When do you plan to stop collecting?

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

So sorry. We all have grandiose plans, and then life happens.

Thank you and I agree. But I had a long time enjoying collecting, so no regrets. Still enjoy seeing what you all collect.

[dodgerfanjohn]

Originally Posted by cardsin47

When I’m dead

I’ve seen this sentiment many times in this thread and not completely sure I understand. I’d understand if it’s a few easily saleable items. I may understand in your individual case as if it’s just a phone call to bbce and they do all the work, it’s not an onerous burden. I understand if it’s all graded and instructions are packing and shipping to a consignor.

But if the collection has any bulk to it, that’s a burden on your loved ones. Even if they just dispose of it. I don’t understand why anyone wants to put their family through that. It’s why my retirement plan includes continued collecting but also consolidation. My stepdaughter wants everything but I’m not sure that is something she should burden herself with. I’ll keep the signed items and my 100 or so graded cards along with a few very cool niche auto sets and Dodgers Binders. Probably sell and consolidate all sets, unopened save for a few HOF on top packs. It’s about still having a nice collection, but not leaving two tons of $200 and $300 binders.

[BIGMONEY80]

Over the last few years my collecting has slowed. My son isn’t really into sports, so I lose that aspect of collecting with him. Also, I like my hobby to pay for itself, but with all the tax laws now you can’t really do that. If I wanted a $1000 card a few years ago, I could sell some cards or comics and buy that card without touching my bank account. Now I don’t want to have to oversell to cover for taxes. I already run a business, I don’t want my hobby to be the same where I have to keep up with inventory and spreadsheets. I would really like to sell off most and get a nice Hank Aaron rookie and then just keep the focus on my Braves & Clemson players PC.

[TBTC Baseball]

No plan, just prep. Get rid of 99% of what I currently have. I assume it will just happen naturally as life changes and my other interests take up my time and $$.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

I’ve seen this sentiment many times in this thread and not completely sure I understand. I’d understand if it’s a few easily saleable items. I may understand in your individual case as if it’s just a phone call to bbce and they do all the work, it’s not an onerous burden. I understand if it’s all graded and instructions are packing and shipping to a consignor.



But if the collection has any bulk to it, that’s a burden on your loved ones. Even if they just dispose of it. I don’t understand why anyone wants to put their family through that. It’s why my retirement plan includes continued collecting but also consolidation. My stepdaughter wants everything but I’m not sure that is something she should burden herself with. I’ll keep the signed items and my 100 or so graded cards along with a few very cool niche auto sets and Dodgers Binders. Probably sell and consolidate all sets, unopened save for a few HOF on top packs. It’s about still having a nice collection, but not leaving two tons of $200 and $300 binders.

Not all of us collect like that. My entire collection can easily be shipped to a consignor and is no more burden than any other personal property to dispose of when I die. But even if it's a bunch of junk, they will haul to the dump, we will all have a bunch of possessions our estate will deal with. It's not that big a deal. Many families enjoy reminiscing as they go through property to dispose of. Those who don't enjoy it can hire someone to haul it off without much burden. Those worried about their property burdening their loved ones are either overstating it or are serious hoarders, and cards are probably the least of the burden they are leaving their families.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Not all of us collect like that. My entire collection can easily be shipped to a consignor and is no more burden than any other personal property to dispose of when I die. But even if it's a bunch of junk, they will haul to the dump, we will all have a bunch of possessions our estate will deal with. It's not that big a deal. Many families enjoy reminiscing as they go through property to dispose of. Those who don't enjoy it can hire someone to haul it off without much burden. Those worried about their property burdening their loved ones are either overstating it or are serious hoarders, and cards are probably the least of the burden they are leaving their families.

It’s definitely a burden for some. It’s not good to make assumptions either way. Every family needs to work out what’s best for them.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Those worried about their property burdening their loved ones are either overstating it or are serious hoarders, and cards are probably the least of the burden they are leaving their families.

Oh look, the lawyer is once again only looking at things from his perspective. I’m so shocked.

Which of those two buckets do the collectors who have 7-8 figure card and memorabilia collections fall into? While it’s great that your collection is simple enough that any dummy can box it up and ship it to any consignor, that is not the case for a lot of us.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Oh look, the lawyer is once again only looking at things from his perspective. I’m so shocked.



Which of those two buckets do the collectors who have 7-8 figure card and memorabilia collections fall into? While it’s great that your collection is simple enough that any dummy can box it up and ship it to any consignor, that is not the case for a lot of us.

The first. You are overstating the burden.

Any collection can be boxed up and sent to a consignor.

You seem to be conflating the burden with maximizing profit. My point is that maximizing profit isn't required. If it's too burdensome, the family can bypass that. It's their choice how burdensome to make it. Your problem is only looking at it from your perspective as a collector, ironically. But a family without your collector mentality cand dispose of anything without burden if they so choose.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

It’s definitely a burden for some. It’s not good to make assumptions either way. Every family needs to work out what’s best for them.

Correct. Work out what's best for you. I never said otherwise. My point was I believe the alleged burden is less than you think, hence the term "overstated."

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

The first. You are overstating the burden.

Any collection can be boxed up and sent to a consignor.

You seem to be conflating the burden with maximizing profit. My point is that maximizing profit isn't required. If it's too burdensome, the family can bypass that. It's their choice how burdensome to make it. Your problem is only looking at it from your perspective as a collector, ironically. But a family without your collector mentality cand dispose of anything without burden if they so choose.

Maximizing return is a critical aspect of any inheritance. How well you can maximize that return for your family is up to you. Simply collecting until you die is a terrible approach.

Now, anybody with a big enough collection they’ve inherited can call up Goldin, Heritage, etc and have them come to your house to pick it up and auction it off. Don’t worry about any cost basis and pay your 28% collectibles tax. This seems to be the avenue you’re advocating for. Least amount of work, lowest amount of return.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Maximizing return is a critical aspect of any inheritance. How well you can maximize that return for your family is up to you. Simply collecting until you die is a terrible approach.



Now, anybody with a big enough collection they’ve inherited can call up Goldin, Heritage, etc and have them come to your house to pick it up and auction it off. Don’t worry about any cost basis and pay your 28% collectibles tax. This seems to be the avenue you’re advocating for. Least amount of work, lowest amount of return.

I'm not advocating any particular approach. I'm simply suggesting there is a whole spectrum of approaches available, each having their own level of "burden."

Your problem is you can't comprehend when someone offers a different perspective that they aren't necessarily advocating for that to be the point of view everyone should take.

I'm merely trying to get people to see that there are lots of ways to aporoach it. And that if your concern is burden, they can resuce it at the tradeoff of maximizing profit. I'm not saying that's the only, or ideal route, but that every collection can be disposed of without burden. And that is something to think about. It may not be what's best for you or your family, but worth considering. Because it means you don't have to stop collecting just because you are worried about some phantom burden that may not actually be real.

But as always, and contrary to your intentionally obtuse allegations about my posts, my position is do what works for you, and collect what you enjoy.

Now if only you would stop following me around to constantly misstate my posts. You obviously do it intentionally.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

I'm not advocating any particular approach. I'm simply suggesting there is a whole spectrum of approaches available, each having their own level of "burden."

Your problem is you can't comprehend when someone offers a different perspective that they aren't necessarily advocating for that to be the point of view everyone should take.

I'm merely trying to get people to see that there are lots of ways to aporoach it. And that if your concern is burden, they can resuce it at the tradeoff of maximizing profit. I'm not saying that's the only, or ideal route, but that every collection can be disposed of without burden. And that is something to think about. It may not be what's best for you or your family, but worth considering. Because it means you don't have to stop collecting just because you are worried about some phantom burden that may not actually be real.

But as always, and contrary to your intentionally obtuse allegations about my posts, my position is do what works for you, and collect what you enjoy.

Now if only you would stop following me around to constantly misstate my posts. You obviously do it intentionally.

Let me remind you how binary you made this problem.

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Those worried about their property burdening their loved ones are either overstating it or are serious hoarders, and cards are probably the least of the burden they are leaving their families.

We get it. You have a small collection of relatively insignificant value that can be shipped anywhere with ease. Saying every collection can be disposed of without burden is a flat out lie.

I’ll also remind you that you put me back on ignore less than 24 hours ago. You’re coming off as obsessed if you continue to be unable to stick to that. I’m just here commenting on stupid takes, like I do to everyone who posts them.

[PatchSentinel]

The biggest issue for me is the fact that whoever is left to deal with my collection may simply throw them away, or steal them. That includes people working in longterm-care facilities. I don't trust that any instructions I would leave will be enough, so I'd rather do the job myself. For all I know, I may have to switch from collecting cards to collecting medicinal pills and walking canes in old age. It will be much easier to sell my cards off a little earlier than may be necessary and put that money into investment vehicles or cash accounts, which are more understandable and easier to deal with for most people. We'll see.

I would much rather have my cards make it into the hands of people who actually want them. I can still collect, but most likely at 90% of the capacity I had leading up to retirement.

[Chicosbailbonds]

Originally Posted by SyrNy1960

Have been collecting for 40+ years. My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 4 years ago, so I decided to sell my collection, and put the money away for any future care she may need. It was an easy transition, with zero regrets. I did keep one piece from my collection to enjoy: 2005 Alex Rodriguez Game Used Glove. I still spend time on Ebay, NET54, Blowout Cards, etc. to look at other collectors pick-ups and collections. I don't have FOMO

Feel for you and your wife. My mother passed away from that, it really takes a lot out of the caregiver. - you.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by PatchSentinel

The biggest issue for me is the fact that whoever is left to deal with my collection may simply throw them away, or steal them. That includes people working in longterm-care facilities. I don't trust that any instructions I would leave will be enough, so I'd rather do the job myself. For all I know, I may have to switch from collecting cards to collecting medicinal pills and walking canes in old age. It will be much easier to sell my cards off a little earlier than may be necessary and put that money into investment vehicles or cash accounts, which are more understandable and easier to deal with for most people. We'll see.

I would much rather have my cards make it into the hands of people who actually want them. I can still collect, but most likely at 90% of the capacity I had leading up to retirement.

Indeed. This is all estate planning, which doesn’t begin as you’re dying, but rather right now. If you’re fortunate enough to own any assets worth passing on, you have to plan for how they will be dealt with when you pass.

Even someone who thinks their collection isn’t a burden might change their mind when the family has a legal fight over ownership and management because they didn’t do anything beyond instructing them to box it up and ship it to the consignor.

[Raleigh504]

For me, I do quite a bit of reselling now since I have time with my job. That will change this year and will slim down my eBay store from 25k to about 1-4K of cards with the cheapest being in the $5-$10 range. Any bulk I get from opening random boxes I will just either sell cheap or in bulk lot.

I will still sell at shows but it will be mainly $1+ cards and showcase ones (sell of cards that I upgrade in my PC). Mainly have two 3-row boxes and then showcase stuff (one being $1 cards and the other being $2+ ones). I plan on grading more when I make that transition with buying singles to grade either for PC or to sell off.

This will help for having family resell it if I pass away unexpectedly or something. I have a buddy who does cards too and will probably tell him to sell off for my family since kids are too young and wife doesn’t care and would prefer the cash.

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by Chicosbailbonds

Feel for you and your wife. My mother passed away from that, it really takes a lot out of the caregiver. - you.

Thank you! Sorry to hear about your mother. There are some really good videos on YouTube of caregivers sharing their stories. The videos help tremendously. I'm a very patient and understanding person, so that also helps. My hope is that her progression will be slow, so she will have the best quality of life that she can have. Been married 31 years, and we are very close, so the thought of losing her too early in life will be the most difficult part to deal with. Again, thank you!

[nabzy28]

I don't know. I've stopped for years at a time over 4+ decades. Currently, basically, in a 4 year major slow down since the 'bubble' and because there hasn't been anything that I was particularly interested in chasing. I streamlined my PC years ago with some basic guidelines, one being that if I add a certain player(s) card, I have to sell one I already have. So, I try to maintain a HOF, on-card autograph collection of cards I really like and you just don't see every day. Once Topps is back in the NFL game in 2026, I will likely be adding again. As for dispersing it all, well... if the next generation in the family isn't interested, at some point it'll be pieced out years down the line. I'm not nearly as attached to all of it as I was over the past, but it's still an enjoyable hobby and a far better use of extra funds than a vast amount of other things. (I don't rip boxes, only add singles, so value is mostly stable growth.) They know what to do if I leave early - keep anything you want, consign whatever you don't.

[sportzluvr1]

Can't stop won't stop. Riding the wave until my Trout Bowman Chrome autos fall back down to March of 2010 prices hahahaha

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Let me remind you how binary you made this problem.


We get it. You have a small collection of relatively insignificant value that can be shipped anywhere with ease. Saying every collection can be disposed of without burden is a flat out lie.

I’ll also remind you that you put me back on ignore less than 24 hours ago. You’re coming off as obsessed if you continue to be unable to stick to that. I’m just here commenting on stupid takes, like I do to everyone who posts them.

LOL, what a troll. My collection is quite valuable, thanks.

What you fail once again to comprehend is that I said people overstate the "burden." That's absolutely true, given that the burden can be zero with any collection if you compromise value. Call it binary if you want. It's a fact. A fact that doesn't mean I'm telling anyone what to do, or what is best for them. That is all your position created in your own mind.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Indeed. This is all estate planning, which doesn’t begin as you’re dying, but rather right now. If you’re fortunate enough to own any assets worth passing on, you have to plan for how they will be dealt with when you pass.



Even someone who thinks their collection isn’t a burden might change their mind when the family has a legal fight over ownership and management because they didn’t do anything beyond instructing them to box it up and ship it to the consignor.

Good estate planning is important. And is one way to eliminate the burden as well. Which supports my point that keeping your collection until you die doesn't have to create a burden for your family, whether it's a low end collection like yours, or a high end one like mine.

Thanks for once again supporting my point.

[cardsin47]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

But if the collection has any bulk to it, that’s a burden on your loved ones.

The greatest gift I could leave to my loved ones is the “burden” of a valuable, large collection. They can keep it, grow it, sell it, or pass it on. It’s 10,000 times better than leaving them nothing / no collection.

[blackbears86]

Everyone here has their own reasons for why they collect/what they collect and how they want to manage things when that "day comes", if ever.


From my standpoint, I have no kids, and my nieces/nephews don't care about my collection. This makes my decision relatively easy: Sell the bulk of my collection in the next 5-10 years and keep making memories with those I love.


I'd much rather have that memory on my deathbed than die with my 500+ unopened boxes and comics. I already pretty much stopped buying boxes in 2021 (I still buy some direct releases from topps)

Again, not slamming anyone for doing what they do.

[hermanotarjeta]

I can’t wait when everybody liquidates their collection in the next 5-10 years, will be fun to pick up some goodies again!

[zdawgs]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

LOL, what a troll. My collection is quite valuable, thanks.

What you fail once again to comprehend is that I said people overstate the "burden." That's absolutely true, given that the burden can be zero with any collection if you compromise value. Call it binary if you want. It's a fact. A fact that doesn't mean I'm telling anyone what to do, or what is best for them. That is all your position created in your own mind.

Don't fall into his troll. He is the most insecure person on the boards and beats others down to make himself feel better about himself.