Big
Frank takes timing swings during '06 Spring Training Camp.
Note the unusual cap, it's actually called the "Batting Practice Cap",
a fun alternate team headgear for training only.
Kinda difficult to see, but it's a cool graphic elephant (the A's Mascot) wearing
shades fronted by crossed baseball bats.
Photo: Ben Margot/Associated
Press
Collector Tips
Scattered
throughout the site are "Collector's Notes" - specific hints or suggestions
that reflect my experiences, hard learned lessons, and insights regarding a
specific item. However, the following are general tips that are good primers
for the beginning collector, even veterans who need to re-sharpen their skills.
• Buy what you like. Don't buy it because it's "hot" or
"limited". If you don't enjoy it now, in all likelihood you won't
grow to like it later. I could tell you about a rather sad story about this
Thomas collector on eBay (he has since learned this lesson) but suffice to say
- buy what you like.
• Find
a focus. Remember, it's impossible to make a true "master" collection
of The Big Hurt, so find a theme or concept that you'll be happy with.
• Stay
informed. Many items we now consider rare were once just items being offered
at cost. Keeping abreast of news via hobby outlets like Krause's
SCD Weekly (click on "News"), Trading
Card Central, CardCornerClub.net,
or Beckett.com's
News are a must. They're good places to find out what's going on. You'd
be shocked at how many collectors have absolutely no clue as to what's happening
inside their own hobby. I also highly recommend subscribing to the Sport's
Collectors Digest. It's a weekly publication for trading card hobbyists
like you and me. Click
here to subscribe.
• Stay informed, Part II. There are two "big" guides advanced
collectors use to help them create better collections. One is The Beckett Almanac
and the other is The SCD Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards, published by F+W
Publications (formerly Krause Pubs).
(Updated 3.29.08) I can no longer recommend The Standard Catalog to
my fellow Big Hurt Collectors. Changes made after Bob Lemke left SCD has
seriously handicapped what used to be the most indispensable resource an advanced
collector should have in his/her library. Right now it's a 'push' - neither
big guide does what it's supposed to do: Easily identify and catalog rare, unusual,
and/or exotic baseball collectibles out in the marketplace. Additionally, information
which is commonly known by advanced collectors seems to have been replaced by
haphazard and, in the case of Beckett, suspicious failures in the listings.
If I had absoultely 'no choice' - I'd seriously recommend picking up the 2007
SCD Standard Catalog - the last volume edited by Bob Lemke and reach out to
other collectors for help.
• Ask a
fellow collector. I'm genuinely surprised to hear how little information
is passed from one collector to another. At first, and perhaps there's some
truth to it, I thought it was about keeping a competitor in the dark to prevent
competition. But more often than not, I find that collectors seem ... not shy
per say, but reticent to talk about what they don't know. Embarrassment shouldn't
prevent you from becoming a better collector - if you don't know - ask.
• Ask a fellow collector, but be cautious of what they say. I know,
I know - that completely contradicts what I just said. This warning is
here because there are some genuine wackos out there. Some will try to feed
you false information in order to sell you something, others will trick you
so that you won't compete with them, and then there are the crazies. I've had
the unfortunate experience of meeting several of these nutcases. Reach out yes,
but always keep your "escape routes" handy and ready to use at a moment's
notice. (i.e. A nicely worded diplomatic email works best - be friendly, but
firm, about no further contact)
• Keep
your eyes open at all times. This is the "work" element of any
collection. Daily searches are common for topnotch collectors, it's not just
a hobby - it's a lifestyle. Set aside a few minutes of every day to do a quick
check. Use eBay's search functions to their fullest potential, in particular
sorting lists "By Newest". Many good Frank items are offered as "Buy
It Now" or "BIN" options and can be scooped up without any serious
competition.
• Don't
limit yourself to one or two places in the great hunt. This means don't
limit yourself to places you're comfortable. Yes, eBay is awesome and should
be part of your daily regime, but checking out lesser known sites like Bidville.com
yields surprising items. I once found a $80 Frank for $5 at a lesser known site.
• Use Google.
This can be time-consuming and often dead-ends to nothing. But the internet's
best search engine does, on occasion, produce a great lead or two. Consider
Google the modern version of "panning for gold". It's tedious and
tiring work, but every once in a while a nugget does find its way into
your pan.
• Keep
an accurate checklist. If I had every dollar that I've accidentally spent
buying a duplicate for a card or collectible that I already owned - I could
bid (and probably win) a nice 1/1 autographed patch card. That's how much money
I've mismanaged because I forgot what I did, or did not, have in my collection.
Keep an accurate checklist and keep it handy.
• Control
your "wantlist". Be selective with whom you choose to share that
very important and private list. I call mine a "checklist" since a
wantlist connotes a weaker position when bargaining with sellers, even with
other collectors. 'Wanting' something allows the seller to push you harder since
they know beforehand they have what you want. Treat your checklist the
same way you treat your home - you wouldn't let just anyone inside right?
• Don't
become a victim. This means learn as much about your hobby as possible.
Fraud is commonplace, even for Big Hurt collectors. Just because Frank has fallen
off the "hot" list doesn't mean con artists aren't continuing to ply
their trade - cheating you out of your hard earned money. Every day - every
single day - I see fake Frank autographs on eBay and across the internet.
Learn as much as you can by studying genuine Frank signatures. Same thing for
game-used equipment. Talk with established experts before making a purchase.
eBay now has a new feature called "Ask An Expert" - for a moderate
fee, one of their handpicked members will evaluate an auction item. This simple
service might save you a ton of money, and even more, your own self-worth. The
feeling you get from being 'taken' is worse than being beaten up. Don't become
a victim.
• Stay
in touch with your favorite dealer. Even if your dealer is out of state.
Dealers often have the inside track on what's happening. Getting in good with
a dealer sometimes gives you access to things like POPs, Posters, Dealer Sell
Sheets, and Promos - so it never hurts to "make friends". But remember:
Their job is to sell you things - not keep you informed. So always take
what they say with a heavy grain of salt, especially when it comes to the newest
and hottest products available.
• Have
fun. If you're not having fun - what the hell are you doing it for? This
isn't some trite advice. I actually know a couple of collectors (not Frank collectors
thankfully) that, believe it or not, collect just to 'collect'. It's scary.
They actually get their pleasure by denying everyone else a shot at a collectible,
regardless if it means anything to them personally. Be wary of these types -
they will go out of their way just to screw with you.
• Don't
do a Howard Hughes. It's a hobby, not a mission from God. Living a hermit's
life cooped up with your collectibles as your only company is just sad - not
admirable, no matter how much you've collected. Get out and go to a game, hopefully
one with Frank in the lineup. Check out a card show once in a while. Part of
the joy in collecting is a "meeting of minds" - reach out to your
fellow fans.
Update (3/20/07)
• Avoid Card 'Flips'. Click here to learn
all about it.
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