Bust or sell?

smallstocks

I have 5 unopened packs of Gretzky rookie year hockey cards. One is already exposing one card (sealed poorly). Should I open the packs in the hope of getting a PSA 8+ gretzky or should I try to sell them?

Mike

lawnmowerman

I would open them. What better fun is there ( besides sex ) then busting some older stuff like that?

Matt

larryallen73

For sure open the one that's already showing a card as I think most people shy away from auctions for unopened material that is "poorly sealed." Good luck.

CDsNuts

Tough call. If you open them it seems like an all or nothing proposition- either you get the Great One and win big, or you don't and lose big. Tough call. I'd lean towards selling, and if they look decent enough I'd probably send them to GAI.

Lee

softparade

Is a tough call. Although I don't think you lose big by ripping. Sure you will make some cash selling the packs but is it gonna change your life? No. If it was me, rip away ......

smallstocks

OK. I just ripped the one pack that was weakest. All I can say is ugh! 1 Card with a big gum stain. 5 cards badly off-center. Needless to say no Gretzky.

Stone193

Older wax - meaning before 1970 (or newer in some cases) - is for buying - perhaps having graded and holdered for authenticity and then enjoying as a "pack collection" and perhaps investment purposes. The odds of pulling something truly great is really slim compared to the value in the unopened state.

A 52T high series pack may contain a Mantle and excite the heck out of bidders - once opened the excitement and allure is gone. Keeping in mind a guy bought a pack from the BBCKid, opened it, got a PSA 10 Andy Pafko out which he sold for over 100 grand! But, that's a rarity IMO.

I have wax back to 1976 and vending back to 79 - it will always be worth more and easier to sell unopened IMO. So when I can't make the mortgage payment, I will let everyone know?

mike

phreakydancin

Are they OPC or Topps packs? You'd have better odds on the Gretzky with Topps (smaller set). Either way they are tough issues with those blue borders, and PSA 8+ quality cards are hard to come by, period.

smallstocks

Topps.