Vending and wax boxes

SoFLPhillyFan

Need some opinions. Being relatively new to this I have been purchasing some 80s wax and vending boxes. I have been satisfied with about 80% of the product and pretty confident that it was not tampered with.

The latest is an 85 Fleer vending box that came today. Pulled Clemens, Ryan, Puckett, Henderson, Mattingly, Ripken, Gwynn and some other less valuable cards. All are within specs for centering and look pretty good. Bought the box from a well known dealer in CA.

A few other boxes and sets from Ebay have also proven to be profitable, several 86 Topps Traded and several 87 Topps wax. These came from the same dealer in Utah.

On a negative note two 85 Topps vending boxes from the same dealer in Missouri were pretty much duds.

What is the feeling on vending boxes? How can we know that they have not been searched? What is your experience with them?
How about wax? Obviously I am concentrating on some years that all of us know hold market value, in the hopes of grading and selling most to finance my collection.

Also, how the heck can I get rid of all these other cards! Now over 10,000, which for many of you is probably low. If sold in lots what is the best way - by team, player, year, multi years? Would anyone like to take all of them for one good Roberto Clemente?

Your opinion and advice is appreciated. Could also use some references on who to buy boxes and wax from, and most importantly to stay away from.

Thanks,
Keith

Aknot

Well as some people know I just (few weeks ago) just received a "boat" load of cards. Im already making a "box" to go to my sons school and the Childrens hospital he goes to (he has Hemophilia). So that is 2 ways of getting rid of "commons". I also used to give them out on Holloween in team packs.

Now for the "semistars" I am begining to make team piles. From there I will break it down further. If the team say for example is Dallas. You have a few "semistars" that you may get a few dollars for. Or Team batch it and use those as the selling points for the batches.

Of course I have yet to try it so Im just telling what I am getting ready to do. If someone has more advice please let us know....

SoFLPhillyFan

Thanks. The idea of giving cards to kids is great. Don't have any children myself to give them to.

I hit a minor league game every week and could probably talk the PR guy into letting me give some to the kids. There aren't many there on a Monday night. The Children's Hospital is great too, have one of those here in town.

By Dallas, if you mean the Cowboys I won't need help with those cards. Being a devout Eagles fan the solution is simple. Pin each card to a voodoo doll, poke it repeatedly with pins, then have a BBQ. Got to have some fun with those extra cards.

Trying some different combos of lots on Ebay. We'll see.

Thanks again and good luck with your effort.

Keith

Stone193

Keith
On the vending - when you open the box, it will have a UNIFORM look from being factory packed that would be very difficult to duplicate if they were searched and replaced. Of course the source is important: the BBCKid for one is very reputable. We have had this discussion before. Vending is an inexpensive way to build a set - way cheaper than wax. If I remember, later this spring I am going to clean out my closet - I have an open vending case of 87T - I will take a look and do an experiment for you - obviously open, replace vs. untouched - take a photo with a macro lens for close, close-up and let's all learn together. On wax, that is more complicated and I recommend the BBCKid wax catalog which talks about packs and the wax seal. BBCKid link:
Good luck, pm me if I can be of any assistance.
Mike

jaybyrd

<< <i>Keith
On the vending - when you open the box, it will have a UNIFORM look from being factory packed that would be very difficult to duplicate if they were searched and replaced. Of course the source is important: the BBCKid for one is very reputable. We have had this discussion before. Vending is an inexpensive way to build a set - way cheaper than wax. If I remember, later this spring I am going to clean out my closet - I have an open vending case of 87T - I will take a look and do an experiment for you - obviously open, replace vs. untouched - take a photo with a macro lens for close, close-up and let's all learn together. On wax, that is more complicated and I recommend the BBCKid wax catalog which talks about packs and the wax seal. BBCKid link:
Good luck, pm me if I can be of any assistance.
Mike


Mike is always there with some great advice. One of the most helpful guys on the board. He recommended to me the BBC Kid about a month and a half ago. Pulled at least two of every card I was looking for out of 85 Fleer Vending.
>>

SoFLPhillyFan

Thanks Mike and Jay -

The BBCKid is who I bought the 85 Fleer box from and had such great success. I will definitely use them again. I will need to get his book.

In a past life I spent 14 years in the printing business, which now makes me wonder about some of the ways that people can manipulate cards, boxes, and packs. A simple inexpensive machine called a jogger could be used to make a vending box look uniform, since that is probably what was used to pack them when manufactured.

In buying five 86 Topps Traded sets recently I discovered that the box can be opened without breaking the tape seal. It may be a case of the glue drying up, but two boxes came with the end open. The Bonds and other cards were 9s or better though so I bought more from that dealer. This is something else that a less than honest seller could do.

Shrink wrapping is also very simple and inexpensive. Many small print shops have the capability and would wrap packages for a price.

Maybe the knowledge I gained in the profession makes me wary. I hope everyone will understand that it would not be used hide searched material. Dishonest people who do not get caught always pay somehow in the end.

Sound like we just have to find the reputable dealers and stick with them.

Thanks again for the advice. Two more boxes of 87 Topps wax should be in today, then I have to being some serious grading and selling.

ctsoxfan

<< <i>Two more boxes of 87 Topps wax should be in today, then I have to being some serious grading and selling. >>



You are going to grade and sell 1987 Topps? To whom? Not trying to rain on your parade, but have you seen the recent Ebay auction where the seller dumped a large amount of PSA 9's from the most overproduced set in recent history for far less than grading fees? He might have made out okay on a few 10's he had, but it looked like he went through cases and cases to get a few of those. You should learn from that guy's mistake.

The thread is in the Registry forum somewhere, wish I could find it for you...

SoFLPhillyFan

Your concern and advice is appreciated. I have bought much more recently than the 87 Topps.

Sure I would like to make a little money, but I am a collector first. Spending a few bucks on some boxes that will produce the players and teams I like is enough. If a few cards sold from that lot result in me breaking even then it's even better.

Thanks again.

ctsoxfan

No problem. I figured you might know that anyway, but thought I would mention specifically what has happened to recent 1987 PSA graded Topps on Ebay. Your description of collector first and seller second describes me as well. I love to grade 100 cards, and sell maybe 15-20 of them to help pay for my submission costs. That strategy has served me well lately.

ldferg

other than bbckid i would highly recommend bbcexchange. i've had great success with them.

BBC Exchange

fsjeter

Mark Murphy from the BBC Kid is hands down, the best when it comes to authenticating wax. I highly recommend his Wax Pack price guide. It tells you what to look for when buying both wax packs and vending boxes. He started pack and wax box grading for GAI. Another great source for buying wax and vending boxes is Dave and Adam's Cardworld (www.dacardworld.com).

dbj77

If you have commons you need to get rid of to a good cause, contact ydsotter and yawie99 from these boards. They teach special ed kids and can use any cards you can give as rewards to give the kids for progress in class. I'm getting ready to send more cards to both of them, so let me know if you need their addresses.