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D-Lite
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I guess the question applies across all eras, but really it's not so much a current set question.
When you decide to put together a set, be it the regular release, inserts, autos, or what-have-you:
1. How do you kick it off?
Are you buying the big ticket items first?
Do you fill out the set with what's most accessible then worry about the challenges?
2. How do you approach the limits on condition or serial numbers?
Clearly, the vintage is more condition-oriented and modern is more pursuing up to, say, /5.
Do you have a cut-off on condition?
Within condition do you worry about a certain aspect, such as color? Centering? Eye-appeal?
How much of a concern is cost? Do you consider that ahead of time?
3. Is a timeframe for completion a factor?
Meaning, do you want to get it over with to fee your OCD?
Do you want a longterm challenge?
I know the question is multifaceted, but therein lies the fun of asking it.
For me, set completion is about finding something almost niche and making a run at a conquerable task that has some real challenges.
I typically will pursue a "set" of 100-200 items of which there is a few real challenges, where finding the item at a reasonable price and condition is going to be painful. In the video game world, I am a TurboGrafx and Neo Geo Pocket guy. TG16 had around 160 games and a few, such as Magical Chase, are just a nightmare to find. And then there is the packaging/box aspect that truly marks something as complete. New and sealed is another challenge. Neo Geo Pocket is US, Japan, and UK inclusive and each is under 100, but completeness is a big challenge. For each collection (and others including Neo Geo MVS/Arcade and PC Engine), I kinda meandered through the easy and the difficult, though finding a big item early on really spurs interest in completion.
With cards, I've recently taken on 1953 Bowman Color and in this case I started with the big dog, Mantle in SGC 80. So now I'm looking at at least PSA 6 and I know it's going to annoy me the Mantle is SGC. For the set, I'm focusing on eye appeal, where focus and good centering (not necessarily perfect, but 30/70) are my ideals. Color is a factor too, especially when the sky should be BLUE. Last year I attempted the Topps Archives 1983 All Star Autograph set of 15 subjects, numbered /5. I got to 9 of the 15 and then got shut down due to lack of product being opened it would seem. I simply haven't seen 5 of the 6 others I needed, so now I'm selling off those. Too much of a challenge compounded by low popularity of the cases.
What do you do?
<did not make this a poll since the question is too nuanced for pigeon-holing>
When you decide to put together a set, be it the regular release, inserts, autos, or what-have-you:
1. How do you kick it off?
Are you buying the big ticket items first?
Do you fill out the set with what's most accessible then worry about the challenges?
2. How do you approach the limits on condition or serial numbers?
Clearly, the vintage is more condition-oriented and modern is more pursuing up to, say, /5.
Do you have a cut-off on condition?
Within condition do you worry about a certain aspect, such as color? Centering? Eye-appeal?
How much of a concern is cost? Do you consider that ahead of time?
3. Is a timeframe for completion a factor?
Meaning, do you want to get it over with to fee your OCD?
Do you want a longterm challenge?
I know the question is multifaceted, but therein lies the fun of asking it.
For me, set completion is about finding something almost niche and making a run at a conquerable task that has some real challenges.
I typically will pursue a "set" of 100-200 items of which there is a few real challenges, where finding the item at a reasonable price and condition is going to be painful. In the video game world, I am a TurboGrafx and Neo Geo Pocket guy. TG16 had around 160 games and a few, such as Magical Chase, are just a nightmare to find. And then there is the packaging/box aspect that truly marks something as complete. New and sealed is another challenge. Neo Geo Pocket is US, Japan, and UK inclusive and each is under 100, but completeness is a big challenge. For each collection (and others including Neo Geo MVS/Arcade and PC Engine), I kinda meandered through the easy and the difficult, though finding a big item early on really spurs interest in completion.
With cards, I've recently taken on 1953 Bowman Color and in this case I started with the big dog, Mantle in SGC 80. So now I'm looking at at least PSA 6 and I know it's going to annoy me the Mantle is SGC. For the set, I'm focusing on eye appeal, where focus and good centering (not necessarily perfect, but 30/70) are my ideals. Color is a factor too, especially when the sky should be BLUE. Last year I attempted the Topps Archives 1983 All Star Autograph set of 15 subjects, numbered /5. I got to 9 of the 15 and then got shut down due to lack of product being opened it would seem. I simply haven't seen 5 of the 6 others I needed, so now I'm selling off those. Too much of a challenge compounded by low popularity of the cases.
What do you do?
<did not make this a poll since the question is too nuanced for pigeon-holing>
