Being new to vintage, what should I know? + Pickup

[Cat]

Brad, Bill and Leon had great advice, but let me add a couple:

1. Learn the search function on this site. Nearly every topic has been covered, to some degree, at least once.

2. Don't start to many new threads on this board. At some point they'll get ignored (or worse than that). Posting within existing threads is always free game. This is just a persepective from one guy that's been here for awhile (but mostly in the background).

[Matt]

If you're going to be buying a lot, do research on what things have actually sold for - SMR is wildly inaccurate for most pre-war issues. Once you see what things have sold for, understand that "sold for" prices can be the result of many factors, only one of which is the grade of the card. Eye appearance, shill bidding, image registration, whale sausage fests and a host of factors all can play a part.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Have fun ! Nice T201, I would pick up a raw T201 so you can see how it bends to show the other player. I have four T201 Benders, SGC, PSA, and two raw. Nothing wrong with getting some dupes on the journey when the price is right, then you have future trade bait and always good to compare grades of the same card. Keep an eye on all the sales of cards you like so you know a fair price. Lastly, don't let your girlfriend know how much your cards are worth, she'll be dreaming of a 5 carat ring and want you to sell your cards to get one !

[V117collector]

Buy the card and not the grade; this basically means some cards might sell for a premium based on condition and or presentation.

For example; some cards might be OC (off center) or have paper loss which would bring down card value. Buy the card and not the grade especially with lower graded material.

[SethY]

Wow, this is one of the best sites I have seen on the net. You guys are fantastic and I greatly appreciate all the tips! I am definitely buying the card over the grade and make this a good experience! I appreciate all that you guys have to say!

[Anthony S.]

You might consider subscribing to vintagecardprices.com. Free plug, I have no affiliation with it, but if you're just starting out it's a great resource for finding out how much people are paying for cards on Ebay, as well as the major auction houses. And I concur with Cat (every time I look at that photo of John Goodman from "The Big Lebowski" I get the phrase "Shut up, Donny" stuck in my head), that the search function on this site is a fantastic resource.

[chiprop]

Get a second job. This sh*t is expensive!

[yanksfan09]

As others have stated, take it slow and do your homework. I personally don't subscribe to any price guides and feel ebay is the best guide (auction prices not BIN's) Be careful with some of those overpriced Buy-It-Nows on ebay.

I try not to pay to much attention to prices altogether. As long as you have a general sense of the $ range of the stuff you're collecting you should be okay.
Just start out slow and collect what you like at prices you're comfortable with.

Of course if you're buying more for investment purposes, a very strong knowledge on accurate pricing would be more essential.

I would start slow and buy a card or two of a few different players, sets, eras, etc.... and see what you really like. If you're thinking of collecting a set buy a lower end cheaper version so that you can see one in person and decide if that set's for you. Make sure you have fun and don't be scared to take a brake for a while and then come back later.

[fkw]

Go SLOW! Take your time, and dont burn out and become broke.

Shop around, there are many deals if you learn to not always buy the first card that shows.

Most Important..... Read every single vintage guide, auction catalog, internet post you can, learn all you can.

****Buy Lew Lipsets "Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards" (originally it was a 3 vol. set, but now it has been reprinted in one large book...yellow cover) best buy you will ever do!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Encyclopedia-of-...mZ320288679043

good luck and happy collecting!

[iggyman]

Whoa! A bunch of fantastic advice here... This thread should be a "must-read" for a newbie prewar collector (too bad it will soon scroll-off...). Great stuff!

For me, this little nugget from Leon is key........ "Collect as you are in a marathon and not a sprint." That sums it-up nicely. Prewar cards are not like job openings at your local fast food restaurant. They are not a dime a dozen.

Lovely Day...