Zuback
Verified Trader,
Over the past few years, I have been debating to continue collecting new products that come out - Upper Deck Regular Issue and OPC or to just collect Vintage OPC. The Vintage side has been pulling me more to it, as I have been buying lots and upgrading my own sets and then selling/trading the rest of to those who are trying to finish sets or who collect certain teams or positions, etc.
I have been collecting since I have been 6 years old, which is now going into its 42 year, as I am now 48. I have also liked the vintage as it connects me to a time when hockey was hockey. It was the only thing on TV - as I only had 3 channels to watch when I was younger. One was 2 & 7 out of Calgary, which had Ed Whalen on doing the play by play for the Flames. The other was CBC, which had the Saturday games. I always had to watch Coaches Corner with Don Cherry. The 2 brought had a great impact to me as a viewed and it provided a small town kid, the ability to watch the players he collected. Teams always stayed together. There was trades, but there was not the player movement like we see today. You always saw great games, with great players and there was always the fights as well. Unlike today, that has games on everyday and the player movement makes it harder for me to follow.
I lost interest in watching hockey after the lock out in 1994-95. I would only really watch it, if I was in some sort of players draft or playoff draft.
Over time, I have watched less and less hockey, but still collect it to today, as it is part of my DNA. Each year, I buy my 3 boxes of Upper Deck Series 1 and 3 boxes of OPC. Then I trade to put the set of each together along with the OP Retro. Then, when series 2 comes around, I buy 3 more boxes and put that together and also put the OPC Update and OPC Retro Update together. Then when SPA comes out, I buy the complete set of that to finish of the Upper Deck Update.
I have been able to add, some great cards to my collection over the years. I am surprised, when I find that a YG a few years ago, was worth maybe $10 at the time, is now $60-$80-$100 now as that player has been able to become a star player in the league. As my goal is to put the set together and then forget about it.
As a set collector, I do many trades on many forums and also use eBay to finish off sets, if I need to.
I live in a community that does not have a card shop, so trading has become part of my DNA as well. When I do get to go to larger centers, I find that I stop at the card shop. My favorite is Wayne's in Edmonton. I have also been treated nicely and if I need something, I can always send them a list and then pick up the cards when I am in Edmonton.
I have started to go to the show in Sherwood Park, as to me, it is like going to 100 mini card shops. The one thing I always look for is the vintage as it is difficult to find the condition I am looking for on line and I want to look at what I am buying to make sure it is what I want. Some times I am successful and other times not so much. I was disappointed, like many of you, when the show was cancelled in April of 2020. To me it was like my Super Bowl. Plus, I get to see my daughter, who I don't get to see much, due to her work.
Part of me says OPC is what you grew up with, continue with collecting the OPC each year and also focus on the Vintage. Sell of the 30 years of Upper Deck and buying the cards and put the sets together from past years.
I am trying to work on the 1970's, but thus far I have good starts on many sets, but now need to finish those off.
I also like to continue to upgrade my vintage sets as well. Which over time has cost me extra funds. For some sets, I have likely bought the set 3 times over due to me always upgrading them.
Maybe this is the self isolation talking or maybe it is me just trying to find a reason to focus on what gives me more joy.
I have likely, from typing this, answered my own question. But, I would like to know if any of you have or do experience what I am debating on?
Thank you.
Tony
I have been collecting since I have been 6 years old, which is now going into its 42 year, as I am now 48. I have also liked the vintage as it connects me to a time when hockey was hockey. It was the only thing on TV - as I only had 3 channels to watch when I was younger. One was 2 & 7 out of Calgary, which had Ed Whalen on doing the play by play for the Flames. The other was CBC, which had the Saturday games. I always had to watch Coaches Corner with Don Cherry. The 2 brought had a great impact to me as a viewed and it provided a small town kid, the ability to watch the players he collected. Teams always stayed together. There was trades, but there was not the player movement like we see today. You always saw great games, with great players and there was always the fights as well. Unlike today, that has games on everyday and the player movement makes it harder for me to follow.
I lost interest in watching hockey after the lock out in 1994-95. I would only really watch it, if I was in some sort of players draft or playoff draft.
Over time, I have watched less and less hockey, but still collect it to today, as it is part of my DNA. Each year, I buy my 3 boxes of Upper Deck Series 1 and 3 boxes of OPC. Then I trade to put the set of each together along with the OP Retro. Then, when series 2 comes around, I buy 3 more boxes and put that together and also put the OPC Update and OPC Retro Update together. Then when SPA comes out, I buy the complete set of that to finish of the Upper Deck Update.
I have been able to add, some great cards to my collection over the years. I am surprised, when I find that a YG a few years ago, was worth maybe $10 at the time, is now $60-$80-$100 now as that player has been able to become a star player in the league. As my goal is to put the set together and then forget about it.
As a set collector, I do many trades on many forums and also use eBay to finish off sets, if I need to.
I live in a community that does not have a card shop, so trading has become part of my DNA as well. When I do get to go to larger centers, I find that I stop at the card shop. My favorite is Wayne's in Edmonton. I have also been treated nicely and if I need something, I can always send them a list and then pick up the cards when I am in Edmonton.
I have started to go to the show in Sherwood Park, as to me, it is like going to 100 mini card shops. The one thing I always look for is the vintage as it is difficult to find the condition I am looking for on line and I want to look at what I am buying to make sure it is what I want. Some times I am successful and other times not so much. I was disappointed, like many of you, when the show was cancelled in April of 2020. To me it was like my Super Bowl. Plus, I get to see my daughter, who I don't get to see much, due to her work.
Part of me says OPC is what you grew up with, continue with collecting the OPC each year and also focus on the Vintage. Sell of the 30 years of Upper Deck and buying the cards and put the sets together from past years.
I am trying to work on the 1970's, but thus far I have good starts on many sets, but now need to finish those off.
I also like to continue to upgrade my vintage sets as well. Which over time has cost me extra funds. For some sets, I have likely bought the set 3 times over due to me always upgrading them.
Maybe this is the self isolation talking or maybe it is me just trying to find a reason to focus on what gives me more joy.
I have likely, from typing this, answered my own question. But, I would like to know if any of you have or do experience what I am debating on?
Thank you.
Tony
