Game used or cards?

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thegamebrain

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Maybe I'm a little bored this morning, but I was curious to hear some fresh opinions...

Don't have a ton of cards, but I'm thinking of doing away with all them. This includes some rookie cards that I've had since I was a kid, including the first set I ever put together: 87/88 o-pee-chee set.

Lately caught the game used bug, mostly sticks but I'd like a jersey or 2 if the right one comes along at the right price. I know the majority of people would say do both, but I barely have enough disposable income for 1. Even at the moment, I have no money, so I'd have to sell the cards to fund the new game used purchases.

That's the back story, sorry if it was bit long. I'd love to hear if someone ever did this and regretted it. Either went game used instead from cards or cards from game used and felt this longing sense of having made the wrong decision. :rolleyes: I do love to break a good box of cards, but I'm sure that's the gambler in me. I'm not much for patience so waiting and picking up a stick once a year isn't really an option, but I respect you folk that can do that. ;)

Thanks for reading.
 
Personally I find both have their own merits, and both are enjoyable.

I think game used, especially vintage stuff, retains value much better than cards, so if being able to sell sometime down the road is part of the equation, I'd certainly focus on game used.
Cards on the other hand have (potentially) a much lower minimum cost. Even the cheapest game used jersey will probably run $150-200, where you can buy packs of cards for $0.99.
Also, while game used as a standalone hobby seems to be growing, cards have a much larger audience, and so there will likely be greater ability to discuss cards, than game used.
 
Game Used stuff retains more value.. even non-vintage.. for example an Alex Daigle jersey will never be worth nothing.. while a card isnt worth the paper its printed on..

Thus obviously both have there place and enjoy both of them
 
Personally I like game-used cards, they're a whole lot easier to store and the card design offers a nice presentation. Having a small piece of memorabilia is enough for me, but to each his own :)
 
I prefer cards simply because they allow you to invest a lot more time on them without the dollar figure disappearing to the moon. There's more activity around busting/trading/selling/even just looking at cards that there is game used items, even without additional cost. Once you have the game used stuff, aside from being able to look at it as displayed, it doesn't really offer much in the way of interactivity like cards do. But as mentioned, if you're looking for retained value, game used is the way to go.
 
It's a tough call. I'm in a position where I've been able to move a really nice card in order to purchase a game-used item, and if I wanted to in the future I may be able to do so again (the joys of being a Habs collector is that there is always a market). I moved out what was, in effect, a status symbol in exchange for something that I truly treasure, a Guy Lapointe Habs Inks for a Carey Price game-used stick. The stick is the centrepiece of my memorabilia collection, and I love looking at the thing as it hangs on the wall. Would I do it again? Probably yes. A Gorges game-used jersey can be had for a decent price through the Canadiens, and all it would take would be a small handful of more Habs Inks or other cards.
 
It's a tough question because they're both excellent choices.

You might be able to have your cake and eat it too. Perhaps you can look at your card collection and determine which cards could fund your game used bug. Then have a permanent PC on the side made up of cards that complement that collection.
 
Appreciate the responses, always good to hear some opinions and personal experiences.

Few people touched on value, it's not too important to me, but it is nice to know that even if the jerseys lose some value, they'll still be worth something one day.

I think the hardest will be to liquidate whatever I've been hanging on to for years. Sometimes it's hard to let go, yknow? ;)
 
i think some of it depends on who you collect also. If you are a Gretzky collector I don't think game used items would be the easiest to obtain. Also bigger name players are pretty expensive.
I recently got into the game used market because I took a look at my cards and said "do I really need over 100 Yzerman autos???" I proceeded to sell a chunk of them and purchase a few nice gamers. I still have about 40 nice Yzerman auto's and now I have a few gamers to my name.
Game used jersey's and other items are pretty addicting and it costs alot more than cards but I'm happy picking up something every six months or so rather than the constant buying of packs or splurging on ebay.
If I were you I would get an estimate of what you would get on your cards and see if that money would even get you what you wanted game used wise. If it did than you go for what you want the most. If it doesn't than you aren't out the cards if you sell them first.
 
I ambition to have a gamer hanging in my basement at some point, but until then I'm more than happy with GU'd cards, especially since there are players that have cards that I'd never be able to afford full togs of.

If you want to get GU'd items, I've always found pucks to be a good option. Several can be had really cheap.
 
Buy a game used jersey....I bet'cha can't just buy one :)

For me, it's not even close anymore. Game used equipment all the way. It helps that Upper Deck doesn't produce many cards I want anymore (Bertuzzi), so in a sense, I have them to thank for my transformation.

As far as people saying that cards have "more to talk about"....I highly disagree. Most people I know couldn't care less about my cards, but when they see the jerseys', they always ask questions and want to see them or try them on.

Like others have said though, it can be VERY expensive. However, there is a large game used community out there, so finding certain items isn't always as hard as one might think. It does have some of the same drawbacks as cards though, as there are fakes out there, so you have be careful what you buy and from whom. A fake Gretzky card might set you back $1000....a fake Gretzky Oilers jersey will set you back $100,000 :)
 
For me I like both. I like the pictures on the cards and having them all is cool to show off. But they do not compare to a full game used stick or jersey at all. I bought my 12th and 13th (3 of which are Turcos) gamers last week and already showed them off on here. I have a lead on another game used stick to add to my collection too. I have a feeling by Christmas I will own at least two more game used jersey's and at least one more stick.
 
Inferno said:
Personally I like game-used cards, they're a whole lot easier to store and the card design offers a nice presentation. Having a small piece of memorabilia is enough for me, but to each his own :)
Click to expand...

I agree but it would be cool if you could set up a game used display in one of the rooms in the house. Having a room with all game used items displayed would be neat.
 
I have to admit I love both.. I have 9 GU sticks and enjoy them everyday as I have them displayed in the hallway of my home.. I have a bunch of Jerseys that I also have displayed around the house as well ... I thank God everyday that he sent me a wife that loves hockey as well. That being said I do have a nice card collection as well.. Now it could be a lot nicer if I did not have the Game used items but I don't have a Gretzky GU jersey or many of his auto's either.. so it is give and take.

Bill
 
wingnut888 said:
If I were you I would get an estimate of what you would get on your cards and see if that money would even get you what you wanted game used wise. If it did than you go for what you want the most. If it doesn't than you aren't out the cards if you sell them first.
Click to expand...

I think over the next few days I'll do a quick rundown to price out what I have. I think in the coming weeks you guys might see some stuff put up on these boards before it hits the bay, assuming of course I find I have enough value to get a few decent pieces.
 


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