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Bowman chrome question....please help!!

Went into the local card shop for some simple supplies this weekend. The owner, sadly, doesn't do much with cards anymore that doesn't say Yu-Gi-Oh on them. So every once in a while you can find a sports card or two in there that someone got out of a pack and didn't want too badly. Most of the time they sit in a case for a couple of years with the same old price tag on them, so if I see something that has went up, I'll pick it up just to sell.

This weekend I bought a 2004 Bowman Chrome Zach Duke XFractor rookie card numbered to 172. It is in an uncirculated topps case. I did a eBay search and didn't see any of the Xfractors but did see the regular issue and the refractor issue.

My question is this. Some of the refractors for sale are in PSA cases. They obviously sell for more than the non graded ones. Do the refractors not come in an uncirculated case? Or do people open refractors and xfractors to send in to be graded? Which would yield more of a profit if the card is in good condition?

I initially bought the card just to turn and make a profit on. The fractors are going for $20 now, so my xfractor should sell for more, but didn't know if they were taken out of cases to be graded. Either way, nice card and my price? $6 bucks.

Thanks for your help. Shawn.

Comments

  • joestalinjoestalin Posts: 12,473 ✭✭
    Shawn

    First off that is a HUGE pickup. That card is one of the hottest in the hobby right now.

    The first 330 cards in 2004 bowman chrome came encased as box toppers. Each hobby box had one encased card. Each card
    was #ed to 172.

    Cards #ed 331+ were all rookie autos, and were inserted into packs as singles, no cases. These are regular cards and many
    are graded. There is also a chance that some broke the non-autos out of the case and had them graded. The case topps
    uses really means nothing. Just because its in the case doesn't mean its mint.

    There are also blue refractors that were pit.com redemptions. There were no autos in that set. They are numbered to 290, but
    being redemptions there are far less than that.

    Good Luck..LMK if you want to deal that Duke

    Kevin
  • ctsoxfanctsoxfan Posts: 6,246 ✭✭
    This is very true - I have broken many of these "uncirculated" Topps and Bowman cards out of the Topps holders, and sent them in for PSA grading. Most of the time, a 10 would result - but hardly always. I got several 9's, and a few 8's as well on these.

    Congrats on that Duke pickup - as JS said, it is a hot item right now.
    image
  • BigRedMachineBigRedMachine Posts: 2,563 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for the help guys. I always thought my uncirculated cards were meant to stay that way, it never crossed my mind to open them and have them graded.

    As for trading Kevin, I wouldn't have a clue what my card is worth to maximize my potential without screwing you. I try to be fair. But there is a regular version PSA 10 on eBay now for $50+ with 5 days left, I can't imagine what refractors and my xfractor might bring (assuming it would get a definate 9 if not a 10). Like I said, I saw it in the card shop with a price tag of $15 on it, I offered him $6 and he took it. I thought I'd throw it on the bay and see how much I could get. I didn't even realize at the time just how hot the card was. Although the guy is 5-0 and a nice looking young talent.

    Speaking of thepit and their uncirculated cards, I bought a couple of redemption cards last year on eBay for a couple of bucks, opened an account and had the cards shipped to me. One is Felix Hernandez, who's card has jumped to over $70 on thepit. But it's my understanding you can't send redemption cards back. Will this card sell for anything close to that on eBay? Does it help or hurt that I have the card and can ship it to them in a couple days, or is the whole thing that drives prices on thepit the fact that it's in a "holdings" account?

    Trying to include a scan, hope it works. Thanks again Shawn
  • joestalinjoestalin Posts: 12,473 ✭✭
    Shawn

    Unlike etopps, it actually helps that you have the cards in hand than in your portfolio.

    As far as trading either one of those, which I would be very interested in, you know what you have invested in it. I guess you
    need to figure out what they are worth to you? I have plenty of Reds stuff if you would be interested in it. With a little
    detective work Im sure we could find the realitive value of both cards.

    It never hurts to ask right?? You can always say no. What would you be looking for in trade for those two cards?

    LMK
    Thanks
    Kevin
  • BigRedMachineBigRedMachine Posts: 2,563 ✭✭✭
    PM sent
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