Best hobby advice you've received.

Yoda · #1 04-05-2021, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Alan Rosen told me the exact same thing in 1981

Rich, I recall setting up in about the late 90's at Ft. Washington, PA across the aisle from Alan, who was residing in the Poobah Chair right at the entrance, with, of course, the open briefcase filled with crisp Benjamins and his faithful companion "Zubes" at his side (guarding the cash?). I exchanged a few words with him and he remarked that some guy would come in with some raw '52 Topps, most of them in lousy condition but that there would be a few nice high series cards. And the guy wouldn't know anything about high numbers. Alan rubbed his hands in anticipation while I went off to get one of those foul cheeseburgers. Well, at the end of the show he walked over to my table and laid out, yes, some nice high numbers, including, as I recall, a Reese, Robby and a beat up Mathews
I kinda, sorta miss the old rascal, and wouldn't he be amazed at the state of the current market. He thrived on deals and money.

Snapolit1 · #2 04-05-2021, 02:54 PM

Don't believe people who tell you the market is insane and about to collapse. Many of them have been a broken record for 20 years.

brunswickreeves · #3 04-05-2021, 06:25 PM

1) If you can't afford to buy it twice, it's too expensive and you'll obsess over the price;
2) Pay 15% less than the average trending sale price for the grade/condition, omitting the upper and lower prices outliers, you can always resell at break even or better

mrreality68 · #4 04-05-2021, 06:33 PM

Ruth Ruth and More Ruth

With a Side Order of Jackson

Casey2296 · #5 04-05-2021, 07:01 PM

I found the best pre-war collecting advice while reading Dante's Divine Comedy.

Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here...

Bobbycee · #6 04-05-2021, 08:12 PM

If you can afford the HOFers, don't let them pass you by. Grab them first.

Eric72 · #7 04-05-2021, 10:10 PM

This thread reminded me of a card that was on my eBay watch list for a while. I don't remember exactly when I first saw it, but last summer sounds about right.

It was reasonably priced (for the issue) but an expensive card...for my budget, anyway. I probably came close to hitting "buy it now" a dozen times this past fall and winter, yet never went through with it.

Fast forward to yesterday. I figured it had probably sold by now; however, decided to check anyway. Surprisingly, the card was still available. Same price, too. Something was different now, though. There were 11 watchers.

Screw that. I'd spent too much time pondering the question of whether or not to buy this card. After dragging my feet for far too long, I somehow still had a chance to make the purchase. Those other 11 people can go find their own damn card. This one is mine.

Needless to say, I (finally) pulled the trigger and the card is on its way to me. All things considered, I'd have kicked myself for not seizing the opportunity...

conor912 · #8 04-05-2021, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric72

This thread reminded me of a card that was on my eBay watch list for a while. I don't remember exactly when I first saw it, but last summer sounds about right.

It was reasonably priced (for the issue) but an expensive card...for my budget, anyway. I probably came close to hitting "buy it now" a dozen times this past fall and winter, yet never went through with it.

Fast forward to yesterday. I figured it had probably sold by now; however, decided to check anyway. Surprisingly, the card was still available. Same price, too. Something was different now, though. There were 11 watchers.

Screw that. I'd spent too much time pondering the question of whether or not to buy this card. After dragging my feet for far too long, I somehow still had a chance to make the purchase. Those other 11 people can go find their own damn card. This one is mine.

Needless to say, I (finally) pulled the trigger and the card is on its way to me. All things considered, I'd have kicked myself for not seizing the opportunity...

Been there many times. My barometer is, if I don’t pull the trigger and someone else does, will I kick myself? If yes, buy it NOW!

egri · #9 04-06-2021, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric72

This thread reminded me of a card that was on my eBay watch list for a while. I don't remember exactly when I first saw it, but last summer sounds about right.

It was reasonably priced (for the issue) but an expensive card...for my budget, anyway. I probably came close to hitting "buy it now" a dozen times this past fall and winter, yet never went through with it.

Fast forward to yesterday. I figured it had probably sold by now; however, decided to check anyway. Surprisingly, the card was still available. Same price, too. Something was different now, though. There were 11 watchers.

Screw that. I'd spent too much time pondering the question of whether or not to buy this card. After dragging my feet for far too long, I somehow still had a chance to make the purchase. Those other 11 people can go find their own damn card. This one is mine.

Needless to say, I (finally) pulled the trigger and the card is on its way to me. All things considered, I'd have kicked myself for not seizing the opportunity...

A few years ago, when I was in college and had been working on my 1953 Topps set for about a year, I found a semi-tough card I needed on eBay. The seller and I went back and forth over the price, and we finally got to be about $2 apart. The card was roughly $40, so as a percentage $2 was a bit of a gap, and as a college student collecting vintage I was buying champagne on a beer budget, so I really had to watch every dollar. It was getting late, so I figured I'd sleep on the seller's counteroffer and see how I felt in the morning. As I lay down, I said to myself "I've been looking for this card for over a year. Am I really going to let it get away over $2?" I woke back up and accepted the counteroffer.

Rich Klein · #10 04-06-2021, 11:30 AM

I've had several people ask me recently about going "full-time" in this business (all modern people)

My one piece of advice to them is: and it's something I've picked up over the years

"If you are going to be a dealer, then you should not be a collector. Otherwise, money spent on your Pete Alonso collection should be spent on items for you to re-sell. For now, your collecting days are done."

I will also state if you have other income coming in then you can keep your collection going.

Rich

#11 04-05-2021, 06:16 PM

In all my hobbies - "Collect what you like." It may be worth nothing tomorrow.

Rich Klein · #12 04-06-2021, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda

Rich, I recall setting up in about the late 90's at Ft. Washington, PA across the aisle from Alan, who was residing in the Poobah Chair right at the entrance, with, of course, the open briefcase filled with crisp Benjamins and his faithful companion "Zubes" at his side (guarding the cash?). I exchanged a few words with him and he remarked that some guy would come in with some raw '52 Topps, most of them in lousy condition but that there would be a few nice high series cards. And the guy wouldn't know anything about high numbers. Alan rubbed his hands in anticipation while I went off to get one of those foul cheeseburgers. Well, at the end of the show he walked over to my table and laid out, yes, some nice high numbers, including, as I recall, a Reese, Robby and a beat up Mathews
I kinda, sorta miss the old rascal, and wouldn't he be amazed at the state of the current market. He thrived on deals and money.

In this market there would be no one better than Al at a show.

Rich

polakoff · #13 04-12-2021, 06:56 AM

Many have already been said but:

Collect what you like
Buy the card, not the holder
If investing: buy the best card you can in the best condition you can

Gradedcardman · #14 04-12-2021, 07:18 AM

Never advise fellow collectors of your true collection needs. The prices then sky rocket.

Exhibitman · #15 04-12-2021, 08:40 AM

Forget all the damned money and political crap in the big drama show threads and post cards. Lots of cards.

And like Honus said, don't use tobacco.

bnorth · #16 04-12-2021, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradedcardman

Never advise fellow collectors of your true collection needs. The prices then sky rocket.

Learned this one the hard way more than once. Especially if it is a high end card in a specific condition.

Another is the "make me an offer" seller. No matter how good your offer is the seller will ask for more because you are showing interest.

Republicaninmass · #17 04-12-2021, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnorth

Learned this one the hard way more than once. Especially if it is a high end card in a specific condition.

Another is the "make me an offer" seller. No matter how good your offer is the seller will ask for more because you are showing interest.

Dont make a WTB post either!

Leon · #18 04-13-2021, 08:47 AM

Best hobby advice? Buy the card....not the holder.

bnorth · #19 04-13-2021, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Dont make a WTB post either!

Very true, I have 2 rare cards that I buy every one I see so I don't even mention I collect those 2 cards.

brianp-beme · #20 04-13-2021, 02:40 PM

Make sure to frequently post really beat up cards, because then it will make everyone else feel better about the cards they own.

Brian (once again my advice...no one would ever advise me to do this)

metroac · #21 05-06-2021, 06:40 PM

I think the best advice I ever got was from Alan Rosen in the early '80's. He said, "Remember - nothing is scarce. You'll always see it again." He was wrong, of course, but it applied to what I was collecting at the time (mostly Topps and Bowman, but also Red Hearts, Red Man, and the like). And I've retained it as "Be patient, but if you love the card, don't worry about paying a few extra bucks."

brianp-beme · #22 05-06-2021, 07:03 PM

I missed all the follow up beat-up card posts after I dropped this pearl of wisdom:

"Make sure to frequently post really beat up cards, because then it will make everyone else feel better about the cards they own."

So here you go...a favorite T216 of Evers of mine. Bet you all are just glowing about how nice your collections are.

Brian

metroac · #23 05-07-2021, 05:48 AM

A treasured beater.

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