Welcome.
I'm putting together a high grade 1960 Fleer set. Why?
Well...because I'm weird...
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I also like to collect other vintage cards like you do (in raw condition).
Why?
Well...because I think they're cool...
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There's no perfect way to collect.
Just keep doing what you're doing and have fun doing it.
(And, yeah...ebay pretty much sucks. But, it can lead to finding sellers who have cards you like to collect. And some of the sellers are on this board, so it's a good place to make deals outside of ebay.)