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HOW TO COLLECT BASEBALL CARDS
New to baseball card collecting? These tips will help you enjoy the hobby.
Determine what you want to collect
Single cards, sets, inserts, game-used cards (i.e. jersey, bats), autographed cards,
one team, one player, Hall of Famers, new cards, old cards, cards from one manufacturer.
Create a want-list of cards you are looking for
If you are making sets, write down the card numbers you are looking for. This makes searching
for particular cards much easier.
Purchase a price guide to use as a reference
Purchase a price guide such as Beckett or Tuff Stuff and use it as a reference. This will give
You an idea of card prices and if something you wish to purchase is a bargain or is over priced.
Card values determined by many factors
Is it a rookie card, old, rare, insert, star player, autographed, or has a game-used piece.
The condition of the card is important. A Gem Mint ("like new") card will be worth the most, poor
to fair the least. There are also professional grading services that, for a price, grade the condition
of your cards. Their scales usually go from 10 ("Gem Mint") to 1 ("Poor to Fair").
Visit local card shops, stores, card shows, and auction sites to purchase cards
A local card shop is a great place to start your collection. Be sure to go to a respected shop and befriend
the owner. They know the hobby. They can answer your questions, help you decide what to collect,
let you know when new products are coming out, and they can look out for cards you are searching for. Make sure
you set a budget and use a price guide as a reference. At a card shop you can purchase single cards, sets, and unopened
packs and boxes. Some unopened packs and boxes are great in that they provide a chance to obtain a rare insert, a game-used
card, or an autographed card. Be careful, packs can be searched. People can weigh, bend, feel, look through, and open
and then reseal packs to obtain the premium cards.
Stores such as Target, Walmart, Kmart, etc. are great places to purchase new products. There you can purchase retail boxes
and packs of new products. Some stores even sell complete sets or team sets of cards. Packs in these type of stores
are more likely to be searched. If there is not a local card shop in the area, this option provides a great way of pursuing your
hobby.
Card shows are where groups of dealers buy, sell, and even trade their cards and memorabilia. Make sure that you are on the mailing list,
if the show has one to be notified of upcoming events. Some shows even have former players there to sign autographs and pose for
photos. This is a great way to meet your favorite players. Before buying do a complete round of the show. More than
one dealer may have what you are looking for and at different prices. Negotiate with the dealers. If something is out of your
budget, ask them if they are willing to take a lower price for it, take something in trade for it, or even do a cash and trade deal. When
selling or trading your cards, go to more than one dealer. One dealer may offer you a better trade or price for your cards. Make sure you
bring a price guide as a reference or even ask another dealer if they think something is a good deal or not.
Auction sites are another way of obtaining cards. If you look carefully, you can sometimes get great deals. Use a price guide as a
reference so that you have an idea as to whether you should place a bid on an item and what the maximum you will bid on an item. Make sure that
you include and shipping and handling charges and insurance charges in determining the maximum amount you want to pay for an item.
Check newspapers, garage sales, flea markets, and ads in magazines. Who knows, you might just find that card you have been looking for.
Store and care for your cards properly
Do not store cards in high/low humidity and never in direct sunlight. Do not store cards loose, or
bound by rubber bands. Place individual cards in plastic sleeves, sheets, or holders and then place the
protected cards in storage boxes.
Make sure that noone throws out your collection
Make sure that your husband/wife, parents know the importance of your collection and to "NOT" throw it away.
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