Kind of self explanatory in the title, I am just looking to expand my collection. Does not necessarily have to be the most expensive cards. But without really buying a lot of boosters or boxes, so more second hand/bulk I guess I would say. What would be a decent way to get large quantities of cards for a decent price.
Buy collections, it nets you the widest spread with the least amount of work. Look specifically for ones with little chaff, so you can use most of the stuff, and sell the rest to finance your needs.
All large stores sell bulk, either in c/uc, rares, foils, or even "starter" type sets (with X c/uc, X rares, X basic lands, etc).
If you're on a store website most will label them as "bulk", "lots" or "wholesale". Here is the link to a few stores I recommend checking out: Channel Fireball Star City Games Troll and Toad
Having an expansive collection is really only good if you intend to play casual at some point. If you prefer competitive formats like Standard or Modern it's always better to just buy enough of the singles you need for decks where your library just consists of the good cards in that format. That way your card pool is 100% useable, whereas most large collections are maybe 5%. Additionally, keep in mind when buying bulk anything from a store or a guy on eBay, you're not going to get cards that are worth a lot of money. You will however get lots of good cards for casual games (most stores know this and will try to fulfill the predominant needs of those particular buyers).
As for buying collections, while it can net a return in value and set you up with a wide variety of cards, you need to know a good amount about cards of all ages and their price. Most collections being sold are from the owner and most owners overvalue their things because of the time and work spent with the cards (not to mention, they consider how much they spent on sealed product). I would honestly not suggest buying a collection unless you are fairly comfortable in your knowledge of all things Magic and have time to wait for a good one to come along.
Buying collections off of Craigslist/yard sales/flea markets/your local classifieds is the best way to go, but you have to really know your values and not be afraid to walk away. Most sellers haven't played for a few years and/or were casual players to begin with, so their perception of the value of their cards may not reflect reality.
I have heard vague rumors of a moustache-dispensing vending machine in a distant laundromat, across the street from a tattoo parlor. However, this information is shaky, and time is of the essence.
Buying collections off of Craigslist/yard sales/flea markets/your local classifieds is the best way to go, but you have to really know your values and not be afraid to walk away. Most sellers haven't played for a few years and/or were casual players to begin with, so their perception of the value of their cards may not reflect reality.
This is getting harder to do as there are many more people listing ads on Craigslist wanting to buy collections than people who are actually selling theirs.
I would recommend drafting a lot at your LGS. Once you get good at it, it is a very enjoyable and maybe even profitable way of acquiring cards.
Assuming you don't need the hottest new cards, trade away any of them you acquire. They're usually the higest valued, getting you the most in 'other' cards; then the format changes, and other cards become 'hottest'. Most people are looking for whatever's hot at the moment, so you will be more likely to find people who want to trade for that card. Make a few lucky guesses by trading 'hotness' for 'up-and-coming' and then you'll have a growing collection--which will increase your chances of having the new 'hotness'.
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Wanted Card List: (PM me)
1 Avacyn, Angel of Hope
1 Ravages of War
1 Swords to Plowshares (Judge)
1 Land Tax (Judge)
U
1 Mana Vortex
B
1 Desolation Angel (Foil)
1 Guardian Beast
1 Contamination
R
1 Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
G
1 Food Chain
WUBRG
1 Rohgahh of Kher Keep
X
1 Charcoal Diamond (Foil)
1 Fellwar Stone (Foil)
T
1 Temple Garden (Foil)
3 Mutavault
1 Kor Haven
If you're on a store website most will label them as "bulk", "lots" or "wholesale". Here is the link to a few stores I recommend checking out:
Channel Fireball
Star City Games
Troll and Toad
Having an expansive collection is really only good if you intend to play casual at some point. If you prefer competitive formats like Standard or Modern it's always better to just buy enough of the singles you need for decks where your library just consists of the good cards in that format. That way your card pool is 100% useable, whereas most large collections are maybe 5%. Additionally, keep in mind when buying bulk anything from a store or a guy on eBay, you're not going to get cards that are worth a lot of money. You will however get lots of good cards for casual games (most stores know this and will try to fulfill the predominant needs of those particular buyers).
As for buying collections, while it can net a return in value and set you up with a wide variety of cards, you need to know a good amount about cards of all ages and their price. Most collections being sold are from the owner and most owners overvalue their things because of the time and work spent with the cards (not to mention, they consider how much they spent on sealed product). I would honestly not suggest buying a collection unless you are fairly comfortable in your knowledge of all things Magic and have time to wait for a good one to come along.
This is getting harder to do as there are many more people listing ads on Craigslist wanting to buy collections than people who are actually selling theirs.
I would recommend drafting a lot at your LGS. Once you get good at it, it is a very enjoyable and maybe even profitable way of acquiring cards.