Best hobby advice you've received.

[Cmount76]

A number of years ago, I was setting up at my first show. I pulled up in the morning and watched all of the "real dealers" unload their cars and begin setting up. While I was setting up, a number of veteran guys came by to say hello and check out what I had. Still feeling quite insecure, I asked a dealer by the name of Chuck if he thought that I had anything that anyone would want. He looked over my showcases, smiled, and said "There's an ass for every seat, my man".

That resonated with me. It let me know that I belonged and I could hang with the big boys!

And so now I ask you - What was the sage bit of wisdom that resonated with you?

[bnorth]

Stay away from graded cards. You can own way more and way nicer cards for the same price.

[Bored5000]

"Collect what you like." That is something I constantly remind myself. No one can collect everything from either a money or a space standpoint. As much as I would like to have a rare Babe Ruth card or a 52T Mantle, I find myself loving some of the $200 cards in my collection that mean something to me personally even more than if I had a big money baseball card.

[Mark17]

You have fun by building complete sets; you make money by breaking complete sets.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Mark17

You have fun by building complete sets; you make money by breaking complete sets.

I don't have any experience with the breaking sets part, but the first half is definitely true. I sometimes wonder what I'll do when I complete my project. Probably pick another set to drive myself up the wall with.

[chalupacollects]

I've heard at times: There's an ass IN every seat...

[Wanaselja]

Buy the card not the grade.
Be patient.
Don’t be afraid to pay up for a nice card.
Collect what you love.

All were received on this forum.

[RTK]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

"Collect what you like." That is something I constantly remind myself. No one can collect everything from either a money or a space standpoint. As much as I would like to have a rare Babe Ruth card or a 52T Mantle, I find myself loving some of the $200 cards in my collection that mean something to me personally even more than if I had a big money baseball card.

Absolutely, so very true. I've never bought a card over a couple hundred bucks despite being able to afford cards that are more substantial. The cards that bring me my most joy are the ones I collected as a kid, they wouldn't grade very high but they mean the world to me. I suppose that's why I like cards that look like they were carried in a shoe box by a kid riding a Schwinn Sting Ray. They tell a story...

[ajquigs]

Bored5000
"Collect what you like." That is something I constantly remind myself. No one can collect everything from either a money or a space standpoint. As much as I would like to have a rare Babe Ruth card or a 52T Mantle, I find myself loving some of the $200 cards in my collection that mean something to me personally even more than if I had a big money baseball card.

Originally Posted by RTK

Absolutely, so very true. I've never bought a card over a couple hundred bucks despite being able to afford cards that are more substantial. The cards that bring me my most joy are the ones I collected as a kid, they wouldn't grade very high but they mean the world to me. I suppose that's why I like cards that look like they were carried in a shoe box by a kid riding a Schwinn Sting Ray. They tell a story...

Yep, I agree. In my mind the original owner of a card should be a nine year old kid. The cards I’d part with last are the ones where I know that’s the case, because I was that kid.

[davidb]

In 1994 I decided to purchase one playing days card of every "player" in the baseball HOF. I was the sole bread winner with five kids, a mortgage payment and bought only what I could afford at the time. Most of my cards are G-VG however I get a thrill every time I walk into my man cave and see 230 Baseball Hall of Famers on my wall.

[conor912]

I’ve had a few.

1. The first relates to Ben’s. Don’t become caught up in the graded hype. I only collect raw cards and love it.

2. Don’t be the guy who puts together sets with exmt commons and vg HOFers.

3. There’s no too much, only too soon.

[bbnut]

Stay on top of the organizing. You appreciate your collection more if you know what you have.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Vegas Cards]

Here's one I've broken and regretted. Never sell your Mantles.

There are several other names you could insert there - Cobbs, Ruths, etc.

[ullmandds]

buy what you like!

buy the card not the holder!

Buy Cobb and Ruth!

Buy low...sell high!!!!!

[Johnny630]

Never Pay Up for Off Grade.....The Upside Potential Is Very Limited.

Don’t Build Sets Buy 4 Guys for Investment, Strong Centered Exmnt or Better

Ruth, Cobb, Jackie, and Mantle

These are the first cards I get asked about when I’m selling and when I’m buying these are the last any collector wants to sell.

Do this for the long-term and you’ll never lose.

[todeen]

Buy it when you see it, because you probably won't see it again.

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[Brian Van Horn]

Not received, but I'll give. Wait out the cons.

[ZiggerZagger]

Originally Posted by todeen

Buy it when you see it, because you probably won't see it again.

Yes Tim! If a cards is speaking to you, it's probably going to speak to the guy coming right behind you as well.

And that goes double while walking the aisles at the National...


This dovetails nicely with Howard's truism above:

Originally Posted by hcv123

2) You'll regret the cards you didn't buy WAY more than the ones you "paid too much for" at the time.

[LEHR]

• Always think quality over quantity.

• You make your money when buying, not selling.

[BabyRuth]

Always buy Babe Ruth cards, he's not gonna have a bad year.

[One 'ol Cat]

Get that stuff out of the family room. - The Wife

[moogpowell]

Personally, I stick to vintage. I like everything about those cards aesthetically and the risk/reward financially is much better than modern I think. I learned the hard way that speculating on tomorrow's heroes today is daunting. For those who have the time and ability to invest in modern cards it may be worth it. But I have piles of Gregg Jefferies rookies, etc. that never panned out.

[topcat61]

The best Hobby advice I ever received was - Get a second opinion if you're unsure of the purchase. The second best advice I ever received was - If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

[YankeeCollector]

Buy Ruth!!! Thanks Joe T!

Also buy only centered cards!