How do you guys find all the GOOD STUFF?

[mjkm90]

Like Scott I do all the following, but I will qualify my view by saying I have tried to help/give to others quite a bit and that has really helped my network become more productive from an acquisition perspective. If I know a piece in my collection means more to someone else than to me when they inquire, I tend to give it up often via trade or $$$. I really keep an eye out for items my hobby pals might want. I also step aside on items if I feel they appreciate the piece more.

I also search the web general antique sites quite often.

1) Networking with many other like-minded collectors
It helps to have a large network of close collector friends because you "cast a larger net" in the hobby. You can't possibly see every auction and be all-knowing without other friends in the hobby looking out for you. Many of these friendships were forged long before the internet. Without my network of hobby friends, I wouldn't find half of the stuff that I do. Seriously!

2) eBay favorite searches

3) Large auctions

4) SCD (Yes, I actually still subscribe to it and it sometimes pays a dividend. Old habits die hard, even if I may be the last remaining subscriber)

4) Smaller auctions (Infrequently)

I hope this helps.[/QUOTE]

[Scott Garner]

+1 Like Mike said ^, the only way to build a great network of hobby friends is to look out for things that can help other collectors with their own specific interests. When everybody in the network becomes selfless, it's a beautiful thing!

BTW, I have had some amazing things come my way from several of the selfless friends in the hobby, and have actually been surprised how many times I have been helped by people on net54 over the past few years.
We're a great community of collectors!

[Bumpus Jones]

All valid points. I would also try to attend as many of the big shows you can. Especially, The National. My collection / knowledge has grown exponentially since I started doing so about 8-10 years ago. Also, ask lots of questions. They are free!

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Bumpus Jones

All valid points. I would also try to attend as many of the big shows you can. Especially, The National. My collection / knowledge has grown exponentially since I started doing so about 8-10 years ago. Also, ask lots of questions. They are free!

I did enjoy the one National I was able to drive to....many years ago in Anaheim. If you guys see any good, oddball Giants stuff, let me know!

[GoCubsGo32]

If collecting was easy, then the fun is kinda lost. The most rewarding part of collecting is when you finally find that holy grail piece or even common pieces.

Collecting HOF snapshot photos for me is very much a challenge. As pointed out, you have to be so creative in your treasure hunting. Besides monitoring small/large auction houses,I often look on eBay. One thing I do is search for players for people who often misspell stuff on eBay (ie. Jim Fox, Jimmy Fox, Jimmie Fox, Bob Door).

I've only collected (on a more serious scale) for about 2-3 years. My network is not as big as others, but I'm finding how important is it network.

[slidekellyslide]

Some of my best finds recently have come locally at auctions. Usually I'm the only one there with enough knowledge about antique baseball stuff to know what it's actually worth. Of course there are always idiots out there too. Two guys ran up a pillow case made out of B18 Blankets with Cobb and Chance on it with 20 "commons" to $1400. It was worth $500-700 tops.

[Butch7999]

Rob, we've wondered the same thing for years. In-person auctions, internet auctions and sales, memorabilia shows, antique shops,
flea markets, and yard sales combine to offer only a few items a year that fit both our collecting niche and our tiny budget.
We do see, just a bit more often, items that should fit our budget, but are tagged with asking prices twice to ten times
their vaguely established market value.

One big-time collector told us he got people to contact him offering him stuff he wanted by placing continuously-running want ads
in every newspaper in the country. A three-line want-ad in a 1 1/2-inch column in our local rag costs $25. to $50. bucks
for a three-day run. Multiply....

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Some of my best finds recently have come locally at auctions.

I am envious of those of you who have the diligence to attend local auctions, scour flea-markets and garage sales and travel around hitting antique stores. I have the time to do it, but not the patience. (@Dan and Carlton)

Nate - I must be the 'third Scott' (or perhaps lower?)

But I do grab a gem every now and then. Most of the 'average' gems come from ebay (see below), but the huge finds are generally in antique stores - on average one a year. Last year was particularly good - I made two really great finds (huge by my standards) but no baseball.

I used to get my best stuff from auction houses, but you pay market for most of those.