General Forum

Hi everyone - I'm a fairly new returnee to the hobby after starting collections as a kid during the junk era of the early-90s.  I'm still trying to figure out exactly what my collecting "strategy" is going to be over the long term, but I've always been fascinated with card collecting and over the last year, I've been investing more into collecting as a hobby (versus an investment).  Currently, I have been working on completing base sets for the Topps Baseball series from 1990 to the present year.  I know the early 90s cards are basically worthless but I had the sets mostly completed as a youth, and wanted to see them through from a completeness perspective.  My approach thus far has been to buy hobby boxes on ebay, which has resulted in a few completed base sets, but many others with a few outstanding cards remaining in order to complete.

I've reached the point where I would appreciate some insight before I continue on with my strategy, therefore I have some questions for the group at large:

1. When buying hobby boxes for the various sets, my experience has been that it is rare for the entire base set to be completed through purchase of one box.  Based on other's experiences, would purchase of one jumbo box achieve this goal in most situations, or am I buying two hobby/jumbo boxes regardless to have a chance to complete the set?

2. Instead of buying multiple boxes, does it make more sense to just purchase individual cards through ebay, just commons or COMC?  I have not done this year, because it almost feels like "cheating" and takes some of the enjoyment of opening packages out of it.  Also, this eliminates any potential for the insert cards, autos or relics.

3. Does anyone chase complete sets of the inserts in addition to the base sets?  Do inserts have any incremental value over base cards?  ie. is there a point to completing insert sets in addition to base sets?

4. Is there any value in duplicates of base sets or inserts?  I know this is probably dependent on the year, but if I have multiples of a base card from Topps 2000, is there any point in trying to sell it, or is there any suggestions in how to get rid of the duplicates without throwing them out?  I don't just want to toss cards out, but I don't know if its worth my time to try and sell base set duplicates through ebay or other means.

That's all the questions I have for now.  Appreciate anyone's insight that they might have in helping me out.

Thanks!

Where to start? 

Topps use of multiple series makes it difficult to complete sets without potentially buying multiple boxes of each series. There are lots of options available. A key is to look for opportunities to trade your double for the cards you don't have. It really just depends on your feelings about the hobby. Would you like your sets more if you pull all of the cards directly from packs? Some would. I have no problem with buying a few remaining cards from Sportlots, COMC, ebay, other sites. For a lot of sets you could find people on here with loads of doubles available for sale / trade. It just saves money so you can spend on other things. I don't have them all listed but I have tens of thousands of 80s to early 90s Topps extras for example.

You can still look to buy / trade for inserts or whatever else you like. Where items are more rare (most inserts) they can carry a higher per card value. Also, insert sets are typically more of the stars so that can add to value.

I'm gradually working on listing my entire collection with all of my doubles that are available for sale / trade. I figure some may be useful to completing sets for others. I wouldn't throw any out.

welcome back to the hobby!

the main objective in collecting should be to have fun, regardless of book value.

I also suggest setting annual goals for yourself.

that can keep you focused, and also if you throw in a new collection or theme, or set out of your normal, that can keep it fresh as well.

and of course, your duplicates....put in inventory here and trade them off.  Trading is the most fun part of the hobby to me..

mark z

Usually what i've been doing is buying 1 jumbo box of a series and then maybe a few hangers from Walmart/Target, and using the doubles from that to fill in my missing cards by trading with people here....
 This way i get to enjoy the whole collecting experience, from ripping packs to making trades, and getting some decent inserts in the process....Makes it a lot more fun doing it this way i think ( for me anyway )

Welcome back to the hobby, and welcome to a site that can help you navigate the hobby.

I'll answer your questions:

1 - My son and I buy the Hobby Jumbo boxes of each series. If we don't complete the set, we come very close. Most of the time, it completes that series' base set.

2 - I tend to attempt to make a trade or 2 on here first (cheapest option, only paying for postage). Next, if you have an extensive wantlist, justcommons is the next most economical method (but only if you get it over the price point for free shipping). Sportlots is the next option, but careful with getting items from multiple sellers. The postage there will make it not worth the effort. Next is COMC, as they run free shipping otions a couple times each year and they will hold your cards for free as long as you are not trying to sell them. Then there's ebay. Not great for single cards, unless they are higher-end cards. Good for lots. (I pieced together all but one card of the 2015 Topps baseball Gold parallel set, mostly through buying lots.) Buying more packs is not really an option. Just creates more extras and very little chance of actually getting the few cards needed.

3 - The only point to creating a set of one (or more) of the insert series is because you like it and want to collect it. Otherwise, why bother? You should be collecting something because you want it.

4 - Duplicates are great for trading to get the cards you want. Or, as we do, there are certain players we collect (and I collect a certain team). Extras beyond the set go to those collections. Sell or trade your extras. If you really don't want them anymore and you've exhausted those avenues, donate them to your local hospital. Some of the kids there would love to have them.

Thanks everyone for the feedback - I really appreciate the insight from many different perspectives. 

Quick question on trading on this site (i'm sure I could find this answer elsewhere but will ask here since we have a thread going) - when I open packs I do my best to treat each card carefully and for any duplicates, I file them away into a cardboard BCW storage box.  The hesitation I would have about trading/selling these cards is commenting/guaranteeing a certain quality of the card, as in I'd hate to sell someone I have a mint version of the card, and then have them angry/disappointed if they traded for that card and it was below standards.  Are most people on here accepting of cards as long as you don't classify them as being in mint condition and package/ship them carefully?  Also, I'm from Canada (eh), so do people trade outside of the US, and is there any difficulties surrounding that? 

Again, appreciate everyones thoughts on this. 

Well I'll also welcome you back to the hobby and welcome you to the site.  The database is what you make it, it's member driven so adding card images or cleaning up and adding checklists and other stuff helps not only you but the other members.  We each have our own passions and specialties.  Having been a member of the site since 2009 I've seen tons of improvements and most have been suggested by members, so if you have any ideas on how to make the database better, easier to use, or can think of a useful function don't hesitate to ask the all powerful admin.  And you'll find we are a great bunch of fellow collectors, always here for advice and help.  That said.  As collector's we collect for different reasons and all have different statagies.  Some of us are team collectors, set collectors, player collectors, autograph collectors, etc., and sometimes many of those at once.  So what and how you choose to collect is entirely up to you.  That said Topps base sets are great time capsules of the game.  To answer your questions

1. Jumbo hobby boxes tend to get you very close to a base set, at least in my experience.  Although not always. And tend to have the best hits, but are also pretty pricey.

2. There is no cheating in card collecting, buying boxes gets expensive.  But picking up singles to complete your set though ebay, justcommons, COMC, sportslots, or trading is just a means to an end, completing that set, but that said how you choose to do it is entirely up to you.  I will say the cheapest way to complete a set is to just buy a factory set or hand collated set off of ebay, but what's the fun in that?  Plus you're right there is no chance of pulling cool relic and auto cards that way.

3. Many people collect what they call Master Sets.  Those sets include all the insert sets from a particular release, but not usually the relic or auto sets, just base inserts.  I tend to find one or two insert sets I like and try and complete them, but again it's all up to your personal preference.

4. I hate it when people say cards are worthless.  That's just so not true, but some cards have more value than others and then those Brewer cards sitting on your table probably mean nothing, but to me they are the best cards in the set.  I think the term you're looking for here is duplicates.  And duplicates can have all sorts of uses.  For some collectors, like myself, that have team and player collections on top of a set collection, I like to have a copy, if affordable for my team collection and my player collection.  

As far as what to do with them.  You can sell them, but then again are they worth your trouble selling?  I mean I love trading with fellow collectors, but I also will sell off some pricier hits to help supplement my collecting habits.  You could sell on ebay, COMC, sportslots, craiglist, Beckett marketplace, etc.  And if all else you can donate them to charity.

http://www.sportscardsforkids.org/

http://www.cards2kids.org/

http://commons4kids.org/

Hope that helps.

If you handle your cards carefully, there shouldn't be a problem. Protect them the best you can in storage and in shipping. If you see a card isn't what you'd call mint, tell your trading partner. As you can see, even from the small number of replies so far, everyone is different. And it may depend on the card to some people.

As far as you being in Canada, it might hold back some people from trading, but it doesn't hold back a majority from what I've seen.

Also from what I have seen there are a fair number of collectors in Canada on here. 

As far as condition goes, I wouldn't think it would present too much of an issue for more recent releases especially. Older cards where there were more printing flaws and issues with centering could require noting to the other person. I'm new to the trading world on here (only 3 transactions so far) but when I've gotten an offer I try to look over the cards requested just to confirm no condition issues before accepting the offer.