Getting Back into the hobby, any advice?
 

So I used to buy a boatload of 80’s cards in PSA 10, back when 80’s cards were still cheap and considered mass produced. Even in a PSA 10.

Then the boom hit and every card I owned went ballistic value wise. And I sold off. Mostly at their peaks. Renovated my kitchen with the proceeds.

I am slowly getting back into it. This time modern. I’m not a huge fan of the bowman 1st autographed stuff, thankfully as they’re very expensive, but what are the cards to chase for my players of interest? It seems just simply being a numbered rookie card, doesn’t really set the world on fire like it used to. And base? Forget it.

So is it the SP’s, the Gold Parallels, the Real One autos? I always enjoyed Topps, and it seems the Gold parallels are the way to go? Am I off base here, or is there something I’m missing?

Yes. I know. But what you like, but I do want to take an investment like approach as well. Feel a little lost, as the hobby has changed a bit since I was last in. When base Topps rookies were going at a premium.

Anyhow, sorry for the rambling. Would love to chat and learn a little.

-Erik


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Collect what you like and it usually guides you to a good place. If you're looking for something that's profitable, good luck, there's definitely a squeeze at the margins.

don't rip any wax

[QUOTE=boxbuster7;19387127]don't rip any wax[/QUOTE]


Yeah. I may do a few blasters or hangers here and there for fun with my son, but wax was something I never really saw value in.


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[B][URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1584339"]Read this thread and take it seriously.[/URL][/B]

HOF Autos from current products is what I am mainly collecting. Some absolute gorgeous on-card autos from many products.

Do a loooooooooooot of research before buying stuff. Obviously, collect what you like and want, but make sure you're not getting taken to the cleaners. Check comps. Ebay sold listings, 130point.com, card ladder, all of it.

Don’t listen to any advice.

Find what you like, not what other people like or what you think you should like, what you actually like. Collect that and you're golden

Collect as though it holds zero value (because it might very well be worthless - arrests, suspensions, roids) and then you might actually have fun!

[QUOTE=base set;19387180]Don’t listen to any advice.[/QUOTE]


Ha


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[QUOTE=TheFrenzy;19387163][B][URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1584339"]Read this thread and take it seriously.[/URL][/B][/QUOTE]


Wild. I was hoping the OP was just having some fun with the message boards, but then I realized it was serious.


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Anyhow, these were the first couple of purchases I made over the last 6 weeks or so. Just three players I enjoy, and will most likely buy more of. I absolutely love the SP Variation 2022 Bobby Witt Topps Heritage High Number #520, but appears it’s very hard to gem. Centering issues. But big fan of Bobby. Julio is a beast and Rutschman will win an MVP very soon.

Curious on your thoughts about Gold Foils. They aren’t numbered, but are a little more attractive, I think than the standard gold, and don’t draw the premium that the standard gold does either. I’ve read they are actually more rare than the traditional gold.

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welcome back.

everyone that does this collecting think long enough leaves and then finds their way back.

its in our blood, there is no escaping it.

i would recommend trying to choose as tight of a focus as you can handle. stick with it, even though it may suck at times that you cannot add anything. you will be happy at the end of your journey

[QUOTE=ThoseBackPages;19387262]welcome back.

everyone that does this collecting think long enough leaves and then finds their way back.

its in our blood, there is no escaping it.

i would recommend trying to choose as tight of a focus as you can handle. stick with it, even though it may suck at times that you cannot add anything. you will be happy at the end of your journey[/QUOTE]


Yes we sure do.

And I believe I remember your handle from years back having some nice conversations about some nostalgic 80’s cards.

Nice to chat again, and yes, agreed, a focused, discipline collector, is a rewarded collector.


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[QUOTE=eavdr10;19387201]Wild. I was hoping the OP was just having some fun with the message boards, but then I realized it was serious.


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When I first got back into the hobby as an adult (back in 2011), the LCS owner refused to sell me my first hobby box until he gave me a serious talk about the addiction potential of the hobby.

In hindsight I'm really grateful he did.

I have a favorite team and I collect them. It's hard for me to go for every single Mets card in existence so I streamline it to RCs,autographs and cards I find visually pleasing of players and staff from their World Series teams and fan favorites over the years.

I have a favorite player and I collect him. Started collecting Albert Pujols back in 2003 and I love collecting cheap base and inserts as much as I do the higher end stuff.

I find a set that I like and I build the sets year after year. Stadium Club Chrome is my set of choice,plus I also go after the Topps Chrome Pink Refractor set every year. It's much easier on the wallet to buy singles in lots over opening box after box after box.

To me,this is literally a hobby for me and it's still fun after all these years. There will come a day when I'm old and have to give this all up but I'm sure as hell gonna enjoy it while it lasts.

Brett

[QUOTE=boxbuster7;19387127]don't rip any wax[/QUOTE]

^^^This. The new stuff is grossly overpriced, watered down, and lacking in quality.

[QUOTE=eavdr10;19387353]Yes we sure do.

And I believe I remember your handle from years back having some nice conversations about some nostalgic 80’s cards.

Nice to chat again, and yes, agreed, a focused, discipline collector, is a rewarded collector.


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im sure we did! love me some 80s!

[QUOTE=TheFrenzy;19387356]When I first got back into the hobby as an adult (back in 2011), the LCS owner refused to sell me my first hobby box until he gave me a serious talk about the addiction potential of the hobby.

In hindsight I'm really grateful he did.[/QUOTE]

sounds like a wise man. is he (and his shop) still around?

[QUOTE=ThoseBackPages;19387588]sounds like a wise man. is he (and his shop) still around?[/QUOTE]

Duane’s Sports Cards in Arlington, TX. There were two other older gentlemen (both named Bill) who had tables and were great to talk to. The shop “closed” a few years back, but I was in the area last year and saw that another group had purchased the location and expanded it. I think the new group is “Play Ball Sports Cards” or something.

[QUOTE=TheFrenzy;19387163][B][URL="https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1584339"]Read this thread and take it seriously.[/URL][/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks for posting this link.

Everyone should read this.

[QUOTE=TheFrenzy;19387597]Duane’s Sports Cards in Arlington, TX. There were two other older gentlemen (both named Bill) who had tables and were great to talk to. The shop “closed” a few years back, but I was in the area last year and saw that another group had purchased the location and expanded it. I think the new group is “Play Ball Sports Cards” or something.[/QUOTE]

ahh man, have to hate when that happens. glad you had it while you did though!

Since you mentioned taking an investment approach in addition to buying what you like ~ get the nicest cards made of the players you buy ( chrome / Sapphire etc. ) and stay away from base cards ( paper )

Sounds like 80’s and PSA 10 80’s was something you enjoyed and it worked for you! Is getting back into that same lane in play?
Personally, I’m burning out on ultra modern stuff. Parallel overload, numbered card desensitizing, hoards of new products—many of them just awful, terrible inserts, cheap looking card builds, wax pricing…list goes on. Luckily this doesn’t chase me out, it just moves me into something else. I’ve found that 80’s-90’s era to be my groove these days…going back to my collecting roots!