Hobby thoughts for collecting

[barberromo2008]

Wanting to hear any and all opinions on this subject:

2020 I felt out priced out of most group breaks and now I am finding even the market for 2021 NFL Boxes and actually older boxes way to high for my budget.

Here is my question I would like to hear your answer to: if you were me would you raise your budget for this hobby that you have loved since 1989 or just keep the same budget but be way more selective with what breaks and what boxes you buy? Lets hear the answers.

Thanks again. Just find myself in uncharted waters the past year.

[Tanker1812]

I haven’t bought into any NFL breaks since 2019.

I rip some MLB stuff but other than that I stick to buying singles

[NYJNYYFan]

This year especially with Zach Wilson, I’d rather pick up singles I like instead of breaking boxes.

I wouldn’t increase my budget since that can easily lead your down a slippery slope.

[Siberian13]

I mean you do breaks so money is obviously not important to you. So just raise the budget and continue doing what makes you happy.

[Seahawks fan]

I've been priced out of busting new boxes since 2018. Atleast there were alternatives like Group Breaks, old wax, and Cyber Monaday/Black Friday deals. But all of those options are gone/priced out of the casual fun factor.

Thats ok just buy singles right? Then 2020 happend -
We saw a massive production increases in volume, retail, and variety so there was plenty to "collect". But the prices not only didn't justify the purchase but in order to recoup some of those prices spent we saw parallels of vets that would normally go for cheap , get listed at astronomical prices. An influx of grading so now cards I want for a rainbow/raw are popping up graded from the most random grading services and again asking astronomical prices.

If you can't afford it anymore all you can do is be selective but that does take much of the fun factor away.

[barberromo2008]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

I mean you do breaks so money is obviously not important to you. So just raise the budget and continue doing what makes you happy.

I am extremely been more selective. If I get into a break and get a nothing card, if I would still be happy about that because I collect the sport or subject then yes, if not then I do not get into them.

Originally Posted by Seahawks fan

I've been priced out of busting new boxes since 2018. Atleast there were alternatives like Group Breaks, old wax, and Cyber Monaday/Black Friday deals. But all of those options are gone/priced out of the casual fun factor.

Thats ok just buy singles right? Then 2020 happend -
We saw a massive production increases in volume, retail, and variety so there was plenty to "collect". But the prices not only didn't justify the purchase but in order to recoup some of those prices spent we saw parallels of vets that would normally go for cheap , get listed at astronomical prices. An influx of grading so now cards I want for a rainbow/raw are popping up graded from the most random grading services and again asking astronomical prices.

If you can't afford it anymore all you can do is be selective but that does take much of the fun factor away.

I am at the point where a box of cards is $300 or more and I rather pick up singles or get old wax but when a box use to be $50-60 max is now $175, just do not know.

Thank you all for replying. Keep them coming.

[majestik101]

I've pretty much gone the singles route since 2019

[CaptainArmenia]

Pretty much what everyone else said. Singles mainly

Or sometimes if it's a good buy .. a hobby box of a lower tier product. Like Donruss Elite that was released recently.

Done buying Prizm, Optic, Contenders retail or hobby. Been massacred on those boxes countless times

[altaeria]

Seems like an odd question. If you are able to voluntarily increase your budget on a whim anyway, then it really sounds like you're just asking if the return on your investment will be worth it. In that case, most people will probably say no, go with singles.

[barberromo2008]

Originally Posted by altaeria

Seems like an odd question. If you are able to voluntarily increase your budget on a whim anyway, then it really sounds like you're just asking if the return on your investment will be worth it. In that case, most people will probably say no, go with singles.

Sorry yes I meant if the investment is worth it. $300 a box for $10 worth of cards just is not the same. I understand not all boxes are amazing but 2020 saw retail Megas boxes for $39.99 get more than that back if some of the Burrows or Tua's were pulled. For example, 2007 Contenders use to be $65 and if I got trash autos I could live with $65 it use to be the same as a team buy in a case where there is no guarantee. Hope this makes sense.

[oldgoldy97]

I’ve come to realize what a waste group breaks are. I upped my budget over the past year and now I’m ready to scale back and be much more selective in my purchasing.

[jplarson]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

I’ve come to realize what a waste group breaks are. I upped my budget over the past year and now I’m ready to scale back and be much more selective in my purchasing.

Agreed. Bears for me were kinda hard to stomach in non-QB years. This year it's Fields, an overhyped 6th round WR, and pretty much only that. I'd much rather grab singles than roll the dice on Fields with no decent backup RCs to have something to show for it.

[Haigo]

My breaking has gone way down and I haven't bought any wax to bust in almost two years. Stuck to singles and my collection has grown and better than ever. Wish I had done it years ago.

[hermanotarjeta]

Stick to your budget and be more selective.

If we all did this, the hobby will come back to us in a more wallet-friendly form.

[JK-Amsterdam]

I'm in the same boat and with a strict budget(with three kids) and haven't busted or been in a group break in years. I stick to singles but even now singles are getting out of hand as well.
My collecting-HOF Autos-have gotten crazy just for singles as well.
I'm just trying to be selective and hope the rich find some other craze and go away eventually.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by barberromo2008

Wanting to hear any and all opinions on this subject:

2020 I felt out priced out of most group breaks and now I am finding even the market for 2021 NFL Boxes and actually older boxes way to high for my budget.

Here is my question I would like to hear your answer to: if you were me would you raise your budget for this hobby that you have loved since 1989 or just keep the same budget but be way more selective with what breaks and what boxes you buy? Lets hear the answers.

Thanks again. Just find myself in uncharted waters the past year.

I don’t do breaks or just wax or anything like that, I buy singles, but I can relate to where you’re coming from. I used to buy PSA 10 cards of players I like, but as I’m starting to be priced out of that, I’m just shifting my strategy a bit. Since I don’t flip, and just buy PSA 10’s because I like cards is great condition, I’ve realized I’m just as happy with SGC 10’s. Everyone finds their own ways to adapt.