Collector of Business Cards!.!.!.! Frequent Asked Questions

How much does it cost
to mail off business cards? Top
General rule of thumb is you can get 20 business cards with a first class stamp (41¢). Each addition 20 business cards is about 17¢ extra. If you are going to mail more then that a box, then rates will very, but that is a general idea for sending a few business cards so you don't over spend on postage. When sending a huge quanity, try using priority mail, flat rate. You might want to check with the post office to make sure rates haven't changed.

What kind of business cards
do you collect? Top
I collect all kinds of business cards. I collect them from all over the world. I will take any condition. Writing, damaged, holes, ripped, torn, etc. If it is a business card send it my way. I will even take doubles.

When did you start
collecting business cards? Top
I started collecting business cards in 1996-1998 roughly. But, I became more involved around 2002-2003.

Why did you start
collecting business cards? Top
I started saving business cards so I can see bad designs and good designs. (graphic design major). Then, I noticed I had tons of them, so I researched the internet in 2002 and found others that collect them, so I joined several business cards clubs/groups. My collection has grown ever since.

Where do you keep your
business cards? Top
I keep my business cards in 3" binders. My wife puts pollyfil and material around them to make them look nice. I use acid-free/archive safe sheet protectors. I have sheets that fit business card size, baseball card size (for those business cards larger then standard business card size) and the same goes for photo sheet protectors. I also keep them in Rubbermaid containers until I am ready to sort them into categories and place them in the binders.

What is the standard size
of a business card? Top
The standard size of a business card in the US is 3.5 inches wide by 2 inches tall, however business cards can be in different sizes, shapes and form.

What is the value of
my business card(s)? Top
I say there is really no "true value" of a business card yet. I would say it depends on what the cards is valued to you and the prospective buyer. But, I would say if it is an autographed/famous or old/antique business card it might be worth a little bit. But, no one really has put a value on them per say.

Do you sell the information
on the business cards? Top
I do not sell any information, nor do I give it out. I respect your privacy when you send me these business cards. If I put up a business card to show off on my web site, I blur the contact information. If someone ask me for the phone number or address, etc. I do not give that out either. So your privacy is safe with me.

What do you do with your doubles? Top
I use them to trade with my other friends who also collect business cards.

Are you a real doctor? Top
No, I am not a doctor. I use the word "cardeologist" as a play on words. Card"e"ologist. If you notice it is spelled with an "e" not an "i". If it was spelled with an "i" like cardiologist, then you would refer to the heart doctor. This term I believe came from Ron McLaughlin. I wanted a domain name for my hobby and used it and it was available, so I registered it!

Have you tried to get into the
“Guinness Book of World Records”? Top
Yes, I have. But they tell me they no longer waste their time on collections. So I say it is their loss!

Does the business card have to be from someone you know or meet? Top
No, it can be from anyone, whether I know them or not or even wheter I meet them or not. They don't even have to be famous, etc. As long as it is a business card, it doesn't matter whom it is from.

How do you sort your business cards? Top
I sort my business cards based on the type of business. Basically almost like the yellow pages of your phone book do the listings. Some of my trader friends do it by name of company (alphabetical) others sort them by state. When, I first started, I put them in order how I got them.

What is your favorite business card? Top
Well, I don't really have much of a favorite; I like all of them, but the ones I like the most are the famous and/or autographed business cards I have.

Do you have your own business card? Top
Yes, I keep making new ones all the time. I have had several different designs/themes for my collector of business cards. Plus, I have had a few for my freelance design business. I also have one from where I work now.

How do you ask for business cards? Top
I basicly write, e-mail, tell, etc. anyone and everyone that I can about my collection. I even go post on blogs, pen pal site, guestbook entries, free classified sites and much more.

When you give your total amount,
is that for unique business cards? Top
Yes, when I give my total amounts on here, that is for unique business cards, no duplicates are counted in that total.

Does the business have to be
“in business” still? Top
No, it can no longer exsist or it can. It doesn't matter, like with other questions regarding business cards, if it is a business card, it has a home in my collection. Also, if it is an old business or you no longer work there, then I will take the whole lot you have left, the duplicates are great for trading.

What will you do when you reach your long-term goal of 1 million? Top
I will keep going onto 2 million, 3 million, etc., etc.

Do you have a drop off location? Top
Yes, I can pick them up, within reason. If you are within the Knoxville or Farragut, TN area and have a significant amount. I also have a place where you can drop them off. You will need to Contact Me for more information.

How do you know if you have a duplicate
in your collection? Top
Well the most obvious one is if they send it in the package I have. The other way is if I actually remember it, but mostly when I go to organize my collection and put them in by type of business, such as hotels, then I would sort them by hotel name, etc. Then I will notice if I have a duplicate. I am sure I have a few duplicates in my box to sort, but once I sort them I will know and I will subtract that from my total.

What exactly is a duplicate to you? Top
If they are exactly idential, as if if you xeroxed copy, it would look the same, now if they look the same, but have different employee names that doesn't count as duplicate. If it has a different address or phone number etc., that isn't a duplicate, but if it is the same person it is a duplicate.

Do you log every card you get? Top
I log the number I get each day into Microsoft Excel. I do not log any information about the business card.

Is your collection for sale? Top
My business card collection is not for sale, nor will it ever be for sale.

How can I ask you a question? Top
You can ask my any number of ways. You can use the Contact Page to get in touch with me to ask me the question.