Best Checklist Location?

[3bucks]

I'm trying to narrow down my PC and figure out who I want to collect? The ones I like now are turning into a financial nightmare, not to mention they each have way too many cards each year! However, my question would be, if I decide to narrow down my PC to only Topps brand cards, is there a place where I could find every card for that year and under the Topps producer? Is Beckett online my best bet and will they have every single card listed?

I think the only way I can make it work is to pick a brand and go with it. It's tough that the Packers are too good and so popular!

[bcw716]

I would go with the beckett checklist. They may not have every single card but that's been the best resource to have everything together in one spot for me.

[hayn]

To 3bucks and sons,

It is and or can become a huge financial drain on resources. Collecting cards especially of Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Cam Newton (I took the liberty and picked out some of the top dollar card players) that you and your two sons are fans of can be stratospheric! Add that the cost of gas, electric, and how food has gone to ridicules highs not to mention basic consumables. As your two young boys grow, I'm sure you're well aware of the cost of raising them as well, from my experience, let me just say that's the best investment you and your wife will ever make in your life. Not the house, car, nor retirement fund. If you ever decide on another child and get a girl, get two jobs. They are very expensive and full of drama. LOL!

I've personally always wanted a 2005 Topps Chrome Aaron Rodgers rookie auto card. I just don't have that kind of funds to blow on one card. The same goes for Wilson and Newton, although a Wilson/Newton Rookie autos can be had for $80.00 to $150.00 depending on the product. Just be aware that Topps has a history with collectors and not all of their products can be had inexpensively. In my humble opinion, try to do your due diligence and research past collecting trends, look into the products available, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Beckett does have the best data base in this industry as it is the standard. It's just not free. One great place to start that is free is right here on Cardboard Connection. They will have checklists of every card brand available. I recently started a new genre (At least for myself as I'm relatively a novice at this hobby) of collecting, complete sets. I only do specific sets of which I feel meets the criteria above. It's akin to a stock market if you will. Most importantly, I collect what I enjoy, that's the real key. RBRedskins is the Emperor of complete sets, he owns every Topps complete set dating back to the 50's and 60's to the present. I sent him some information on a site called Trading Card Data Base. This site is free and as a member, you'll have access to a entire library of cards dating from the vintage era all the way to the present. It also has lists of inserts, parallels, etc. You can PC him and ask if this site was helpful for his collecting needs. It might work out in your favor. Just remember, this hobby can either be a simple affair or one that requires dedication and research of products, as I always tell my children; "Nothing good is ever easy, but once completed properly, there is great pride and satisfaction connected to the project at hand".

Ultimately, due diligence and collecting what you and your two children enjoy the most is the one important key. There is no wrong way nor right way in collecting football cards. I hope this helps!

Toshi

[tsands11]

Mostly what I use besides beckett is to google the card series and blowout checklist normally they have most of them.

[hayn]

That's a great start and something I just learned from you.

Thank you,
Toshi

[3bucks]

Thanks for the info gents. Toshi, I already have the girl, she was the 3rd of the bunch, so even at 3 years old she pretty much runs the house! Wouldn't trade any of them for the world though, they all bring us much joy and laughter. As of now she isn't into the cards, but last week while pretending to cook on her play kitchen she announced, "I'm making chicken nuggets for my best friend Cam Newton!" Obviously, she hears me and the boys talk.

I agree 100% on the price of collecting the major superstars of the sport, probably not the wisest choice financially, but of course the kids always want the flavor of the day so things usually get interesting at the LCS. If I bought them all the cards there they wanted I'd be out a few grand, ha, ha!

We will keep looking at the process and see what makes the most sense. The one good thing is I'm a big fan of 2 defensive players who don't have 100's of cards yet, Watt and C. Woodson so maybe I'll keep on that plan for awhile and see how it pans out?

Thanks again for the info, all good information for us to make informed decision with going forward.

[hayn]

Thanks for the info gents. Toshi, I already have the girl, she was the 3rd of the bunch, so even at 3 years old she pretty much runs the house! Wouldn't trade any of them for the world though, they all bring us much joy and laughter. As of now she isn't into the cards, but last week while pretending to cook on her play kitchen she announced, "I'm making chicken nuggets for my best friend Cam Newton!" Obviously, she hears me and the boys talk.

I agree 100% on the price of collecting the major superstars of the sport, probably not the wisest choice financially, but of course the kids always want the flavor of the day so things usually get interesting at the LCS. If I bought them all the cards there they wanted I'd be out a few grand, ha, ha!

We will keep looking at the process and see what makes the most sense. The one good thing is I'm a big fan of 2 defensive players who don't have 100's of cards yet, Watt and C. Woodson so maybe I'll keep on that plan for awhile and see how it pans out?

Thanks again for the info, all good information for us to make informed decision with going forward.

No problem at all. I'm excited for you and your sons more than you know it. You can include your 3 year old Princess in card collecting with non-sports cards. Maybe this can be a fun project for your wife and daughter. There are several child orientated cards. Your wife can possibly be a "Bronie" with your daughter, this aspect sounds really fun!

I wanted to add, like all young boys, most are interested with insects. Upper Deck has a very inexpensive set that has these type of cards. Some cards actually have a real insect displayed.