Set Collectors

jbmm161 · 09-21-2021, 05:43 PM

Does anyone collect sets anymore?
I always enjoyed putting a set together from busting boxes while chasing hits. (Kinda hard to do that with prices inflated 10x hard to find retail at retail prices.)
Would like to put a couple of sets together thinking Prizm/Select/Revolution type sets versus Hoops/Donruss. Would love to have some trading partners lined up to build the sets.

Also do any of you use these? I like the slim design but not a fan of not being able to see card backs. Are they safe? Any issues damaging your cards?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

banosd · 09-21-2021, 06:15 PM

I completed the 2018 prizm set but basketball cards aren't worth collecting for sets. Even if you could pick up a blaster for 20 bucks, it's an expensive proposition but now its prohibitive.

And Cardguards are ok but its weird putting cards on both sides. No match for ultimate page pockets and a regular binder.

whiteboybill · 09-21-2021, 06:58 PM

I have the following complete sets
08-09 Topps Chrome base…these are in a box.
08-09 Topps Chrome Orange Refractor…in a binder.
12-13 Prizm base x2…these are in a box.

Italy61587 · 09-21-2021, 07:37 PM

I'm working on 96-97 and 00-01 autographics sets. Would be nice to figure out a way to display them or look at easier. Currently all in brand new toploaders.

yiguiri2002 · 09-21-2021, 07:52 PM

Set collector here. Keep my sets (complete and incomplete) in binders. I'm moving and they are the biggest pain in the ass lol.

Have a couple of 13-14 Prizm, one 14-15 Prizm, one 15-16 Prizm and one 18-19 Prizm as the highlights. Working on a few more but it's fun.

ChasingZion · 09-21-2021, 08:16 PM

I'm putting together the '87 Fleer set in PSA 8 or higher. Wanted to go PSA 9 or higher but didn't acquire enough of them before the price surge. Do have the MJ in a 9 so happy about that at least. I have about 1/3 of the set in slabs and another 1/3 or so that are raw and solid PSA candidates but I did not get them subbed before they shut down.

It's not the most valuable set or even the nicest looking set for that matter. But it has some special meaning for my brother and I from back when we were kids. Looking forward to completing it eventually, it's been fun so far.

detroitbball · 09-21-2021, 08:46 PM

Collecting a couple low end sets every year starting in 12-13. Prestige/Donruss/Status type stuff. Nothing fancy. Always just store in ultra pro nine pockets. The top rookies end up in top loaders and then in 4 pocket sheets. Keep it all in a D-ring binders. Put the bulk of the set together opening either retail or hobby boxes. Then finish it off buying singles on Ebay/Sportslots/COMC. Admittedly with the run-up in wax prices, 20-21 is a challenge. Did buy a Donruss hobby box, which essentially gets you 90% of a set. Not sure what to do for a second set this year. Might try Mosaic if we can get some retail for a decent price.

hopalong · 09-21-2021, 09:43 PM

Yep, I only set collect (don't have significant player or team PCs).

Starting to share some of my sets (complete and in progress) in a thread ('Come for Pat Connaughton's hair...'). Stuff like this:

Name: Combined_Enhanced_Test2.jpg
Views: 369
Size: 96.9 KB

Name: Combined_Enhanced_Test2.jpg
Views: 369
Size: 96.9 KB

Storing is a little tricky. Ultimate page pockets and binders are great for organising and for flicking through. I'm a little hesitant with more expensive stuff (not to mention thicker cards), those tend to go in toploaders and then be stored away in various storage boxes. Check out BCW Collectable Card Bin (can be found on ebay), probably the most practical I've found (doesn't look pretty though).

LovelyLlamas · 09-21-2021, 11:29 PM

Recently collected every base set from 1995-96. Working on 1993-94 now.

I love collecting sets and have been doing it since I opened my first pack

Kobe101 · 09-22-2021, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbmm161

Does anyone collect sets anymore?
I always enjoyed putting a set together from busting boxes while chasing hits. (Kinda hard to do that with prices inflated 10x hard to find retail at retail prices.)
Would like to put a couple of sets together thinking Prizm/Select/Revolution type sets versus Hoops/Donruss. Would love to have some trading partners lined up to build the sets.

Also do any of you use these? I like the slim design but not a fan of not being able to see card backs. Are they safe? Any issues damaging your cards?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like them. I put together insert sets since I can’t get retail wax to put together base sets like I use to. Find a few insert sets you like and use COMC!

k13 · 09-22-2021, 05:47 AM

Not many in basketball.

jcardstore · 09-22-2021, 06:00 AM

I am putting together 3 sets right now!!!

72 Comspec, 72 Icee Bear, and 09-10 Topps paper gold

All mine are either graded or toploaded

maconithappen · 09-22-2021, 08:27 AM

I think these days everything is focused more of player collectors instead of set collectors like it used to be in the past. There's a billion colors to one card, so if you try to get a rainbow of a player it's more like a set of it's own. I've put together a ton of sets from base to high end, mainly 90s. This was a time when there was maybe one or 2 parallel versions, usually none at all. I like it that way a lot better.

Kobe101 · 09-22-2021, 08:39 AM

It is tough to put together base sets now because the box prices are so expensive. I put together the Hoops and Prizm sets buying blasters at target for years. I definitely miss doing that but nothing I can do so I switched it up and put together insert sets now.

In the last year I completed the 12-13 Prizm USA, 11-12 Hoops Slam Dunk Champions, and 14-15 Select USA Courtside (not really a set and I should get the rest of the set now that I think about it!)

I am currently working on the 27 card 18-19 Court Kings Gallery of Stars set. I am still looking for Tatum, Dame, Kawhi, Mitchell & Derozan if anyone has any!

And since they are tough to find I am also slowing putting together the 06-07 Fleer 86-87 Anniversary set. I still need 34 of the 132 cards and have most of the big guys MJ, Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Melo, Bosh, AI, Tmac, Yao, and Vince.

Beavers98 · 09-22-2021, 08:54 AM

As some have said it's just too cost-prohibitive for anything new. But used to love putting sets together. Back in the Day it was Topps and Topps Chrome...

But before things really took off I bought a case of 13-14 Panini for $250, yes that's a case. A few packs probably run that now, and 14-15 Donruss Boxes were $30-40 forever. I'd buy those whenever open a few set some aside and just open when I felt like it and put sets together. That was fun. Those are just a couple of examples and there are many others, but I decided to sell off most of these sets with the boom and just mainly kept most of the Topps and Topps Chrome sets I put together.

I have been putting together lower end insert sets for fun. Past/Presents Fireworks is a beautiful set, along with raising 3's. Cheap cool cards. Think I'll keep working on the Afficionado Power Surge set that's an homage to Scoring Kings. Anyway, Yeah not too much set collecting now, but then again this is the longest I've ever gone without opening a Hobby box and unless things change I may never open one again.

Promethius88 · 09-22-2021, 09:15 AM

I enjoy putting sets together. I usually get or have the top rookies from the sets graded..PSA 10 for the newer sets.

I have to disagree with others in this thread about being cost prohibitive. If you aren't opening a ton of boxes, you can still get most of the base/vets in lots super cheap. Much cheaper than trying to put them together opening boxes.

But ultimately, if you are just opening boxes for fun or chasing hits, the cost probably isn't that big of an issue to begin with and you have the benefit of getting some base sets out of your venture.

I opened so much 2019 Prizm that I think I put together about 8 complete sets including 2 master sets(Zion, Ja, Luka, LeBron graded) as well as a complete silver set with those 4 graded as well. Of course that was before was went thru the roof.

Twoinar · 09-22-2021, 09:25 AM

1994-95 Topps Spectralight. Cheap prices, but putting together a 396 card set that you rarely find in lots is no joke. If anyone else ever tries to work with this set, I'd love to hear from you. I've got many doubles to trade.

bjho852 · 09-22-2021, 09:33 AM

Completed this 10-card 1998-99 Fleer Tradition - Electrifying set earlier this year.

Also completed the both the 1996-97 (in 2013) and 1997-98 (around 2016) SkyBox Autographics regular sets.

Beavers98 · 09-22-2021, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Promethius88

I enjoy putting sets together. I usually get or have the top rookies from the sets graded..PSA 10 for the newer sets.

I have to disagree with others in this thread about being cost prohibitive. If you aren't opening a ton of boxes, you can still get most of the base/vets in lots super cheap. Much cheaper than trying to put them together opening boxes.

But ultimately, if you are just opening boxes for fun or chasing hits, the cost probably isn't that big of an issue to begin with and you have the benefit of getting some base sets out of your venture.

I opened so much 2019 Prizm that I think I put together about 8 complete sets including 2 master sets(Zion, Ja, Luka, LeBron graded) as well as a complete silver set with those 4 graded as well. Of course that was before was went thru the roof.

I think you might be kinda disagreeing with yourself. You mention you just buy cheap lots, and you give an example of how you were able to make Prizm sets when it was cheap...

That's what I'm saying. It's cost-prohibitive to do that now. I can't buy some cheap boxes and build sets. That was the "fun" part of it. Open some boxes, get some hits and build a set. I can't do that now. Sure I could buy "lots", but what's the point? At that point, I'd just buy the set if I wanted it. hence that's why I'm putting together some cheap insert sets that aren't readily sold complete. I wasn't actively seeking a 14-15 Donruss set, from my example, but because I had case+ of boxes it was a fun part of the hobby for me to build sets. Again cost-prohibitive to do that now.

bigjbasketball · 09-22-2021, 10:57 AM

I still love set collecting. If I’m ripping a bunch of retail, I will always try and put together the base sets. It seems like a waste to just donate or toss all those base cards, so I like to put them to use by putting the sets together. For those low (Hoops, Donruss, etc.) to mid-end (Optic, Prizm, etc.) base sets, I put each card in a penny sleeve and store them in cardboard boxes. That’s way too many cards for me to put into binders.

I do also like collecting insert sets, and I put those in binders. I thought Panini had a lot of nice looking inserts over the past couple years, so I have a binder with Contenders Optic Historic Slams from last year, Hoops Slam Holo from this year, etc. I’m much more apt to go back and look at the completed insert sets than I am the base sets, so that’s why I like to keep those in binders. For a higher-end insert set like the 2013-14 Kaboom, I’m working on getting all those graded. Any other high-ish end insert set that I don’t grade would probably end up in top loaders or mags.

Pathora · 09-22-2021, 10:58 AM

I'm trying for a full master set of 2016/17 Revolution Galactics. Here are most of the cards I have:

sebreg · 09-22-2021, 11:24 AM

Yes, I used to only player collect but have gotten into set building. Working on a few insert sets (97 ultra stars silver, 2013 panini knights of the round, 2018 obsidian vitreous) and one panini #d base set.

brettmik59 · 09-22-2021, 11:49 AM

I've started putting together a few lower to mid end 90s base and insert sets (96 spx, emotion ntense, rock stars refractors). There's a great opportunity still to collect sets you enjoy that are relatively cheap, because most guys in the hobby are focused on flipping and investing in the modern and expensive stuff.

sebreg · 09-22-2021, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettmik59

I've started putting together a few lower to mid end 90s base and insert sets (96 spx, emotion ntense, rock stars refractors). There's a great opportunity still to collect sets you enjoy that are relatively cheap, because most guys in the hobby are focused on flipping and investing in the modern and expensive stuff.

100%, there are pockets of value because some of those lesser stars in some of these insert sets are completely ignored by the influencers. Sure may have to pay some for mj/kobe but beyond that premiums usually drop-off significantly unless the set is very rare and sought after.

frisbeesteve · 09-22-2021, 01:39 PM

When I first got started in the hobby in the mid 90s, I was opening a relative ton of wax, and building sets (base and insert). I eventually ran up too much debt with my addiction, and had to slow down and even completely stop for awhile. When I came back in the mid 00s, I only opened a little bit of wax and built some more sets, then shut it down again for awhile. When I returned a third time, I sold off most of my completed insert sets in order to focus on building/finishing some higher end base sets that I had always wanted, but then wound up transitioning into primarily collecting my favorite player, with set collecting/building taking a backseat - although I do still collect sets.

I do miss the fun of opening packs and putting my own sets together, but even back in the 90s, it was not the most cost effective way of obtaining cards that I wanted. Today, it makes considerably less sense, as it seems that opening wax is mostly only to chase the slim chance at a monster hit (that I am not likely to want to keep in my collection anyways).

09-21-2021, 05:43 PM	#1
jbmm161 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ft Worth Posts: 664 jbmm161	Set Collectors Does anyone collect sets anymore? I always enjoyed putting a set together from busting boxes while chasing hits. (Kinda hard to do that with prices inflated 10x hard to find retail at retail prices.) Would like to put a couple of sets together thinking Prizm/Select/Revolution type sets versus Hoops/Donruss. Would love to have some trading partners lined up to build the sets. Also do any of you use these? I like the slim design but not a fan of not being able to see card backs. Are they safe? Any issues damaging your cards? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-21-2021, 06:58 PM	#3
whiteboybill Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,064 chitownbulls75	I have the following complete sets 08-09 Topps Chrome base…these are in a box. 08-09 Topps Chrome Orange Refractor…in a binder. 12-13 Prizm base x2…these are in a box. __________________ I collect D Rose and Giannis Last edited by whiteboybill; 09-21-2021 at 08:44 PM.

09-21-2021, 07:37 PM	#4
Italy61587 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lombard, IL (Greater Chicago) Posts: 3,237 glaspi2	I'm working on 96-97 and 00-01 autographics sets. Would be nice to figure out a way to display them or look at easier. Currently all in brand new toploaders. __________________ Collecting Bulls Autos & Rare Patches! Also Collecting 1996-97 & 2000-01 AUTOgraphics! BULLS PC: https://glaspi2.imgur.com

09-21-2021, 07:52 PM	#5
yiguiri2002 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 12,399 afigueroaquevedo2002 yiguiri2002	Set collector here. Keep my sets (complete and incomplete) in binders. I'm moving and they are the biggest pain in the ass lol. Have a couple of 13-14 Prizm, one 14-15 Prizm, one 15-16 Prizm and one 18-19 Prizm as the highlights. Working on a few more but it's fun. __________________ Basketball Sets: Threads Century Greats Jerseys - Innovation Stat Line Jerseys Soccer Sets: 2018 World Cup Prizm Peru Parallels - 2015 Select Soccer Peru Parallels Players: Red Bulls Parallels, 17-18 Thibs Prizms, Soccer Legends Autos

09-21-2021, 08:16 PM	#6
ChasingZion Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Nebraska Posts: 448 bkandbams	I'm putting together the '87 Fleer set in PSA 8 or higher. Wanted to go PSA 9 or higher but didn't acquire enough of them before the price surge. Do have the MJ in a 9 so happy about that at least. I have about 1/3 of the set in slabs and another 1/3 or so that are raw and solid PSA candidates but I did not get them subbed before they shut down. It's not the most valuable set or even the nicest looking set for that matter. But it has some special meaning for my brother and I from back when we were kids. Looking forward to completing it eventually, it's been fun so far. __________________ Reader of other people's posts.

09-21-2021, 06:15 PM	#2
banosd Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 880 sweetleftyswing	I completed the 2018 prizm set but basketball cards aren't worth collecting for sets. Even if you could pick up a blaster for 20 bucks, it's an expensive proposition but now its prohibitive. And Cardguards are ok but its weird putting cards on both sides. No match for ultimate page pockets and a regular binder.

09-21-2021, 08:46 PM	#7
detroitbball Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 493	Collecting a couple low end sets every year starting in 12-13. Prestige/Donruss/Status type stuff. Nothing fancy. Always just store in ultra pro nine pockets. The top rookies end up in top loaders and then in 4 pocket sheets. Keep it all in a D-ring binders. Put the bulk of the set together opening either retail or hobby boxes. Then finish it off buying singles on Ebay/Sportslots/COMC. Admittedly with the run-up in wax prices, 20-21 is a challenge. Did buy a Donruss hobby box, which essentially gets you 90% of a set. Not sure what to do for a second set this year. Might try Mosaic if we can get some retail for a decent price. Last edited by detroitbball; 09-21-2021 at 08:52 PM.

09-21-2021, 09:43 PM	#8
hopalong Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 307	Yep, I only set collect (don't have significant player or team PCs). Starting to share some of my sets (complete and in progress) in a thread ('Come for Pat Connaughton's hair...'). Stuff like this: Storing is a little tricky. Ultimate page pockets and binders are great for organising and for flicking through. I'm a little hesitant with more expensive stuff (not to mention thicker cards), those tend to go in toploaders and then be stored away in various storage boxes. Check out BCW Collectable Card Bin (can be found on ebay), probably the most practical I've found (doesn't look pretty though).

09-21-2021, 11:29 PM	#9
LovelyLlamas Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 658	Recently collected every base set from 1995-96. Working on 1993-94 now. I love collecting sets and have been doing it since I opened my first pack

09-22-2021, 05:47 AM	#11
k13 Banned Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 12,617	Not many in basketball.

09-22-2021, 06:00 AM	#12
jcardstore Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 21,799 Jcardstore	I am putting together 3 sets right now!!! 72 Comspec, 72 Icee Bear, and 09-10 Topps paper gold All mine are either graded or toploaded __________________ Just moonwalking through hell on my last brain cell

09-22-2021, 08:27 AM	#13
maconithappen Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,744 Maconithappen Mac0821	I think these days everything is focused more of player collectors instead of set collectors like it used to be in the past. There's a billion colors to one card, so if you try to get a rainbow of a player it's more like a set of it's own. I've put together a ton of sets from base to high end, mainly 90s. This was a time when there was maybe one or 2 parallel versions, usually none at all. I like it that way a lot better. __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/111391931@N02/

09-22-2021, 08:39 AM	#14
Kobe101 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,410	It is tough to put together base sets now because the box prices are so expensive. I put together the Hoops and Prizm sets buying blasters at target for years. I definitely miss doing that but nothing I can do so I switched it up and put together insert sets now. In the last year I completed the 12-13 Prizm USA, 11-12 Hoops Slam Dunk Champions, and 14-15 Select USA Courtside (not really a set and I should get the rest of the set now that I think about it!) I am currently working on the 27 card 18-19 Court Kings Gallery of Stars set. I am still looking for Tatum, Dame, Kawhi, Mitchell & Derozan if anyone has any! And since they are tough to find I am also slowing putting together the 06-07 Fleer 86-87 Anniversary set. I still need 34 of the 132 cards and have most of the big guys MJ, Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Melo, Bosh, AI, Tmac, Yao, and Vince.

09-22-2021, 08:54 AM	#15
Beavers98 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 11,023 beavers98	As some have said it's just too cost-prohibitive for anything new. But used to love putting sets together. Back in the Day it was Topps and Topps Chrome... But before things really took off I bought a case of 13-14 Panini for $250, yes that's a case. A few packs probably run that now, and 14-15 Donruss Boxes were $30-40 forever. I'd buy those whenever open a few set some aside and just open when I felt like it and put sets together. That was fun. Those are just a couple of examples and there are many others, but I decided to sell off most of these sets with the boom and just mainly kept most of the Topps and Topps Chrome sets I put together. I have been putting together lower end insert sets for fun. Past/Presents Fireworks is a beautiful set, along with raising 3's. Cheap cool cards. Think I'll keep working on the Afficionado Power Surge set that's an homage to Scoring Kings. Anyway, Yeah not too much set collecting now, but then again this is the longest I've ever gone without opening a Hobby box and unless things change I may never open one again. Last edited by Beavers98; 09-22-2021 at 08:58 AM.

09-22-2021, 09:15 AM	#16
Promethius88 Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 1,497	I enjoy putting sets together. I usually get or have the top rookies from the sets graded..PSA 10 for the newer sets. I have to disagree with others in this thread about being cost prohibitive. If you aren't opening a ton of boxes, you can still get most of the base/vets in lots super cheap. Much cheaper than trying to put them together opening boxes. But ultimately, if you are just opening boxes for fun or chasing hits, the cost probably isn't that big of an issue to begin with and you have the benefit of getting some base sets out of your venture. I opened so much 2019 Prizm that I think I put together about 8 complete sets including 2 master sets(Zion, Ja, Luka, LeBron graded) as well as a complete silver set with those 4 graded as well. Of course that was before was went thru the roof.

09-22-2021, 09:25 AM	#17
Twoinar Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 392	1994-95 Topps Spectralight. Cheap prices, but putting together a 396 card set that you rarely find in lots is no joke. If anyone else ever tries to work with this set, I'd love to hear from you. I've got many doubles to trade.

09-22-2021, 09:33 AM	#18
bjho852 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,140	Completed this 10-card 1998-99 Fleer Tradition - Electrifying set earlier this year. Also completed the both the 1996-97 (in 2013) and 1997-98 (around 2016) SkyBox Autographics regular sets. __________________ Instagram (IG): bjho852

09-22-2021, 10:57 AM	#20
bigjbasketball Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 5,293 BigJBasketball BigJBasketball	I still love set collecting. If I’m ripping a bunch of retail, I will always try and put together the base sets. It seems like a waste to just donate or toss all those base cards, so I like to put them to use by putting the sets together. For those low (Hoops, Donruss, etc.) to mid-end (Optic, Prizm, etc.) base sets, I put each card in a penny sleeve and store them in cardboard boxes. That’s way too many cards for me to put into binders. I do also like collecting insert sets, and I put those in binders. I thought Panini had a lot of nice looking inserts over the past couple years, so I have a binder with Contenders Optic Historic Slams from last year, Hoops Slam Holo from this year, etc. I’m much more apt to go back and look at the completed insert sets than I am the base sets, so that’s why I like to keep those in binders. For a higher-end insert set like the 2013-14 Kaboom, I’m working on getting all those graded. Any other high-ish end insert set that I don’t grade would probably end up in top loaders or mags. __________________ Instagram: @BigJBasketball PC: Zo - Manu - Deni - Kobe - John Wallace Last edited by bigjbasketball; 09-22-2021 at 10:59 AM.

09-22-2021, 10:58 AM	#21
Pathora Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 3,059 Pathora Pathora	I'm trying for a full master set of 2016/17 Revolution Galactics. Here are most of the cards I have: __________________ Check out my Google Drive! https://photos.app.goo.gl/4h1GwpG58qmxubWq9 129/250 2016/17 Revolution Galactics, LF more.

09-22-2021, 11:24 AM	#22
sebreg Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,734 cardcollecting82	Yes, I used to only player collect but have gotten into set building. Working on a few insert sets (97 ultra stars silver, 2013 panini knights of the round, 2018 obsidian vitreous) and one panini #d base set. __________________ Cards: http://www.instagram.com/cardcollecting82 My artwork: http://www.instagram.com/sebreg Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/190656817@N03/albums

09-22-2021, 11:49 AM	#23
brettmik59 Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,077 brettmik59 brettmik59	I've started putting together a few lower to mid end 90s base and insert sets (96 spx, emotion ntense, rock stars refractors). There's a great opportunity still to collect sets you enjoy that are relatively cheap, because most guys in the hobby are focused on flipping and investing in the modern and expensive stuff.

09-22-2021, 01:39 PM	#25
frisbeesteve Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,682 frisbeesteve frisbeesteve	When I first got started in the hobby in the mid 90s, I was opening a relative ton of wax, and building sets (base and insert). I eventually ran up too much debt with my addiction, and had to slow down and even completely stop for awhile. When I came back in the mid 00s, I only opened a little bit of wax and built some more sets, then shut it down again for awhile. When I returned a third time, I sold off most of my completed insert sets in order to focus on building/finishing some higher end base sets that I had always wanted, but then wound up transitioning into primarily collecting my favorite player, with set collecting/building taking a backseat - although I do still collect sets. I do miss the fun of opening packs and putting my own sets together, but even back in the 90s, it was not the most cost effective way of obtaining cards that I wanted. Today, it makes considerably less sense, as it seems that opening wax is mostly only to chase the slim chance at a monster hit (that I am not likely to want to keep in my collection anyways).