For some reason, you stepped away from baseball card collecting. Maybe career goals got in your way, or maybe life just pumped the breaks on your hobby. The itch came back though. You want to get back into it, but it’s been so long. The following guide will help your return.
Start Researching
The first thing you want to do is admit that you’ve been away from this world for some time. You don’t know as much as you did before.
The sooner you admit this, the better because it means you can start researching. Find out which cards are worth something. Learn about today’s players so that you know what to collect.
Of course, the knowledge you have is still valuable. You might know about vintage cards and the famous players of your time. You can use that knowledge, too. Find out what your cards are worth now and what you can get if you trade them.
Stay Selective
One problem some folks have when they return to baseball card collecting is they try to collect everything they can get their hands on. That’s not the best way to return to this hobby.
Be selective about what you choose to collect. Invest in cards you want that are also worth something. This is part of the reason why it’s important to do some research because you can’t make wise choices if you don’t know what’s valuable.
You’re just starting. You probably don’t have a lot of money and may not have many valuable cards just yet. Avoid investing in every card you see.
Don’t Be Afraid of High Prices
Being selective can mean investing in high-priced baseball cards. This one can be hard for people sometimes, but if you want to make good investments, you should try to get a few appreciating baseball cards.
Now, don’t assume that any high-priced card is valuable. You’re going to have to do some research so that you know which cards are worth the price and which ones aren’t. No one is saying you need to spend thousands or millions as you would for several Mickey Mantle baseball cards, but you shouldn’t be afraid to spend more than you normally would.
A good rule of thumb is to try to collect what you’re interested in. Some people stick to vintage cards, and that’s okay. Others just focus on modern baseball cards, which is more than okay, too.
You want to love what you’re collecting so that the research you do on cards and the players doesn’t feel overwhelming. The initial part where you’re mostly researching is going to take a long time, and it should. By the time you purchase your first expensive card, you’ll feel certain about it, and that’s the way it should be.
Grading is a Big Deal
If you’re going to be returning to baseball card collecting, you’re going to have to learn a little more about grading. Knowing the exact condition of the cards you have and the ones you’re going to get is vital. It’ll make you a better collector, and it’ll help you be a better trader.
Knowing the value of what you have is imperative. The good thing is this part isn’t too hard. You need to keep in mind there are only two grading companies to help collectors know what they have. There’s Beckett and PSA.
These companies will not only grade the condition of the card, but they’ll also grade the autograph, not to mention authenticate your card.
You should keep these two companies in mind when you’re collecting. It’s important to note that, while you could use either one of these companies, Beckett seems like it’s better for modern cards. PSA is better for vintage cards.
Consider All Options
As you do your research, you want to find various types of collecting options. You probably already know some of these like vintage baseball cards or rookie cards, but there are some modern ones to consider, like digital baseball card collections.
If you’ve been away from this world for a long time, digital collecting is probably going to be the strangest option to you. It’s hard to imagine that digital baseball cards would hold any value.
You can’t hold these cards, but they’re gathering attention. You can’t deny some of the perks, like being able to trade online without going anywhere. You don’t have to worry about storage, and you don’t have to carry the cards you collect all over the place when you show off your collection or trade.
The digital baseball card is still in its infancy, so it’s a good time to at least consider it.
Go to the Roots
The next thing you want to do is go to knowledgeable people. Visit local collectibles shops. You’re going to find everything you need to get your collecting going again.
On top of that, the knowledge these folks have is something to covet. Learn as much as you can from shop owners and the folks who work there. These are experts; these people have been in this industry for a long time and can talk to you about whatever you want to learn.
Plus, going to these types of shops helps you get reacquainted with the hobby. You’ll meet fellow collectors. You’ll reenter this world, and you’ll start to feel at home again, which is a good thing.
Keep in mind that you’re also going to be supporting your hobby. These shops need all the support they can get, so make sure you give your support. The sports-card collecting industry is fueled by folks who love this hobby, and it needs the help.
