love collecting cards but always lose interest after a while, help?

[xkclarkx21]

ive been collecting cards since i was a kid and love basketball. but i often lose interest and stop collecting and even stop looking at cards. i ask my self alot why do i enjoy collecting cardboard? i dont ever want to stop loving collecting but i even sold my entire collection for a fraction of the value just to start over. i get discouraged when i open a box and dont get anything good lol. what do you all do to stay interested in the hobby? any advice would be great

[Prospect Rush]

Find a new hobby.

[Jin]

Try focusing more on singles. What kind of cards do you like? HOFer autos? Patches? Stick to what you like, and build a PC. Go for a specific set and/or player, and the chase to finish that particular set or find cards of your PC guy will be fun and challenging!

[nepatsfan12dt]

I use to buy singles etc and spend money on cards and then I'd often times think to myself that I could be spending this money on something better or invest it in something. Then I started buying lots, keeping a few cards and then selling the rest for my money back so that I'm not into my collection for any money. That way its not like I have a bunch of my own personal money tied up into cards and can use it for other stuff.

Not sure if this is the type of response you're looking for, but I seem to enjoy the hobby and looking at my cards knowing that I don't have money into them.

[xkclarkx21]

Find a new hobby.

wasnt really going in that direction, i have plenty of other hobbies but i dont wanna start losing interest in this one

[xkclarkx21]

I use to buy singles etc and spend money on cards and then I'd often times think to myself that I could be spending this money on something better or invest it in something. Then I started buying lots, keeping a few cards and then selling the rest for my money back so that I'm not into my collection for any money. That way its not like I have a bunch of my own personal money tied up into cards and can use it for other stuff.

Not sure if this is the type of response you're looking for, but I seem to enjoy the hobby and looking at my cards knowing that I don't have money into them.

this! i love breaking boxes and looking at my cards, but then i feel that im just wasting money, even though i make good enough money where it doesnt bother me to buy cards

[airball]

I like collect sets but sometimes I´m boring and I change the order of the cards and feel like I´ve new cards LoL

- Order by team, conference and division
- Order by year-draft!
- Order by nationality!

But I only collect cards from specific sets and avoid collect every card of each player (I can´t afford it).

[mrveggieman]

We all get burnt out in this hobby from time to time. Put your cards up but don't sell them unless you need the money real bad. When you get the itch to start collecting they will be there waiting for you.

[Valdorian]

I'm the same way at times. I'll take breaks when I think the spending is getting a little out of my comfort zone, and inevitably come back a couple months later when I feel better about dropping some more dough on cards. I don't think there's anything wrong with collecting "off and on" as long as you really enjoy it when you're "on."

As far as how I stay interested, it helps to be a major NBA fan. I'm always going to be somewhat interested because I am constantly exposed to NBA games/stories/news/etc. That, and lurking on these forums usually revives my drive to collect!

[smalltown]

ive been collecting cards since i was a kid and love basketball. but i often lose interest and stop collecting and even stop looking at cards. i ask my self alot why do i enjoy collecting cardboard? i dont ever want to stop loving collecting but i even sold my entire collection for a fraction of the value just to start over. i get discouraged when i open a box and dont get anything good lol. what do you all do to stay interested in the hobby? any advice would be great

I do the same. Basically every few months i chop my cards down to 10-20 keepers - the real gems. And start over. Each time i do this the keepers get more and more meaningful/valuable to me.

[nepatsfan12dt]

this! i love breaking boxes and looking at my cards, but then i feel that im just wasting money, even though i make good enough money where it doesnt bother me to buy cards

Plus, you can look at them as an asset. If you have a nice sized collection and dont have any $ into them and wanna make a purchase ( say a new flat screen tv), you can sell a couple cards and go get your TV.

[xkclarkx21]

i also feel like maybe i don't do enough with the cards when i buy them? do you all have like shelves that you display them on? i guess maybe i feel its a waste because i get them in the mail/ out of a box look at them for like an hour then put them away in a box

[xavieronly1]

Go for base set and put in the 9-pocket album. Those are good stuff to flip while watching TV.

[WaiverWire]

If the hobby gets boring, then take a break. I'm taking a break on most of the 2013-14 products because I hate the rookie class and think most of Panini's stuff this year is boring (OMG another parallel!). If you can't take a break, then it's not really a hobby. Don't worry -- the flippers, prospectors, group breakers, and gamblers will keep this hobby going without you.

[WillC]

Some great comments in this thread.

In particular, I'm glad it's not just me who re-orders my cards (in my online photo album) and, after doing so, feel like I've got an entirely new collection of cards :D

I would imagine that every collector gets bored at some point.

I think that the blessing and the curse of this hobby is that there's no 'perfect' collection. For example, if you collected autos of HOF players, there's always going to be a few that are impossible to find. Likewise, if you collect HOF autos, then you might regret not having non-HOF players' autos. But it's impossible to collect everything/everyone. There are always news cards coming out - it's impossible to collect them all.

And that sums up why I am so indecisive; I can never decide exactly what I want to do with my collection.

But that in itself makes things exciting. I like selling cards and re-starting my collection, while keeping maybe 10-15 of my favourite cards.

Also, as someone else mentioned, there's something satisfying about selling enough cards to have a net investment of $0. Then, anything you have in your collection basically cost you nothing, and you had fun at the same time.

Another great point someone mentioned was that you have to be a die hard fan of the NBA to be a proper collector. I agree with this. I'm obsessed with basketball history which is why I enjoy collecting autos of players from years gone by. I enjoy reading about the players, watching their highlights on YouTube, buying old game DVDs, etc.

Just find a player or set or product or team or niche that you are interested in, and collect that. Have fun. That's what it's all about. When you start getting stressed or angry with the hobby (which I have at times, e.g. when a high-end deal falls through), then you know you need to change direction and try something new.

[mrveggieman]

Yeah I also get more enjoyment out of the hobby by sticking to a budget (well not really a budget but not overpaying for cards). I look for bargins in cards and autos and rarely if ever pay more than $20 for one card. I also do a lot of low end for ttm and ip autos. My way of collecting may not suit everyone's taste but it keeps money in my pocket at the end of the month for my other hobbies namely eating and keeping a roof over my head.

[MGoBlue]

Personally, the lasting joy that comes from this hobby comes from collecting a player that has a huge sentimental value to me. I grew up a Michigan fan, so when the Fab Five came around, I was instantly hooked, and CWebb was my favorite. 20 years later, I still remember all the games at Michigan and his NBA career. So now, as I continue to collect his cards, I am constantly reminded of his career - ups and downs - and what that meant to me. If I was only collecting based on hype and always looking for a player to get excited about, I'd get bored really fast.

So my advice would be to think about a team, or a player that has really meant something to you on a personal level and collect that. It definitely helps prevent getting bored or burned out. I'll always be a Michigan fan, so collecting CWebb and future Michigan alums will likely never get old.

[xkclarkx21]

With all that said I was thinking about buying a cheaper case this week. Settin my limit at 650, my choices are

13/13 brilliance $460
12/13 limited 630
12/13 momentum 660
12/13 past and present 685
12/13 prestige 694
12/13 timeless treasures 10-tin 425

Which case would be the best choice? I've never bought a case before. Do I buy a cheaper case and use leftover for singles? Just wanna know which case/product will produce the best result?

[xavieronly1]

With all that said I was thinking about buying a cheaper case this week. Settin my limit at 650, my choices are

13/13 brilliance $460
12/13 limited 630
12/13 momentum 660
12/13 past and present 685
12/13 prestige 694
12/13 timeless treasures 10-tin 425

Which case would be the best choice? I've never bought a case before. Do I buy a cheaper case and use leftover for singles? Just wanna know which case/product will produce the best result?

Limit is good. I think the lowest price was $600 just couple weeks ago.

Momentum is the worst. You will end up many autos that you don't even know their names.

[shaner1]

I simply changed sports! Got totally bored with basketball...hated the college jersey stuff. I thought I became a card-snob, because only the NT's, Flawless and Immaculate were interesting to me! So I started going into baseball, and it was a "whole new world."
I really like Bowman/Chrome/Draft now, and loved the NT's. With the World Cup ongoing, I even got into the panini soccer stuff a tid bit. It keeps your interest piqued, and It's like you're starting from scratch. I try to stay out of Football and hockey to keep costs down...or to attempt to keep costs down! Hahahaha

[Stat Monsters]

ive been collecting cards since i was a kid and love basketball. but i often lose interest and stop collecting and even stop looking at cards. i ask my self alot why do i enjoy collecting cardboard? i dont ever want to stop loving collecting but i even sold my entire collection for a fraction of the value just to start over. i get discouraged when i open a box and dont get anything good lol. what do you all do to stay interested in the hobby? any advice would be great

My advice is:

Buy what you like, don't buy for value.

Don't chase treasure (i.e. breaking packs and boxes)

Buy single cards online or at conventions or in stores.

Don't buy the autographs, get the jersey cards (which are generally cheap) and base cards. Think of the player you like, not the # or scarcity of the card.

Buy veterans and hall of famers over prospects and rookies. They'll cost you less and leave you with less regret.

Don't get obsessed as a "super collector" feeling you're incomplete if you don't own everything. Be at peace with the fact that you won't and can't own everything. Be happy with what you have and get.

[WillC]

My advice is:

Buy what you like, don't buy for value.

Don't chase treasure (i.e. breaking packs and boxes)

Buy single cards online or at conventions or in stores.

Don't buy the autographs, get the jersey cards (which are generally cheap) and base cards. Think of the player you like, not the # or scarcity of the card.

Buy veterans and hall of famers over prospects and rookies. They'll cost you less and leave you with less regret.

Don't get obsessed as a "super collector" feeling you're incomplete if you don't own everything. Be at peace with the fact that you won't and can't own everything. Be happy with what you have and get.

Good advice, apart from the bit in bold which I disagree with strongly. Autographed cards are the best cards in the hobby, in my opinion.

[mrveggieman]

Good advice, apart from the bit in bold which I disagree with strongly. Autographed cards are the best cards in the hobby, in my opinion.

If you like autos ya'll should also try for ip and ttm autos in addition to certified. Even though they they may not have the resale of certified autos they are much more fun to get and if you are collecting for fun who cares.

[SportsItUpCards]

Moderation......

Stay away from having those 37 card mail days(not saying that's what you do cause I don't know), and focus on singles you love and enjoy from time to time. Make specific pc's and stick to only what you truly enjoy. Getting board with a specific PC is okay... Just start up a new one you like if needed. Some you'll collect for years, and some you'll collect forever. Heck, you'll probably get tired of others in a matter of weeks, months, or even days! :D

The beauty of collecting.... There's no rules.

[mrveggieman]

Moderation......

Stay away from having those 37 card mail days(not saying that's what you do cause I don't know), and focus on singles you love and enjoy from time to time. Make specific pc's and stick to only what you truly enjoy. Getting board with a specific PC is okay... Just start up a new one you like if needed. Some you'll collect for years, and some you'll collect forever. Heck, you'll probably get tired of others in a matter of weeks, months, or even days! :D

The beauty of collecting.... There's no rules.

Since I only check my PO Box once per week it's always a 37 card mail day for me. :D

[SportsItUpCards]

Since I only check my PO Box once per week it's always a 37 card mail day for me. :D


LOL... I can only say what I got tired of :D

I've been there, done that. Then I found it more enjoyable, for ME, to pick up certain singles every once in a while. Saves space, helps enjoy them more, and if course saves money! It just made no sense to me to pick up so many just for them to collect dust. I've found that I enjoy the cards better, and actually look at them more often, when I chose them carefully.

But everyone will find their preferred style. I guess at one point or the other everyone will try most styles of collecting. No right or wrong answer at the end of the day, it's a hobby for fun and for the love of it, and the sport.

[currycurrycurry]

Having sports card is just another way for me to cheer for the Dubs. I love it! My advice, like many others is to go after your teams or players you cheer for. You won't regret it that way even if the cards lose monetary value or not.

[got_Sheed?]

start a player collection and go after all of his cards.you will love it when you get closer and closer having nearly all cards of your PC player!

[vitin01]

I challenge myself to stay in a budget every week and then try find some value either by getting packs or singles through ebay auctions. Sometimes I don't get anything and the money accumulates for next week.
That keeps it interesting for me since I really don't want to drop mad cash on cards.
Also, maybe work on a website where you can display what you got.

[xkclarkx21]

I challenge myself to stay in a budget every week and then try find some value either by getting packs or singles through ebay auctions. Sometimes I don't get anything and the money accumulates for next week.
That keeps it interesting for me since I really don't want to drop mad cash on cards.
Also, maybe work on a website where you can display what you got.
thats a good idea! does anybody display their cards at their house? like on a shelf or maybe made a display or something?

[tristan20]

Start busting boxes \ cases