How Did You Beat the Monster?

[Jim VB]

Jeff nailed it in post #4. None of the cards in T206 are really difficult to find. I'll bet every single card in the set has come up for auction in the last 2 years. (I think I remember a Doyle in REA 2009, but I may be wrong.)

It does come down to a question of your available cash, and your definition of "set." If you are satisified with 518 (or 520) out of 524 (or 525 if you like Cobb/Cobb) it's actually pretty easy.

[ChiefBenderForever]

After a couple years I was at around 130 or so and got beat, gave up and let the monster win, I just couldn't stay focused and moved on. Best of luck on your journey.

[tonyo]

Here is another favorite Monster quote from the esteemed Barry Arnold:

"It is an amazingly shrewd adversary,yet a most intriguing friend."

My advice (after only two years of collecting t206's) is:
Don't look at it as if you are going to "beat the monster"

Approach the task with much patience and a disciplined monetary plan.

The cards are so plentiful and available in wide ranges of condition, it's easy to get sucked into spending a little more than you really had intended on each purchase.

[sb1]

The worst way to tackle it is one card at a time. You will pay more and it may take forever. Buy as large of groups as you can find (and afford) and buy them. Keep what you want and sell the rest, just keep repeating this and in a matter of time you will have a large portion of the set. When you get towards the end you will have to buy some singles, but even early on you will be surprised by the number of HOFers, even off grade Cobbs, that are included in small, medium and large size groups.

[Zach Wheat]

Hey Zach,

I am about 75% and I think one of the better ways is to buy cards in bulk either from auctions or on ebay. It is alot harder to buy in bulk now than in years prior, but this saves on shipping costs (which can be a killer) and gives you a fair amount of trade bait.

Regards,

M Wheat

[uffda51]

Scott's advice is right on.

I slowly accumulated 50-75 cards from about 1985-95 and then gave up. A TKO. I still have 5-10 of them. Obviously a great classic set, I just never got the bug to finish.

[Niko]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Hey Zach,

I am about 75% and I think one of the better ways is to buy cards in bulk either from auctions or on ebay. It is alot harder to buy in bulk now than in years prior, but this saves on shipping costs (which can be a killer) and gives you a fair amount of trade bait.

Regards,

M Wheat

Are you going for it raw or slabbed? The problem with bulk lots is they either are all raw or the grades aren't exactly what I'm looking for.

I may go for HOF PSA and simultaneously pick up any decent lots of commons I can find.

Zach

[ethicsprof]

many thanks to my wise and astute friend, tony ooten.

i know that i perennially and perpetually and persistently offer the dictum:
the monster wants you to quit; don't listen to it.
i tamed the monster because i made myself in almost singleminded fashion
NOT listen to the many reasons i ought to quit, e.g. money spent, other type cards that i'm missing, preoccupation with pieces of cardboard over my academic research (sometimes!), the years and years that it takes, etc.
The monster is incessant in keeping such reasons coming.
But as the ones who have tamed the Monster on this fine board will tell you
almost in unison, i suspect, both the quest and the achievement are well worth it.
all the best in the quest,
barry

[sb1]

(shameless plug)

One could buy all 520 at one time in our upcoming auction. Yep, ALL 520 in one fell swoop, missing only Wagner, Doyle, Magie and Plank. Forget all that aimless hunting and searching.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Niko

Are you going for it raw or slabbed? The problem with bulk lots is they either are all raw or the grades aren't exactly what I'm looking for.

I may go for HOF PSA and simultaneously pick up any decent lots of commons I can find.

Zach

Zach,

I bought several large lots and almost all were ungraded. I did not mind the fact that there were ungraded as I usually do not collect graded cards - although I have purchased many in that form. Several auctions have lots of either PSA or SGC graded cards...just keep a watch and you will get a good start. You will definitely get more bang for the buck. And if you buy ungraded lots, you end up having lots of cards to trade on BST. You end up getting to know a lot of people this way and it is more fun hunting! Enjoy!

M Wheat