What is the most important lesson you've learned through collecting?

[Cliff Bowman]

Stay away from autographs unless you see the person sign it yourself, although I’ve known that for over thirty years.

[Promethius88]

That at the end of the day, they are just pieces of cardboard. Don't let them consume your life or you will end up alienating the things that really matter.

[Jim65]

That when you have a chance to buy a rare piece, buy it. You may have a long wait to find another.

[barrysloate]

Acquire as much knowledge as you can before sinking a lot of money into collectables. Knowledge is power.

And I agree wholeheartedly with Tim at post #3.

[Bigdaddy]

Patience and decisiveness.

Patience for those things that are common and decisiveness for those things that are not.

Along with #3 above, first and foremost.

[ullmandds]

Don't try to compete with other peoples collections...there is always someone else out there with a better collection...atleast in my world!

[Jdoggs]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Don't try to compete with other peoples collections...there is always someone else out there with a better collection...atleast in my world!

+1
Yes someone always has a better card collection.
Unless you are ken Kendrick he has the best collection.

[Throttlesteer]

Buy what you like, not what's hot at the moment. Dont get caught in bidding wars for readily available stuff.

[Mdmtx]

Taught me how to multiply by 36.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Jim65

That when you have a chance to buy a rare piece, buy it. You may have a long wait to find another.

+1. In addition, stay away from current players who appear to be on a HOF track until they are at least in their mid-thirties. By that time, their legacy or lack of same will be well-established, and the early speculative and transient demand which forms a large part of their usually inflated prices will have largely departed. After all, the market for current and/or recent players is certainly not divorced from vintage--today's heroes and those of recent yesteryear are destined to become yesterday's stars also, and they and their cards will have to compete with vintage stars and HOF'er based on their true merit and ratio of supply to demand.

In addition, Barry is absolutely right--knowledge is power. The more you know in this context, the better your purchases will be if you have any interest at all in value appreciation over the long term.

Best of luck in your collecting,

Larry

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

That at the end of the day, they are just pieces of cardboard. Don't let them consume your life or you will end up alienating the things that really matter.

This is it, although a version of it is that I try to buy what I'll enjoy even if the bottom falls out in the market. Even if it is almost worthless, if I've bought something I can still enjoy having, then that's a win.

[RedsFan1941]

if it’s from the Great Pittsburgh Find it’s got to be good

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by RedsFan1941

if it’s from the Great Pittsburgh Find it’s got to be good

I can't stop laughing.

[Touch'EmAll]

Figure out your max bids based on some due diligence ... and don't go over. Its ok to not buy. You can get into a hole if the card is ultra rare and you really want it. But I am not a set collector and never really "need" anything. But most importantly, enjoy the hobby.

[bcbgcbrcb]

One lesson that I learned the hard way, it is virtually impossible to differentiate a Type I photo from non-Type I photos by just looking at scans online. If you have the photo in hand, that's a different story. If buying online, stick with reputable sellers that you know. Also, from experience, around 95% of vintage Negro League images listed on e-bay are not Type I originals so that's probably not a good place to buy. Like everything else, you can get lucky once in a while but the odds are not in your favor and you will lose many, many more times than you will win.

[Republicaninmass]

The best source of new material (business) is the competition

[hcv123]

1 - Buy what you know and know what you buy
2 - There is A LOT of good in people
3 - There is A LOT of bad in people
4 - While life isn't always easy, take pleasure in and savor the special moments
5 -Let your children lead and teach you
6 - Negotiate, but don't let what you know to be rare go
7 - It is ALWAYS better to pay more for quality
8 - Adults collect baseball cards too!
9 - Wishes can come true
10 - Life/collecting always leaves you wanting something

[brianp-beme]

The most important lesson I have learned through collecting is that I have yet to learn my lesson.

Brian (a repeat offender since the Eighties)

[dabigyankeeman]

How to lie better. I got real good at acting casual when my wife complained about all the yellow envelopes coming in, and I would tell her, "Ah, just a bunch of cheap cards, a couple of bucks each"........

[frankbmd]

How many cards my closet will hold?

and when it's full, seller's remorse isn't so bad.

[Section103]

Im not sure Ive really learned a damn thing. Sometimes Im taught to just wait for the next one. Sometimes Im taught I really should have jumped on that one that just passed. Its ok though, I'll get by.

[kmac32]

Learned several things. First, not everything is about money. You may have a card somebody wants that is more valuable than what they can afford or want to pay but you make the deal anyway just for the goodwill it creates. Helping other collectors with their collection can change their day from a bad day to a great day.

Next, fairness. Life is not always about me. You learn to be kinder and more forgiving.

You also learn to appreciate what you have. Just seein* my collection makes me smile.

[Johnny630]

A card is worthless until you sell it. Never let emotions get the best of you when selling or buying a card.

Merry Christmas to All :-)

[bobbvc]

Pay attention to detail!

[Jdoggs]

Enjoy what you got. Someone also has more but remember someone has less too.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

I collected for many years before opening my store. Life is short - do what makes you happy.

[mrvster]

seeing one of those collection I would imagine you would need some O2

[terjung]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

That at the end of the day, they are just pieces of cardboard. Don't let them consume your life or you will end up alienating the things that really matter.

This.

[rjackson44]

Making friends

[brian1961]

Several key ones. Among them:

1. Don't ever be afraid to over-pay, and perhaps even set a record for a buying price, if the piece you are contemplating is first, in ultra-high grade for the issue, and second, if it rarely comes up in that grade, and third and foremost, if the card is one you've wanted for a long time and love dearly, and have to tear yourself away from looking at it. This occurred with me each time I bought a Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle.

2. Be double-dog sure before you sell, or get rid of, a choice card in your collection. You might be ready to let it go, but YOU BETTER KNOW YOURSELF. I got rid of a nice 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson in the late 80s. Nice buyer, a Canadian, who told me he'd take it with him to the grave. That was nice. It wasn't long before I began to regret selling it. The card was a solid EXCELLENT -TO- MINT, and nicely centered. I really like how Jack looks, and I love the promotion. Overall, those beauties are rare today. They've appreciated handsomely, but are probably still quite underrated. It was only when I produced my fantasy 1954 Wilson Franks Jackie Robinson did my pain vanish.

3. Treat as many people as possible with kindness and dignity. You never know who you're actually dealing with. I've hauled off and slugged some collectors verbally who were being belligerent with me, true. But life is hard as it is, and I try to show a glad hand, and congratulate other collectors when they're full of joy over a new acquisition. Then again, there's all too many thoughtless, udder assholes in this hobby, full of pure selfishness---- braggadocios of the third degree, and it's kinda hard sometimes. So, I say all that to say, it's good to hold thy tongue, lest one stick their smelly foot in their mouth, and regret it! 'Course, I keep my feet nicely scrubbed!

Though I admit I am out of the ball game as far as buying vintage material, and have been for some time, the basic drive and collector strategies and intermingling have not changed one whit.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only hope for peace was born in the Middle East. His name is Jesus Christ, the Kind of Kings, and the Lord of Lords! The promised Messiah---to the Jews first and the Gentiles second.

---- Brian Powell

[GasHouseGang]

It's better to buy quality than quantity.

[theshleps]

My friend once said it well "cards can't love you back".
I have made some great purchases and some foolish ones- trades too. Don't beat yourself up over the bad ones or items you should have bid higher on. It is alot of fun but there are more satisfying things too and it won't say on your headstone- best T206 collection or something like that

[Jdoggs]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

It's better to buy quality than quantity.

+1
Yes quality most important.