Tips for getting back into the hobby?

[dizzy4111]

Hi all. I've been browsing this forum off and on longingly for the last couple years and I think I'm finally ready to dip my toes back into basketball card collecting. I used to be pretty heavy in to 90's cards before an unfortunate personal event changed all that, causing me to lose interest in the hobby.

I guess I've been bit by the nostalgia bug, lately, and I'm looking to take another stab at building a 90's collection; this time from scratch.

So, does anyone have any advice for someone that's been out of the game for almost 10 years? I'm on a bit of a budget so wax busting will most likely be few and far between, unfortunately.

What's the 90's insert market looking like these days? Any cool products that don't cost an arm and a leg?

Any insight would be appreciated!

EDIT: One other thing I thought I'd mention: Last summer I sold a Penny 1997 SPX Promotion Auto on Ebay. Has anybody seen that turn up since then? I hope it went to a good home. That was the last card I held on to from my collecting days.

[moose84]

Welcome back! I just got back into the hobby not too long ago myself! Was collecting basketball when I was a kid in the 90s. In my early 30s now so I have been away for over 15+ years....

This is a great website to help you back in it!

Thumbs up for 90s cards! The designs and photography back then are so beautiful and gorgeous compared to Panini these days.

[IronMonkey415]

I got back a couple weeks ago as well. It's fun.

[dizzy4111]

Welcome back! I just got back into the hobby not too long ago myself! Was collecting basketball when I was a kid in the 90s. In my early 30s now so I have been away for over 15+ years....

This is a great website to help you back in it!

Thumbs up for 90s cards! The designs and photography back then are so beautiful and gorgeous compared to Panini these days.

Thanks, man! This seems like the place to be as far as basketball collecting goes. I remember I used to post on HobbyKings and Beckett but those places seem to be just about dead these days. What happened there I wonder?

As for Panini...I couldn't agree more. When I checked back in on the hobby a few years ago I was heartbroken to see that Topps/Upper Deck/Fleer were no more as far as basketball goes. What a shame.

[moose84]

Thanks, man! This seems like the place to be as far as basketball collecting goes. I remember I used to post on HobbyKings and Beckett but those places seem to be just about dead these days. What happened there I wonder?

As for Panini...I couldn't agree more. When I checked back in on the hobby a few years ago I was heartbroken to see that Topps/Upper Deck/Fleer were no more as far as basketball goes. What a shame.


Yeah things have def. changed since I was collecting. Im still learning new things everyday!

[duron]

I'd just say check sold listings of any 90s stuff that you find visually appealing. When I started collecting again a couple years ago I was shocked to find how affordable tons of inserts are, even rare ones. The only exception to this is Jordan cards, obviously.

Just never buy stuff at book value, I actually love Panini just because it seems they have taken all the attention off the classic stuff. Things go for super cheap that you would never expect.

[dizzy4111]

I'd just say check sold listings of any 90s stuff that you find visually appealing. When I started collecting again a couple years ago I was shocked to find how affordable tons of inserts are, even rare ones. The only exception to this is Jordan cards, obviously.

Just never buy stuff at book value, I actually love Panini just because it seems they have taken all the attention off the classic stuff. Things go for super cheap that you would never expect.

Good to know. I'm browsing some listings as we speak. It's kind of a trip seeing all of these old insert sets that I used to chase back in the day.

-Thunder & Lightning
-Molten Metal
-Golden Touch
-A Cut Above

So much cool stuff that I had forgotten about over the years.

[fullmetal]

'Don't' would be the most honest answer.

[rttrffg2012]

Budget yourself

Prices for newer cards are out of control

[pennywise]

Welcome back. I started back up a few years ago after a long break and now I'm hooked again. My advice would be to stay patient on cards that you feel are more than you'd ideally like to pay.

There are of course exceptions, but I've noticed that most cards I pass on for being out of my price range end up popping up months, weeks, sometimes days later for a reasonable price. Just be patient. Pay only what you want. Dig through boxes at card shows, flea markets, garage sales, etc... You'll have fun, you'll find what you're looking for, you'll pay what you want, and you'll never have buyer's remorse.:)!

Also, check out the rolling poverty mail thread. There is always great stuff in there!

[MyckKabongo]

Welcome back! I came back to the hobby two years ago so I'll pass on some things I'd learn. My first suggestion would be to explore different ways to collect before committing too much money to any one project. Player collecting, set collecting, team collecting or just randomly buying stuff that catches your eye. All are good options! Take your time to figure out what you like.

Specifically for 90s, my advice would be to check out COMC and Sportlots for low end inserts and base. By far, the best deals I get on 90s cards are at card shows. Its also the most fun because you'll find all kinds of cool cards you never even knew existed. I hope you can make it to some. If you're so inclined, check the poverty thread for ideas on 90s inserts to chase.

[byronscott4ever]

Go slow, budget, don't buy without research

[JMarchand1981]

'Don't' would be the most honest answer.

Budget yourself

Prices for newer cards are out of control

Go slow, budget, don't buy without research

All of these.

[Rareairx23]

I got back a couple weeks ago as well. It's fun.

Lol this guy right here

[Hallco]

I got back a couple weeks ago as well. It's fun.
https://media.giphy.com/media/3oEduPoL2OJdqI3vdS/giphy.gif

[myusasets]

if you don't like how it looks don't collect it. also don't collect to sell; you'll pay to much and value it too much. be patient most cards from the '90's were not that short printed; they will be available; most collectors get bored with what they collected or need to raise cash and sell out. moms and wives and widows and children dislike collections they will all be sold eventually. just be happy.

[Stat Monsters]

Good News! Since the 90's, cards of Penny Hardaway have dropped, appropriately down to the "Penny" region (j/k! But, seriously, there's little to zero upside on collecting him, so as prices continue to spiral downward as he goes out of sight, out of mind - - you might b able to pick them up for pennies on the dollar of their former values - - do it for the fandom and nostalgia knowing you'll probably never find a viable market to sell his cards as the years go by).

I'd say focus on 90's RC's who are now in the HOF (or eligible with good odds of making it in)

[andyzk3]

'Don't' would be the most honest answer.

Sadly this may be the best answer.

[moose84]

All good advice so far.

Make sure you know what you wanna get out of it when diving back in. You never want this hobby as a whole to make you unhappy. Frustration will be there, unfortunately, but you can minimize most of it by yourself and actions.

[duron]

Sadly this may be the best answer.

This would really hold true if the op intended to buy and bust modern products, but it's not. :special:

And like Stat Monsters said, it's not just Penny who is affordable... TONS of 90's stars are very inexpensive, even a lot of their mid-high end stuff.

[pennywise]

Good News! Since the 90's, cards of Penny Hardaway have dropped, appropriately down to the "Penny" region (j/k! But, seriously, there's little to zero upside on collecting him, so as prices continue to spiral downward as he goes out of sight, out of mind - - you might b able to pick them up for pennies on the dollar of their former values - - do it for the fandom and nostalgia knowing you'll probably never find a viable market to sell his cards as the years go by).

I'd say focus on 90's RC's who are now in the HOF (or eligible with good odds of making it in)

Parts of this are true but I wish all of it were true. While there is indeed little to no "upside" in value of Penny's 90s cards, he is probably the next most expensive player from that era after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Shaq's cards can get up there as well but I often see Penny selling for more than Shaq within the same insert sets. Penny has an extremely large and loyal collector fan base. Take Pippen, Grant Hill, Garnett, Kidd, Malone, Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, Barkley, I could go on and on... The Penny card from the same set is going to command a lot more coin. His hobby love is never dying. Trust me. There are so many times I've been shopping around online and wished that I PC'd one of those other guys instead so I could get those awesome 90s inserts for sometimes half of what Penny goes for. Sure his common inserts are dirt cheap but that goes for everyone not named Michael Jordan. The good stuff gets very pricey. Take it from me.


TL;DR: Penny cards can get very expensive.:D