Are you more picky about picking up our gems?

[barrysloate]

I'm extra careful because many of the cards I buy for resale turn out to be worth no more than I paid for them- and on occasion a little less. It's a very difficult market to figure out.

[chris6net]

I have been very careful the last 2-3 years. I wonder how the Euro Crisis will affect our hobby? CN

[Cat]

I haven't been more careful, but perhaps I should. I have been very careful with stock purchases in the last year, if not doing it can be classified as careful.

[ChiefBenderForever]

I think we are all very picking but if the price is right we can justify the purchase and maybe someday upgrade if the right card comes along. I have been thinking lately how our national debt is going to affect everything if the value of a dollar keeps dropping. I believe we are currently at 92% deficit, or for every dollar we have 92 cents is debt and it will reach 100% in the next year. It seems that these numbers don't really affect the average prewar collector, and not sure how much the value of vintage cards will be affected if at all since most collectors seem to be above water and many very successful. I am just a small time collector and feel very fortunate to be able to buy any cards at all, as I think we all know people who are on the verge of losing everything, and many who were very successful. They say things are turning around, but the jobs are not there. Instead of focusing on what card I don't have, I'm trying to enjoy what I do have but being and addict am constantly looking for the next card lol !!

[alanu]

The card addiction in me makes it difficult to be more careful, but I suppose the BIN trend on ebay has forced it on me since there aren't a lot of "deals" out there and I mostly buy/sell on ebay.

[rdixon1208]

I'm still buying, but only cards that I want to keep for a long time. I don't know that I own a card that I could sell for more than I bought it for...but I don't really care.

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by rdixon1208

I'm still buying, but only cards that I want to keep for a long time. I don't know that I own a card that I could sell for more than I bought it for...but I don't really care.

I agree 100%.

And if the same card comes around with better eye appeal for a decent price I will upgrade, however understanding that I might lose minimal money on the original purchase...but that is ok.

[JasonL]

I was very active in 2007 and 2008 in vintage and probably dont have any cards I can sell for a gain.
I cooled off in 2009, switching more towards post-war, and I probably don't have any there to sell for a gain if I were to sell.
I had a fast start to 2010 and probably still don't have any cards that I can sell for a gain.

The only thing I can say for myself is that at least I have become alot more disciplined in the quality and focus of my buying than I was in the 2003-2006 timeframe...alot of that stuff is garbage!

All that said, none of it was bought specifically to flip, so all my sales occur when I change collecting goals...

[Jantz]

Originally Posted by rdixon1208

I'm still buying, but only cards that I want to keep for a long time. I don't know that I own a card that I could sell for more than I bought it for...but I don't really care.

Originally Posted by Robextend

I agree 100%.

And if the same card comes around with better eye appeal for a decent price I will upgrade, however understanding that I might lose minimal money on the original purchase...but that is ok.

I have to echo what these gentlemen said.

If there is a card I want for my collection, I try to get it. I don't wait anymore.

Jantz

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rdixon1208

I don't know that I own a card that I could sell for more than I bought it for...

Man does that ever ring true!!!

[iggyman]

Dear Net54 PreWar Card Collectors:

I haven't changed my spending habits. I'm an optimist by nature, plus I figure that if the economy really really really tanks, then trying to sell my baseball card collection for a profit will be the least of my worries. I agree with "Bosox Blair's" assessment. Prewar prices have been strong so far in 2010 (at least in comparison to 2009). I don't think we will see a market like the one from the early part of this century in our lifetime again (of course, I thought the same thing about the 80's & the 90's). For a time there, card prices were doubling from one year to the next. That was crazy, I remember way back in 2004, buying a raw T206 Cobb with bat from Leon (on eBay) for ~$225. A year later, the same card sold for $460. At that point in time, most collectors were jumping on the "flipper" bandwagon! Heck, I'm positive even Peter C. was a successful flipper.

Well, doubling your money with no effort involved in 360 days on a flip doesn't happen anymore............well, at least not without the help of a David Trudeau book. I actually take comfort in the fact that baseball card prices paralleled the housing market (to a degree). Yet, when the Dow was sinking like the Lusitania, prewar card spending never sank with it. Of course, if it would have been a prolonged slump........well, that is a different thesis.

I believe the market we have today is vibrant, strong and is well position to have a "rosy" horizon. If you don't believe me, just shake any tree.....I'll bet you that a few auction catalogs will fall on your head. If that isn't a sign of a healthy market, I don't know what is.

Lovely Day...