I mean to post this thread months ago but only really ended up getting it "drafted" and never posted it but I'm always curious to know what kinds of collectors there are on any given site I frequent. These days I don't really frequently check any except SCA but I am a member of almost all the card forums and do check in on them all from time to time looking for cards I need, or folks I can help out with some of the cards I have and don't need.
So, anyways, I thought this would be a fun poll to have on the site. Please select all that apply, and feel free to change your votes at any time.
Here are some explanations of what each one of these is, at least to me...
Player Collector – This collector collects bulk lots of their favorite player. Their cards range from commons to 1/1s. They do not care if it is base or autograph/game-used, as long as it is the player. They do not like to spend for a card most of the time, but will trade for it. These collectors have been known to purchase other player cards at a low price to use as trade bait. May collect one or more players.
Player Super Collector – This collector as at least 75% of the cards already in-hand from the player’s checklist, which may also include non-listed and little-known cards that perhaps only super collectors know exist. These collectors have 25% of 1/1s produced in their collection. Super collectors typically have good overall knowledge of the player they collect. Super collectors may also specialize in obtaining just a collection of all or most (at least 70%) autograph and/or game-used cards from the checklist. These collectors collections are usually only focused on one player.
Prospector – These collectors primarily collect and hoard rookie cards of a player(s) who haven't played, or haven't played much, yet. They buy low, or in bulk, hoping the player excels so they can score high with the rookie cards they have collected. Some may sell when the player becomes hot or they may keep the cards to just to brag about how many rookie cards they have of that player.
Team Collector – Team collectors collect complete team sets and/or the star players of that one particular team. The star singles may vary from base to 1/1s but is within the theme of the team they collect. They do not care if it is base or autograph/game-used as long as it is of the team.
Team Fanatic – These collectors collect not only cards, but jerseys, mugs, pennants, clothes, gear, mini helmets, blankets, bed spreads, table cloths, etc.. They go all out for anything that is team-related.
Set Collector – These collectors collect/build complete sets, whether they are base sets or subsets or parallels. These collectors typically do massive amounts of trading. They may often use the special or star cards as trade bait.
Box Breaker – These collectors buy boxes hoping to score on rare cards for sale/trade or favorite player/team items for their personal collection. They may build at least one set from the base cards of a box break.
Vintage Collector – These collectors collect cards and/or sets from 1940 to 1973.
Type Collector - This collector collects one type of each card manufactured for each year, usually rare issues. Their cards do not need to depict a star.
Prewar Collector – This collector collects tobacco items, gum cards, post cards, and ads manufactured before 1940. Most of their items are won at auctions. Very few, if any, are traded.
Advanced Collector – This collector collects rare tobacco issues, postcards, posters and artifacts from the early stages of the game. The items in their collection are close to or even more than a century old. They rarely do trades. Most items are won at auction houses.
Autograph/Game-Used Collector – This collector exclusively collects autographed and/or game-used cards of one or many players and/or of one or many teams.
Hall of Fame Collector – This collector collects all types of cards of HOFers whether it be base, autographs, or game-used. Many start their collection working backwards by decade starting from the most recent inductees since their cards are more easily obtainable.
Old School Collector - This collector collects cards that were manufactured from 1974 to 1989, before the "chase card craze".
Dabbler – This collector collects whatever comes his way or catches his fancy or what is currently in fashion. There is usually no particular theme involved. A lot of times they collect what is currently hot. Their collection is mostly star players of various teams/sports and/or cards in demand.
Flipper - For this collector, the player/type of card isn't as important as profit potential. Typically "flips" almost immediately while the item is hot. This collector has no problem parting with an item as soon as he believes he has a fair return on his investment and does not worry about "what ifs". This collector is not greedy and only cares about selling at more than what it was bought for (usually around 20%).
Specialist - This collector's quirk on collecting is narrowed down to focusing on one small aspect, such as 3-color patches only, on-card autographs only, one specific serial # for any card they collect, only cards that capture the batter in a swing, cards that only show dunks, cards of one player from only one card company, etc.
Flavor of the Week - The collector collects the hot player or team of the week or month or season. They have no allegiance to any player or team so their wants change from time to time, usually in mid season and usually more than once.
So, anyways, I thought this would be a fun poll to have on the site. Please select all that apply, and feel free to change your votes at any time.
Here are some explanations of what each one of these is, at least to me...
Player Collector – This collector collects bulk lots of their favorite player. Their cards range from commons to 1/1s. They do not care if it is base or autograph/game-used, as long as it is the player. They do not like to spend for a card most of the time, but will trade for it. These collectors have been known to purchase other player cards at a low price to use as trade bait. May collect one or more players.
Player Super Collector – This collector as at least 75% of the cards already in-hand from the player’s checklist, which may also include non-listed and little-known cards that perhaps only super collectors know exist. These collectors have 25% of 1/1s produced in their collection. Super collectors typically have good overall knowledge of the player they collect. Super collectors may also specialize in obtaining just a collection of all or most (at least 70%) autograph and/or game-used cards from the checklist. These collectors collections are usually only focused on one player.
Prospector – These collectors primarily collect and hoard rookie cards of a player(s) who haven't played, or haven't played much, yet. They buy low, or in bulk, hoping the player excels so they can score high with the rookie cards they have collected. Some may sell when the player becomes hot or they may keep the cards to just to brag about how many rookie cards they have of that player.
Team Collector – Team collectors collect complete team sets and/or the star players of that one particular team. The star singles may vary from base to 1/1s but is within the theme of the team they collect. They do not care if it is base or autograph/game-used as long as it is of the team.
Team Fanatic – These collectors collect not only cards, but jerseys, mugs, pennants, clothes, gear, mini helmets, blankets, bed spreads, table cloths, etc.. They go all out for anything that is team-related.
Set Collector – These collectors collect/build complete sets, whether they are base sets or subsets or parallels. These collectors typically do massive amounts of trading. They may often use the special or star cards as trade bait.
Box Breaker – These collectors buy boxes hoping to score on rare cards for sale/trade or favorite player/team items for their personal collection. They may build at least one set from the base cards of a box break.
Vintage Collector – These collectors collect cards and/or sets from 1940 to 1973.
Type Collector - This collector collects one type of each card manufactured for each year, usually rare issues. Their cards do not need to depict a star.
Prewar Collector – This collector collects tobacco items, gum cards, post cards, and ads manufactured before 1940. Most of their items are won at auctions. Very few, if any, are traded.
Advanced Collector – This collector collects rare tobacco issues, postcards, posters and artifacts from the early stages of the game. The items in their collection are close to or even more than a century old. They rarely do trades. Most items are won at auction houses.
Autograph/Game-Used Collector – This collector exclusively collects autographed and/or game-used cards of one or many players and/or of one or many teams.
Hall of Fame Collector – This collector collects all types of cards of HOFers whether it be base, autographs, or game-used. Many start their collection working backwards by decade starting from the most recent inductees since their cards are more easily obtainable.
Old School Collector - This collector collects cards that were manufactured from 1974 to 1989, before the "chase card craze".
Dabbler – This collector collects whatever comes his way or catches his fancy or what is currently in fashion. There is usually no particular theme involved. A lot of times they collect what is currently hot. Their collection is mostly star players of various teams/sports and/or cards in demand.
Flipper - For this collector, the player/type of card isn't as important as profit potential. Typically "flips" almost immediately while the item is hot. This collector has no problem parting with an item as soon as he believes he has a fair return on his investment and does not worry about "what ifs". This collector is not greedy and only cares about selling at more than what it was bought for (usually around 20%).
Specialist - This collector's quirk on collecting is narrowed down to focusing on one small aspect, such as 3-color patches only, on-card autographs only, one specific serial # for any card they collect, only cards that capture the batter in a swing, cards that only show dunks, cards of one player from only one card company, etc.
Flavor of the Week - The collector collects the hot player or team of the week or month or season. They have no allegiance to any player or team so their wants change from time to time, usually in mid season and usually more than once.
It wasn't until fairly recently when I started keeping all my base, inserts, and rookie cards. They're still mostly for trade for Tony Parker, but I will trade for other things, too, just to help folks out who need them.
