Whenever we look back on life, we think of all the things we could have done differently. There isn’t much we can change, but we can always help the next generation grow and learn from our experiences. That’s the wonderful thing about life and especially about being part of “The Hobby.”
I have grown and learned so much after jumping in the deep end about three years ago with Joey. There are some fantastic YouTubers, Instagram Accounts, and Collectors who helped us start our journey. I wanted to share my thoughts and some from the hobby community on what we wish we knew as a first-time collector.
A Few Things I Wish I Knew
The hobby is a fantastic community of cards and people, but it can be overwhelming. Here are a few things I wish I had known before starting as a collector.
Focus on one sport, TCG category, or segment until you understand the space, terminology, and selling and build your collection.
Build a presence on social media, especially if you want to sell at shows or online. It’s a great way to promote your upcoming shows or what you have for sale.
The cheesy “Collect What You Love” is so true! If you don’t enjoy what you are collecting, you won’t enjoy it.
We have our collection for “making a profit,” but we always return to collecting the players, teams, and sets that bring us joy in this space.
Research everything before you take your first steps. I wish I had looked at all my options for the following.
Selling platforms: eBay, CollX, MyCardPost and others
Databases to keep track of your collection and value: Collx/Card Dealer Pro, Market Movers, Mascot.
Where we buy our supplies from: BCW, Ultra Pro, Card Shellz, and Our LCS.
There are so many others, but stick it out for several months once you do your research. Help these companies grow their products and learn the ins and outs.
Get a wide variety of options via YouTube or Social Media. It’s helpful to see the hobby from a broad point of view. Don’t let one person distort your view; create your opinion from that!
Build your community! Whether it’s making friends with people at a show, growing a social media account, or selling at the same shows to get to know people. It would be “The Hobby” without all of us.
The Hobby Community’s Insight
Everyone sees the hobby from different perspectives. Mine might differ from yours or my friend's. So, I reached out to our community to hear their perspective and share with you what they wish they knew as new collectors!
“It’s ok to buy something just because you think it’s cool, even if it will likely lose value in the future. If you’d rather have the card than the money, it doesn’t matter what others say or what the comps are.” - Jon (Basketball Card Guy)
When I jumped back into the hobby after a long hiatus, the excitement and hype were overwhelming. Honestly, I wish I had budgeted more responsibly. With so much more social influence within the hobby today, I can envision many brand-new collectors being just as overwhelmed.
For a brand new collector, I’d recommend setting a budget for their hobby. It’ll help them avoid overspending (prevents financial strain), make them more selective on what they buy (encourages research), and allow the collector to stay involved in the hobby long term instead of burning out.
“I wish I had researched product checklists more thoroughly and focused on those that offered the best balance of fun, return on investment, and the thrill of the chase. Instead of buying into the hype of every new release, it would have been easier to avoid burnout and keep the joy of the hobby alive.” - Joe (Dnick55)
“I’ve got to echo those saying budget and researching checklists before buying products to rip or in breaks. Also, really understand what parallels are and how sets are set up. Then determine a pc focus - are you a set collector, player/character, team or theme collector? There’s no right answer but narrowing a focus will help keep your “card space” from being overwhelmed. (Laughs) Me? I’m currently overwhelmed as I look at my office.” - Lanie (darth.maum)
“I wish early on as a collector, I learned that other females collected like me. At times early on in my journey as a collector, I constantly felt out of place. This could've discouraged me from continuing to collect if I didn't have such a passion for it. In the current state of the hobby, I'm seeing the female presence increase, whether that be dealers, attendees, collectors, etc. It's important to note that collecting is for everyone, and everyone should know that.” - Kayla (Kayla.Collects)
“I would say one thing that I had wished I learned earlier on as a new collector when I truly got into the hobby would be to not get caught up in the profit side of cards, and rather collect what I love and players that I enjoy watching. I have spent money before on cards specifically for the profit side, and didn't care about the card one bit. I wish I would have used that money spent to put it towards a card I enjoy collecting. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome being able to make money off of sports cards, but it's way more fun collecting cards for the pure enjoyment of adding to your personal collection!” - Hailey (SlabMania)
“I wish I would have learned that just because a new product is released that doesn’t mean you have to have a crack at it. The hype draws you in and subliminally makes you think you have to have a piece of it.” - Alex (ArmyATC22)
“As a new collector, I fell hard for the hype around breaks—jumping into so many, spending so much, and often coming up empty-handed. I’ve learned that it’s much easier (and smarter) to just find the card I want and buy it directly. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a little gamble every now and then, but it’s definitely not my main focus anymore. Collect smart, not hype! - Jenny (JennyMarieSportsCards)
“One piece of advice that I tend to give people is that when buying raw, consider the other items a seller has available. If they’re a majority of graded cards, there’s a reason why it’s raw.” - Dan (StandUpDisplays)
“Not just in collecting but definitely in collecting, it is important to embody a mindset of caring less what other people think. In a world that has never been louder with noise, opinions, hype, and distractions…it is paramount to embody authenticity and protecting that. The moment you can exercise that muscle, it gets easier, and life gets profoundly easier. You can be truly free when you can tactfully, respectfully, and unapologetically ‘do you’. Don’t allow anyone to be the uninvited gatekeeper to yourself, the thief of your joy, or dictator to how you hobby. If it isn’t fun or informative, it is no longer a hobby. Golden rule, always, in all ways…deuces.” - Ryan (isawsasquatch)
Make it Your Journey & Your Hobby!
These are some of the few people who helped us start our hobby journey. I hope that something they said helps you make your journey, and your hobby experience a wonderful time!
Please follow them all on social media, say hi at a show, or reach out to them. We all want you to enjoy, grow, and welcome you to the amazing group we call “The Hobby.”
“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” - Peter Hagerty
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