Looking to pick the brains of Player Collectors

[MR.M's Cards]

thanks to all, lots of great feedback. I still am not sure where to go with my collection, but certainly lots of good ideas here.

 

[winniescards]

My PC guy is Scottie Upshall and when I first started I was only going to do rookie year cards. Then one copy of each rookie was not
enough so my hoard of his began.But after his rookie year then I have pretty much settled for one copy of each card that he had out.
Pretty close to 100% on that. then I decided I might as well try and get one copy of each of his rookies in PSA 10.That has sure
slowed down.But still picking away on them.But I have also got myself involved with doing some custom card.I am sure Glenn is
sick of me asking him to do them for me. But I had a game used stick of his and Glenn made me like 50 game used stick cards from it.
And even to this day I still buy his cards when I see them cheap. I no longer pay the high prices because I certainly do not need them.
But I also realize that I will never stop collecting his cards.And I am sure that you will find you will be in the same position. Good luck.

 

[creasecollector]

Not OP, but this has been a fun read. It's fun to see collectors come together and have a interesting conversation.

Social media is great and all, but it can't replace conversations such as this in this format. Had a blast reading all of your responses.

 

[Uhtred the Viking]

My 2 main player pc's are Jarome Iginla & Steve Yzerman, both retired players. My approach to adding new cards is very different for the 2 pc's. With Yzerman cards I just pick up what appeals to me, and try to pick up a couple of nice cards every year as opposed to bringing in hundreds of base cards. It is a more relaxing approach for me than I have with my Iginla pc. It also makes it easier for me to pull out the cards and enjoy them without opening lots of binders or boxes.

I realized a long time ago that I couldn't get every Iginla card, but if it's reasonably priced and I don't have it then I will most likely buy it. High end cards over $1000 are great for viewing these days, but I don't chase them.

Some new products have no Iginla cards, but others like Stature and Artifacts have dozens. I picked Stature as my go to series, and that is where my eBay searches are directed these days. The frantic pace of acquisition from the old days is gone (2007/08 was crazy), I don't scan online groups or eBay every day anymore. My focus is more on enjoying the cards I have. Weebly has helped me organize and enjoy the cards in a new way.

I guess my advice would be to enjoy the pc that you have created and be proud of the progress that you have made. If new cards are released then count that as a bonus. :beer:

 

[rangers6]

Im collecting retired Blues enforcer, Reed Low (about 91 cards total including parallels and minor league). He hasnt had a new card since early 2000s.

I find a card here or there but most I find on eBay. Very hard to find his low numbered cards.

Reed played juniors in my hometown as a 17 year old.

 

[MR.M's Cards]

Im collecting retired Blues enforcer, Reed Low (about 91 cards total including parallels and minor league). He hasnt had a new card since early 2000s.

I find a card here or there but most I find on eBay. Very hard to find his low numbered cards.

Reed played juniors in my hometown as a 17 year old.

That is why I collect Bobby Ryan and Joey Hishon/Aidan Dudas/Nick Suzuki and now Colby Barlow. I attempted to do for Andrew Shaw and Joey Hishon what I was doing for Bobby Ryan, Every non 1/1 card, but thankfully decided early enough in the pursuit that it was just ridiculous to attempt it for more the one player, and limited my focus to jsut base and inserts. I do have 100% of Aidan Dudas's non 1/1's but thats only like 50 ish cards

 

[Luongo Collector]

I have found the last few years more enjoyable than ever as a player collector, and I've added less and less each year. I got to a goal I'd never thought I'd get to (3000), and adding cards is becoming harder and harder each day.

But that only increases my enjoyment when I add a card. I'll never get to 100%, as I missed too many years from 2009-2012, but who cares? When the cards started to dry up I found different way to stay engaged.

1) I built a full desk and display area for all my Luongo stuff. I never thought it would turn out the way it did, and it allows me to enjoy the collection and show people with ease!

2) Social media - Basically used Twitter and IG to show off my cards, and build a following. Not only was this fun (setting goals of 100 followers at a time), but the amount of people who know me as the Luongo guy actually helps. I get messages all the time offering me cards, from both followers or friends of followers. This is just another avenue that has opened up and allowed me to find cards I thought I'd never own.

3) Build a website - Currently have put this one on the backburner for now, but it's a fantastic way to revisit old cards, and allow others to look.


At the end of the day you just do what brings you joy. I have enjoyed every minute of collecting, from the countless hours scanning, making checklists, etc, to the new wave of displaying and "showing off"

Just continue to set goals, big or small. And who cares what those goals are. When I first started collecting I really was naïve to think that I would someday be the worlds biggest Luongo collector. Did I get there? Who knows!

But one thing is certain is that I stuck with it. I have seen, what I know of, 3 huge Luongo collectors give up on their collections. It's not about the money or value for me, as it's a hobby that continues to bring me joy each day. I will never sell my cards. I'll die and I'm sure the kids or wife will sell for a fraction of the cost!

There are a million ways to stay engaged even when cards dry up. Just find the one that is right for you!!

Chris

 

[Nick2317]

Not sure Im the guy to ask about player collections ......You really have to think about your goals as a player specific collector ......do you want to be 100% with all of their cards? Is that even possible? I got to the point of how many jersey pieces do I really need etc .....now I go after stuff I like or stuff that makes the PC better I still dabble in smaller stuff like base etc ......but with Gibson I know Ill never get to 100% and thats fine

 

[bamlinden]

I’ll echo some of the sentiments shared here….I have enjoyed this thread immensely. Great conversation with a wide range of opinions.

I’ve been a die-hard player collector for over 25 years. And yet, I’ve picked up hardly anything over the past six months.

While I still do daily online searches, I rarely pursue. Prices are higher than I’d like or the timing is just not right with my money situation.

Still…I find great enjoyment in the search. I also have found a lot of enjoyment in just keeping my master checklist up to date (I know…that sounds weird). But I love adding new cards to the list.

Far more lines on the list that are needed than obtained of late, but I go at the pace that I want to. Heck, there was a summer a few years back where I decided to go old school and just take it off. Reminded me of the days of building my OPC set and then I was done for the season. No searching or thoughts of cards for a whole summer. It was a great change of pace.

I’m fortunate that I’ve found the hobby lane that works great for me. I don’t need to obsess with things like Bedard-o-mania or the latest flashy fidget.

Recently, I have found enjoyment hunting for cards for other player collectors. Makes the shows a little more fun and gives me a reason to sift through boxes I might have otherwise ignored.

My hobby is mine to control however I please. And I have found great peace in the time and money I spend.

I feel very grateful and lucky about that.

 

[warsawknuckles]

Im collecting retired Blues enforcer, Reed Low (about 91 cards total including parallels and minor league). He hasnt had a new card since early 2000s.

I find a card here or there but most I find on eBay. Very hard to find his low numbered cards.

Reed played juniors in my hometown as a 17 year old.

And i seem to be the only other person who bids on these same Reed Low cards on ebay… about to throw in the towel.