Big Question for Everyone

[jtcswim87]

Hello everyone, I have been a member on here for a while and was usually pretty active until this September or so. I have been collecting baseball cards for just about my whole life, but didn't get serious about it until 2011. I am 16 years old now, and I feel like I have lost interest in the hobby. I still LOVE baseball (the only sport i collected), its just the hobby that I don't find the same excitement for.

Have any of you experienced something like this? Maybe a hiatus from the hobby?

It is weird the connection that I have with the hobby right now. I WANT to get back in it, its just I don't have the same excitement or suspense when I open a pack or buy a nice card. Time may be a problem as well, as I am a high school Junior that is on a swim team (hence the name) that demands 8-9 practices per week.

Maybe some of you have gone through something like this at my age. I have definitely noticed that there aren't that many college students on here, so that is what inspired me to ask this question.

Was there a time when you did not have much interest in collecting? Did you eventually get back to where you were with it? Should I save my cards or sell them now (obviously this is a bit of a general question, but I feel like if I ever get back into the hobby, it would awesome to go back through all of my cards, even if I missed out on some economic opportunities)?

Thanks in advance for the insight.

[rob11nats]

I lost interest in cards during high school, too. Only got back into the hobby recently as my little brother took an interest in it, and I figured it was something I could use to teach him about value, negotiation, investing, etc. so I got back in too. I think it's just a growing-up thing...when you're 16 there are some things that are just a lot more interesting and worthy of your time than cards.

[irtazman]

Hey man it happens to all of us. I'm 35 and have been in and out of the hobby since I was a kid. It just goes by how your life is situated at any given time. When you have a lot going on you probably deep down realize that you don't have the time to commit to collecting how you'd like to, so it just isn't as passionate for you.

As far as keeping or selling, it's up to your preference, but I'd suggest dumping stuff you don't care about and keeping cards you have some attachment to. I definitely wouldn't sell it all though.

Good luck either way

[PackRipper]

Since 2010 I've been buying, buying buying. After disappointment after disappointment with the quality of hits I've gotten I am burned out so I've decided to sell, sell sell.

Now I am just concentrating on picking up cards for my PC's (Cubs and Dolphins).

Just easier this way.

[cross4444]

It's hard not to lose interest this time of year. There's a weak singles market and few new releases, plus all you see on TV is football and basketball. As a fellow young man, don't worry about losing interest in any hobbies right now. From now through college you'll have more hobbies come and go than you can keep count of. With so much changing in your life, your interests will change. Once you settle down you'll finally discover your true passions which may or may not be collecting cards. If you're getting bored, try something new, cards will always be here waiting!

[matvoo]

Im 14 and love what I do

[Dodgers78]

Funny I stopped collecting at 16 as well. I'm now 36 and just within the last year started back up again with a vengeance I might add !

[Natitude]

I stopped at 15, halfway through my freshman year of HS. There was just so much more interesting stuff going on that I wanted to spend my time and money on sports gear, going out to eat with friends and going out on dates with hot girls Plus my other friends stopped as well so I lost many trading partners (eBay was founded during my frosh year, so I didn't have that option).

My advice is go have fun do other stuff. You'll be back!

[Keyser Soze]

I collected baseball between the ages of 8 and 13, stopped, picked up collecting basketball in college, stopped, and started collecting baseball again at around 31 when I got a new job and one of my coworkers collected and got me back into it. I'm now 35 and still loving it.

Hobbies will naturally cycle in and out of your life. I agree with the others, if you do get sick of it and decide to quit, don't sell it all. You'll be back.

[garrisc]

I grew bored with collecting at age 15 or 16, did not throw my cards out but dumped 14 shoe boxes of stars from the 60's and 70's including Mantle, Jackson, and Ryan as well as all the other big names into a Salvation Army drop box. Keep your cards, put them in your closet and come back to them later, I wish I did.

[TheYellowFever]

Card collecting is best for someone with a disposable income. Being as young as you are, it will most likely hurt your pockets a lot more than others and to me being broke with cards is not very fun.

When you get older and get a big boy job, collecting will be more fun than you ever imagined.

It's natural that you now have different priorities at your age, like everyone has said, you will probably be back. Enjoy saving the extra cash now and doing other things!

[lazygambler]

I had a similar situation with myself. Not sure why, but I got out of collecting around the age of 14. My collecting partner (father) and myself just had to much going on with school and his business. When I turned 23 I needed some extra cash and started going back through all of my old cards and selling them. Well, just the excitement of listing and selling cards brought me back to the hobby and I still love it the same way I used to. Enjoy finding yourself and other things you love, this hobby will be around for a while. Good luck young man

[fulltritty]

I'm in my 3rd iteration of card collecting. I started in 1980 when my Dad bought 2 boxes of Tiopps to open and ended up selling everything to a dealer in 1986 after my parents had divorced and I wanted spending money to go to Florida for a family vacation.

The second iteration when I was in 1997 when I was stationed in Augusta, GA for the Navy. I had a few friends who got me back into cards. Once again in 2000, I sold everything to a dealer except for my Yankee cards and the few autograph cards I ownded; although that unfortunately didn't include Derek jeter cards.

I then started collecting again in 2010 after my son was born as a way to build up a collection and eventually get him into it when he is older. It has since become an addiction. My son is 3 now and he gets common cards from time to time, but still ruins them, so no box breaks for a couple of years yet for us.

[shrevecity]

I started collecting in 1987, and did so until about 1995. I stayed away until about 2002 when I started buying a few cards, since then my interest comes and goes. I think it is just human nature for that to happen.

[studioU]

I sold everything at about 14-15. I got back into collecting in '10 at 34. I now am able to afford more and it's more enjoyable. I also like to make my own PC Cards. GL in the future.

[mbrown2626]

Originally Posted by jtcswim87

Hello everyone, I have been a member on here for a while and was usually pretty active until this September or so. I have been collecting baseball cards for just about my whole life, but didn't get serious about it until 2011. I am 16 years old now, and I feel like I have lost interest in the hobby. I still LOVE baseball (the only sport i collected), its just the hobby that I don't find the same excitement for.

Have any of you experienced something like this? Maybe a hiatus from the hobby?

It is weird the connection that I have with the hobby right now. I WANT to get back in it, its just I don't have the same excitement or suspense when I open a pack or buy a nice card. Time may be a problem as well, as I am a high school Junior that is on a swim team (hence the name) that demands 8-9 practices per week.

Maybe some of you have gone through something like this at my age. I have definitely noticed that there aren't that many college students on here, so that is what inspired me to ask this question.

Was there a time when you did not have much interest in collecting? Did you eventually get back to where you were with it? Should I save my cards or sell them now (obviously this is a bit of a general question, but I feel like if I ever get back into the hobby, it would awesome to go back through all of my cards, even if I missed out on some economic opportunities)?

Thanks in advance for the insight.

I was felt the same way at your age. I quit for over 20 years. Only once I had kids who played baseball did I get back into it. So from age 16-38 I didnt collect at all. Now I have a 8 & 10 yr old and we are big time autograph collectors. We focus on IP graphing because that gives us memories we will never forget. We are going to Spring training again this year and we hit up minor leage ball parks whenever we can. We dont buy cases or anyting like that, instead we buy base sets (heritage minors and minor league sets) so we can get then signed. We love it......

[85GoCards]

Yep, the exact same thing happened to me when I was around 13 or 14. I stopped collecting cards for about 12 years and "rediscovered" it when I bought a 2012 leaf metal "hot box" for fun. I love inscriptions and happened to pull a green (#/10) auto that had an inscription. I looked up the guy and it turned out he was drafted by the Cardinals (my hometeam and center of my baseball world) in the first round. I did a bit more research and found he was known for being one of the best guys around and is the first player in FSU history to wear the "C" on his jersey...not Buster Posey, not JD Drew, etc.

The more I read about Ramsey, the more he seemed like a standup guy and a great fit for the Cardinals. I looked up his BDPP autos and was happy to find that there were numerous different inscriptions. I started logging all the different variations and made it my goal to have all of them. This got the ball rolling and I've now been VERY involved in collecting ever since.

I think it takes a random and/or special occurrence to really bring back that spark. Personally, I'd recommend taking a step back for a year or two until you're really excited about a new player, prospect, or set. You'll have enough time to forget about all the scammers (secondary market & Topps) that suck the fun out of this hobby, but will instantly be reminded of how great this hobby can be.

[Doublexthebeast]

I go through this alot and just walk away for a few months then typically come back with alot of energy and excitement. Usually when I take a break I will collect comic books or play video games alot, stuff like that. Don't be afraid to walk away because if you aren't having fun then there is no reason to do any hobby.

[TarjetasBéisbol]

Nothing wrong with stepping away from the hobby for a few years because it can get a little overwhelming. Just don't sell anything because you may regret selling in the future. Box the cards up and store them away, when you come back you will really enjoy seeing your old friends.

[dasiegel]

I'm 32. I collected from 6-13, then sports, girls, driving, college and stuff happened. In law school I needed some hobby and found myself getting back into it. It's totally ok to come and go. When you come back, a lot will have likely changed and it'll still be fun.

[jtcswim87]

Crazy how many people have the same stories...thanks

[Tpm2780]

I have lately been in an out of the hobby myself mostly because of my tight budget with the holidays. Also, just realizing that my player that I PC, Ken Griffey Jr. is pretty expensive and there are a ton of his cards out there! I am satisfied with where my PC is that this moment but I'm sure I will be adding a card here and there in the future if I feel a big need for it. Still have fun with the hobby on these forums!:special:

[Jopeal]

I'm in the same boat as most others who posted here. I collected as a kid and had a blast doing so, Then slowly lost interest around 14-15 years old as other things became more interesting.
I took a break from the hobby for over 10 years and have just rediscovered the hobby recently.

My advice to you is allow things to happen naturally. If you're drifting away from the hobby, don't fight it. You will find yourself regaining an interest in the hobby if/when it's a fit in your life.

Hang onto a few of your most prized cards if you're considering a hiatus.

[green4407]

Same story as above for me too...collected until I was 15 and then cars, parties, girls, sports left card collecting behind. Fortunately I kept everything and lugged my boxes with me wherever I moved. I'd pull a binder out and look through it bring back the good memories.

I bought a few packs here and there in between, but fast forward 15 years and I have to start taking weekly trips to Target for diapers and at the end of the shopping trip I see the new 2009 Topps packs by the registers. Might as well buy something fun for me too right?

Next thing you know it slowly grows into a fun hobby again.

Then when you get more involved you realize some dirty slob has molested all those packs at Target...

[ArsonCuff]

You'll get back into whatever toys or collectibles you were in to at a younger age during your pre-mid-life crisis period...and then hopefully you give it up again before you end up in your mid-life crisis so that you buy a sports car instead of a sports card.