Playing in a smaller sandbox

[molenick]

Recently I have lowered my "condition tolerance" for the sets I collect. For my type collection, I have adjusted both my condition tolerance and my player tolerance. I can't afford a top-level HOFer in top condition for an E-or T-card type set. So I look for either lower-tier HOFers or semi-stars in presentable condition or lesser-known players in better condition. And sometimes for tougher types, I just look for a nice-looking card of whoever I can get at what I think is a fair price (e.g., one of the E100s in the last LOTG auction).

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by molenick

Recently I have lowered my "condition tolerance" for the sets I collect. For my type collection, I have adjusted both my condition tolerance and my player tolerance. I can't afford a top-level HOFer in top condition for an E-or T-card type set. So I look for either lower-tier HOFers or semi-stars in presentable condition or lesser-known players in better condition. And sometimes for tougher types, I just look for a nice-looking card of whoever I can get at what I think is a fair price (e.g., one of the E100s in the last LOTG auction).

Exactly! Since things exploded around the time of the pandemic there has been a movement towards altered/authentic graded cards because it’s better to have a card than not to have a card!!!

I also have had to adopt this philosophy… whereas in the past I have avoided such cards now I find it the only way to add certain cards to my collection.

[molenick]

To be fair, I have not "adjusted" all the way to altered/authentic. I am still looking for numerically graded cards....but I will now take a nice-looking (to me) VG type card rather than EX or higher. But that day may came soon!

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by molenick

To be fair, I have not "adjusted" all the way to altered/authentic. I am still looking for numerically graded cards....but I will now take a nice-looking (to me) VG type card rather than EX or higher. But that day may came soon!

i had no choice! otherwise i can't add to my babe ruth collection...and that'd be sad!!!!!

[Snapolit1]

Personally an A would be fine in many cases for me with a rare card. I wouldn’t want a card labeled Altered. That would be a no go.
To each his own as they say. If we all liked the same thing it would be a boring hobby.

[steve B]

I've gone for less expensive/mainstream items off and on over the years. Never could really justify the pricier things, although I really should have way back.
I've also had times of relative inactivity where I pursue other hobbies.


Another way to approach it is to not consider it a competition.
I have what I have and what I have is what I could afford. Some of it has become more valuable, some hasn't.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Personally an A would be fine in many cases for me with a rare card. I wouldn’t want a card labeled Altered. That would be a no go.
To each his own as they say. If we all liked the same thing it would be a boring hobby.

I’m not exactly thrilled with the altered label on this one either not sure why they didn’t just call it authentic seeing as it’s supposedly just trimmed?

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I’m not exactly thrilled with the altered label on this one either not sure why they didn’t just call it authentic seeing as it’s supposedly just trimmed?

I believe they identified the E126 Ruth as 'Altered' because the photographers could not have possibly captured two Babe Ruths in a single photo.

Brian (questions answered at a fraction of the cost of typical question answerers)