Collecting While Stuck at Home | Card Collecting Virtually2 min read

In this new, limited blog series, “20 Ways to Collect While Stuck at Home,” we offer ideas for enjoying your collection at times when a standard hobby experience is not possible. Illness, financial constraints, or any number of factors might temporarily keep collectors from participating as they normally would, but that does not mean that their hobby needs to be put on hold. 

The card shops are closed. There are no shows being held and collectors clubs are not meeting. What to do… What to do… What to do…?

Fortunately for collectors today, modern technology offers numerous opportunities to enjoy virtual hobby experiences that can be nearly as fulfilling as in-person experiences. While maybe not quite as good as actually getting together in person (after all it’s hard to share a pizza while talking cards online) virtual hobby meetings can certainly go a long way towards scratching that trading card itch.

Outlets for Virtual Hobby Experiences

There are numerous online sources that allow for virtual hobby participation. Here is a list of several that can be used very effectively:

• Facebook hobby groups – there are countless autograph, trading card and memorabilia groups on Facebook, each dedicated to different segments of the hobby. Speaking of social media, you can even follow PSA on Facebook, Twitter and IG.
• Zoom may have opened the floodgates when it comes to videoconferencing tools. But with Google and Facebook joining the mix with Meet and the new Messenger Rooms feature, respectively, there are lots of possibilities to connect with your hobby friends!
• Stay in touch with recent happenings with hobby news sources, like hobby blogs and podcasts.
• Hobby forums and message boards such as the Collectors Universe forum.

How to Enjoy Virtual Hobby Time

Most of the online outlets listed above are dedicated to collecting and already offer plenty of content. Zoom, Google Meet and Facebook’s new resource are a bit different. They are merely online tools to connect with your friends by way of videoconferencing. While these video resources provide no content of their own, they can still be utilized to engage in the hobby.

By using these techie tools, you can participate in hobby-related interactions in a handful of ways.

• Simply invite your friends to a virtual meeting to catch up and talk about cards.
• Set up a virtual meeting for people to show and trade cards.
• Get together online with friends and participate in a pack war.
• Invite other collectors to an online meeting where you are going to show and discuss items you have for sale.
• Host a session to compare notes on the proposed top prospects of 2020 and which of their cards will be best to own.
• Theme a discussion around a particular team, set or athlete.
• Chat about the latest PSA specials.
• And so much more!

The possibilities are limited only by your own creativity and desire. Take advantage of the tools at your disposal and put them to use. You (and your collection) will be better for it!