Sports cards have long been a popular collectible for people around the world. The first sports cards came on the market along with tobacco products. Since then, sports card collecting has grown in popularity. Perhaps you, too, have become aware of this culture and want to know how to start collecting. In this article, you’ll find some tips you should consider if you’re going to start collecting cards; let’s get started!
Don’t Chase Everything
Overall, there are a lot of new items on the market. Don’t try to collect everything.
The rabbit hole will never end even if you hit the Powerball jackpot. Be realistic when setting a goal, as it should be attainable. Consider what aspects of collecting bring you the most joy. If so, who’s it? Getting autographs? Putting together a set?
You can start with that. Then you can narrow your focus further by exploring the many card designs available. Find your niche; that’s what you’re looking for.
Checking the Condition of the Card You’re Buying
The quality of the cards in your collection can significantly impact resale value. Therefore, when inspecting a card, always look for three things.
- Printing errors: such errors existed when the manufacturer printed the card.
- Trim defects: many of these defects are not noticeable to the average person, such as jagged or non-straight edges, making the card off-center—but to experts, they can significantly reduce the card’s value.
- Defects after the cards have left the pack: Generally, cards are damaged after they have been opened and removed from the collection. There are jagged edges, creases, water damage, and discoloration.
Right Pricing
To avoid getting ripped off and paying too much, you must learn how to price your cards, whether collecting for pleasure or your business.
The easiest way to determine card prices is to use current sales data. It’s important to know that you are not looking at the price of a card on auction platforms like eBay, where dealers routinely inflate the stated price to entice customers to place bids. Any marketplace’s “sold listings” can show you the recent selling prices.
Final Word
Nowadays, a sports card collection can be more than just an opportunity to reminisce about the past. As a kid, you may have enjoyed glancing at the cards of your favorite players, but today there’s much more to it than that.
Bookmark this page, so you can return to it later to learn how you began. Have fun collecting!
