell everything or keep some, I don't know, but I do know that I have to sell, at the very least, a vast majority of everything I have. Unlike most of the deals I do, I really need to think and take some time (as I just decided to sell a couple days ago) as for what I want/need to do and also go thru all the offers I have received so far.
Thank You all again,
Dan

[vintagehofrookies]

Originally Posted by glchen

Normally, I would say, wait a few months, don't buy anything, but just see if you really are certain that you do not have any more interest in your collection anymore. However, if you need the funds, you need the funds, and it looks like you've thought out the scenarios of even keeping your favorite few cards. Good luck in your sales, you have a lot of great cards. Hopefully you'll still pop in on this board every now and then even after your collection is sold.

Thank You, yes I will def. remain active as I still love this part of the hobby. I've actually not bought anything for a few months numerous times over the years and I only come back stronger while spending a ton.
Thank You.