Patience. 5 1/2 years worth of patience.

There comes a time in this hobby when most collectors realize that this isn't a race. There is absolutely no need to rush out and buy the latest and greatest the week after release.

 

It's a hard lesson to learn. Some of us never learn it. I feel that's a big reason why there is burnout and people drop the hobby after going all in for as long as they could.

 

I know it was a huge lesson for me. But I am a much happier collector now. And like all good things, they come to those who wait for them.

 

And wait.

 

Aaaaaaand wait.

 

5 1/2 years.

 

Cue the wavy picture and the dreamy music as we flashback to 2008.

 

There was a product called Upper Deck Premier. My guy Adam LaRoche had several cards in the set. And several parallel cards... all of them pretty. I wanted ALL THE LAROCHE CARDS!

 

The thing is, I acquired a lot of them too. Just because I had one /10, doesn't mean I didn't want 2 or 3 or 4 of them.

 

The same goes for /15 and /25. So you know that carried over to the ones /30.

 

Thirty! Easy! Might as well get them all!

 

I think I have 10 or so of the /30. I was buying them for fair prices. Between $7 and $15.

 

Then another one popped up on the 'bay. #28/30. It was beautiful. I wanted it.

 

No. I needed it.

 

Problem..... it had a Buy It Now of $25, with a Best Offer option. $25????? Is he insane?

 

So I buckled down and offered him half. More than I wanted seeing as it would also have $3.50 shipping.

 

He came back at $22. Ha! I declined.

 

A year goes buy and that card is still in my Watched Items.

 

I offer $10. Still plus $3.50 shipping.

 

He refuses.

 

A year goes by.

 

I offer him $9.

 

Nope.

 

Another year goes by.

 

My offer goes up to $10 again.

 

No dice.

 

So I give up. But I still watch MY card in my Watched Items. And it stays there... month after month. At $25, for another 2 1/2 years.

 

Then, in December of 2013.... the seller has a xmas sale or something.... and low and behold, my card is marked down to $12. Except now it's $5.50 shipping.

 

I send him an offer of $7.50 all in. I've been the only one wanting this card for over five years.

 

I think he finally gave in... he counters at $9.50 shipped.

 

BOOM!!!

 

Patience. A lesson well learned.

Now.......

Why the hell do I need so many copies of the same card????