Good News for Many of You!

[autograf]

Good luck......it's good you realized that sooner than later! Lots of people have gotten themselves too deep and found it hard to get out and get away.....you can't change the economics of the market. You can change what you collect or choose not to collect....that's within your power.......

[ChiefBenderForever]

Happy trails! You can always come back never a shortage of cards for sale.

[barrysloate]

Most people do leave the hobby at some point, but I too am lost regarding Brandon's post. There's more going on here. Since you decided to share this with us, could you fill us in?

[mintacular]

I personally wouldn't let anyone else spoil by passion for the hobby...

In terms of pre-war, I am not at a point in my life that I can spend the 1K+$ on some cards that I want...so instead I have a couple post-war sets that I can buy affordable singles that work for my financial reality...

When I get a larger chunk of change I will occasionally splurge on higher dollar pre-war card. No reason to quit the hobby altogether--just take a break for a few months and reassess your budget/collecting goals...Most of us eat tuna helper not caviar

[Browncow75]

Hey Barry,
I am just to the point where all I am doing lately is pissing people off, either by taking too long to do deals, or having to hold off because of financial problems that come up. I am not blaming anyone for those situations, nor am I looking for sympathy. People seem to think that I am just blowing off agreements willy-nilly, without any thought for the seller. That is far from true. The stress I put myself under with these deals means as much to me as if I were buying anything from anyone. I really enjoy collecting cards, but my situation has finally gotten to the point where people dont trust me, and I dont blame most of them. In some cases however, when I have legitimate reasons for my shortcomings, certain people who I KNOW are dealing with multi-thousand $ cards, think its the end of the world when I cant come through on time. I very rarely tell anyone "no, I cant do the deal at all". Granted, it is frustrating when that happens, but selling a $100 card shouldnt be a life-or-death scenario. The cards are just getting too damn expensive, and there is too much competition for someone like me. I am rambling, and not making much sense so I will stop here.

[Browncow75]

And the type of people I mean are the first ones to chime in when it comes to their interpretation of what I said. Shocking.

[barrysloate]

Brandon- you might consider keeping your collection, and maybe just quietly adding a card or two periodically as funds permit. Perhaps you are simply wheeling and dealing too much. There is an addictive side to collecting and part of it is some collectors need constant action, as if every day they need the next fix. If I were still collecting, I would do it more quietly, and I might enjoy it more. Just my three cents, others may disagree.

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by Browncow75

I am not blaming anyone for those situations, nor am I looking for sympathy.

It sounds like you are doing exactly what you said you are not. Maybe that isn't your intention, but that is how it is coming across.

[vintagechris]

Originally Posted by mintacular

I personally wouldn't let anyone else spoil by passion for the hobby...

In terms of pre-war, I am not at a point in my life that I can spend the 1K+$ on some cards that I want...so instead I have a couple post-war sets that I can buy affordable singles that work for my financial reality...

When I get a larger chunk of change I will occasionally splurge on higher dollar pre-war card. No reason to quit the hobby altogether--just take a break for a few months and reassess your budget/collecting goals...Most of us eat tuna helper not caviar

Well said. I can't say for sure Brandon, but it kind of sounds like you were making it more than a hobby.

[E93]

I have no idea of the background details that are motivating this, but from an outside observer's perspective on your note, it sounds like you are trying to rationalize and place blame on others or on the nature of the hobby to feel better about your lack of personal responsibility in recent deals. In other words, did you not follow through with commitments you made and now people are calling you out on it so you are pissed? Are you now just rationalizing that they and the hobby are too focussed on money to appease your own guilt? Sounds self-serving. I could be entirely wrong and I apologize if I am. If there is a grain of truth and you want to leave the hobby anyway, why not just graciously exit quietly rather than make generalized digs at the rest of us.

The reality is that the cardboard we collect has monetary value and nobody likes being ripped off whether it is for $2 or $2000.
JimB

[ullmandds]

Jim B...I believe you hit the nail on the head!

[barrysloate]

On a side note, Brandon's avatar is a bit troubling.

[Jaybird]

I agree. Doesn't matter if it's $2 or $2000, why shift the blame and say it is the hobby that is the problem? There are lots of guys on this board and in the hobby that spend $5/week on cards and have just as much enjoyment as the next guy.

Inter-Personal relationships seem to be the problem you are dealing with and you might want to look at that rather than at the larger "big fish problem" that you state. My guess is that if you're having a problem with folks on this board that you might be having similar problems in your personal life. Look inward, my friend. I wish you the best and hope you find peace and happiness.

[ullmandds]

You're right Brandon...when someone agrees to buy a card...it is totally UNREASONABLE to actually expect that person to pay for the card in a timely manner.

I'm not kmart...and I don't deal on lay away!

I know...I'm unreasonable...and a prick! Bye Bye!

[Browncow75]

You are right. thats what it comes down to. I try to live beyond my means, I cant do it, therefore I was apologising to the people who I affected by doing this. I foresee no change in my tastes, therefore I will no longer attempt to be a part of a hobby in which my level of accomplishment is unsatisfactory to my own desires. I am simply going to say, whatever you think of me personally, you wont have to deal with me as a fellow collector any longer. Good luck gentlemen.

[ChiefBenderForever]

In the bigger scheme we are all little fish,and I have to admit I get jealous when I see someone driving a killer Porsche or someone betting 100 chips with three models on his arms.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by Jaybird

I agree. Doesn't matter if it's $2 or $2000, why shift the blame and say it is the hobby that is the problem? There are lots of guys on this board and in the hobby that spend $5/week on cards and have just as much enjoyment as the next guy.

Inter-Personal relationships seem to be the problem you are dealing with and you might want to look at that rather than at the larger "big fish problem" that you state. My guess is that if you're having a problem with folks on this board that you might be having similar problems in your personal life. Look inward, my friend. I wish you the best and hope you find peace and happiness.

I'm usually on the other side and happened to catch this thread and agree with Jason. I, too, wish Brandon well, but the "hobby" isn't the problem.

I'm not a huge collector but I do enjoy collecting cards of my favorite ballplayer of all-time Tom Tresh. Once a week I make a purchase of one of his 1963 Topps SP rookie card and that's what makes me happy. Do what makes you happy and don't allow others to influence what you do. I own quite a few Derek Jeter autographed rookie baseballs but I would sell them before I sold my Tom Tresh collection.

Do what makes you happy, but it isn't the "hobby" that's making you unhappy. My two cents.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Don't hate the hobby, hate the collectors !!

[Ladder7]

Agreed. Great hobby but we're all just a bunch of introverted doosh's.

Now lets see those deeply discounted items!

[whitehse]

I am a set collector and, while I cannot afford the pre-war stuff I have found some vintage sets I can chip away at a little at a time to satisfy my collecting interest. I have learned paying 40 bucks for a graded common when that same common in raw form would cost me 3 bucks is just not cost effective.

Trying to play the ole "keeping up with the Jones'" game in this hobby is never good. There are thousands of cards I would like to own but my economic reality helps me be more satisfied with less. I have found my niche in this hobby and I am happy to pursue it and maybe thats what the original poster needs to do.