Has anyone ever given up on set collecting?

[rats60]

I gave up on the t205 set twice before completing it on the third try. It is the true monster, much harder than t206. I can't imagine doing a Cracker Jack set, especially 1914. I am done with collecting sets. I will keep my t206, t205, 1933 Goudey and 1941 Play Ball sets and just pick up key singles from now on.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by rats60

I gave up on the t205 set twice before completing it on the third try. It is the true monster, much harder than t206.

Did you do the master?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by conor912

Did you do the master?

No, but I collected 5s and 6s. I do have the easier variations, but when I have to pay more than a Cobb or WaJo because of a minor text variation, i will pass.

[KMayUSA6060]

When I got back into the hobby a few years ago while I was in college, I tried to put together base sets for basketball, football, and baseball. Modern didn't do it for me, I had no interest in collecting vintage sets of guys I've never even heard of at times, so I determined that true set collecting wasn't for me.

However, the great thing about this hobby is the ability to create your own sets. Team sets, player runs, Hall of Fame sets, etc. THAT is what does it for me. My Hall of Fame project is what I'm having a blast with right now. Within the project, I have mini Hall of Fame sets, and I do consider the overall project to be a "set" (one of each Hall of Famer - I call it the Cooperstown set; not really, I just thought of that, but it sticks and I might start using it haha).

[bbcard1]

I am working on a 1961 set and am pretty committed to finishing it as it is my birth year but dang when you hit something like a high number team card that will set you back $40-60 for a nice grade and think I could have gotten a decent superstar for the same money, you start to wonder.

I'll probably get some 50s complete sets...I'd like a 59, but I will buy them whole.

[PowderedH2O]

I'm not sure what I will do. Nothing rash, because at 53, starting over really isn't something I'm looking to do. I am on pace to finish 52-present Topps and (52-55) Bowman (except 52 Topps highs) by 2025. I'm also working on getting playing days cards of each HOFer (minus Negro Leagues, pre 1900, and executives), plus playing days cards of cool players that weren't HOFers. Part of me just wants to stay the course and just finish it all up, then just work on the vintage stuff. Part of me hates the idea of paying $100 for a 1967 Topps high number of a marginal player, when I could get a nice vintage Paul Waner for that. Decisions, decisions...

[conor912]

Originally Posted by PowderedH2O

I'm not sure what I will do. Nothing rash, because at 53, starting over really isn't something I'm looking to do. I am on pace to finish 52-present Topps and (52-55) Bowman (except 52 Topps highs) by 2025. I'm also working on getting playing days cards of each HOFer (minus Negro Leagues, pre 1900, and executives), plus playing days cards of cool players that weren't HOFers. Part of me just wants to stay the course and just finish it all up, then just work on the vintage stuff. Part of me hates the idea of paying $100 for a 1967 Topps high number of a marginal player, when I could get a nice vintage Paul Waner for that. Decisions, decisions...

I think the problem a lot of set builders face is over commitment. When you have the next 5+ years of acquisitions all mapped out, it can really sap the fun out. Discovering and buying new things can be just as much fun as crossing something off of a checklist.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by conor912

I think the problem a lot of set builders face is over commitment. When you have the next 5+ years of acquisitions all mapped out, it can really sap the fun out. Discovering and buying new things can be just as much fun as crossing something off of a checklist.

This right here!

So many great comments on here and since getting back into collecting I have been faced with the same issues as many others. I'm not a set collector by nature. I did have close to a complete 62 Topps set so I finished that. I have a good start on a 61 set but did sell off a bunch of nice ones a few months back before I thought maybe I would work on that. I have several sets from maybe 78-90 but in all honesty, they bring me no enjoyment at all. After completing a set it's like...eh, whatever. Other than knowing I want to complete the 62 Jell-O set, I have zero focus in my collecting. It's nice to know that there are many others out here that appear to be in the same boat, lol.