General Forum

Hello all!

Re-entering my childhood hobby.  I'm looking for some pros and cons on buying cards.  I found about 20 cards in good shape averaging in the excellent range.  However, each card has the players birthplace neatly printed on the back.  Would you consider this a nice starter opportunity or a deal breaker.  Just looking for some opinions. 

Well, almost all sports cards have the players birthplace on the back.  The important questions are which cards are these?  Are they 20 for $1?  20 for $50?  What do you want to collect?  There is no right or wrong way to do it, but it usually helps to have an idea of what your interests are to avoid just buying endless amounts of random cards (which is pretty much where I started in the 80s, now I've got some 90,000 cards to unload that I have little interest in except for tradebait to get cards I actually want now).

If the cards didn't come with the birthdates printed on there, and somebody wrote that info in later, I would suggest passing. Eventually, especially when you start getting other cards from the set, you'll come to regret getting them.

There's no wrong way to collect, if you like it, and can afford it, buy it! It really IS that simple :)

Thanks for your opinions and advice!

I agree and would add that in many cases, marked cards can be a good inexpensive way to start a set. Bicker with the seller. He may come down in price. point out the marks and show them, if possible, how much that devalues the card. It is all part of the hobby and it makes for some good conversations.

 First off, my recommendation is to collect whatever YOU like, regardless of condition, manufacturer or other criteria. Chances are that you aren't going to get rich off your collection, so you might as well collect what you enjoy so looking at them through the years will bring back good memories.

The answer to your question is that those cards are of the lowest grade possible. Ink or pencil marks on a card pretty much destroy their value, with the exception of cards of truly incredible rarity. Even in those instances, it lowers the grade and therefore the value of the card significantly. I completely agree with Michael's response: point out the marks and ask the dealer if he'll drop the price a bit because of them.