Murphy's Law and palyer/set collection

[kdailey4315]

Is it just me or does it seem like you always have to pay more for the last few cards you need for a player or set? For example: I'm working on a players name with jersey patch auto's and I've been looking for the last 2 letters for a while now and I had to pay the most for those last 2. All of the other cards went for about 30-40 but I had to pay close to 60 for the last 2.

 

[EricChavezCollector3]

My experience as been exactly the opposite, the last ones are always the cheapest and I wish that I had held off from buying in first. But knowing my luck, the cards I need wouldn't appear again when I needed them.

 

[ajbraves25]

I have been working on my son's name plate for about 3 months now. All I need is a "U" and I cannot find one that I want to finish it. I have Kinsler "L" ("U") Rasmus "K" and Braun "E". I went with a difficult plan of getting guys that were featured in 2005 Bowman Chrome and Sterling as rookies. Trying to get Bruce, Butler, Tulo ect to finish it off and none can be found. Before I started this little project I saw "U"s all over the place of those guys.

~AJ

 

[predatorkj]

Happened to me with my Stadium Club Beam Team auto set.I paid $35 for the Carlos Marmol(Carlos freaking Marmol!!!) and I paid less than that for every other card.The closest was the Hamilton auto which I paid like $23 for(if I remember correctly).A few days ago I see one for a BIN of like $5.I am ticked but oh well.I was slowly trying to weed my way through and pick up the black and white and golds but have since kinda stopped.I still need about 70 cards to have all three sets complete(the base auto set is complete).One day I will have them all.Its the only auto set I have ever even contemplated doing.

 

[tonsofcommons]

$5? I remember you searching like hell for that card! What a kick in the junk!

 

[predatorkj]

$5? I remember you searching like hell for that card! What a kick in the junk!

Well there is one up now for $11.99 with free shipping but I could have sworn there was one for like $5 or so and $3 shipping.Who knows.In any case...I still swear its got to be a short print.I have only seen about 4 of them since I started doing the set.I am sure a few have escaped my sight but the fact still remains that you always see way more of the other players.Not sure why unless it is indeed an sp.

 

[LWMM]

Hell, if I could find any of the eight in my sig I'd be happy to pay 5 times as much as the cards before them.

 

[HawaiianLance]

That particular door swings both ways in my experience. Often times it depends on luck.

Sometimes it opens easily and that last card is easy pickings. My final piece to finishing '96 Leaf Signature was a Platinum Proof Checklist that had been an aggravating 10+ year search - including three or four YEARS trying to purchase a copy from one collector who had two, but stubbornly held on in the belief that I would eventually 'up' my BIN offer of $50. I eventually picked it up for $16.50 - from Burbank no less.

OTOH it can seem like it's been welded shut. I've overspent a ton on some issues just to be 'finished' with an issue. That's when collecting goes beyond fun and enters obsession - not a particularly nice place to find oneself. Have several issues like that now hanging over me. ;-)

 

[ajbraves25]

Back in 97 I was building the Fleer Circa set. I was working at the LCS and I was ripping packs and buying the commons of the customers. For the life of me I could not pull, buy or find a Kenny Lofton. After about 4 boxes and numerous shows one finally walked in the shop. I gave the guy $10 in store credit for it. I was tired of looking for the darn thing.

~AJ

 

[prospectorgems]

I have experienced something a little different. Whenever I go after a Brewers prospect that I really want, I end up paying more for that card even if I snipe it and then a few days later, someone else will win a similar card for a lot less.

 

[francisjniskey]

LOL - I collect Babe Ruth Game Used so everything is expensive