Best hobby advice you've received.

[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.

[Arazi4442]

I’m with Adam and Eddie, first rule, second rule and third rule - collect what you enjoy.

Unless you’re flipping as a way to pay the bills, don’t get too hung up on the money. (Oh no, my cards have only gone up x% while others have gone up 5x%) Everything will have its ebbs and flows. Lastly, if there’s something you’d really enjoy but it’s a couple bucks more than you thought, get it. Very, very few purchases I regret but many more I wish I’d pulled the trigger on.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Let's put it this way. If anyone ever finds a 1981 Topps George Brett card with the right two letters written in black crayon on the back I will pay almost anything to get it back.

Personal meaning is everything. Collect what means something to you.

[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.

[Rhotchkiss]

“Never Get Cheated”

[Exhibitman]

Let the investment stuff go in one ear and out the other. If you want to invest, admit you are not a collector and stop pretending otherwise.

Collect what you like and consider it the equivalent of playing a round of golf: a sunk cost of fun. You may be surprised in the future by a price increase and that's great, but just enjou what you have while you have it.

I have to credit Leon with a good one some years ago when I was stressing over a sizable purchase and could not quite reach a deal with the seller: don't let $100 stand between you and a tough card you really want.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

“Never Get Cheated”

This is the one that has resonated with me since I joined this community.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by 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.

That’s exactly my current card journey too, David! I’m about 110 cards or so into my goal.... it’s actually a lot of fun. I agonize on choosing exactly the “right one” for every card I choose

Would love to see photos of your collection, if you’d be willing to share! In fact, I might even start a thread to see how many others of “us” are out there

Enjoy / Jeff

[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.