How to find the commons.

[Vintage Vern]

What's the best way to find the common cards that have very few numbers in pop reports or registry? I don't think very many AH even care about common players and I get they want the HOFers. So where does that leave a guy that wants to buy the Verne Clemons of the world?

Also what type of collector hurts the hobby the most and I'm sure it's subjective. Is it type collectors, set collectors, single team or player, other?

[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Also what type of collector hurts the hobby the most and I'm sure it's subjective. Is it type collectors, set collectors, single team or player, other?

In what way would any of those collectors hurt the hobby?

[brianp-beme]

My view is a collector only hurts the hobby if he is no longer collecting.

Brian

[Vintage Vern]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

My view is a collector only hurts the hobby if he is no longer collecting.

Brian

What about ones that don't care, and won't sell? This kind of reminds me of another hobby I had. Vintage cars. People would let em rot in the ground, and wouldn't sell. I just don't get that line of thinking.

[Vintage Vern]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

In what way would any of those collectors hurt the hobby?

Different ways I'd imagine.

For me I just inquired about a card that a set collector has. No dice won't sell. Took a decade to get the complete set. Doesn't really care about the players in the set, just that it's complete. I even offered to trade him a lower grade for what he had, and no more response. Still a complete set for him. I'm a single player collector, and I just want to get the best I can since there's very few cards for me to collect. It has personal value to me for multiple reasons.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

For me I just inquired about a card that a set collector has. No dice won't sell. Took a decade to get the complete set. Doesn't really care about the players in the set, just that it's complete. I even offered to trade him a lower grade for what he had, and no more response. Still a complete set for him. I'm a single player collector, and I just want to get the best I can since there's very few cards for me to collect. It has personal value to me for multiple reasons.

If it was the set collector contacting you, would you sell it to them or trade them for a lower grade? If the answer is no, then analogical reasoning should get to the answer. Eventually. Maybe.

[Vintage Vern]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

If it was the set collector contacting you, would you sell it to them or trade them for a lower grade? If the answer is no, then analogical reasoning should get to the answer. Eventually. Maybe.

If I was a set collector the grade wouldn't matter. Having the complete set would be all that would.

[steve B]

It takes a lot of looking. When the cards are actually hard to get it takes even longer.
If you want a specific card

Regularly searching Ebay.
Asking here.
Going to shows and asking dealers.

Being willing to pay a bit extra to finally add that one card.

Even some really common cards can take a while.
I didn't make an all out effort, but I needed Jose Canseco to finish my 88 Topps set. It had been a somewhat better card, so it was never in big lots I'd buy. But it had gotten "cold" in the market, slid to the dollar box, then to less. Usually the old no longer selling dollar box "out back"
Everyone was sure they had it. But even offering $2 for what was then a 25 cent card wasn't enough for anyone to go dig it out.
Yes, I could have bought a complete set for something like $10 but where's the fun in that?
It took around 2 years I think but I did finally find one.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

If I was a set collector the grade wouldn't matter. Having the complete set would be all that would.

Oh, really. I just learned something new about myself. Up until a minute ago, I thought I just wanted near mint cards in my sets. This sure makes my set collecting a lot easier. Thanks!

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Different ways I'd imagine.

For me I just inquired about a card that a set collector has. No dice won't sell. Took a decade to get the complete set. Doesn't really care about the players in the set, just that it's complete. I even offered to trade him a lower grade for what he had, and no more response. Still a complete set for him. I'm a single player collector, and I just want to get the best I can since there's very few cards for me to collect. It has personal value to me for multiple reasons.

That in no way hurts the hobby. A collector acquiring a card and not selling it IS the hobby.

[sb1]

The best way might be to let people know what you are searching for, you have yet to say what it is. Just maybe someone on this board has it or knows someone who does....

[raulus]

Usually your best bet to pick up the commons is going to be on eBay or else through a dealer.

There are a number of dealer-type sellers on eBay who are breaking up larger sets and who offer the option of picking the card that you want from the set. Obviously your one card isn't always going to be on the list, but scrolling through those should be part of your strategy.

Sadly, any way you do it will probably both require a lot of patience, and you may have to overpay a bit to get what you want.

Otherwise, about your only option is usually to buy a larger lot that happens to include the piece that you really want. And then spend a lot of time trying to offload the pieces that you didn't really want but had to buy to get the piece that you really wanted.

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Different ways I'd imagine.

For me I just inquired about a card that a set collector has. No dice won't sell. Took a decade to get the complete set. Doesn't really care about the players in the set, just that it's complete. I even offered to trade him a lower grade for what he had, and no more response. Still a complete set for him. I'm a single player collector, and I just want to get the best I can since there's very few cards for me to collect. It has personal value to me for multiple reasons.

First, it’s his card and he can do what he wishes. Second, you have it already in lower grade?? Why the whining?

[Vintage Vern]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

First, it’s his card and he can do what he wishes. Second, you have it already in lower grade?? Why the whining?

Never said it wasn't.

What I was given for a response was literally he didn't want to break the set up. That's why I responded with an offer, but got nothing back. I did so knowing he had no set parameters with grades because he has [A up to 7] most in the 1 to 4 range.

I don't have the lower card I just know of one I could obtain. He would still have a full set and I could get the card that has personal value I'm looking for.

My reasons are multiple, but I want the best I can get within reason. Everything I find will be donated to the town in which the player(s) came from. I have 2 players to find items for Jerry Mehlisch, Verne Clemons and non player owner Jim Dunn. They all came from the small town of Clemons Iowa. Same town I'm from. I can guarantee my desire far outweighs any guy just trying to get a complete set. All 3 are distant relatives as well.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Never said it wasn't.



What I was given for a response was literally he didn't want to break the set up. That's why I responded with an offer, but got nothing back. I did so knowing he had no set parameters with grades because he has [A up to 7] most in the 1 to 4 range.



I don't have the lower card I just know of one I could obtain. He would still have a full set and I could get the card that has personal value I'm looking for.



My reasons are multiple, but I want the best I can get within reason. Everything I find will be donated to the town in which the player(s) came from. I have 2 players to find items for Jerry Mehlisch, Verne Clemons and non player owner Jim Dunn. They all came from the small town of Clemons Iowa. Same town I'm from. I can guarantee my desire far outweighs any guy just trying to get a complete set. All 3 are distant relatives as well.

This is the most self-centered response I've ever seen.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

My reasons are multiple, but I want the best I can get within reason. Everything I find will be donated to the town in which the player(s) came from. I have 2 players to find items for Jerry Mehlisch, Verne Clemons and non player owner Jim Dunn. They all came from the small town of Clemons Iowa. Same town I'm from. I can guarantee my desire far outweighs any guy just trying to get a complete set. All 3 are distant relatives as well.

Regardless of how pure your motives are, if the current owner isn't really interested in selling, your options are to move on or to make him a stupid high offer that he could never refuse.

Quite honestly, paying way too much for it is about the only way you can really put the strength of your desire into action.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

I can guarantee my desire far outweighs any guy just trying to get a complete set.

Your collection is more important than anyone else's. In your mind only.

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Everything I find will be donated to the town in which the player(s) came from. I have 2 players to find items for Jerry Mehlisch, Verne Clemons and non player owner Jim Dunn. They all came from the small town of Clemons Iowa. Same town I'm from. I can guarantee my desire far outweighs any guy just trying to get a complete set. All 3 are distant relatives as well.

It is unusual to find such unanimity on this board. That folks are universally telling you that you are in the wrong ought to give you pause, but you plow ahead nonetheless. I agree with them and won't belabor that point.

But, I am going to point something out. While you state you are a single player collector, you also state that the items will be donated to the town of Clemons, a booming metropolis of 140 people. Presumably this will happen upon your death? Or not? If so, exactly how old are you? A 25 year old promising to donate material is far different than an 85 year old. Either way, you might want to consider that donating materials to a town of 140 may actually be a pretty poor means of historical preservation.

Don't believe me? Take 90 minutes and drive down to Van Meter ( pop. 1484) and visit the Bob Feller Museum. Wait. You can't. It closed and the building is now the Van Meter townhall with only some of the material preserved and on display. If a town 10 times the size of Clemons can't support a museum for an all time great, how does that bode for your Clemons collection?

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Different ways I'd imagine.

For me I just inquired about a card that a set collector has. No dice won't sell. Took a decade to get the complete set. Doesn't really care about the players in the set, just that it's complete. I even offered to trade him a lower grade for what he had, and no more response. Still a complete set for him. I'm a single player collector, and I just want to get the best I can since there's very few cards for me to collect. It has personal value to me for multiple reasons.

“The hobby” and “your personal interests” are two different things. How is it hurting the hobby for other collectors to not put your collecting over their own? People are not obligated to sell/trade you a card because you want it. There’s a few items I’d like that people won’t sell, but they aren’t hurting the hobby by keeping them and declining my overpay offer. None of us are entitled to an item. Especially if you’re trying to trade them an objectively worse item for an objectively better item. Why would somebody trade you a higher grade copy for a lower grade one? That’s a very bad deal for them.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by G1911

“The hobby” and “your personal interests” are two different things. How is it hurting the hobby for other collectors to not put your collecting over their own? People are not obligated to sell/trade you a card because you want it. There’s a few items I’d like that people won’t sell, but they aren’t hurting the hobby by keeping them and declining my overpay offer. None of us are entitled to an item.

This. Exactly this.

[Vintage Vern]

Originally Posted by G1911

“The hobby” and “your personal interests” are two different things. How is it hurting the hobby for other collectors to not put your collecting over their own? People are not obligated to sell/trade you a card because you want it. There’s a few items I’d like that people won’t sell, but they aren’t hurting the hobby by keeping them and declining my overpay offer. None of us are entitled to an item. Especially if you’re trying to trade them an objectively worse item for an objectively better item. Why would somebody trade you a higher grade copy for a lower grade one? That’s a very bad deal for them.

It's not collecting. Again, you're missing context. I just explained it in another post. If a person was looking for the highest grade and that was stated my offer would have never been offered. What was stated was he wanted a complete set and my offer would have still given him that. He's not into high grades as he has A-7 most in the 1 to 4 range. I'm not asking to deal on a HOFer, but a common the guy probably doesn't even know who he is.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

It's not collecting. Again, you're missing context. I just explained it in another post. If a person was looking for the highest grade and that was stated my offer would have never been offered. What was stated was he wanted a complete set and my offer would have still given him that. He's not into high grades as he has A-7 most in the 1 to 4 range. I'm not asking to deal on a HOFer, but a common the guy probably doesn't even know who he is.

... Are you seriously arguing that a set collector wanting to keep his higher grade card is not collecting because they didn't give it to you for a lower grade copy? Offering someone a lower grade copy of the card (which you apparently do not even have!) for a nicer one is not of any benefit to the other collector; that's them giving you something for something lesser. Why would they do that? Other people are not obligated to give you things. Other people who do not service your desires are still collectors. A collector is defined as somebody who lets you rip them off and give you whatever you want.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Also what type of collector hurts the hobby the most and I'm sure it's subjective. Is it type collectors, set collectors, single team or player, other?

The ones who cut up and destroy unique material before even documenting it, hurting research and knowledge. And the fraudsters.

I don't see how collecting in different ways would hurt "the hobby". To each, their own.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by G1911

The ones who cut up and destroy unique material before even documenting it, hurting research and knowledge. And the fraudsters.

Indeed! They're the worst.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Vintage Vern

Also what type of collector hurts the hobby the most and I'm sure it's subjective. Is it type collectors, set collectors, single team or player, other?

It's definitely single player, star player, rookie card collectors, who hurt the hobby the most. These fellows make it more difficult for set collectors to complete their sets which leads to frustration and disgust with the hobby.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

It's a hell of a thing in the hobby. You want a Cobb, Ruth, etc? There's tons to choose from at any given moment. The only thing holding people back is the cash and/or price.

You want some random semi-star or common? Save searches on sites that let you, enter searches on every random auction that opens, and have friends keep an eye out for you.

It makes sense, but it's a hell of a realization that going after the top dogs is very easy and trying to find some dude that put in 3-5 years then went to work selling insurance might take you years.

^ This.

[OhioLawyerF5]

For someone who criticized everyone else's reading ability, you have clearly not read the room.

When you believe everyone has mistaken what you've said, the problem is usually with what you said. Like I said a while ago. Actually go back and re-read your posts. You have not portrayed what you think you have. And your condescending arrogance doesn't help.

If you truly want to get people help you with your mission, being a complete jerk is not an effective method.

[Vintage Vern]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

For someone who criticized everyone else's reading ability, you have clearly not read the room.

When you believe everyone has mistaken what you've said, the problem is usually with what you said. Like I said a while ago. Actually go back and re-read your posts. You have not portrayed what you think you have. And your condescending arrogance doesn't help.

If you truly want to get people help you with your mission, being a complete jerk is not an effective method.

I've read the room of the people that didn't get it twisted from the jump. You have 1 post then you're condescending attitude has yet to stop. Why do you think I'll give you any slack? If people wanted to truly help, they would have responded to question 1 not gotten bent from question 2, and continued to be bent, especially after I explained myself multiple times. You think you can get a free pass for your actions, and I have no right to defend myself? Dream on Bubba!

Might want to take a look back down memory lane to what you posted, and how irrelevant most of your responses were. Your mind was made, and didn't matter what I said. You even said so multiple times. Problem with your take is it was your opinion and judgment, not what was done on my end. What I've learned from this thread is many artists try to paint their own picture.

You're hangup is still,and started at, (I have rights to something that isn't mine.) That's the most asinine assumption you could make. How many times do I need to say the same thing to you?