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????
