$2500 to get started - Page 2

FT35 · 01-20-2019, 09:24 AM

Here’s what I’d do. Need to know your son’s age, if you mentioned it, my apologies for missing it! If he’s old enough now, I would do this first: if you have any cards still from your collection, I’d sit down with your boy and look at them with him. Talk about the cards/players/maybe pull up some YouTube videos—create some memories—but also gauge his interest. If he seems interested, I’d put him in the car and go out and buy a variety of packs. AND—this is important...some penny sleeves/top loaders.

Bring everything back home and when the jobs are done and his room is clean, clear a spot where you can open them. Get them protected!!!! Talk about the cards with him—the “hobby” is formed around the meaning...quality time spent with your son will always be the foundation of HIS collecting years if he gets into it. So make it something special! Get through those packs and take another reading on his interest. See which ones he likes...Topps? Then you’ve got a base interest and a direction.

Now—honesty check. Is he liking it? If yes, you’ve got your focus product/player. If not, don’t force it, but change directions because this will primarily be your collection! : ) Take the rest of your money and buy singles!! I’d focus on vintage, or PSA 10’s of your favorite cards as a kid. If you want to get into modern, buy Trout until you know what the real market is for guys like Acuna.

Keep gauging your son’s interest and be ready to include him appropriately. If you’re looking to build something with him—start the first week of April when the new baseball season excitement makes everything better.

God Bless and best of luck to you!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mantis2499 · 01-20-2019, 10:39 AM

buy basketball...large international market. it's where I have my most success.

doowopbruce · 01-20-2019, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FT35

Here’s what I’d do. Need to know your son’s age, if you mentioned it, my apologies for missing it! If he’s old enough now, I would do this first: if you have any cards still from your collection, I’d sit down with your boy and look at them with him. Talk about the cards/players/maybe pull up some YouTube videos—create some memories—but also gauge his interest. If he seems interested, I’d put him in the car and go out and buy a variety of packs. AND—this is important...some penny sleeves/top loaders.

Bring everything back home and when the jobs are done and his room is clean, clear a spot where you can open them. Get them protected!!!! Talk about the cards with him—the “hobby” is formed around the meaning...quality time spent with your son will always be the foundation of HIS collecting years if he gets into it. So make it something special! Get through those packs and take another reading on his interest. See which ones he likes...Topps? Then you’ve got a base interest and a direction.

Now—honesty check. Is he liking it? If yes, you’ve got your focus product/player. If not, don’t force it, but change directions because this will primarily be your collection! : ) Take the rest of your money and buy singles!! I’d focus on vintage, or PSA 10’s of your favorite cards as a kid. If you want to get into modern, buy Trout until you know what the real market is for guys like Acuna.

Keep gauging your son’s interest and be ready to include him appropriately. If you’re looking to build something with him—start the first week of April when the new baseball season excitement makes everything better.

God Bless and best of luck to you!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like what this guy says. Have fun with your kid.

Tom Oates · 01-20-2019, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stech36

This is the best advice

Can't stress this enough. Many times I think a product looks like it would be fun to open and then I watch some youtube breaks and decide against it. You can look at K-Mart, Target, Meijer and find some discounted blasters sometimes. A cheap way to figure out what you like. You can also find blaster lots on ebay cheaper than full retail. Can't go wrong with Topps base set (a.k.a. Flagship). You will get a lot of packs to open, lots of cards, and as others have said, the 2018 Rookie class is pretty loaded. Look for short print, super short print, etc. that are easy to overlook and can sometimes cover the entire cost of the box or case.

wood minis · 01-20-2019, 11:05 AM

If you don't have a favorite player/team, I would build a serial numbered parallel set from the year your son was born...something that has a print run of 50 or higher. I've tried shorter printed serial numbered sets but have never finished, though I am close on a few. With eBay, sportlots, comc and some patience, you'll end up having something you both can enjoy that will be hard to reproduce in the future.

Stech36 · 01-20-2019, 11:06 AM

Also don’t buy retail expecting any good cards. Other than bowman mega boxes and Topps Chrome Update

Neal · 01-20-2019, 11:20 AM

What did you collect 25 years ago? You may want to revisit what you collected back then and what you wanted to own back then.

$2500 can be spent quickly, so take your time. Enjoy!

Topcat79 · 01-20-2019, 01:07 PM

You could probably get a solid ‘53 T Mantle in the 4-5 range. It’s all subjective.

Nung2019 · 01-20-2019, 01:57 PM

I recently got back in the hobby.. Bowman Draft has always been my thing. Prospecting makes the hobby fun for me. That came is I got older, when I was younger, until about 18, I used to just like ripping Topps packs and collecting my favorite players and inserts. For a youngster, I would start there. As he gets older, he may change how he looks at hobby. I think collectors go through different stages, but getting him to enjoy it early is what it's all about. I can't wait for my son to ask me about cards(he is only 2 now)

vwnut13 · 01-20-2019, 01:58 PM

$2,500 should get you a top of the line card trimming machine.

Think of all the profits when all your cards come back PSA 10s!

marl1220 · 01-20-2019, 02:05 PM

Do you have a LCS? If so, buy a couple loose packs of a bunch of stuff. Gives you kind of a "grab bag" idea of what different products look like.

ThoseBackPages · 01-20-2019, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnut13

$2,500 should get you a top of the line card trimming machine.

Think of all the profits when all your cards come back PSA 10s!

very true!

bwalter1 · 01-20-2019, 03:52 PM

My son was born in October this past year so I decided to pick a rookie from the 2018 year and try and get a good amount of Rcs of that player. My favorite team is Yankees so went with Gleyber. I have about 300 update, Heritage and Topps chrome of his with parallels. I would recommend something like. I also would buy a couple boxes a year and break them when he is older.

Gibberish · 01-20-2019, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archimedes

Hi all, really happy to be joining the forum. After a 25-year hiatus, I'd like to get back into collecting. I recently had a son and thought it'd be a fun hobby to share together if he's interested when he's older. However, a lot has changed since the junk era. I don't even know where to begin. My question: if you had $2500 to get started, what would you buy? I used to love the anticipation of ripping packs, so spending it a few singles isn't really the goal.

Any advice as to how to get back into the swing of things would be useful. Thanks!

If you collected in the junk era, then the smartest move, for your desire, is Bowman,Bowman draft,Bowman chrome. On good pulls you can flip and buy more....because collecting is a small part of the fun. That pack fever dust is much more of it

unclemonkey · 01-20-2019, 05:20 PM

I would split it up.

Third on Soto, Acuna, Ohtani... example... Soto Topps Update HMT 55 are $10+/-. Pink Soto... alot of cool options

Third on prospects... 2 or 3 year plan. My 2015, 2016, 2017 chrome and paper have paid me back slowly. Longshot or reclamation projects autos can be cheap as well.

Third on Vintage... buy some cool old stuff and reinvest the profits in Mantle, Aaron etc...

Non auto goes up just as much if not more than autos.

I am sitting thousands of chrome and refractors of guys still a year or two away. Sold Acuna and Soto paper paid for alot of them.

marl1220 · 01-20-2019, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archimedes

Hi all, really happy to be joining the forum. After a 25-year hiatus, I'd like to get back into collecting. I recently had a son and thought it'd be a fun hobby to share together if he's interested when he's older. However, a lot has changed since the junk era. I don't even know where to begin. My question: if you had $2500 to get started, what would you buy? I used to love the anticipation of ripping packs, so spending it a few singles isn't really the goal.

Any advice as to how to get back into the swing of things would be useful. Thanks!

It's amazing how the OP's thoughts seem to go unnoticed.

3AND4 · 01-20-2019, 06:49 PM

Welcome back

Lot has changed.

First thing is TAKE YOUR TIME SPENDING THE MONEY!!!!!!

Yes I used caps on purpose. Dont just spend to spend. Absorb knowledge. Read the boards. Look for deals on singles on the boards they come up often.

Redemption cards in my eyes has killed buying & saving modern unopened boxes with some exceptions that the members will fill you in on.

Vintage Wax however is another thing :-)

Since you are just getting back, instead of buying a box go to a show or lcs & buy a bunch of packs so you can get your ripping in & out of your system.

Buy some vintage wax. Early 1980s is in your budget & nice to stack away. Look at some of the junkier 80s that is dirt cheap like 87 Donruss & Fleer that rippers want for PSA10s. Cant get hurt paying 20-30 for those boxes & stashing them.

Get some nice singles to put away. 70s & 80s Rookies & Stars. Raw is fine but graded is better if its not overpriced. Dont ignore psa8's on key more expensive rookies as more people can afford those which equates to more future buyers.

If you have a fav team do BASE team sets. A nice cheap way to collect & enjoy the cards.

Divest! Dont put all 2500 in 1 place. Have Fun!

jake6488 · 01-20-2019, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FT35

Here’s what I’d do. Need to know your son’s age, if you mentioned it, my apologies for missing it! If he’s old enough now, I would do this first: if you have any cards still from your collection, I’d sit down with your boy and look at them with him. Talk about the cards/players/maybe pull up some YouTube videos—create some memories—but also gauge his interest. If he seems interested, I’d put him in the car and go out and buy a variety of packs. AND—this is important...some penny sleeves/top loaders.

Bring everything back home and when the jobs are done and his room is clean, clear a spot where you can open them. Get them protected!!!! Talk about the cards with him—the “hobby” is formed around the meaning...quality time spent with your son will always be the foundation of HIS collecting years if he gets into it. So make it something special! Get through those packs and take another reading on his interest. See which ones he likes...Topps? Then you’ve got a base interest and a direction.

Now—honesty check. Is he liking it? If yes, you’ve got your focus product/player. If not, don’t force it, but change directions because this will primarily be your collection! : ) Take the rest of your money and buy singles!! I’d focus on vintage, or PSA 10’s of your favorite cards as a kid. If you want to get into modern, buy Trout until you know what the real market is for guys like Acuna.

Keep gauging your son’s interest and be ready to include him appropriately. If you’re looking to build something with him—start the first week of April when the new baseball season excitement makes everything better.

God Bless and best of luck to you!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is obviously great advice, and you 100% should follow it. One piece of advice I’d add is to have a focused collection. As someone who has sold off a lot of my collection and restarted several times, I can say there’s so much value in having a focus collection. It doesn’t matter what you decide to collect, but absolutely decide on something. Try a little bit of everything for a while, but then make a choice. Have a focus. This prevents you from spending just to spend, or from buying a product hoping to pull something you like and constantly being disappointed when you don’t.

If it’s a team or player you like, open products that have a decent amount of that player or team. Group breaks could also be a great option.

mouschi · 01-20-2019, 10:55 PM

Welcome, Archimedes! Here is what I would do.

If I had $2,500 and was just starting out based upon what I know now, I would find what I love (there are many facets - vintage, rookies, graded, premium relics, ttm, player collecting, set collecting, etc.) and learn as much about the market on them before I spent a dime.

The truth of the matter is that you can make a good amount of money in virtually any avenue of this hobby ... well, aside from being a casual buster of wax, that is!

Once you find what you are passionate about and know the market, your $2,500 will go a lot further, and can be intentionally put toward something you are passionate about, without the guilt of blowing it on something you care little about / overpay for.

This may sound like I'm making an assumption that you want to make money and become a dealer, but I think everyone in this hobby wants to spend wisely. If you are married, it would also be good to show your wife that you are making wise purchases and eventually make money. That is what I call stress-free collecting

Good luck in whatever you do!

mmier118 · 01-20-2019, 11:40 PM

Sometimes it’s fun to browse COMC (check out my cards) and look for cheap singles you liked as a kid. Don’t have to buy anything but it might give you an idea of stuff you like. I had a good time picking up all the cards I couldn’t afford as a kid for 1/10 of the price they were when I was a kid.

Archimedes · 01-21-2019, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3AND4

Redemption cards in my eyes has killed buying & saving modern unopened boxes with some exceptions that the members will fill you in on.

Maybe a stupid question, but what are "redemption cards?"

MoreToppsPlease · 01-21-2019, 12:44 AM

Even though there are so many hobby choices now, “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. The best place to start is still current and vintage base Topps issues, even after all these years.

I’d suggest growing your hobby knowledge from the hobby source and base.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Archimedes · 01-21-2019, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouschi

This may sound like I'm making an assumption that you want to make money and become a dealer, but I think everyone in this hobby wants to spend wisely. If you are married, it would also be good to show your wife that you are making wise purchases and eventually make money. That is what I call stress-free collecting

Mouschi, thanks for the advice! I am indeed married, and my wife certainly doesn't want me to be throwing away money! Ideally, it could be a cash flow neutral hobby (i.e., selling what I don't want to buy what I do want), but I'm fine with my net outlay being a few thousand per year. I'd love to make money, but I'm going into this assuming that I won't.

Archimedes · 01-21-2019, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FT35

Here’s what I’d do. Need to know your son’s age, if you mentioned it, my apologies for missing it! If he’s old enough now, I would do this first: if you have any cards still from your collection, I’d sit down with your boy and look at them with him. Talk about the cards/players/maybe pull up some YouTube videos—create some memories—but also gauge his interest. If he seems interested, I’d put him in the car and go out and buy a variety of packs. AND—this is important...some penny sleeves/top loaders.

Bring everything back home and when the jobs are done and his room is clean, clear a spot where you can open them. Get them protected!!!! Talk about the cards with him—the “hobby” is formed around the meaning...quality time spent with your son will always be the foundation of HIS collecting years if he gets into it. So make it something special! Get through those packs and take another reading on his interest. See which ones he likes...Topps? Then you’ve got a base interest and a direction.

Now—honesty check. Is he liking it? If yes, you’ve got your focus product/player. If not, don’t force it, but change directions because this will primarily be your collection! : ) Take the rest of your money and buy singles!! I’d focus on vintage, or PSA 10’s of your favorite cards as a kid. If you want to get into modern, buy Trout until you know what the real market is for guys like Acuna.

Keep gauging your son’s interest and be ready to include him appropriately. If you’re looking to build something with him—start the first week of April when the new baseball season excitement makes everything better.

God Bless and best of luck to you!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is a very thoughtful response. I appreciate your taking the time to draft it. Very cool of you. My son is only 1, so for the next several years, it'll just be my hobby.

It's funny because my dad got me started by buying me a pack of Topps everytime he went to the gas station.

God Bless you as well!

Archimedes · 01-21-2019, 01:16 AM

In case it helps, I'll give a little more context because I've been thinking about it during the past few days.

I'm a Philly guy and a big Philly sports fan. I love the Phillies and Eagles... perhaps too much!

So, from a vintage perspective, I'd love to get Phillies from the 1980 and 2008 championship years. I'd also love Eagles from 2018.

In the junk era, Frank Thomas was my target, so I wouldn't mind keeping that going.

In terms of current cards, I'd love Aaron Nola, Rhys Hoskins, and Carson Wentz. Harper and Machado are still unknowns, but Trout should be a modern-day target for me. I have no doubt that he'll be a Phillie someday and his hometown is close to where I live (funny enough, there's an LCS there).

01-20-2019, 11:20 AM	#32
Neal Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,831 1420sports	What did you collect 25 years ago? You may want to revisit what you collected back then and what you wanted to own back then. $2500 can be spent quickly, so take your time. Enjoy! __________________ collecting vintage sports cards and Star Wars .... with a touch of modern and ultra modern

01-20-2019, 03:52 PM	#38
bwalter1 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,098	My son was born in October this past year so I decided to pick a rookie from the 2018 year and try and get a good amount of Rcs of that player. My favorite team is Yankees so went with Gleyber. I have about 300 update, Heritage and Topps chrome of his with parallels. I would recommend something like. I also would buy a couple boxes a year and break them when he is older. __________________ http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/bwalter22/library/ Currently working on 2017 Topps Heritage Blue Refractor /68 set. Pm me if you have any for sale/trade

01-20-2019, 05:20 PM	#40
unclemonkey Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 4,989	I would split it up. Third on Soto, Acuna, Ohtani... example... Soto Topps Update HMT 55 are $10+/-. Pink Soto... alot of cool options Third on prospects... 2 or 3 year plan. My 2015, 2016, 2017 chrome and paper have paid me back slowly. Longshot or reclamation projects autos can be cheap as well. Third on Vintage... buy some cool old stuff and reinvest the profits in Mantle, Aaron etc... Non auto goes up just as much if not more than autos. I am sitting thousands of chrome and refractors of guys still a year or two away. Sold Acuna and Soto paper paid for alot of them. Last edited by unclemonkey; 01-20-2019 at 05:22 PM.

01-20-2019, 06:49 PM	#42
3AND4 Banned Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 763	Welcome back Lot has changed. First thing is TAKE YOUR TIME SPENDING THE MONEY!!!!!! Yes I used caps on purpose. Dont just spend to spend. Absorb knowledge. Read the boards. Look for deals on singles on the boards they come up often. Redemption cards in my eyes has killed buying & saving modern unopened boxes with some exceptions that the members will fill you in on. Vintage Wax however is another thing :-) Since you are just getting back, instead of buying a box go to a show or lcs & buy a bunch of packs so you can get your ripping in & out of your system. Buy some vintage wax. Early 1980s is in your budget & nice to stack away. Look at some of the junkier 80s that is dirt cheap like 87 Donruss & Fleer that rippers want for PSA10s. Cant get hurt paying 20-30 for those boxes & stashing them. Get some nice singles to put away. 70s & 80s Rookies & Stars. Raw is fine but graded is better if its not overpriced. Dont ignore psa8's on key more expensive rookies as more people can afford those which equates to more future buyers. If you have a fav team do BASE team sets. A nice cheap way to collect & enjoy the cards. Divest! Dont put all 2500 in 1 place. Have Fun! Last edited by 3AND4; 01-20-2019 at 06:54 PM.

01-20-2019, 10:55 PM	#44
mouschi Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Swimming in a million cards Posts: 9,717 tnhjones	Welcome, Archimedes! Here is what I would do. If I had $2,500 and was just starting out based upon what I know now, I would find what I love (there are many facets - vintage, rookies, graded, premium relics, ttm, player collecting, set collecting, etc.) and learn as much about the market on them before I spent a dime. The truth of the matter is that you can make a good amount of money in virtually any avenue of this hobby ... well, aside from being a casual buster of wax, that is! Once you find what you are passionate about and know the market, your $2,500 will go a lot further, and can be intentionally put toward something you are passionate about, without the guilt of blowing it on something you care little about / overpay for. This may sound like I'm making an assumption that you want to make money and become a dealer, but I think everyone in this hobby wants to spend wisely. If you are married, it would also be good to show your wife that you are making wise purchases and eventually make money. That is what I call stress-free collecting Good luck in whatever you do! __________________ Tanner Jones, Author of Confessions of a Baseball Card Addict

01-20-2019, 09:24 AM	#26
FT35 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 2,243	Here’s what I’d do. Need to know your son’s age, if you mentioned it, my apologies for missing it! If he’s old enough now, I would do this first: if you have any cards still from your collection, I’d sit down with your boy and look at them with him. Talk about the cards/players/maybe pull up some YouTube videos—create some memories—but also gauge his interest. If he seems interested, I’d put him in the car and go out and buy a variety of packs. AND—this is important...some penny sleeves/top loaders. Bring everything back home and when the jobs are done and his room is clean, clear a spot where you can open them. Get them protected!!!! Talk about the cards with him—the “hobby” is formed around the meaning...quality time spent with your son will always be the foundation of HIS collecting years if he gets into it. So make it something special! Get through those packs and take another reading on his interest. See which ones he likes...Topps? Then you’ve got a base interest and a direction. Now—honesty check. Is he liking it? If yes, you’ve got your focus product/player. If not, don’t force it, but change directions because this will primarily be your collection! : ) Take the rest of your money and buy singles!! I’d focus on vintage, or PSA 10’s of your favorite cards as a kid. If you want to get into modern, buy Trout until you know what the real market is for guys like Acuna. Keep gauging your son’s interest and be ready to include him appropriately. If you’re looking to build something with him—start the first week of April when the new baseball season excitement makes everything better. God Bless and best of luck to you!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-20-2019, 10:39 AM	#27
Mantis2499 Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 759 Mantis2499	buy basketball...large international market. it's where I have my most success.

01-20-2019, 11:05 AM	#30
wood minis Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Northeastern USA Posts: 4,099	If you don't have a favorite player/team, I would build a serial numbered parallel set from the year your son was born...something that has a print run of 50 or higher. I've tried shorter printed serial numbered sets but have never finished, though I am close on a few. With eBay, sportlots, comc and some patience, you'll end up having something you both can enjoy that will be hard to reproduce in the future.

01-20-2019, 11:06 AM	#31
Stech36 Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Westminster, MD Posts: 9,651 Stech36	Also don’t buy retail expecting any good cards. Other than bowman mega boxes and Topps Chrome Update

01-20-2019, 01:07 PM	#33
Topcat79 Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 262	You could probably get a solid ‘53 T Mantle in the 4-5 range. It’s all subjective.

01-20-2019, 01:57 PM	#34
Nung2019 Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 1,240	I recently got back in the hobby.. Bowman Draft has always been my thing. Prospecting makes the hobby fun for me. That came is I got older, when I was younger, until about 18, I used to just like ripping Topps packs and collecting my favorite players and inserts. For a youngster, I would start there. As he gets older, he may change how he looks at hobby. I think collectors go through different stages, but getting him to enjoy it early is what it's all about. I can't wait for my son to ask me about cards(he is only 2 now)

01-20-2019, 01:58 PM	#35
vwnut13 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 6,147	$2,500 should get you a top of the line card trimming machine. Think of all the profits when all your cards come back PSA 10s!

01-20-2019, 02:05 PM	#36
marl1220 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9,929	Do you have a LCS? If so, buy a couple loose packs of a bunch of stuff. Gives you kind of a "grab bag" idea of what different products look like.

01-20-2019, 11:40 PM	#45
mmier118 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 541	Sometimes it’s fun to browse COMC (check out my cards) and look for cheap singles you liked as a kid. Don’t have to buy anything but it might give you an idea of stuff you like. I had a good time picking up all the cards I couldn’t afford as a kid for 1/10 of the price they were when I was a kid.

01-21-2019, 12:44 AM	#47
MoreToppsPlease Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 8,676	Even though there are so many hobby choices now, “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. The best place to start is still current and vintage base Topps issues, even after all these years. I’d suggest growing your hobby knowledge from the hobby source and base. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ IRS Tax Tip 2022-57 A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit.

01-21-2019, 01:16 AM	#50
Archimedes Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,825	In case it helps, I'll give a little more context because I've been thinking about it during the past few days. I'm a Philly guy and a big Philly sports fan. I love the Phillies and Eagles... perhaps too much! So, from a vintage perspective, I'd love to get Phillies from the 1980 and 2008 championship years. I'd also love Eagles from 2018. In the junk era, Frank Thomas was my target, so I wouldn't mind keeping that going. In terms of current cards, I'd love Aaron Nola, Rhys Hoskins, and Carson Wentz. Harper and Machado are still unknowns, but Trout should be a modern-day target for me. I have no doubt that he'll be a Phillie someday and his hometown is close to where I live (funny enough, there's an LCS there).