3 Things Every New Sports Card Collector Should Know
Hey chicken nuggets – Tyler here. When I jumped back into sports card collecting, I thought I was ready. Turns out, I had some lessons to learn. Hard ones. So if you’re new (or even coming back after a long break), I want to share 3 truths that could save you cash, time, and heartache.
1. Comps Are Wild West Numbers – Not Laws
Ever looked at eBay sold listings and thought, “Oh cool, that card’s worth $450”? Hold up.
Just because it sold for $450 doesn’t mean that’s what it’s worth.
We’ve got shill bidding, weird buyer behavior, and incomplete data.
Analogy Time:
It’s like Zillow. Just because your neighbor listed their house for $900k doesn’t mean anyone’s paying it.
It’s like NBA player contracts. Just because someone got paid doesn’t mean they’re worth it (looking at you, Chandler Parsons).
It’s like Rotten Tomatoes. Sure, the score is there, but you gotta read the reviews before you trust it.
2. Your Vibe Chooses Your Tribe
Find people who get your collecting style and don’t make you feel weird for liking 90s inserts or prospecting on 2nd round picks.
It’s like…
High school lunch tables. You got your flippers, your MJ truthers, your slab junkies, and your dollar box divers.
The Fast & Furious family. Everyone’s into something different, but it’s all about loyalty.
Hogwarts houses. Are you Gryffindor (risk-taking flipper), Ravenclaw (set collector), or Hufflepuff (binder kid who just loves the hobby)?
3. Collect What You Like — Not What’s Trending
If you’re only buying for profit, you’re just gambling.
But if you collect what you love, you win either way.
Case in point:
I bought a $3,500 LeBron Chrome rookie. It’s now worth half that.
But it’s one of my favorite cards of all time, and I’m cool being stuck with it.
This is like:
Buying a concert ticket. Even if the artist fades, you had a blast.
Drafting your favorite fantasy player early. You don’t care if it’s a reach.
Framing art in your house. It may not gain value, but it sparks joy every time you look at it.
Final Thought:
Don’t let someone else’s comp sheet, vibe, or hot take steer your whole collecting journey.
As always, be kind, have fun, and never stop collecting. ✌️
