You’re absolutely right influencers destroy the hobby. 💯

As a vintage football set collector, I don't have the peer pressure of most people. Earlier this week I got four cards for $7. Two were 1963 Fleer commons and I was so excited to get them.

Well said, John. I stopped saying “that’s dumb” a while back, and now say, “that’s not for me.” Just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s dumb. Except NFTs. Those are dumb. 😂

One thing and one thing only influences my hobby. I buy what I can afford.

I'm not following the masses this time around. A grown adult should be mature enough to be who they are.. I am glad I survived the 90s crash and kept my collection intact. Now the lord has blessed me, and I own most of my childhood iconic cards. How much better does it get or need be?

All collectors should be like you. God bless!

Collect what you love and makes you happy! I don’t think the hobby would be as much fun if we all collected the same way and had the same collecting style!

Couldn't have said it better! Great points. Its all about the presentation of my cards. Great insight on all those topics!!

Great introduction, I couldn't stop laughing but a great video. This is so true when you speak about collectors vs. investors.

A lot to take in from this video. But I agree with your main take away point. Collect in a way, that suits your own individual style. I also like learning about the players before I buy the card. A number on a slab, or the price itself will give you an idea of the current market price or whatever, but that has really nothing to do with the history of the card/player, or if you really want it. So I hear what you're saying, though, about if we're being influenced, and following the crowd. Because it's the popular thing. Yeah

As usual Im on board with you John. The only thing i would add is that while you need to collect what you like, you also need to collect within your budget. We are obviously all collecting with different budgets. Its important to collect without losing perspective of where your priorities are in your larger life.

Yup, very hard to keep up with the John Mangini’s, Rick Odd Ball Cards, & Dave Blue Jackets. But I try.

I am absolutely influenced. I've learned tons from the hobby about what retains value and what doesn't. Thanks to guys like you (mostly You, who NEVER talks prices or value - You are the Zen Master of the hobby because of this...) I bought a 1941 Play Ball Mel Ott & Ted Williams and a T206 Rube Marquard last week. I bought them because of influence, but also because I think they're beautiful.....

That's a great question, John. I've always stayed true to myself and marched to the beat of my own drum.I don't really care if it upsets people or if it bothers people but I will always do what I like and collect what I like as weird as that may be.

John I agree I collect what I love, but there have been times when vintage KZfaqrs like you have introduced me to cards I did not know existed, and I was influenced to go after them. To me that is the best part of what you and others do for us!

Great video. I agree with you, John, collect what you love.

Good video, John - well said. I buy things to the beat of my own drum, as evident by what I share on my channel. 😁 Nobody cares about the junk I buy which is why I get it cheap. I have learned to stop sharing everything I get until I’m done collecting what I want. Even if only one or two other people find it intriguing, I start to get more competition and get priced out. Oh well, I love when anyone finds my oddball stuff interesting!

I'm a team collector so I'm not really influenced into buying cards that are more popular or expensive just because other people have them, but I have gotten awesome knowledge and info from others on youtube that's inspired me to pick up certain things. Also - to me, I like a good surface and crisp corners/edges better than perfect centering. So, all the focus on perfect centering may be making some of the things I like more reasonable!

I do not follow trends. Have I been influenced, reminded about a card I used to have that I don't have any more? Yes. I don't care the least bit about modern. You da man and anyone that has an issue with you and your positivity has an issue with themselves.

Spot on. Wholeheartedly agree with a lot of what you said. I would say that I get inspired to pick something up based off what they're showing in a video. Something really cool or rare, etc... Though it would still need to fit in the theme of what I like to collect but I guess you could argue I'm influenced in a sense sometimes.

This message is greatly needed in the hobby today.

I am definitely influenced in this hobby. When people talk about cards and the prices are pumped up, I buy stuff that no one is talking about and start a new collection. I do like graded cards, but I like the search for the cards that I will grade myself. So many people are concerned about value in their collections because they see it as an investment. My card collection is like my hobbies of golf and Scotch. I pay money to play bad golf and enjoy the few good shots that I hit in the round. I enjoy having a dram of whiskey and picking out the tasting/smelling notes, plus the buzz is not bad as well. If we had more collectors and less investors/flippers, ironically the prices of the cards we have would be worth more because they wouldn't leave our collections.

Haha that's such a great way to make that point! I've personally felt that pressure to "keep up" or "not miss out" before, but mostly in my younger days. I feel like the older we get, the easier it is to not give a crap what anyone else thinks - that's definitely something I struggled with in my youth, but not at all now.

At first, I thought you were trying to upset us into doing a rant video against you. However, you’re right that we need to stay true to our collection.

Staying true to who you are is the essence of it all. Life's little secret.

Great video, not something I’ve really thought about. Like many of us, I don’t have unlimited funds for my collection (had more free money for my beloved cards before marriage of course 😊), I’ve focused on Topps rookies from 1952-1992 (the year I graduated high school and stopped hardcore collecting). The collection is of every rookie during those years that was in at least one all-star game. I have 26 players left and pick them off when I can. I LOVE vintage and with watching your channel, I’ve decided to work on collecting one card from as many vintage sets as I can. I love this new adventure, it keeps the excitement up for me because the 26 rookie cards I have left will take me a long time to acquire (there are some I know I’ll never get, the high number 52’ Matthews for example). The difference is that I’m collecting a Detroit Tiger card from every vintage set I can. Makes it more affordable and I’m a Michigander so it works out both ways.

This Is a great message to have out here in the card collecting world. My collection is influenced NOT by "influencer" channels ... But is influenced by the emotional connection I have towards a card, including connections I make to a card/player from videos I watch. For example, "this card will increase in value by 50% in the next three months!!"... I could care less. But watching Drew at Clean Cheap Shots interview Eddie Watt, or a movie on Ron LeFlore (thanks, John!) that I found fascinating? Yes! That's why I love my collection. Because of what it means to me. Especially in my youth. Years of collecting and shaping my collection... and I love it! (Though I'd still be tempted to trade my collection for yours 😂).

I think you and me are pretty similar in the case of... could care less about grading and the grade itself. I prefer ungraded cards in the collection as do you. If someone thinks i care about value then they do not know that i love adding Mario Mendoza, Alibe Pearson and so many other players like them into my colleciton. Thanks for sharing with us.

Amen, preach it, my collecting brother! As I learn and grow in the hobby, I am influenced and inspired by others, but I only buy what resonates with me and fits within my budget. 😊👊

I am far too stubborn to be influenced by others. lol Sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes that is a bad thing. Everyone has the best collection because it's their collection.

Until a few years ago I didn't know what any of my cards were worth, because I really didn't care. I just loved my cards. But a friend of mine told me I had some very valuable cards. So one day I decided to sit down and find out what some of them were worth. The only thing that changed was the way I stored them. Otherwise I still collect what I like and I am happy! I think my collection is great for me, maybe not others. As far as if my collection is better than yours. NO WAY!!!!! But I still love my collection because it's mine. Great show as always! Thanks!

My collection is mostly 80’s/90’s/00’s base rookie Hall of Famers. I don’t have any PSA 10’s, don’t have any Auto Cards, and i don’t have any low numbered 1/1 serial cards. The influencers would hate my collection. Lol

Love this video with great talking points. Im in my mid 40s John, and I love collecting what I like. I'm not real big on Grading myself, and for me it's all about owning the card. I laughed when you referred to the Rovera Bowman Rookie. I too have always thought that wax one of the ugliest sets ever created with some of the players shots. 😅

Great stuff John. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

You’re so right about the Rivera rookie card 😂 One of the worst cards in history!

It should not be about contests/competition amongst collectors. Should be focused on personal preferences with what collectors like/love to collect. I would not like PSA grades, etc. splattered all over cards myself. Just view them raw in a protective display.

So true. I am eclectic and eccentric. Works for me.

Great vid John, thank you. I’m an old timer collector, and while I like the fact that there are a lot of KZfaq videos out there on our hobby, it seems so many are focused on new ultra modern cards, grading and flipping for profit. Nothing wrong with that, you do you. I have surely sold some cards along the way, but I am a collector for the long term (some ex’s would say hoarder haha) and really enjoy my vintage and prewar. I really enjoy presidential cards from the 1880’s, and prewar ice cream cards, caramel cards, etc. This is why I enjoy your videos and Dave Bluejacket66 so much, as you show cards I’ve never seen before, which is the best !! I want cards you don’t see everywhere.

Thanks for the video, John - great points all around. When I was 12 in 1989, I very much did my own thing because I had no clue for the most part what anyone else was doing, outside of my small group of card collecting friends. Question just out of curiosity - you mention not being so much about the numbers on slabs anymore. I get it. But you obviously have / had quite an extensive collection of PSA and other slabs, if my recollection of what I’ve watched on your channel up to this point is correct. Are you busting those out in favor of your slabs, or just leaving them be? As for my own personal thoughts here - yes. I’m certainly influenced, by message boards, by KZfaqrs (I’m not a content creator myself, but I watch a lot of you guys) - and will admit it’s easy to be influenced, both towards good and bad ideas. My own probably worst case of “following the Joneses” that I even still sometimes have to deal with, surrounds collecting prewar vintage. Left to my own devices - they just really aren’t my thing. I have a harder time relating to tobacco cards than I do the postwar players, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Koufax, Musial, et al., that I remember folks of my parents and grandparents generation talking about. I’d much rather spend the same amount of money to get an A list postwar star player in EX condition, than I would a B list prewar guy in maybe F-G condition. But that’s just me. Anyhow, I know there have been times in the past where I’ve gone down the prewar rabbit hole simply because I thought that’s what I should be doing based on hobby sentiment, and the sources I follow. Most of the times I’ve done that, the decisions have turned out badly, and I’ve wound up selling whatever pricey prewar thing I had to have at the moment. Right now, I’m trying to eschew almost all pricey vintage cards in favor of focusing more on a Chicago Cubs (my guys…) team collection of less expensive players. I’d like to start by putting together all the Bowman Cubs team sets.

I appreciate the thoughts John. I am honestly not influenced very much by other collectors. I have been a set builder since the beginning. I have also chased Sonny Gray cards since i got back into collecting. Cool video.

Totally agree. Personally I'll never buy a graded card. I don't see the value in paying someone to tell me how great (or not great) my cards are. Also I primarily collect cards from the mid 60's through the 70's and early 80's of players that I grew up watching. Thus I have little or no desire to buy a Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, or Dizzy Dean card. Some folks may think I'm nuts but it doesn't bother me.

I collect what I love. I'm not influenced by trends but am always excited to find out about cool cards from other collectors. I just got a card of Babe Ruth wrestling a bear and I haven't been that excited adding a card to my collection in a long time. All that said, and with zero jealousy, your collection is better than mine. You have so many cool cards I've never seen before your videos. I would trade my collection for yours, sell the most valuable cards I don't like, then buy back my collection.

I agree, but we do tend to align with collecting style with other folks in the hobby. My collection is a "Wish (version), Mangini Collection", and that's not a bad thing. I think we are both drawn to unique and rare, cards with a great story, and love the hobby. I don't hate grading as a source of verification of authenticity when buying online, but rarely would send in cards. I also think influence is only bad if it takes you on a negative path. Being introduced to a new card and searching out similar for my collection is inspiration, not a negative influence at all. I appreciate seeing a new card and being able to add something unique to my collection. Just some thoughts, always enjoy what you share and your take on the hobby.

I buy what I like and I like what I buy…..I’m true to collectors…….

I truly enjoy your vibe and insight. I have the greatest Frankenstein collection in the world!!! To me! I love it! Thanks John!

Very well said John! I think everyone is somewhat influenced by other collectors, if only for the fact that they may be turned on to some cards they had never seen before.

I love my cards, I love my collection........ but yeah, your collection is better than mine. I'm ok with that. It's the reason I love your channel. I love it when you show cards I have never seen before and might never see again. I love it when you show cards that I have myself. I especially love that you love every card with equal passion, from a '76 Hostess Davey Lopes to a Collins-McCarthy Buck Weaver.

I only collect what I like and don't give a hoot what others say to collect

I exclusively collect for street cred!

Sometimes I feel I get influenced by other KZfaqrs to buy stuff. Mainly scarcer issues of cards. Which I don’t know very much about the scarce issues so if you tell me about this set I will probably buy some of the cards from it if I like the cards

I can certainly say I'm not influenced by other channels since I am doing something I have not heard anyone else do. Im trying to collect one card of each players with one of the big milestones (500 HR 3000 H 300 W 3000 K) but in the entire professional careers, so MLB, minor leagues, foreign leagues and winter leagues as well as postseasons. I have found so much joy in finding these players (especially if they are obscure to MLB fans) and finding a card.

Cards were never meant to be studied under a microscope, or an infrared light. It’s about the players we grew up with watching as a kid, or learning about players like Mantle that our Dad told us about. It’s all about that summer day when we were kids talking about who was better, Fisk or Munson…

Yeah John what got me the most with this video is the number of nunchucks you have hanging on that rack!

Thats why i collect nfts. The people have more sense and all the nfts are tens!

Well, I can only say this. I sold a bunch of great vintage graded cards that I picked up over the last 8 years, including a few Mantles. I liked them all but didn't love them enough to keep em, wanted some fiat instead. But, as a Phins fan I picked up a few Tua Tagovailoa cards in the process lol, so I guess I'm still collecting what I love, but the Mantles were a great investment. Cheers

Like the concept. My collection is mine and I’m blessed to have each one 1️⃣. Mantle was Chipper’s Jones dad’s favorite player, hence why he became a switch hitter and Chipper had two milestones that Mantle didn’t??

You collect Roberto Clemente , because that’s who you like.

Grading is the dumbest thing think about its a strangers thought of how it looks and you pay alot of money to do so. It's about how it looks to you personally, and designs are big for me like artwork, good insights!!

Great video. I love my hobby collection

Absolutely 0% of my collection was purchased to keep up with someone or to impress subscribers. If I was I influenced by people, registries, or grades I would have a way more popular channel. BUT, I collect for me and bring subscribers along for the journey, that's how I see it anyway. If I never get more than 810 subscribers, oh well, at least I have 810 subscribers and a bunch of cards I like.

Like #44, Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!...lol I have never bought things as an influence! I have made some really stupid trades due to the latest hottest thing and can kick my own ass across the country side for doing so, but I learned from my mistakes years ago and have stuck true to myself ever since. I also have some sellers remorse a long with that, but I have been true to myself as far as what I collect for many years now. Whether it be players or a specific team. I also have some items that remind me of a specific time periods in my life or people (friends). I need to feel the connection and something that is more sentimental to me or brings a happy memory to me. I love cards and they are like a song to some degree where it takes you back to a time and place. Thanks for sharing and I really enjoyed the video John. Enjoy your nap on that big purple beanbag and have a Happy Fathers day. 👍👍and ✌out

Thank you for the website I don't believe in certified cards that are cardboard it's one man's opinion over another and it shows that if the car ain't certified it's the original card right away if I open the box from 1988 for example I put it in a penny sleeve and put it in the air open right away in a holder I don't care if it's a $1 card in mint condition or if there's a $50 card in excellent condition I don't I like the cards every day I just look at them every other day for a few minutes it makes me think back to the days when players like Pete Rose and Jodi Davis and Nolan Ryan did not use steroids I may have sent him out at my table but I don't look at him everyday I tell myself where was a 1986 so thank you and I just took a pack of 1988 score out of the package and after 1991 I stopped collecting because all the players are being accused of steroid use thank you from Wisconsin a man with a learning disability remembers😊

That purple chair. ❤ need. But, I bet it wasn’t cheap.😞🥵😑 PSA set registry chasers confuse me. I guess…if you are insecure…and need to prove something? 😆

I consider card collecting a serious, fun game, like investing in stocks, real estate, royalty income, numismatics, and artwork.

I am too old to be influenced by these youngins and been collecting too long. Watching You Tube for entertainment and some information on what is happening in the hobby. I think your collection is incredible and so diverse and I have looked into cards that I was not aware until I saw them on your channel. But I would not want your collection and love mine as mine is different not just cards but memorabilia, game used bats, autographs, vintage unopened, set collecting etc. Fun Topic

Very well said John! The only right way to collect is collecting what makes you happy. And Yes, my collection is better than yours!😁

Yes! Absolutely my collection is better than yours..It has been built by me for me since 1981! It's right in my wheelhouse!! Serious question! Did you ever trade with your buddies back in the day, pre grading of course, and argue with them about a mint card or nrmt card when you were trading? I can remember doing that at age 13 in 1984.😂...PSA or SGC just kind of gave us a starting point. What has always got me is when a seller says, I don't grade cards and then quotes you what a PSA 9 mint card sells for. Even the non graders try and ride the grading train. Never done a registry ever, but I have couple buddies on youtube that do. I am too old to be influenced, I have done it my way for too long. I collect my baseball history. The pre war stuff is cool and I have some of it, but it doesn't grab me like the stuff from the 60s to early 90s does. I get a chuckle when some dude does a video telling me what I should have in my collection..lmao..give me a break! Oh.remember to collect what you like!😅😅😂😂 Have a Happy Father's Day!! 👊

Simple for me…no. I love watching others show and talk about their collecting, but I do my own thing.

You da man John ❤. Its just to bad my collection is better than yours 😂😂😂😂😂. I agree 100% no ones collection is better than our own collection and we all go about it differently or we should anyways that is what makes this hobby and this card munity a special place that we can share are thoughts, Ideas, and most fun for me our collections 😊. Thanks for the shout out your my collecting hero so this meant so much to me. ❤❤ . 🤙🤙

Agreed 100%, but my collection isn't better than yours. LOL! Keep up the great videos!

Gave a video like. Enjoyed as always, John

I love it when I get a hot rookie everybody is chasing while opening packs... I can sell it and get my money back for the packs I bought and any cards I did want I get for free. I have a huge collection of my favorite players and I don't think any of them are worth more than a few dollars except maybe the RCs, I don't care. Now I do like a nice slab if it happens to be in one but I don't pay premium for it and have no desire to get anything graded myself. I collect comics and I've always been of the mind set that I buy comics I want to read, not because of hype or investment reasons. Which is why I would never own a slabbed comic. How stupid is that? Buy a comic book you can't read?! You can't even open up and look at!? Nah, that's not my kind of collecting.

Well said.

I have been influenced by this influencer video saying that I shouldn’t let influencers influence me anymore! And I will now influence others in a purple velvet bean bag chair that looked epically relaxing! Just kidding John! Well, that chair did look relaxing but other than that I’m joking. Some of the cards I get I realize are not valuable to anyone but me. And that is okay. Some are as well. But this isn’t a right or wrong hobby (unless you are stealing from others) but a left and right (not the political left and right). Thanks for sharing! Oh I’m finishing up the experiment about can I tell if the sun faded a card vs variations ink color. Not sure what the results will be just yet.

Well John I purchased a Shakey's pizza baseball card that most laugh at and tell me it will never go up in price. But I grew up as a kid going to Shakey's Pizza with my family and enjoyed those moments, so I don't care what they think. But I also say I have been influenced by your channel because you let me know it's okay to purchase cards like that, even though others tell me I should be buying the high end cards. So thanks

Did that Plush bag come with a bottle of Crown?😎

You know what i like to do when i walk into a Target and see blaster boxes and loose packs on the shelf??.....nothing. Nuff said.

Thanks!

Good one John. No, i dont keep up with the Jones'. I do what makes me happy. Since Ive been a little boy n still do, I build sets of Topps only. Yes, i may deviate from that once in a while get some Colavito cards or do a Roy Sievers run or buy Pete Alonso cards. I could care less about todays modern cards with this refactor n what color. Just because i have full sets from the 60s till now doesnt make me better than you because collect only Cracker Jack or Caramel cards make you better than me. Its in the eyes of the beholder. People shouldnt be self centered n righteous in attitude. In the end, we cant take it with us when pass in this present life form of ours. Take care John.

Having just turned 52 years old & after collecting on and off for the last 4 decades, I find the hobby boring, unfulfilling, and not worth all the crap that comes with it.

I only collect what @SilverJackify collects, at least I try to anyway....🤪😜

John please look up hard knocks detroit lions billie jean and watch the players reactions. That is the part i think you are missing from my story.

Hay John I love me some shine so my collection is better than yours😂 It’s human nature to jump on the bandwagon. Haha I hate the Rivera rookie as went and have never given in to get one. That is one card that frustrates me because I do enjoy rookies but that saved by the bell look is where I draw the line.

😂My collection is better than yours: I collect my childhood favorites but with autos on them.

My collection is better than yours because I am cool and my mom says that I am the song bird of a generation! (Step brothers movie reference) LOL! Actually I only collect what I don’t like and off center backs because I am influenced by the flowing locks of one Mr. Petty.

You’re so right…your collection sucks😂😂😂I win🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

I never understand these "please ROB me" videos....