Joy of Collecting

[xanderthegreat35]

Recently I've been going through a stage in my collecting career, thinking if this is really for me. I love collecting, but I feel like I need to focus on school and my life in general, I spend to much time collecting cards. I wanted to see what some people have done to get through this stage or how people minimized the impact collecting has in there lives.

I never expected to collect when I was older, I'm in High School and cannot see how I will live without them. I was thinking about narrowing down my collecting interests to something specific, but thats hard to do because there are just so many things to like about collecting. Maybe some people have taken a break before, I'm afraid to because I feel like I will miss something that I have been searching for at an auction or on ebay.

I know this is probably a boring read for many of you, but I just want to hear how collectors have continued to collect, and have survived through the struggles. Such as having to sell off your collection or losing interest among numerous of other reasons. Thanks for any input on this topic ahead of time.

Alex

[Leon]

Many, many people take breaks and come back. I think this subject is definitely personal to each person and each person has to make their own decisions on priorities and so forth. Many folks have sold stuff because they have had to for whatever reason. If there is a chance they want to come back we usually advise them to only sell things that are fairly replaceable. You being so young have plenty of time. You can easily take a break and come back, and quite honestly, you might want to look at your priorities and see where collecting fits. Maybe you are just putting more time into it, relative to other things that might be important to your long career ahead of you, than you really should be. This is a really good question though and I am going to move it to the front page to solicit some more responses. best regards

[sportscardpete]

I'm 22, but I started collecting when I was 16. Once I was in college I took a break, because I just didn't have time to focus on collecting regularly. Still kept my collection, because I knew I would eventually get back to it. Once I graduated and landed a job, I went back and don't plan on stopping until I retire!

It's tough collecting in high school and college - it costs money to go out with friends and usual jobs have low pay. I had an internship with pretty decent pay and I still was usually broke. But once you have a full time job and you are older, I feel you are able to appreciate collecting more. In fact, I think the "golden years" of collecting should be the years after college and before you start a family. Probably have a ton of extra money to spend!

Pete

[rainier2004]

For me, and Im nearly 35 and started when I was 7, sometimes I need a break. This is usually pertaining to life and looking at my priorities. I completely understand fearing missing a card you've been looking for...I always felt the cards I was intended to own will find their way to me one way or another.

This is a personal topic and we all do things differently. BUT, if youre feeling this way in HIgh school, imagine what its like when you have to work a 70 hr week, married and have kids at home. I feel perspective is good thing and a break away from the auction block is my best way to find that. Perspective is more important to me than any bb card...that was almost painful to type.

[Runscott]

I don't think you're missing anything if you choose to get out of the hobby - it will be here when you return. As Leon can attest, I have been promising to get back into the hobby for 6-7 years, but didn't do anything collecting-wise until very recently. I don't feel I missed too much.

There are more auctions than ever and I'm probably having more fun. The cards I always liked the most (T-cards) are just as affordable. The hobby participants are actually even more interesting than I remember. Also, since you're quite young - it's probably that you'll be in better financial position when you return to the hobby, and more $$$ means more flexibility buying what you want. Any increases in prices won't mean as much to you.

One thing I would recommend - pick a few of your favorite more valuable cards and don't get rid of them. Just put them away, perhaps a few of the more valuable HOF'ers that you really like.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by Runscott

One thing I would recommend - pick a few of your favorite more valuable cards and don't get rid of them. Just put them away, perhaps a few of the more valuable HOF'ers that you really like.

Definitely...

[zljones]

I started in the late 80s/early 90s. Lost interest in 92 then returned in 95. I lost interest again in 96 in high school. Once I got out of college and got a real job I went back to it last year. I discovered the reason I lost interest before is I was not digging the newer cards, I always wanted the vintage cards but could not afford them. Being young and collecting is hard, so a break or discovering what you really want is sometimes best. For me my calling was HOF vintage cards.

[Vegas-guy]

I started collecting when I was 13, I was working in a card shop and was paid with cards till I was 16.. I managed to get some pretty nice cards (mantle, maris, etc) since I had first dibs on anything that was brought in.

I've always liked the older cards and started buying groups of 50s and 60s. Later on (in my 20s) I sold off every 50s and 60s card I had and bought high grade T206s when I was in my late 20s and in my early 30s I sold everything to buy a house among other things.

I took a break for 6 years and am now just getting back into the T206s. The thing I struggle with the most in now the 6s, 7s and 8s I had are now priced so high I have a hard time justifying the price! I know people are paying these prices but I just can't seem to drop 500+ on a T206 7 when I could of bought them all day long for 200.. I now wonder if it's worth getting back into knowing I'll never have the cards I did without dropping some big $$$ I've been buying lower grade cards but sadly it just not the same... Hmmm what to do????