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How fantastic is this forum? Not only to have the opportunity to trade for cards but to meet new rookie members and veteran members. Since my situation keeps me home bound for the majority of my time, it's been an exciting journey for me. One of my lifestyle choices has always been to educate myself. As the good book says; "Seek the truth and it shall set you free"! I'm a big believer in this. So as much as I can, I have been asking questions regarding collecting styles.
Yesterday, my project has been to assist Brett (My daughters boyfriend) in some trades as he is a really busy young man. I've told him that's a good thing, matter of fact, he is so busy that he could not do any trades without my assistance. This has brought me closer to him, I consider Brett as my son. Not son in law, but a blood son!
While on the forum negotiating Brett's trades, I saw a new member needing assistance in completing a rookie set from the recent release of 2013 Panini Prestige. He mentioned that he purchased two hobby boxes and was some what frustrated with doubles and triplicates! I replied to his thread that Mrs. Toshi and I has also purchased '13 Prestige and has these same issues as he has experienced. Unlike this member, we are not set collectors. We just enjoy pulling the hits from the many products out there. I sent him a list to add to his rookie set, in return, I'm excited as I'll be receiving several Doug Martin rookie cards from different products. I also noticed that he has been collecting and creating complete sets since 1972. What kind of fantastic knowledge could this new member enlighten me with. Needless to say I took a chance and sent him a huge list of questions. He is a really fantastic member as he replied immediately with information I've never heard of before. It solidified a whole new direction and respect from me on such a daunting task of completing sets. I felt that valuable information like this should be shared. So here is the entire Q&A from RBRedskin.
Q:
Do you buy complete sets? Or do you build them up? As an example the 2013 Prestige.
A:
I have bought Topps sets (football and baseball) during the years I didn't buy packs (like the 80's when I was in college). Now since 2007, I buy the Topps Baseball Factory set. I made a decision to bust just football. Baseball, there are so many prospects that you might not hear from for years, if ever. Overall, for football, I build them.
Q:
Is there a particular era that is your favorite?
A:
The 70's. That was when I used my allowance or yard mowing money and bought the 10 cent - 25 cent packs and traded with my friends. I didn't have a complete set until a card shop opened up around 1980 near where I bowled.
Q:
Is there a set that is your prized set?
A:
For baseball, probably the 1972 and the 1975, I just like the colors. For football, probably the 1974 (had goal post on the cards) and 1976 (had a football on the bottom).
Q:
What kind of advice would you give to a beginner like me?
A:
Collect what you like. I joined the Topps trading boards back in 2006. Until then, I just built my sets. But trading with others, I had to broaden out and developed my PC collection. For me it was Redskins (70's and 80's players), Texas A&M Aggies (I am Class of '87) and Andre Johnson (along with a few other Texans).
Q:
I'm utilizing eBay, is this a good route to take?
A:
For me, without Ebay I would hardly have a PC collection. I have somewhere between 300 and 400 gu'd/autos (mostly gu'd) of Andre Johnson. I think I have pulled 2 from packs that I have opened (though unfortunately I had already gotten from Ebay) and maybe 20 or so from trades. I love busting hobby boxes for the thrill of hitting a nice card, but unless you have a huge database of PC players, you don't get many PC hits.
Q:
Besides base cards, do you complete inserts and parallels? If you do, isn't this type of collecting a extremely huge task?
A:
I usually do the Topps Inserts. A couple of years I have done a parallel set from Topps Chrome. I did the Xfractors last year. But building the regular set is hard enough. And it can get expensive doing the parallel sets. You have to try and get a few big lots from Ebay.
Q:
Am I correct in my assumption that 2012 football cards are of a special interest due to the amazing draft picks?
A:
There are some good picks in most years. 2012 just happened to have a great quarterback class. But I'm sure you have already found out that making those guys PC can get expensive.
Q:
Would a 2012 Topps Chrome Master set be something you would collect? I'm considering this as well, although the cost of such is enormous.
A:
If by "Master" set, you mean the base, refractor, orange refractor, xfractor etc., then yes you are going to be shelling out some bucks. I keep track of my spending in excel spreadsheets. To give you an idea of the cost, for 2012 Topps Chrome, I spent just over $900 total. I have the base set (x2), the insert sets and the xfractor set.
There are a couple of guys on the Topps boards that don't quite go as far the a "Master Set", but they do several of the parallel sets. I think both of them start with a case, then many boxes after.
Q:
Since your a Redskins fan, what RGIII cards do you have that are your favorites? I currently have cards of RGIII in Topps Holiday Special, Limited Jumbo Patch 4 color, Chrome Base, Platinum Base, Strata Base, and my all time favorite of my wife whom pulled this, Momentum Auto Jersey.
A:
My best RGIII card to date is the Contenders Auto RC ($350 BV). I got it in a group break. Though I didn't get to open the pack myself, I did see it opened live on a webcam.
Finally, thank you for your time. I'm always trying to find out about other members like and dislikes. Enjoy your Sunday!
Q:
P.S. In my '92 High Series set Mark Rypien #1, I accidentally bent the bottom. I can't find a single of this one card. Do you have any recommendations on how I should approach this issue?
A:
Unfortunately, due to over-production, those sets (mid-80's to early 90's) don't have a lot of value. That entire set (1-620) only has a BV of $15. Jimmy Smith is the only notable RC at $3 BV, with the rest of the RC's mostly 5 and 10 cents. All the Rypien's in the set are only 5 cents. When I have several sets that I am down to a few cars to completion, I go to CheckOutMyCards:
Below is a link to COMC and the Rypien card.
All Items matching: 1992 upper deck rypien - COMC
Unlike Beckett Marketplace where you might have cards from multiple dealers and end up paying multiple shipping (cards are coming from the dealer), you only have one shipping price (all of the cards are coming from COMC). It's a good way to finish off some sets that have become headaches. My recommendation for that Rypien is, unless it is just bugging you to no end, that let it go. The value of that set isn't worth the cost of buying the card.
Hope this helps and hope you enjoy the hobby.
Thank you so much, this information regarding set completions is fantastic and priceless! You should do sports cards reviews and articles with your vast and amazing knowledge. I'm saving this Q&A for future use and anyone I come across whom might have inquiries regarding complete sets. Once again, thank you for your time!
Toshi
Yesterday, my project has been to assist Brett (My daughters boyfriend) in some trades as he is a really busy young man. I've told him that's a good thing, matter of fact, he is so busy that he could not do any trades without my assistance. This has brought me closer to him, I consider Brett as my son. Not son in law, but a blood son!
While on the forum negotiating Brett's trades, I saw a new member needing assistance in completing a rookie set from the recent release of 2013 Panini Prestige. He mentioned that he purchased two hobby boxes and was some what frustrated with doubles and triplicates! I replied to his thread that Mrs. Toshi and I has also purchased '13 Prestige and has these same issues as he has experienced. Unlike this member, we are not set collectors. We just enjoy pulling the hits from the many products out there. I sent him a list to add to his rookie set, in return, I'm excited as I'll be receiving several Doug Martin rookie cards from different products. I also noticed that he has been collecting and creating complete sets since 1972. What kind of fantastic knowledge could this new member enlighten me with. Needless to say I took a chance and sent him a huge list of questions. He is a really fantastic member as he replied immediately with information I've never heard of before. It solidified a whole new direction and respect from me on such a daunting task of completing sets. I felt that valuable information like this should be shared. So here is the entire Q&A from RBRedskin.
Q:
Do you buy complete sets? Or do you build them up? As an example the 2013 Prestige.
A:
I have bought Topps sets (football and baseball) during the years I didn't buy packs (like the 80's when I was in college). Now since 2007, I buy the Topps Baseball Factory set. I made a decision to bust just football. Baseball, there are so many prospects that you might not hear from for years, if ever. Overall, for football, I build them.
Q:
Is there a particular era that is your favorite?
A:
The 70's. That was when I used my allowance or yard mowing money and bought the 10 cent - 25 cent packs and traded with my friends. I didn't have a complete set until a card shop opened up around 1980 near where I bowled.
Q:
Is there a set that is your prized set?
A:
For baseball, probably the 1972 and the 1975, I just like the colors. For football, probably the 1974 (had goal post on the cards) and 1976 (had a football on the bottom).
Q:
What kind of advice would you give to a beginner like me?
A:
Collect what you like. I joined the Topps trading boards back in 2006. Until then, I just built my sets. But trading with others, I had to broaden out and developed my PC collection. For me it was Redskins (70's and 80's players), Texas A&M Aggies (I am Class of '87) and Andre Johnson (along with a few other Texans).
Q:
I'm utilizing eBay, is this a good route to take?
A:
For me, without Ebay I would hardly have a PC collection. I have somewhere between 300 and 400 gu'd/autos (mostly gu'd) of Andre Johnson. I think I have pulled 2 from packs that I have opened (though unfortunately I had already gotten from Ebay) and maybe 20 or so from trades. I love busting hobby boxes for the thrill of hitting a nice card, but unless you have a huge database of PC players, you don't get many PC hits.
Q:
Besides base cards, do you complete inserts and parallels? If you do, isn't this type of collecting a extremely huge task?
A:
I usually do the Topps Inserts. A couple of years I have done a parallel set from Topps Chrome. I did the Xfractors last year. But building the regular set is hard enough. And it can get expensive doing the parallel sets. You have to try and get a few big lots from Ebay.
Q:
Am I correct in my assumption that 2012 football cards are of a special interest due to the amazing draft picks?
A:
There are some good picks in most years. 2012 just happened to have a great quarterback class. But I'm sure you have already found out that making those guys PC can get expensive.
Q:
Would a 2012 Topps Chrome Master set be something you would collect? I'm considering this as well, although the cost of such is enormous.
A:
If by "Master" set, you mean the base, refractor, orange refractor, xfractor etc., then yes you are going to be shelling out some bucks. I keep track of my spending in excel spreadsheets. To give you an idea of the cost, for 2012 Topps Chrome, I spent just over $900 total. I have the base set (x2), the insert sets and the xfractor set.
There are a couple of guys on the Topps boards that don't quite go as far the a "Master Set", but they do several of the parallel sets. I think both of them start with a case, then many boxes after.
Q:
Since your a Redskins fan, what RGIII cards do you have that are your favorites? I currently have cards of RGIII in Topps Holiday Special, Limited Jumbo Patch 4 color, Chrome Base, Platinum Base, Strata Base, and my all time favorite of my wife whom pulled this, Momentum Auto Jersey.
A:
My best RGIII card to date is the Contenders Auto RC ($350 BV). I got it in a group break. Though I didn't get to open the pack myself, I did see it opened live on a webcam.
Finally, thank you for your time. I'm always trying to find out about other members like and dislikes. Enjoy your Sunday!
Q:
P.S. In my '92 High Series set Mark Rypien #1, I accidentally bent the bottom. I can't find a single of this one card. Do you have any recommendations on how I should approach this issue?
A:
Unfortunately, due to over-production, those sets (mid-80's to early 90's) don't have a lot of value. That entire set (1-620) only has a BV of $15. Jimmy Smith is the only notable RC at $3 BV, with the rest of the RC's mostly 5 and 10 cents. All the Rypien's in the set are only 5 cents. When I have several sets that I am down to a few cars to completion, I go to CheckOutMyCards:
Below is a link to COMC and the Rypien card.
All Items matching: 1992 upper deck rypien - COMC
Unlike Beckett Marketplace where you might have cards from multiple dealers and end up paying multiple shipping (cards are coming from the dealer), you only have one shipping price (all of the cards are coming from COMC). It's a good way to finish off some sets that have become headaches. My recommendation for that Rypien is, unless it is just bugging you to no end, that let it go. The value of that set isn't worth the cost of buying the card.
Hope this helps and hope you enjoy the hobby.
Thank you so much, this information regarding set completions is fantastic and priceless! You should do sports cards reviews and articles with your vast and amazing knowledge. I'm saving this Q&A for future use and anyone I come across whom might have inquiries regarding complete sets. Once again, thank you for your time!
Toshi