[P4r4b014]

I used to collect cards when I was a kid and recently randomly bought a pack of Topps baseball cards when I saw them in Walmart.  I really started to get into it again but now I find myself completely overwhelmed.  The only thing I know for sure are the two team I would like to collect, the Carolina Panthers and NY Yankees.  Some specific players would be Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, De'angelo Williams, Jonathan Stuart, Muhsin Muhammed, Julius Peppers, Matt Moore, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Brett Gardner.  Besides teams and individual players, I'd like to collect rookie NFL and MLB cards. 

I guess what I'm getting at is what are the best brands for my money?  What brands have the best chances of getting autographed cards?  What amount of money should I use to jump start my collection?  Could I buy team sets of cards to help jump start it?

As you can see I'm quite lost.

[mdavison]

I kind of just started too. The main thing I did (and still do) is have fun with it. If I treated like a job or like I had to make money off of it, I wouldn't do it anymore.

As far as collecting goes. I buy the style of cards I like. Personally I like the newer "vintage" looking cards and Braves cards. I'll also trade for signature cards of those players I like.

Just my opinion.

[last chance willie]

P4r4b014 Wrote:I used to collect cards when I was a kid and recently randomly bought a pack of Topps baseball cards when I saw them in Walmart. I really started to get into it again but now I find myself completely overwhelmed. The only thing I know for sure are the two team I would like to collect, the Carolina Panthers and NY Yankees. Some specific players would be Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, De'angelo Williams, Jonathan Stuart, Muhsin Muhammed, Julius Peppers, Matt Moore, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Brett Gardner. Besides teams and individual players, I'd like to collect rookie NFL and MLB cards.

I guess what I'm getting at is what are the best brands for my money? What brands have the best chances of getting autographed cards? What amount of money should I use to jump start my collection? Could I buy team sets of cards to help jump start it?

As you can see I'm quite lost.

You are going to get out of it what you put in and like the Gent before me said have fun with it and remember it's only cardboard (I stole that, but I like it.) Also you are going to get more "Bang for your buck," buying Hobby over Retail. I have heard it said that going down to your local Wal-Mart or Target to pick up a few packs for a quick fix can be nice, but believe me when I tell you that will not compare to buying from a card shop. There is a huge difference between the two. So if you have a local card shop I would start there, and if you don't then find one online.

As far as Auto's and GU goes again you will get more from the Hobby packs over retail.

[P4r4b014]

Do the packs you buy at hobby shops differ from the ones you buy at walmart?  Or are you referring to buying a big box of cards?

Thanks

[last chance willie]

P4r4b014 Wrote:Do the packs you buy at hobby shops differ from the ones you buy at walmart?  Or are you referring to buying a big box of cards?

Thanks

They differ in the fact of pulling an auto or gu card. The chances are much higher in some cases. At most hobby shops they will have a box of cards that are open you can buy packs from. And if the owner is honest he or she would let you know if the box was dead or not (dead meaning there are no hits left.)