Has anyone ever given up on set collecting?

[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.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

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.

I would say more than 80% of my collecting is simply randomly looking around and the following mental exclamation of "ooh, that's cool"!

The other sub 20% is the rare finding of stuff on my want list or player collections. If I just focused on those, I would only add something every 2-3 months as they are at the point of just being things that don't turn up much. I need the fun stuff to keep entertained.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by JustinD

If I just focused on those, I would only add something every 2-3 months as they are at the point of just being things that don't turn up much. I need the fun stuff to keep entertained.

This is exactly the reason I am working on getting Uecker Rookies in every PSA grade as well as doing 86 Fleer Basketball sticker sets in PSA 6-9. Even with those I've gotten to the point of not finding items I need to fill in holes. It's like, I have money in my Paypal, I have to find a way to spend it!

[emmygirl]

Let me start by saying I'm 73 yrs old and have been in love with collecting since I was 10. I was a set collector then and I'm a set collector still. Love putting my "finds" usually from ebay, card shows or here on Net54 into those empty plastic 9 pocket pages. It's fun plugging in the missing holes and seeing the set develop over time, sometimes over a very long time. I just finished a really nice 63 topps baseball set that took about 4 yrs. Rose was the last card and I got a real nice Rose from Dave W. here on Net54, thanks Dave. So I started my favorite boyhood set right after the 63 was finished. The 1956 topps baseball has always been the set that I remember most as a kid so I'm going to try to put it together in a cool way, I think. I'm collecting both the grey and white backs. This will probably be my last big challenge but I'm fine with that. If I don't finish the set I'm hoping one of my three sons will pick it up and complete what I started. My boys love collecting just like their dad. So, whether you collect single cards of players you love or build sets or just buy for investments have fun and enjoy this fabulous hobby any way you want. Happy Collecting Jim

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by emmygirl

Let me start by saying I'm 73 yrs old and have been in love with collecting since I was 10. I was a set collector then and I'm a set collector still. Love putting my "finds" usually from ebay, card shows or here on Net54 into those empty plastic 9 pocket pages. It's fun plugging in the missing holes and seeing the set develop over time, sometimes over a very long time. I just finished a really nice 63 topps baseball set that took about 4 yrs. Rose was the last card and I got a real nice Rose from Dave W. here on Net54, thanks Dave. So I started my favorite boyhood set right after the 63 was finished. The 1956 topps baseball has always been the set that I remember most as a kid so I'm going to try to put it together in a cool way, I think. I'm collecting both the grey and white backs. This will probably be my last big challenge but I'm fine with that. If I don't finish the set I'm hoping one of my three sons will pick it up and complete what I started. My boys love collecting just like their dad. So, whether you collect single cards of players you love or build sets or just buy for investments have fun and enjoy this fabulous hobby any way you want. Happy Collecting Jim

Jim

I 100% agree with everything you said about set collecting. It is great fun to see a set come together. This is a fabulous hobby and I wish you the best on your 56 set.


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