The Most Difficult Decision In Card Collecting? My February Discussion With

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5 ай бұрын

I look forward to hanging out with and having my discussion with Darren from ‪@returntocollecting‬ each month. This month, we tackle one of the most difficult questions in vintage sports card collecting: Is it better to collect quality or quantity? Darren has been trying to stay more focused in his collecting this year and using his funds for high quality/value purchases, instead of getting sidetracked with other buys along the way. We discuss this topic in detail and share some of the pitfalls along the way.
Check out our conversation from January on Darren's Channel, here: • My Friend Graig @MidLi...
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#vintagecards #baseballcards #sportscards #sgc
All statements and opinions shared in this video (and all of my videos) are for entertainment purposes only, and are not investment advice. I consider Sports Cards to be a hobby, and not an investment. If you're interested in investment advice, I recommend connecting with a certified financial planner.

Пікірлер: 92

@azeridave 5 ай бұрын

I actually agree totally with Darren that has that large collection. I have bought many cards that 6 months later Im saying to myself, "why did I buy that card". I tried to focus on just what I really like and vintage but listening to people like Geoff Wilson and others, I end up buying stuff that just doesnt fit in my collection. Its really hard to be laser focused, but you have to or you will get killed. You will lose your shirt and get pennies on the dollar of what you bought the card originally. Tough lesson, but very true!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Well said. I think we've all done that a few times. No question.

@chrisolivo6591 5 ай бұрын

I think you can have quality and quantity in your collection. I divide my budget into 70% quantity lower priced cards and 30% quality expensive cards. If you just go for quality cards, you limit the amount of cards you buy and becomes less of a hobby. Buying the quantity type cards keeps it fun, because you purchase them more frequently. It’s all about finding that happy medium in your collecting.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

That's a good idea. I've been doing a little of that recently. Peeling off a few dollars each month to put into my big card account.

@davelachey8118 5 ай бұрын

Another great discussion about having a strategy and focus. But as I listened, the truth is, there’s a harsh reality that no one can remain 100% committed to a strategy in this hobby. There’s too many iconic cards. If you have a specific Lou Gehrig playing days card on your list and you get it, you will always be tempted to buy one of the other five, and so the story goes. Shoot, I discover new, great sets/cards every week. Maybe I watch Mangini too much! 🙂 But there’s always the opportunity and many outlets to take a stack of cards and sell them from time to time. That’s what makes this such a great hobby!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Great point. The more I look around, the more stuff I want, which makes it impossible to stay focused. LOL. So true.

@larrygitlin6017 5 ай бұрын

I got through the whole conversation and it was very informative. Being retired, I do not replenish very swiftly and I have in the past sold some big items out of my collection, at this point I like my lesser as well as my iconic, and have a difficult time selling to gather some money. Darren , it is nice to know Denver now has actual card shows, not mall shows. When I went to the National I usually had certain goals especially when I was building a set but there are so many shiny objects it was easy to go astray. Truthfully those buys outside what I had planned were some of the most fun and got me into other facets of the hobby. I see nothing wrong buying something that excites you and is not what you planned.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Appreciate your feedback/wisdom. Thanks!!

@Jackson09 5 ай бұрын

Fellas i really appreciate the honesty...thank you. There are way to many channels that worry about prices & worse strictly grades...yes that stuff matters, but i like hearing 2 of us talking about mistakes etc...shows we're all human and sometimes we just want the card...i also feel like i was watching the auction when that Nolan Ryan 90 topps was sold, i remember saying thank you, i got 3 of em'...lol.. but i completely get it...keep up the good shows. Semper Fi'.

@blixcards 5 ай бұрын

Totally agreed. Refreshing to hear folks discuss the bad with the good because it's reality. Thank you for your service, sir...

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Appreciate that feedback. Darren and I will always be authentic. That's for certain!!

@vintagesanctuary 5 ай бұрын

Awesome discussion! I loved hearing Darren's thoughts and openness about his collecting journey! One possible discussion could be about times when you or your guests got sidetracked and bought cards they were not targeting, but ended up very pleased they did so! Take care, my collecting brother! 😊👊

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much. Good topic idea!!

@te2edgesportscards177 5 ай бұрын

"I'm starting to go through withdrawals...I need a hit." That was the best line in the entire program!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

lol!!

@LivingOnTheHudson 5 ай бұрын

Great discussion! My collecting philosophy aligns with Darren’s. Looking forward to the next episode.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the positive feedback. Darren has an incredible collection that a lot of us are envious of.

@LivingOnTheHudson 5 ай бұрын

@@MidLifeCards Your collection isn't too bad either!

@TankeeFan 5 ай бұрын

Focus, focus focus …… and prioritize. Great chat and advice.

@MidLifeCards 4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!!

@ACD1994 5 ай бұрын

A fun discussion, enjoyed hearing about Darren's collecting habits and how they have transformed over the past few years. He mentioned some very iconic names that he's focusing on. The question of collecting in, quality vs. quantity, is a good one. Not sure if there's a simple answer though, for some collectors, maybe so. What I would say however, it doesn't necessarily have to be an either/or. You and Darren might have a specific strategy, but then next year it, could be completely different. Great video guys.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

There's no question that this hobby is a journey and will take a lot of twists and turns along the way. I look forward to seeing what's ahead.

@warrendinCLE 5 ай бұрын

Enjoyed the conversation guys!! Thanks!

@MidLifeCards 4 ай бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for watching.

@gametimegallery7661 5 ай бұрын

Appreciate the honest take on collecting and sometimes picking up cards you don’t really want. Did the same with Acuna 1/1 card I bought. Felt lucky to finally sell it at a 60% loss. Glad to get rid of it as it has no place in my collection of vintage.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

If there's anything about Darren and me (when we talk)...we'll always be open and authentic.

@RobSchroeder_ 5 ай бұрын

These are my favorite videos. You both are on a short list of my favorite KZfaqrs, and love the strategy discussion.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Darren is a great guy. I'm always thrilled when we can spend an hour talking about cards together.

@seeingeyesingles 4 ай бұрын

Great conversation. Thanks!

@MidLifeCards 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much. Really glad you enjoyed it.

@vintageoddballcards6103 5 ай бұрын

Good stuff! Enjoyed on my long drive

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Awesome!! Thanks so much for listening.

@Godlikecollectibles 4 ай бұрын

Great convo guys! Keep them coming!

@MidLifeCards 4 ай бұрын

We do these once per month. I always look forward to them.

@ClementeCollector 5 ай бұрын

Great conversation guys!!!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Thanks Theo. Appreciate you listening.

@jaymedorr4119 5 ай бұрын

I made it all the way through. Great discussion fellas 👍

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Awesome!! Thanks for staying with us the whole way!! :-)

@RL3sports 5 ай бұрын

Great video. Love the conversation. My theory on collecting is, buy what you can afford, not all of collect pre war cards. Im collecting 60's football sets. I can afford nice copies of a $5 common

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Good point. I love football cards. I don't know why they don't have a bigger following.

@ACollectorsDream 5 ай бұрын

Great conversation, really enjoyed you guys sharing your thoughts.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Thanks Orlando. Appreciate you listening.

@briankane759 5 ай бұрын

Stayed to the end. Great episode. Darren gave a lot of great advice that people should listen to regarding not buying cards, when the money hasn't been put aside.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Yes!! You made it!! Thanks for watching the whole thing!!

@jlbaseballcards 5 ай бұрын

I watched the whole video in one go! Thank you for another terrific educational and informative discussion!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Awesome!! Appreciate the support and kind words!!

@mrmjmiller 5 ай бұрын

Great conversation. It's interesting the concepts discussed in the video hit right where I'm at.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Awesome. Darren is the best. Always fun chatting with him.

@3WordsCollector 5 ай бұрын

I’m about 75% thru the convo. Two of my favorites and I’m trying to be more like Darren in my collection, focusing on a few iconic players this year. Saving up!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

I want my collection to be more like Darren's too. LOL. He's got so much fire!!

@deadlyredly 5 ай бұрын

5 years ago I had around 5000 cards mainly raw. Sold most of them and upgraded to graded cards all graded 8 9 or 10. Now my collection consists of around 50 cards and only buy cards to upgrade the card I already have. And they are 90% vintage and there all on display in my card cave.

@charlesbriansmith 5 ай бұрын

Yes 👏

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

That's awesome. I bet you have quite an awesome collection.

@OlSargeCollects 5 ай бұрын

I can completely sympathize with Darren...I try to stick to a list of goal cards and then someone on YT or a collector friend shows me a card that I love and then down the rabbit hole I go. I could have way more of those iconic cards if I didn't spend my budget on cards that aren't iconic. I keep going after all the little fish and never wait for the big fish.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

I'm constantly jumping down rabbit holes and missing out on the big fish. I completely feel your pain.

@chrisfrommissouri 5 ай бұрын

Great discussions guys.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Thanks Chris. Appreciate you watching. I'm always rooting for you to beat Mike in Showcase Showdown. #teamchris

@JohnMiller-jj9kx 5 ай бұрын

Great conversations.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

@Hodges1455 5 ай бұрын

Enjoyed the discussion!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for listening. I always have fun chatting with my guy, Darren.

@GoldenSlumber474 5 ай бұрын

Great discussion guys. I have the same strategy you have Graig when considering a bid on a rarer card. Usually, the card doesn’t appear that often so I like submitting a strong/above comps bid to increase my winning chances.

@GoldenSlumber474 5 ай бұрын

Future discussion topics: 1. EBay comps vs. VCP vs. PSA price guide 2. Icon sets for 4 major sports 3. Pros/Cons of major auction houses beyond Ebay i.e. REA, Memory Lane, Huggins & Scott, PWCC, Goldin, etc.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Great topic ideas. Thanks!!

@briankane759 5 ай бұрын

I think the reason most collectors struggle with quantity vs. quality is because they can afford quantity in the short term, based on their funds. Granted, everyone would probably choose quality if money was no object, but that is the difference maker. Buy the best cards in the best grade that you can afford is the best way to look at the question, in my opinion.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

That's a really great point.

@DoubleDvintagebaseballcards 5 ай бұрын

10 min in love Darren !!!

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

:-)

@DoubleDvintagebaseballcards 5 ай бұрын

No one checked out early Graig. We love passionate and interesting collectors like Darren and yourself. F the time just go until you run out of things to say or your wife gives you the side eye 😂 👊🤙🤙

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Thanks D. Love you, buddy.

@RL3sports 5 ай бұрын

Did i hear youre going to colorado springs? That was my home. You gotta go to Bill's in denver if you can. They may not have stuff old enough for you. I refer to it as disneyland for sports fans

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Awesome. I'll have to check it out. Yes, I'll be in Colorado Springs in early May for Lucy's soccer tournament.

@diamondgems45 5 ай бұрын

‘67 Cardinals, Bob Gibson, Cardinal icon of my lifetime. So far with limited funds, thats mt focus. Put me down on the “Quality” side of the ledger.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Can't blame you for going quality. Nice to have high end stuff!!

@brentrichards4699 5 ай бұрын

Great vid guys. Man, we put a lot of thought into cardboard! Lol

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

I know. But...it's fun, right!?!

@brentrichards4699 5 ай бұрын

@@MidLifeCards yep

@360stockflips 5 ай бұрын

Buy that card now for 70 bucks extra. If you don't you will find yourself looking at an extra $500 for a supposedly higher grade in the future when you are going to be completely satisfied spending $70 over your budget. Comes down to how important that card is to your collection. It's a really pretty t206, and I'm not in love with t206s. To me it's probably worth the 70.00 now to see it while flipping through my collection over the next who knows how long of not finding another one I'm happy with.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Yep. I think you're absolutely right. Pay a little extra. It's worth it.

@Toppstraded13 5 ай бұрын

The problem is 3s look so good nowadays. Its hard to tell the difference between a 3 to 5

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

I don't disagree. Maybe that's why I own so many 3s. LOL.

@SplendidSports 5 ай бұрын

Target clothes are very underrated Graig 👊

@returntocollecting 5 ай бұрын

😂

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

"Wrangler" jeans for $22.....can't beat it!!

@jude999 5 ай бұрын

If you like a card, buy it. Quality vs. quantity beccomes a non-issue.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Hard to argue with that.

@boobooboogoo 5 ай бұрын

This was Buttas, pure Buttas

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

I don't know what that means, but it sounds great.

@Brian-pf7qq 5 ай бұрын

I like quantity, because it's easier to sell 200 cards for 5.00 each. Then one for a 1000.00. when you buy tens, you probably are buying it at it's top price. I personally would like to own my ten mantles raw, probably at a one to three if I would grade them, then two mantles in a ten. I personally would rather own ten to twenty cards of a hall of famer raw then one or two high grade of those players.

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

That's a fair point. But, while it's easier to sell 200 $5 cards, it's a lot more time consuming as well.

@Jackson09 5 ай бұрын

PS: the longer video is great...everyone has short videos...

@MidLifeCards 5 ай бұрын

Appreciate that feedback. Thanks!!