How do you build your sets, single or all in?

[tcdyess]

For those of you that have multiple sets you have been or will be collecting, do you find it better to focus on one set unitil you complete it, or do you multitask and try and pick up cards as you see them? My thought is financially and time wise it might be better to focus on one, but I hate to see cards that I will eventually need slip by. I wish I had unlimited resources, but as most, have to keep it relatively under control.

Obviously it is tougher to get the older sets, and most of the time the cost is higher on them anyway.

I know there are a lot of you that have ultra experience with this, so I am looking forward to hearing some opinions.

After finishing the "first five" I finally figured out what my "master plan" would be, one set per decade (Yankees only):

First Five (completed)
T206 NY Americans (finally completed)
1923 W515-2
1933 Goudey
1941 Play Ball
1952 Topps
1968 Topps (year I was born)
1979 Topps (just love the cards)
1980 and beyond (who knows???)

Thanks,

Tim

[kmac32]

Multitasker here. You never know when you will see the right card.

[bunst]

I have BCADD (Baseball Card Attention Deficit Disorder). Been collecting for over 25 years and still have not completed a vintage set. I buy a card I need whenever I come across a good deal. Last week it was a T206 Keeler, this week a 1970 Topps Johnny Bench. I will be giving up and selling off a couple in-progress sets in order to finally finish a set or two. Hopefully going to complete 34-36 Diamond Stars and 57 Topps this year.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by bunst

I have BCADD (Baseball Card Attention Deficit Disorder).

How many different started/uncompleted sets do you need to get this diagnosis?

[2dueces]

It's no fun buying a complete set. The thrill is in the hunt and finding that last card to complete the set, even when you are working on multiples like most addicts on this board are. Put me down for a few cards at a time and time to enjoy each purchase.

[HRBAKER]

Definite multi-tasker here but I build very few prewar sets.
My Topps run from '53 up still has a few holes in several of the sets bc of my tendency to lose focus, find something else and then pick it back up at a later date. I made a post over on the postwar side in '56 Topps thread about this. I bought a partial/near complete set (-23) in 1989, put it in the closet and then finished it at my first National in 2001. In the 12 years in between I added not one card.

[rainier2004]

ditto on the multi-tasker. I have primary sets with cracker jacks, n28s and an craze; secondary sets with t200s, 1940 play ball, e120s, 2nd 34 goudey set/upgrade current one; and tiertiary sets w/ t202, t205s, 38 goudeys, 49 bowman...in the end its about priorities on a budget. Cracker Jacks beat everything, i value lower grade fan craze and the tougher n28 next and so on. Id be bored just focusingon the cjs as its been since 11-16 since my last purchase...the shakes are full-blwn at this time. Then again, i very rarely buy a card on the lower priority list.

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by tcdyess

..........do you find it better to focus on one set unitil you complete it, or do you multitask and try and pick up cards as you see them? ....................

Generally I concentrate on one set at a time. When the "frenzy stage" ends and the cards I need for a set are fewer and farther between, I start trying to determine my next set project, but I still look for the cards I need to finish the sets I start. So in truth I usually have a primary set focus, but when the shopping slows down I find another focus but still multi-task to finish the sets I start.


Right now: Primary focus is pre-war type cards, but still trying to settle on my personal definition of what constitutes "a set"

Multi-tasking to finish: t206, t205 hofers, e120 hofers, 33 goudey hofers, late-40's/50's hofer type set, a couple of modern projects.

Originally Posted by tcdyess

..........After finishing the "first five" ..........

Tim, what do you mean by "first five"