What Kind of Collector Are You?

What kind of collector are you?

  • Player collector

    Votes: 1 25.0%
  • Player super collector

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Prospector

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Team collector

    Votes: 2 50.0%
  • Team fanatic

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Set collector

    Votes: 1 25.0%
  • Box breaker

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Vintage collector

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Type collector

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Prewar collector

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Advanced collector

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Autograph/game-used collector

    Votes: 2 50.0%
  • Hall of Fame collector

    Votes: 2 50.0%
  • Old school collector

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Dabbler

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Flipper

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Specialist

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Flavor of the week

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    4

Mike

Well-known member
Staff member
Ratings
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5.00 star(s)
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.
 
I selected player collector, autograph/game-used collector, and hall of fame collector.

I don't think it's a big secret (at least I hope not) that I'm primarily a Tony Parker collector. Any card that I have that isn't part of my PC is available for any Tony Parker card that I don't already have. I also collect graded rookie cards of Vince Carter. Actually, I've been known to trade for non-graded Vince Carter rookies, too, as long as the person I'm trading with believes the card would grade out at least an 8. Then I can just grade it myself.

The auto/gu and Hall of Fame has to do with my, well, pro football Hall of Fame collection. My ultimate goal would be to have one game-used and one autograph of every Hall of Famer but, for now, I'm settling on just either-or from as many HOFers as I can find.

Also, when I first started collecting, if it wasn't a Tony Parker card, I almost exclusively only kept auto/game-used cards. Everything else I traded for more Tony Parker cards, gave them away to folks who needed them, or donated them to the local trash company. 😱 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.

I have been considering starting up a vintage football collection, too, but that's still in the "I'm thinking about it" phase and I haven't decided yet. Obviously, if I do decide to do it, I'll be sure to come here to update my selection.
 
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