Is this a pointless hobby?

[Tripredacus]

I collect with the sole intention of putting cards into pages and in binders. I would not be able to survive in this hobby without that option. I wouldn't be able to stand just putting cards into boxes. That is what I do with cards that I either 1) don't particularly care about/am preparing to flip or 2) am waiting to have the binder space to use them.

I need to see what I have. I don't like keeping cards in plastics that I collect, and I don't have room to display them like that.

 

[weasel-king]

The more I thought about it the more I started to agree. I kept asking myself why do I collect? What is the purpose of buying all of these cards. How many auto's or GU pieces of the same player do I really need (or want not need). I guess the answer for me is that I have been collecting cards for 30+ years, I collect more from habit then anything. I am not sure that I even enjoy the card as much as I do the chase of the card.

Hobbies are supposed to be a break from the daily grind. But looking at the questions you posed above, well, they were ones I asked myself when I was debating getting out of hockey cards. Ultimately I did, but I had to think about it a lot. A lot. And I seriously believe that when you start thinking about it in terms of $$$ it's time to rethink why you collect anyway. Once you start feeling buyer's remorse every time you open a bubble mailer, something has got to change.

I feel pretty confident that I had one of the better Jagr collections out there. And I think in retrospect, especially for the last year or so of my hockey collecting career, I collected for two reasons--to maintain the collection and to hoard and keep them from my nemeses on eBay. . I didn't necessarily have a "gotta have" list, but I found myself raising the ceiling on what I was willing to spend on a card. And I was hitting close to that ceiling with more and more frequency.

To this day I have no idea why I stuck with it as long as I did. Then I think back to all the other things I have collected over the years--Star Wars figures, comics, even beer tap handles. I look at them, then they find their way into a box somewhere. At least comics are a little more involved--you gotta read it, there is some continuity in the story arcs, but I'm not sure that I have ever really re-read anything (aside from things I read as a kid, then more recently).

So why?

It's a great question.

There are actually several semi-scholarly books on collecting, the psychology behind it and whatnot. I've read a couple of them, and none of them really fit me. It just goes to show you that there is no cookie cutter reason, no template for why we collect.

 

[skgord]

I been collecting for as long as I can remember the hobby is always changing with so many new products sometimes it's really hard to keep up.At times it does feel pointless.I also don't drink or go partying so this gives me something to keep busy.

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

Great points.

I would have been out of the hobby except for Beckett.com and now HI. When I moved to an isolated town I lost all contact with the card collecting world. My favorite part of the hobby was visiting my LCS, going to card shows, in person trading and chatting with other local collectors. I lost most of my interest in the hobby when I lost that part of collecting.

The members here on Hi are great and even through the BS I enjoyed the old beckett site. However it don't replace the in person collecting relationships. Its really hard to trade for older base and cheap inserts. Most people don't list them and sometimes I need to see the card rather then just 91 UD #XXX Theo Fleury. I am an old school collector who enjoys .10 cent base cards with a cool picture as much as a $30+ GU or auto card. I think I am mainly missing my most favorite part of the hobby.

 

[ginx86]

However it don't replace the in person collecting relationships. Its really hard to trade for older base and cheap inserts. Most people don't list them and sometimes I need to see the card rather then just 91 UD #XXX Theo Fleury. I am an old school collector who enjoys .10 cent base cards with a cool picture as much as a $30+ GU or auto card. I think I am mainly missing my most favorite part of the hobby.

This is the only thing I miss about having face to face friends to trade with. It was a lot easier to get base cards of my favorite team since we all had our favorites and would instantly set those cards aside for each other as soon as we busted a pack.

I've been able to do a few base deals on here and the old beckett and usually those are the trades I have the most fun with when they come in the mail.

 

[99goals]

I wanted to resurrect this topic to see any opinions have changed since this was first posted by another user. Mine has changed slightly in that I am busting less and less wax and just going after the hits. I have sort of lost the lust to open up packs over the last few months.

 

[chakhae1]

My opinion is still the same. I busted my first hobby box in over a year last month just for kicks and I don't feel that I gained anything other than a couple of traders. Does that mean that the hobby has lost meaning in my life? Nope, I still try and trade as much as I can, but all in all I have become lazier with it. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but I definitely don't have as much enthusiasm as I used to.

 

[enforcersonly]

My answer to the thread title is a simple "yes". However, the pleasure I get from trading/buying/posting here/opening bubble mailers/completing sets etc is immeasurable.

 

[jmatchett]

My answer to the thread title is a simple "yes". However, the pleasure I get from trading/buying/posting here/opening bubble mailers/completing sets etc is immeasurable.

Pretty much. Yes, in the end, it's a lot of money for a piece of cardboard with a photo and make some ink and cloth on it. But aside from the post above, I've also met some great people (some in person) via this hobby, and it gives me a goal to meet where my boss isn't breathing down my neck to get it done.

 

[JohnnyDrama]

To everyone who's answered with "yes, but", you've basically contradicted yourselves.

No, this isn't a pointless hobby. No hobby is. The "point" of this and any hobby is to provide whoever takes it up with a sense of joy and perhaps a break from the everyday grind.

So, no, I don't think this is a pointless hobby. Now, the day I stop enjoying it? Then I might agree.

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

I still question spending so much money on cards just to stick them in a binder or box however I still continue to do it. Breaking packs today is still just as much fun today as it was when I was 6-7 years old, it is one of my favorite parts of the hobby. I still enjoy the hunt and being able to say that I own certain cards. I am enjoying it a lot more now since my kid is involved. I also love coming on HI and going to my LCS and looking at, buying and talking about cards and sports. Its about more then just the card board

My friend quit buying cards however he never sold any of his collection. He decided to first take a break from the hobby and to make a decession on quitting later. I think that is a wise choice....he will be back.

 

[es_19]

i find myself with a lot more disposable income and more time to do other things now that i am admiring from afar.

 

[JRD19]

Well, I can certainly understand why someone would see it as a waste of money, but I collect simply for the enjoyment. When I'm looking at my cards or talking about them with fellow collectors, it takes my mind off of lifes little worries. That's pretty much the whole point of a hobby after all isn't it? To reduce stress and give you something to enjoy.

 

[jab16399]

Everyone needs a hobby. I change mine now and again. Yes, this is an expensive one as they go, but there are short-term sometimes very difficult goals (completing sets). It's like a team scavenger hunt only you have the entire internet and community either on your team or sometimes working against you. The economy is a downer right now as you have a harder time convincing yourself of your collection's value, but the economy is cyclical. To this, I must quote the wise investor "Buy Low - Sell High". I look forward to your fire-sale posting.
Best Regards, Jim

 

[JWE]

Memories

The whole thing is memories put on pieces of 4x3 cardboard. Wheather you look at them ever day or once every ten years they are memories that you have stored in a box to be remember for your enjoyment when the time is right. Some more important memories do become worth more money than others but this hobby isn't about the money. Does any one have a Lindros Score RC as worthless as it is, it is full of hopes we all had for a young player. Wheather those memories are of hopes of a prosperus career or a great resale value, we invest time and money into these cards creating and saving memories.

 

[autobilia]

I was having a conversation with a long time collector the other day and he brought up that card collecting is a pointless hobby. His reasoning was that he buys cards receives then places them in a box and hardly ever looks at them again. It is only card board (or plexi glass haha) with a picture on it and maybe an auto or GU piece, what is the purpose behind it. He went on to talk about how much money he has tied up in these cards that are of no real use to him, he now thinks its a big waste of money. As you can guess he is in the process of getting rid of all of his cards.

The more I thought about it the more I started to agree. I kept asking myself why do I collect? What is the purpose of buying all of these cards. How many auto's or GU pieces of the same player do I really need (or want not need). I guess the answer for me is that I have been collecting cards for 30+ years, I collect more from habit then anything. I am not sure that I even enjoy the card as much as I do the chase of the card.


I also buy cards recieves it, opens the bubble envelope has one look at it and throws it in a count box for months or years before looking at it again. Anyone else feel this way?

Looks like this guy is going to start selling of his collection aon ebay. He has mostly vintage cards or newer cards featuring vintage guys. His collection is 99% Habs so keep an eye out as there will be some really sweet Habs cards soon FS. I will try and find out when he is going to list them on ebay, most likely when the need listing sale happens.

I agree 99%, but there is one percent that it can be an investment. That mostly go for vintage and a hand ful of modern cards. Autographs are always good.

 

[pharmd30usp]

No way, someday, the culmination of my set dreams will cause the aggregate bacteria samples from mucho cardboard from the four corners of the Earth to induce the exact frameshift mutation that creates an exoprotein compound cure for Lou Gehrig disease. Now, THAT is the hobby giving back, my man...