Set Collecting Advice for Newbie

[Econteachert205]

If you're on a budget I would save and wait and buy the biggest lot possible.

[Bigdaddy]

Agree, buy the biggest/best condition lot you can afford, reconcile that with the cards you already have - keeping the best copy. Then sell the duplicates and finish the set as you can.

[JTysver]

You can probably find some decent lots on EBay of 400 or so different cards for less than $200. Set a price limit (I always set it at .41 per card) and go after it. If it has some HOFers I may go more than my limit. Most people sell the big guys separately however.

After you have a decent sized lot, you can add additional lots whenever you want, take the cards you need, and sell them rest back on the market.

It is cheaper to buy lots than individual cards.

Once you have a decent sized starter set, I would prefer to buy the HOFers separately as you will see the shapes that you need.

When it comes to high number cards, try to buy lots as well. However, you probably won't find much of a value going after 1961, 1966 or 1967 high number lots as those maintain their value even in lots.

[Nunzio11]

I've been monitoring a couple auctions and prices. I'm going to buy a couple mid graded cards (5,6,7s and maybe a lower priced 8) so I can compare the cards I have a get a good baseline. I need to get my grading eye back.