Afternoon all.
Getting back into the game after 14 years away from it. Collected pretty heavily as a teen between 2001-2005. Spent most weekends, unsuccessfully, convincing my parents to make trips from the outer suburbs to Glenferrie Road (Card Heaven) and Northland Shopping Centre (Ace Colour Copy) to see how far I could stretch $50. 10 packets at $5 each, take a risk on one expensive pack or buy a card outright. Being 15, 10 packets always trumped one and I never found buying a card enjoyable. It was all about the rip.
A lot has changed since then. Walking into a card shop with $50 saved over two weeks as a kid vs walking into a card shop and conceivably being able to buy anything that's for sale as an adult, no more Upper Deck, Panini seemingly dominating the shelves, etc. I definitely feel a bit lost and I've come here to get some help and advice!
I used to collect sets and I'd have seperate folders for each. I'd buy the odd pack from left-field that would guarantee me something special which would also have it's own folder. Anything super-special got locked down in a nice case.
What got me interested in collecting again? Seeing Panini packets at my local K-Mart (Northcote!) Purchased a few and got the bug, did some research and came across Cherry Collectables and bought a box of 17-18 Panini Prestige's. Had a heap of fun breaking them open last night to my girlfriends dismay (I already spend enough money on records as a DJ, the last thing I need is another expensive hobby).
So, some questions I would love to have answered!
1 – What happened to Upper Deck and where did Panini come from? I assume there are no Jordan and LeBron auto's because of this? Being the holy grail, I'd imagine opening new packs knowing there's no chance you could land one would be a bit of a buzz kill?
2 – Do people still collect sets or are they more focused on individual players, teams, inserts, rookie cards, auto's, etc? I'm still deciding on what I want to do. Leaning towards completing the Prestige base set as a starting point and working my way from there.
3 – Do people still store their cards in 9-pocket sleeves or are more in top-loaders cases?
4 – Do people still buy individual packets? I used to almost strictly (unless my parents would buy me a box for my birthday or Christmas) however it seems a bit pointless if you can save up, buy a box and get a guaranteed auto/patch/#'d card.
5 – Any suggestions on what product I should look at next? Something affordable and then something a bit more on the pricey side.
Would welcome any other general suggestions, comments and updates!
Thanks, and sorry for the long post!