What do you do with your racquet collection ?

[Crocodile]

Every now and again when I do some racquet testing I usually end up buying some racquets and keeping them so I can make comparisons on certain metrics that I want to research.
Sometimes I may even buy an old new stock racquet that I really like and add them to a collection.
However at some stage in my collecting I start to think that it’s dead money sitting in the cupboard or better frames are out there and so I sell them off like a purge to get some cash and perhaps either buy a newer frame or divert the funds to other projects.
A year later I can sometimes realise that I shouldn’t have sold some of the frames I because they have either become very rare to find in the condition I had them for, or they were very unique or realise they were really good racquets or beautifully designed or painted frames.
Problem arises when you realise that you can’t take them with you to the next world and other family members wouldn’t appreciate them anyway so you ponder why you even collect. I know people who have bought every version of an RF including the Laver Cup versions or every colour way of a Volkl
C 10 or Rossignol F200. Some actively search out for every version of a 1980’s Hi Ten Snauwert or Dunlop 200g. Even if a $200 frame doubled in value it’s not going to make a huge difference to your finances unless you have many to sell and you probably could have put your money into something better. Still we engage in this activity because we like racquets and tennis. There is also this movement towards minimalism where you try to live light so if you decide to move it’s a lot easier. I thought maybe I could limit myself to a set number and not exceed that limit.
Anyone have any thoughts about this ?

 

[Humbi_HTX]

Can we get a pic of your collection?

 

[Crocodile]

Can we get a pic of your collection?

Unfortunately at present I have completed a purge phase and only have 5 racquets in as new condition. I’m trying to decide whether I should even get rid of them and just keep the racquets I’m using right now.

 

[Crocodile]

Would you be inclined to keep a brand new Head Pro Tour 2.0 and new PB 10 Mid or would you sell them and search out a pro stock H19 or something else that’s more special ?

 

[East Lions]

I personally divide my collection in two parts. One is a museum kind off with old school frames that I almost never use for a hit and the other part which is rackets that I use every now and then. I have a certain pair of frames that I usually play with (nowdays Prestige MP L) and 2 or 3 rackets that never leave my bag, which I use few times a month ( for example a Babolat APD original when I feel tired/hangover/sleepy and have no power or apetite for full swings) All the others are rotating in my bag for Saturdays. Usually on Saturdays I play doubles with some beginner to intermediate friends and its more fun and chat than a real match. So I switch to different frames (usually every set) and give them some play time.

 

[KC!]

I just did a winter cleaning & sold 20+ racquets. When I want to demo a racquet I usually buy two for a prolonged demo. I’m trying to get down to 2-3 racquets I can switch between when I want. That being said I have 2-4 of each of my current racquets I play with regularly.

 

[badmice2]

I have a collection of yesteryear legends I keep in an old 12 pack - make up of PT630, PC600, 200GMW, POG OS and Mid, Yonex 89d, PS 85 Chicago, PS95 S&S, just to name a few. I keep one or 2 on hand - sometimes to test strings, other times to reminisce my youthful days. Most of them I can fetch a pretty penny, but most of them I keeping for sentimental value.

For running models, I buy, sell or trade my way through the used market. On occasions I’ll see something I’m really interested and buy new. If they turn out to be a bust, I’ll flip them pretty quickly. Personally I try not to buy anything new unless I see potential of using it longrun for myself or for my son who also plays.

 

[dcheung]

ah @Crocodile, u have written the utter bitterness and dilemma of how I feel these days, at one point I owned more than 150 racquets, some models have more than 10 copies which I bought on the bay not long after they discontinued, filled 2 closets at home and office, 2 years ago because of economic, health reasons and felt physically not capable of playing too much, made a move to sell off a large part of my collection, St Vincents, Prestige Classics, Radicals, POGs, RF90s, Estusas etc, some were really dirt cheap compared to their own value as not popular here and pandemic effect etc....honestly I really regret selling those treasures to me, however what u said is true and I cannot bring them to the next world. I still have over 60 peices here, partly because no one show interest in buying them or not justify selling overseas as the shipping costs more than the racquet values. I try to giveaway to my team mates but said nah as they prefer easy racquets nowadays...so I will keep them for a while and see what to do next.

 

[SupahMan5000]

ah @Crocodile, u have written the utter bitterness and dilemma of how I feel these days, at one point I owned more than 150 racquets, some models have more than 10 copies which I bought on the bay not long after they discontinued, filled 2 closets at home and office, 2 years ago because of economic, health reasons and felt physically not capable of playing too much, made a move to sell off a large part of my collection, St Vincents, Prestige Classics, Radicals, POGs, RF90s, Estusas etc, some were really dirt cheap compared to their own value as not popular here and pandemic effect etc....honestly I really regret selling those treasures to me, however what u said is true and I cannot bring them to the next world. I still have over 60 peices here, partly because no one show interest in buying them or not justify selling overseas as the shipping costs more than the racquet values. I try to giveaway to my team mates but said nah as they prefer easy racquets nowadays...so I will keep them for a while and see what to do next.

it's always sad letting go of things in a collection but some things come to a point where you dont really know what you’re holding onto for unless you display it or use it occassionally. especially with functional items like rackets, shoes or clothing, maybe cars if you are wealthy enough to have a car collection, there really serves no purpose to some items you havent touched or used in over 1-2 years. I think if you are holding for better value in future, when does that end? when do you decide it has risen enough? for items that you think youll use for fun in the future, after 2 years when will that time come? for things you just find beautiful, if it hasnt veen taken out or put on display, where is the beauty being presented? as much as it feels nice to know you have something cool if it isnt getting use I like to think someone else will make better use of it and appreciate it "more". unless they also store it away for noone to see haha

that is my personal philosophy as someoen that collects many things. its hard to let go but if i havent made any use of it in the last 2 years it has to go it takes up space and monetary value

 

[austintennis2005]

I have a collection of yesteryear legends I keep in an old 12 pack - make up of PT630, PC600, 200GMW, POG OS and Mid, Yonex 89d, PS 85 Chicago, PS95 S&S, just to name a few. I keep one or 2 on hand - sometimes to test strings, other times to reminisce my youthful days. Most of them I can fetch a pretty penny, but most of them I keeping for sentimental value.

For running models, I buy, sell or trade my way through the used market. On occasions I’ll see something I’m really interested and buy new. If they turn out to be a bust, I’ll flip them pretty quickly. Personally I try not to buy anything new unless I see potential of using it longrun for myself or for my son who also plays.

What is ps95 s and s?

 

[austintennis2005]

What is ps95 s and s?

Stars and Stripes ok got it

 

[HFK]

I try to sell them on Classified here. Any interest on pair of Prestige Mid and pair of TF40?

 

[badmice2]

What is ps95 s and s?

 

[NicoMK]

Every now and again when I do some racquet testing I usually end up buying some racquets and keeping them so I can make comparisons on certain metrics that I want to research.
Sometimes I may even buy an old new stock racquet that I really like and add them to a collection.
However at some stage in my collecting I start to think that it’s dead money sitting in the cupboard or better frames are out there and so I sell them off like a purge to get some cash and perhaps either buy a newer frame or divert the funds to other projects.
A year later I can sometimes realise that I shouldn’t have sold some of the frames I because they have either become very rare to find in the condition I had them for, or they were very unique or realise they were really good racquets or beautifully designed or painted frames.
Problem arises when you realise that you can’t take them with you to the next world and other family members wouldn’t appreciate them anyway so you ponder why you even collect. I know people who have bought every version of an RF including the Laver Cup versions or every colour way of a Volkl
C 10 or Rossignol F200. Some actively search out for every version of a 1980’s Hi Ten Snauwert or Dunlop 200g. Even if a $200 frame doubled in value it’s not going to make a huge difference to your finances unless you have many to sell and you probably could have put your money into something better. Still we engage in this activity because we like racquets and tennis. There is also this movement towards minimalism where you try to live light so if you decide to move it’s a lot easier. I thought maybe I could limit myself to a set number and not exceed that limit.
Anyone have any thoughts about this ?

Nice post but tricky question. Considering the fact that "it's dead money sitting in a cupboard" as you said, I once decided to sell or trade the few rackets that I didn't use anymore and would never use again, for whatever reason. So I managed to get rid of 6 or 7 rackets. Also, I felt I much preferred that someone could enjoy a frame instead it collected dust at my home. I only kept 3 Rossignol F200 for sentimental reasons and because they were Mats Wilander's signature racket. I also own a Puma Super -- loved Boris' racket and until now didn't want to sell it. Now I might consider selling / trading it if someone was interested, for the two reasons above.

And of course I have my regular racket but I can't reveal how many I have collected over the years because it's crazy for one single model. I had one, loved it, wanted a second, then a third, and for some obscur reason, I decided that it would be nice to have all its PJ (it's a pretty old racket). Now I have too many and thought that I might stop collecting them for two reasons : 1/ because ultimately it costs money and 2/ because I know I have enough rackets for a lifetime… or two.

But above all, one of the positive aspects of collecting / selling / trading rackets is that I met really some nice people over the years, many of them on this very forum.

Racketaholics, that's what we are

Good luck all with your collection.

 

[Grafil Injection]

I have about 10 modern frames that evolve slowly after extensive testing etc. And when I say modern, I mean in the last 20-years or so. Things like 61-95S, MW200G, Ultra Tour. These are always going to be great hitters, which I use in serious games against people better than me or receiving individual coaching. I expect a PS X will be added in the coming year as I'm quite impressed with that so far.

Then I have about 15 classic frames that are mostly 200Gs, 300is and a few other legends. These are used for normal games and group coaching, since they provide the most pleasure, and I believe improve my focusing ability given their smaller heads.

And finally I have around 30 other classics that are just interesting frames to me regarding memories, or the unique feel. Things like Wilson Profile, the other IMFs, Puma Winner etc. These are the result of trialling about 60 sticks and keeping those that were broadly in playable condition and specs, and I can imagine using once or twice a year. I think a total of around 50 frames is acceptable!

 

[NicoMK]

I have about 10 modern frames that evolve slowly after extensive testing etc. And when I say modern, I mean in the last 20-years or so. Things like 61-95S, MW200G, Ultra Tour. These are always going to be great hitters, which I use in serious games against people better than me or receiving individual coaching. I expect a PS X will be added in the coming year as I'm quite impressed with that so far.

Then I have about 15 classic frames that are mostly 200Gs, 300is and a few other legends. These are used for normal games and group coaching, since they provide the most pleasure, and I believe improve my focusing ability given their smaller heads.

And finally I have around 30 other classics that are just interesting frames to me regarding memories, or the unique feel. Things like Wilson Profile, the other IMFs, Puma Winner etc. These are the result of trialling about 60 sticks and keeping those that were broadly in playable condition and specs, and I can imagine using once or twice a year. I think a total of around 50 frames is acceptable!

Impressive collection. Overall, pics are always welcome

 

[Grafil Injection]

Impressive collection. Overall, pics are always welcome

I can't fit all my sticks in one picture, but here's some of the classics in case you didn't see them on the Midsize thread:

 

[Crocodile]

Reading the above replies to my original post have been very helpful and insightful. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. I do agree with all the different views, accounts and experiences.

 

[Crocodile]

I can't fit all my sticks in one picture, but here's some of the classics in case you didn't see them on the Midsize thread:

Fantastic collection in that picture.

 

[NicoMK]

I can't fit all my sticks in one picture, but here's some of the classics in case you didn't see them on the Midsize thread:

Thanks, haven't seen that one, cool bunch of classics. I tend to haunt these threads where we usually share our collection but have never come across the "midsize" one. Will try to have a look, I like to see all those beautiful rackets. Call me a nostalgic.

 

[d-quik]

ah @Crocodile, u have written the utter bitterness and dilemma of how I feel these days, at one point I owned more than 150 racquets, some models have more than 10 copies which I bought on the bay not long after they discontinued, filled 2 closets at home and office, 2 years ago because of economic, health reasons and felt physically not capable of playing too much, made a move to sell off a large part of my collection, St Vincents, Prestige Classics, Radicals, POGs, RF90s, Estusas etc, some were really dirt cheap compared to their own value as not popular here and pandemic effect etc....honestly I really regret selling those treasures to me, however what u said is true and I cannot bring them to the next world. I still have over 60 peices here, partly because no one show interest in buying them or not justify selling overseas as the shipping costs more than the racquet values. I try to giveaway to my team mates but said nah as they prefer easy racquets nowadays...so I will keep them for a while and see what to do next.

You do not allow private messages?