What are your specific quirks and habits with collecting?

[packs]

I like to collect low grade examples with nicer eye appeal. It allows me to get a card I've always wanted at a price I'm comfortable with and it still looks great. I am not a "grade" guy. I don't even look at high grade pre-war because I either can't afford it or I assume the card was trimmed. I prefer cards that look like they belonged to a kid like me once:

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by packs

I like to collect low grade examples with nicer eye appeal. It allows me to get a card I've always wanted at a price I'm comfortable with and it still looks great. I am not a "grade" guy. I don't even look at high grade pre-war because I either can't afford it or I assume the card was trimmed. I prefer cards that look like they belonged to a kid like me once:

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[Rookiemonster]

I pass on almost all relic cards now especially non gameused .

Autographs of guys with advanced age (Stan Musial) . One they signed a ton of crap over the years, two it's sloppy the closer they get to the end .

Base Rookie cards that are issued after that player already had a rookie . A year or more ago . ( it's a joke )

Vintage I also enjoy collecting cards that have been loved . I don't like completely miscut card . You know when the boarder is only on two sides.
Writing on the card is most often a deal breaker ( unless the price is right ) .
More then one big crease in the center of the card .

I once was in a trade with a guy that had a 1952 bowman mantle . It was missing the back . He also had a 1950 bowman Jackie Robinson missing the front . He kept trying to throw them in the deal . Like hey you can say you own these cards hahahahaah. No I can't half a card is not owning the card .

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Rookiemonster

. No I can't half a card is not owning the card .

If that were actually true, I'd own a lot less cards than I actually do Nothing wrong with just getting half, particularly if you get the good half of a card!

My only quirk with collecting is that I will not buy a card that was written on with an attempt to deface it. If someone wants to update the position, denote a team trade, check a checklist, mention someone retired, great. If someone draws a mustache on it, I am not buying it.

[The Nasty Nati]

Centering, no creases, and good registration is key to me. That being said it's really all about eye appeal not the grade. There's plenty of vintage graded 2's and 3's that look better than 5's.

[PowderedH2O]

All about registration when it comes to pre war for me. I can deal with bad centering and round corners, but a fuzzy or snowy card is one I avoid.

[conor912]

Mine have morphed over time. I used to be a strict no creases guy, now my focus is more on centering and registration. I suspect they will morph again at some point. I think I speak for a lot of prewar guys when I say I've learned to go more for eye appeal than technical grade.....but overall I've learned to enjoy lower grade cards, which takes a lot of the expense and paranoia out of collecting.

[ErikV]

Great question. I have a couple. Although not always, whenever possible I
prefer PSA over SGC and try to purchase all cards from this TPG. I suppose
this quirk fits into the category of me liking things all consistent and uniform.

I am more of a set collector than a type collector. While condition isn't always
the main thing I focus on, referring back to uniformity, I try and stay consistent
in purchasing the same grade across the board in any given set I'm working on.
For example, my E95 set was assembled with nothing lower than a grade 4.
My biggest deal breaker that I absolutely follow without exception however, is
that I won't purchase any card with paper loss - front or back.

ErikV

[Shoebox]

For me it seems there is no flaw I won't over look if it allows me to acquire a card I like for a low price. Miscut so badly that off center would be a kind description, extensive writing on the card, massive creases, rounded corners and rough edges, even holes in the cards. I have cards with all these flaws and more that I proudly display and show them to anyone that will let me. I love and am very proud of my wrinkled, abused, and dilapidated assortment of cardboard and paper.

[begsu1013]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

If someone draws a mustache on it, I am not buying it.

please fwd me any mustache cards! ; )