Preference of Buying Venues

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by raulus

Couldn't agree more. At the same time, just for fun, I went back through my collection to attempt to identify which items I purchased from private sales, and although it's in the minority, there are definitely some pieces that are impossible to find. Here's a good selection, except that I've omitted most of the Bazooka Complete Boxes and Bazooka Panels that Howard was gracious enough to sell to me a few years ago, because I can't remember which specific ones I got from him.

Amazing collection of oddball rarities!

[Exhibitman]

Doesn't matter.

That said, a good word for trading. When you can pull it off, there is nothing as satisfying as making a trade that leaves both parties happy. One of my favorite aspects of the National (at least before the last two) was an annual trade meeting I had with another boxing collector. We'd sit for hours and dicker over some very complicated trades. I got some of my favorite cards and related items that way. One man's junk is another man's gold.

I am very pleased to see trade events as formal parts of shows now. Kids and newbs need to learn how to communicate and cooperate. I was too tired to attend the Burbank one, but it looked like a lot of fun.

[Luke]

Trading or doing some sort of group purchase with a friend is the best. You get to help someone with their project and improve your collection. Then I like private sales from friends, followed by ebay and buying privately from a random seller, then auctions.

Auctions are lowest for me just because of how long they take. The month of knowing the auction has a card you'd like but not knowing if you will win it is more frustrating to me than exciting. The final night of bidding definitely can be exciting though. And of course the trust you have with AHs and the ability to take a week or so to move money for bigger items is wonderful. I really like AHs and many of my best cards were purchased from one, it just isn't my preferred way to buy.