Quantity over Quality

[rimshaqer34]

As some of you may know that I collect Shaq. Pretty much everything about Shaq.

Now I am at a point that the impossible is inevitable, there's no way I can pursue all, right? Here's the classic intersection of Quality or Quantity.

I like to have lots and lots of Shaq items, bit in the other hand I also want higher ended Shaq items. The funds are limited and getting smaller by days, I've let go some of my Shaq auto cards lately for a fraction on what I paid on the glory hey day :(

I just sold the autographed cards only; I like the base cards and cheap inserts since it will fetch more shipping costs than the actual cards itself.

But now since I sold many of those "large" numbered autographed cards I still keep watch on those cards on ebay ("sickness" confirmed) big dillema, I spoke to some supercollectors some are on to Quantity and some are on to Quality.

I know the answer of this dillemma is back onto myself, how strong is my funds et cetera. Probably I just need a proper "whip" from you guys :) kinda like point me into a better direction :)


Please help. LOL

[duron]

If you allow me to frame my answer within strictly 90s/early 00s stuff, I'd say quantity.

There are just too many beautifully designed Shaqs - low-mid end included - to ignore.

I'm also biased since I don't really enjoy too many memorabilia cards.

[ccunanan40]

Indra- I feel your pain. As you know I went through the same Shaq collecting dilemma about 8 years ago. I decided to go QUALITY over quantity. Until the early 2000s I was trying to collect 1 of every Shaq ever produced.

I have to admit, I miss a lot of my collection that I sold (as you can see in my Instagram posts of "Shaqs I used to own").

My thought process has always been that I would rather have one $2,000 Shaq instead of ten $200 Shaqs. To me it's not even a question.

Good luck with the direction you decide to go in!

[clutch913]

I agree with ccunanan, I think quality is better than quantity for us.


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[Yaga]

I'm quantity over quality... I'd rather have a stack of fun cards to look through than 1 nice card

[derotter]

If you can combine both worlds I think it's the best :coffee:

Buying only >1k$ cards = no fun

BUT

Spending a lot of money on too many cards = you'll miss sometimes a key card when it becomes available

I personally tend to go for quality over quantity because the lack of place in my apartment, but I find that some 'common' cards of my PC players are still doin it for me, and I like to be surrounded by a lot of cards, like I do with vinyls.

[rimshaqer34]

If you allow me to frame my answer within strictly 90s/early 00s stuff, I'd say quantity.

There are just too many beautifully designed Shaqs - low-mid end included - to ignore.

I'm also biased since I don't really enjoy too many memorabilia cards.

That is the first whip.... 90s cards are just too nice....the photographs and designs also beats many of current releases...


Indra- I feel your pain. As you know I went through the same Shaq collecting dilemma about 8 years ago. I decided to go QUALITY over quantity. Until the early 2000s I was trying to collect 1 of every Shaq ever produced.

I have to admit, I miss a lot of my collection that I sold (as you can see in my Instagram posts of "Shaqs I used to own").

My thought process has always been that I would rather have one $2,000 Shaq instead of ten $200 Shaqs. To me it's not even a question.

Good luck with the direction you decide to go in!

I'm leaning towards QUALITY by a bit now bro... :D

I agree with ccunanan, I think quality is better than quantity for us.


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Leaning moreeeeee

I'm quantity over quality... I'd rather have a stack of fun cards to look through than 1 nice card

Stack of cards, lots and lots of cards.....Now back to neutral...LOL....

[kukocitb]

It is hard to keep up with Panini so I am trying to focus on Pre panini for now. I still pick up panini stuff occasionally. It is tough especially for player collectors when you want to have everything. Cannot imagine collecting someone like Shaq that not only has TONAGE of cards made but also very expensive cards.

[Branesergen]

I'm going quality. Quality makes you be more selective in what you purchase. It makes you actually "have to have" what you're going to buy and keeps you from buying just to buy. Quality also means it holds value better. If I have $200 to spend, I'm going to get the perfect $200 card vs the 1st 200 cards I see.

[BestRCs]

I've also come in to the same problem and I think finding that balance is the key.

I did kind of what you did and sold a couple of my top heavy cards.. I had a lot of money tied up into 6-8 cards and well that got stale quick so after I sold some of those I started to buy a little mid range and a little low end and I steadily searched for that balance ...I think as you go along you will start to feel whats right..

For myself what I do is for more iconic cards or key cards I will spend the extra coin. It's definitely important to have quality cards. Something you value and feel a sense of pride in your collection...

For everything else I have several binders mostly with cards I grew up with from the 90's or of players I really liked and some recent cards I have taken a liking to or little mini sets im working on.... its really a cheap and effective way to enjoy your quantity of cards.... My binder full of cards is my "fun" cards so to speak. I have also picked up a lot of iconic and memorable cards to put into my binder and its been a really enjoyable endeavor.

[SteveO21]

If you're finding that your funds are limited and you can't go after high-end items, I'd set a goal something like obtaining every Shaq base card from each year. Once you're done with that, go after all of the inserts from each year by starting with a specific brand release (Fleer Ultra 92-93, etc.) and go set by set doing master collections of each release. Stop when you feel like it's no longer financially viable and set different goals.

[DajuanWagner]

I am going quantity. Not base commons, but quantity of cards that I enjoy collecting, looking at, taking me back to when collecting was fun (pre-bread company), picking up cards that were hard to hit in packs, case hits, basically cards of "card collecting past". I have tried to buy a little Panini here and there, but it never quenches my thirst like Topps and Upper Deck. I know there are a lot of haters on here of Topps and UD and I like that. They can collect all the newer stuff and I can collect all the older stuff. As long as I can keep finding cards 09-10 and before, I will keep collecting.

[AlabamaSlamma]

Strike a balance between the two. I've found I really enjoy grabbing a few specific sets/subsets in quantity, but the bulk of my collection veers more towards quality.

[SteveO21]

Also, maybe just set very basic limits on yourself with weekly or monthly goals. Something like "In February I'm going to find these 10 cards but I'm not spending more than XX to do so." Then in March you move on to the next 10, or whatever.

Just trying to think of different ideas that will make you feel like you're accomplishing collecting goals, but also not going broke doing so.

[tanana]

Another thought, maybe only collect Shaq cards during his career years?

Or during the times you enjoyed the most? Magic days or LA days etc,

I went with only 90s cards, not including base, but including subsets. Then I removed 1/1,plates,classic (unless rookie year),non licenced cards :o

[brettmik59]

Quality is better from an investment standpoint, but most of us do this simply for the fun of it. I buy cards in all price points, just focusing on obtaining them in the best condition I can (depending on the sensitivity and rarity of the card).

To limit the quantity I pursue, I now only collect AI from basically rookie year (96) until 2000. There's a ton to go after just in that short span.

[bkcardcollector]

Quality can be had at many different prices ;) Happy searchin...

[Rareairx23]

Quality can be had at many different prices ;) Happy searchin...

This is so true! Well said

[8collector34]

If you will ever part with your Galaxy 1/1 buyback Auto. Look no further ;)

[myusasets]

i'm not a pc guy. but steve0 is right set parameters ad goals. quantity over quality. it a hobby marathon the sprinters burn out.

[rimshaqer34]

It is hard to keep up with Panini so I am trying to focus on Pre panini for now. I still pick up panini stuff occasionally. It is tough especially for player collectors when you want to have everything. Cannot imagine collecting someone like Shaq that not only has TONAGE of cards made but also very expensive cards.

VERY hard to keep up....that's the best statement...fortunately for me 2016-17 has less shaq releases.....

I'm going quality. Quality makes you be more selective in what you purchase. It makes you actually "have to have" what you're going to buy and keeps you from buying just to buy. Quality also means it holds value better. If I have $200 to spend, I'm going to get the perfect $200 card vs the 1st 200 cards I see.

That totally make sense bro...

I've also come in to the same problem and I think finding that balance is the key.

I did kind of what you did and sold a couple of my top heavy cards.. I had a lot of money tied up into 6-8 cards and well that got stale quick so after I sold some of those I started to buy a little mid range and a little low end and I steadily searched for that balance ...I think as you go along you will start to feel whats right..

For myself what I do is for more iconic cards or key cards I will spend the extra coin. It's definitely important to have quality cards. Something you value and feel a sense of pride in your collection...

For everything else I have several binders mostly with cards I grew up with from the 90's or of players I really liked and some recent cards I have taken a liking to or little mini sets im working on.... its really a cheap and effective way to enjoy your quantity of cards.... My binder full of cards is my "fun" cards so to speak. I have also picked up a lot of iconic and memorable cards to put into my binder and its been a really enjoyable endeavor.

Nice one insight bro...I might just concentrate on my "hobbby" years which is 90s....that will make the bracket smaller and more challenges...


If you're finding that your funds are limited and you can't go after high-end items, I'd set a goal something like obtaining every Shaq base card from each year. Once you're done with that, go after all of the inserts from each year by starting with a specific brand release (Fleer Ultra 92-93, etc.) and go set by set doing master collections of each release. Stop when you feel like it's no longer financially viable and set different goals.

Finance is the keys here, for some friends I know whose funds are practically unlimited, the collection is not a problem at all, they can just buy and buy.....

I do have an oraganized base cards trackers, I keep my base in binders and sorted by products, the empty pocket I just fill it with paper & write the missing cards....so far quite organized up until 2003-04


I am going quantity. Not base commons, but quantity of cards that I enjoy collecting, looking at, taking me back to when collecting was fun (pre-bread company), picking up cards that were hard to hit in packs, case hits, basically cards of "card collecting past". I have tried to buy a little Panini here and there, but it never quenches my thirst like Topps and Upper Deck. I know there are a lot of haters on here of Topps and UD and I like that. They can collect all the newer stuff and I can collect all the older stuff. As long as I can keep finding cards 09-10 and before, I will keep collecting.

Well, IMHO Panini have some nice designs on the cards...the ones that I won't part with.....

Strike a balance between the two. I've found I really enjoy grabbing a few specific sets/subsets in quantity, but the bulk of my collection veers more towards quality.

The more I think about it: Quality is the way to go....


Also, maybe just set very basic limits on yourself with weekly or monthly goals. Something like "In February I'm going to find these 10 cards but I'm not spending more than XX to do so." Then in March you move on to the next 10, or whatever.

Just trying to think of different ideas that will make you feel like you're accomplishing collecting goals, but also not going broke doing so.

I am doing a yearly wishlist and limit those with 1 card per release year, but that's jut higher ended cards though LOL


Another thought, maybe only collect Shaq cards during his career years?

Or during the times you enjoyed the most? Magic days or LA days etc,

I went with only 90s cards, not including base, but including subsets. Then I removed 1/1,plates,classic (unless rookie year),non licenced cards :o

Orlando & LA definitely....

Quality is better from an investment standpoint, but most of us do this simply for the fun of it. I buy cards in all price points, just focusing on obtaining them in the best condition I can (depending on the sensitivity and rarity of the card).

To limit the quantity I pursue, I now only collect AI from basically rookie year (96) until 2000. There's a ton to go after just in that short span.

I should bracket down my collection....92 thru 2000 only....or up to 2003-04 only.....

Quality can be had at many different prices ;) Happy searchin...

This is the best quote bro :)

If you will ever part with your Galaxy 1/1 buyback Auto. Look no further ;)

Well, that will be tough LOL

i'm not a pc guy. but steve0 is right set parameters ad goals. quantity over quality. it a hobby marathon the sprinters burn out.

I just can't have it all right....Quality superceedes Quantity as for now....

[goehring9]

The great question many of us face! I used to try to get autos of just about any Laker, but I switched strategy to Quality first. For me, I took a moment and thought about my collection, and what cards did I really enjoy- it was the Better, Quality cards that came to mind, not the boxes of lesser ones that I had.

[Boomskippy]

I buy $1-2 quality custom cards and they give me the same level of satisfaction as a $75 Select Tie Dye #/25

[tjforce]

Typically, I go with quality, but Shaq had so much nice stuff from the 90's that's cheap.
http://img.comc.com/i/Basketball/1993-94/Fleer-Ultra---Power-in-the-Key/7/Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?id=48d93f39-05e5-4bed-8580-50addd111021&size=zoomhttp://img.comc.com/i/Basketball/1992-93/Topps-Stadium-Club---Beam-Team---Members-Only/21/Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?id=9b6cf2a6-891f-438f-9a85-c7d7bcc125f7&size=zoom
http://img.comc.com/i/Basketball/1992-93/NBA-Hoops---Magics-All-Rookie-Team/1/Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?id=bbb6febe-3594-403a-9a4e-e98d557c2f76&size=zoom&side=zoomhttp://img.comc.com/i/Basketball/1993-94/Upper-Deck-Special-Edition---Die-Cut-All-Stars/E13/Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?id=5fa603cb-db57-4a8d-91ce-78675a4087be&size=zoom
http://img.comc.com/i/Basketball/1993-94/Fleer-Ultra---Scoring-Kings/8/Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?id=d5f41061-4f04-4517-82b5-402a502f2423&size=zoomhttp://img.comc.com/i/Basketball/1994-95/Topps-Stadium-Club---Rising-Stars/5/Shaquille-ONeal.jpg?id=d3c32ef8-d821-4085-99dc-6145368da8be&size=zoom

[Doublexthebeast]

Just go with your favorites whether that be the higher quality(expensive) cards or higher quantity of lower end cards. Take a short break and save some money, then come back with some funds and buy what peaks your interest.