The "Why am I wasting my time/money" thread

[darkhorse9]

While no collecting is ever worthless, there are plenty of times where I've gotten into something and can't figure out for the life of my why I should continue...yet I don't want to stop.

I'm currently doing that. Since I already have my Topps base sets completed through 2021 I've also been working on collecting every Fleer and Donruss base set as well. Currently I have both manufacturers sets from 1981 - 1995. Fleer continued just two more years and Donruss survived another three before they were bought out/changed focus etc.

You'd be surprised how hard it is to find mid 90's sets from those two without having to pay 15 dollars shipping through ebay.

But I'll continue my quest until by OCD is satisfied.

What quests/ efforts have you done or are undertaking that defy general collector logic?

[brob28]

I started a '71 OPC set (I like the backs), I've fizzled out on it and have no desire to pick it back up.

[JollyElm]

1971 Topps Greatest Moments

They are really cool looking, majestic cards, but holy heck is it a nightmarish set to make headway on!!! Since they are oversized, the natural inclination is to buy them already graded, because storing or displaying them is very problematic indeed. The only 'cheap' ones are cards that were seemingly quintuply printed, but all of the other ones go for crazy prices. It is a ridiculous undertaking, but I still stay the course for some reason. Pathetic.

[Harliduck]

For me it was a "covid down time" decision to include my 81-90 Fleer and Donruss sets from box to binder. Some of the sets, the binder and pages were worth more than the actual sets. HAHA. I was also missing a few Fleer sets that I ended up buying off a net54 member.

Anyway...sounded like a fun good idea...until I am 400 cards into my 3rd set to binder up with many sets to go! haha. I finally finished but had my doubts along the way...sore wrists, elbows, and eyes.

My sets stop at 1990, as that is when I stopped collecting as a young man...anything after 1990 holds no interest to me. I have since added 88-90 Score, 89-90 UD, and 90 Leaf.

But yeah, I definitely had the wtf am I doing moment SEVERAL times! At least it was cheap fun...and considering I am now tackling the 52 Topps set I am sure to have some of those moments upcoming...

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

1971 Topps Greatest Moments

They are really cool looking, majestic cards, but holy heck is it a nightmarish set to make headway on!!! Since they are oversized, the natural inclination is to buy them already graded, because storing or displaying them is very problematic indeed. The only 'cheap' ones are cards that were seemingly quintuply printed, but all of the other ones go for crazy prices. It is a ridiculous undertaking, but I still stay the course for some reason. Pathetic.

I keep seeing the ones posted here, took a look on Ebay at a few...they are BEAUTIFUL cards...certainly have me tempted. How were they made available...gum packs? Considering I was 1 years old I have no memory...lol. I did not know these existed until net54...never came across one of these as a kid and I had seen most things come through the school yard...

[Seven]

While it doesn't exactly fit what you're asking, I am wondering how I am going to continue one of my major collecting goals, but at the same time I don't want to stop. I'm doing a Mantle Major Set run, with a couple of secondary issues sprinkled in there. All that said, I shudder at the thought of buying the 52 topps.

I can't afford it now, I'm saving for a House, but I wonder if a PSA 1 is 30K now, what is it going to be in 20-30 years from now, when I could conceivably buy one? But at the same time I don't want to stop this journey. It's difficult.

[Eric72]

Not post-war; however, I am slowly building a T206 set. The cards I chase are generally well-centered in VG condition.

I have no problem shelling out money for HOFers. The commons, though, are becoming absurdly priced. What I used to pay for a graded VG 3 will only get me a heavily creased raw card with major paper loss.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

I keep seeing the ones posted here, took a look on Ebay at a few...they are BEAUTIFUL cards...certainly have me tempted. How were they made available...gum packs? Considering I was 1 years old I have no memory...lol. I did not know these existed until net54...never came across one of these as a kid and I had seen most things come through the school yard...

Same as you, never saw them before I ventured here. Conventional wisdom has them as a test issue that didn't have much distribution at all. Not sure if any extant (nice word usage) wrappers have been discovered.

[jmoran19]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Same as you, never saw them before I ventured here. Conventional wisdom has them as a test issue that didn't have much distribution at all. Not sure if any extant (nice word usage) wrappers have been discovered.

One 1971 Greatest Moments wrapper is known. Nice article about the set just posted by David

http://www.thetoppsarchives.com/

I still need 18 of them after all these years and since I’m a sucker for punishment I’m trying to complete the 1971 OPC set too. Finding cards #524 thru #752 is going painfully slow.

John

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

1971 Topps Greatest Moments

They are really cool looking, majestic cards, but holy heck is it a nightmarish set to make headway on!!! Since they are oversized, the natural inclination is to buy them already graded, because storing or displaying them is very problematic indeed. The only 'cheap' ones are cards that were seemingly quintuply printed, but all of the other ones go for crazy prices. It is a ridiculous undertaking, but I still stay the course for some reason. Pathetic.

This is one set I definitely wonder why I started it. There was a whole set sold individually on eBay recently, and it was hard to believe what some of them went for. At least there are only 55 cards in the set, but that only makes it seem more possible to complete than it really is.

[carlsonjok]

I guess for me, it is the 1955 Topps set. I finished the 1956 set three years ago and turned my eyes to 1955. I already had the Koufax rookie, so I figured why not? I'm only 14 cards from completing it, but the Clemente rookie has gone up so much since then that I will never be able to afford it. Of course, the last show I went to I bought the Mays card. Why? No idea.

Similarly, I am not even going to attempt any of the Topps sets prior to 1955 since each has at least one card that is well beyond my means.

[midmo]

I'm working on an extreme miscut 1975 Topps set. I'm over half way done. Don't ask me why, there's no good reason for a human to do this. I'm not heavily invested (money or mind) so if they ever become coveted for some reason I'll just drop it.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

1971 Topps Greatest Moments

They are really cool looking, majestic cards, but holy heck is it a nightmarish set to make headway on!!! Since they are oversized, the natural inclination is to buy them already graded, because storing or displaying them is very problematic indeed. The only 'cheap' ones are cards that were seemingly quintuply printed, but all of the other ones go for crazy prices. It is a ridiculous undertaking, but I still stay the course for some reason. Pathetic.

Speaking of which.... [EDIT-hah you guys are quick-beat me to it!]

I love this set BTW, one of the best Topps ever did.

[Kutcher55]

I have a couple of projects that fit the description.

1. Started collecting 71 topps (baseball) PSA slabs a bit over a year ago. I have around 50 of them graded 6-8. They look nice all together. Most are minor stars but I also have commons and high #s and a few major cards like Clemente, Mays, and Ryan. There’s no way I’m doing the whole set of 752 cards so this project seems destined to fizzle out.

2. 41 Playball set. I need four cards - Joe D, Mel O, Vandy V and Hank G. Cripes these cards have only gotten pricier since I started and I don’t think I’m that close to getting this done.

[Bigdaddy]

I dedicate this thread to anyone putting together a 1972 Topps baseball set.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by brob28

I started a '71 OPC set (I like the backs), I've fizzled out on it and have no desire to pick it back up.

I might be willing to take that burden off your hands...

Meanwhile, as to the OP and apropros of the National next week:

William Shatner: You know, before I answer any more questions there's something I wanted to say. Having received all your letters over the years, and I've spoken to many of you, and some of you have traveled... y'know... hundreds of miles to be here, I'd just like to say... GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just baseball cards! I mean, look at you, look at the way you're dressed! You've turned an enjoyable little hobby into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME!

[ a crowd of shocked and dismayed collectors.... ]

I mean, how old are you people? What have you done with yourselves?

[ to "Collector 1" ] You, you must be almost 60... have you ever kissed a girl?

[ "Collector 1" hangs his head ]

I didn't think so! There's a whole world out there! When I was your age, I didn't collect cards, I LIVED! So... move out of your studio apartment! And try speaking to a real live woman, and GROW THE HELL UP! I mean, it's just baseball cards dammit, IT'S JUST BASEBALL CARDS!

[mortimer brewster]

I thought it would be a neat idea to complete the 1964 Topps set with the ruboff trivia answers still intact. Not something that is high on my priority list. I only have a few dozen. Even though They don't seem to carry a premium it got too tedious.

[homerunderby]

Originally Posted by brob28

I started a '71 OPC set (I like the backs), I've fizzled out on it and have no desire to pick it back up.

I've been trying to find the 1971 OPC high-numbers of the Yankees for a reasonable price for years in vain. The pre-1977 OPC are very tough in my opinion, especially in higher grade.

[ejstel]

1971 Greatest Moments 'proof' or error- saw this on ebay...not mine as i have 0 1971 GM...but....perhaps someone here is interested...

It is over priced but you will likely not see another...ever..?

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[jchcollins]

I see I've already commented on this post. Yep, '67 continues to drive me crazy. I'm embarrassed to say how much I just paid for a Don Demeter high number SP. Yeah, who?

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

I'm embarrassed to say how much I just paid for a Don Demeter high number SP.

Was it $40? A bargain if it made you happy.

Edited to add:

I sold my PSA 9 of Don on 2/15/2009 (I had a PSA 8 as well), and I did pretty well......as long as you don't look at the most recent sale. Sigh.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by bobsbbcards

Was it $40? A bargain if it made you happy.

More than that! #facepalm

[ALR-bishop]

A non drinking, non smoking, non cursing pastor of a church in his post baseball life. He has to be an enhancement to any set in which he appears at any cost

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

A non drinking, non smoking, non cursing pastor of a church in his post baseball life. He has to be an enhancement to any set in which he appears at any cost

I did not know that! Thanks.

[orioles70]

I had a non drinking, non smoking, non cussing preacher who wanted me to take him on as a client...I refused when he wanted me to cheat for him on his tax return.

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