Vending Boxes

XanaduNow

How are they as far as condition goes (case fresh)? Is there a standard where the vending box cards tend to be banged up or something?

For 500 cards you can get them much cheaper than a wax box.

Elemenopeo

Well, I can tell you, for what it's worth, that I recently purchased a vending box of 1978 Topps FB, and it was pretty disappointing, really. It's the only vending box I've purchased, and I had expected the condition of the cards to be a little better. There was a surprising number of dinged corners and rough edges. Originally, I figured there were about 50 (out of the 500) that had a chance at grades of 9 or 10. After closer inspection, I whittled that down to about 25 and submitted them to PSA for last month's special. All but two came back 9s, and there were no 10s.

I don't know that you would have the same experience, and I'm sure others have had much better results, especially from newer vending boxes, but I probably will not be buying another.


.

XanaduNow

I had my suspicions. For instance, the price of an '81 Topps baseball vending box is less than half that of an unopened wax box. Plus, I wonder if because the cards were meant to be dumped into a vending machine (where obviously no one was concerned with condition) they just got slammed into the boxes or something.

I appreciate your input. Thanks.

tennesseebanker

Plain and simple, Vending Sucks. They are cheaper for a reason. Stick to racks.

zef204

I have bought tons of vending.

You can get 9's out of a clean box. I would say I have busted about 70-80 vending boxes and have gotten 11 10's out of all of them.

I have gotten about 15 1971 fb 9's as well as a Dorsett rc 9 out of vending.

The best was a 1980 bb box that I sent in the 10 best conditioned cards and got 3 10's. One was a pop one. I got a Henderson 8 from that box as well.


These are my highlights. I would say that 60-70% of the boxes I broke were worthless.

grote15

The trouble with vending boxes is that because the cards are packed so tightly (same issue with pre-1980 cello packs), any kind of bumps or bruises over the years will likely cause many cards to suffer dinged corners, etc. However, if you can truly pick up a "case-fresh" box/case, you could be pleasantly surprised. The trouble is that they are very tough to find in such well-preserved condition so you're better off sticking to wax or rack if you're looking for gradeable cards.

tennesseebanker

Dont even reguard Zef's post as anything near what the normal human will get from a vending box. Zef is the master at pulling mint cards from crap.

zef204

<< <i>Dont even reguard Zef's post as anything near what the normal human will get from a vending box. Zef is the master at pulling mint cards from crap. >>

Thanks man.

I did mean in my post that out of all 70-80 boxes yielded 11 10's total. Not per box. Just wanted to make sure that wasn't misleading.

Stone193

This came out of an 83T vending box.

But, I'm in agreement with the idea that rack is probably the best bang for the buck.

Wax packs - older stuff - by defintion - wax and gum problems.

Cellos? If too tightly packed - corner issues.

Plus with vending - the whole box can be a waste - I had two complete vending boxes of 83T that were OC; it was almost a total waste of money.

mike

riccaboni

I have bought one vending box; it was a 1979 Topps Baseball from BBCE.

It was amazing.

I pulled nines on almost all the stars, with the exception of Schmidt, who was off center, not submitted, and the Ozzie rookie, which I was just happy to get one and it got an 8OC. I've got a stack of about 200 commons I plan on submitting at some point, with about 25 9's just hanging out with me, already graded. Also got a PSA 10 Garvey.

Now, financially, is it beneficial to do this? For me, no. Most 9 1979s can be had for under the grading fee. But I pulled a ton of commons that are BEAUTIFUL and would look great in a PSA holder, whether it be 9 or 10. I think the reward is equal to the risk. Either way, I had a blast ripping it.

-Ian

XanaduNow

The gum and wax stain problem with packs I get.

The corner issues with cellos I get.

But isn't there an issue with the cards being able to slide around a bit (albeit just back and forth) in the rack packs?

Thanks

zef204

<< <i>The gum and wax stain problem with packs I get.

The corner issues with cellos I get.

But isn't there an issue with the cards being able to slide around a bit (albeit just back and forth) in the rack packs?

Thanks >>

Yes. I have opened garbage racks as well but they are for sure the best way to go consistantly. That's why they are the most expensive and vending is the least expensive.

Stone193

<< <i>The gum and wax stain problem with packs I get.

The corner issues with cellos I get.

But isn't there an issue with the cards being able to slide around a bit (albeit just back and forth) in the rack packs?

Thanks >>


XN

ldferg has opened his share of older racks - let's see what he has to say.

I would say that the "give" in the rack is minimal unless if the whole box has taken a major hit?

mike

XanaduNow

Thanks guys. The words of wisdom are much appreciated.

Now, where was that bbce website ...? Oh, there it is.

Stone193

For those who missed it - Steve Hart is listed as one of the experts on the CU main page.



Steve Hart
Consultant, Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)

Expertise: Unopened Material.

Since the age of 9, Steve Hart has been involved with sportscards in one way or another. His early passion as a collector led him to local card shows and, in 1985, he set up at a convention for the first time. Five years later, at the age of 20, he opened his retail sportscards store, Baseball Card Exchange. Steve's integrity and focus on service helped earn him the status as one of Chicago's premier sportscard dealers. Over the next 15 years, his expanding business moved to newer locations, each one bigger than the last. In July of this year, the Baseball Card Exchange moved to its current location, containing more than 8,000 square feet of office and warehouse. Steve's fascination with unopened material started early and he later became one of the foremost authorities on the subject after years of study. Over the last 20 years, Steve has examined thousands upon thousands of unopened items. This experience has given him the reputation as one of its top unopened specialists in the hobby. Steve became a father this past summer to his beautiful daughter Maggie!

Him grading stuff that he will later sell at BBCExchange may look like a conflict of interest by some tho.

mike

softparade

Vending SUCKS

Steve Hart ROCKS

Brian48

Had a bad experience with a '91 box recently. I will never buy another vending box again.

tanzanite

Thought I'd chime in for once. I'm absolutely no expert on vending vs. rack, but I bought a 1973 Topps football vending box about eight years ago with about 150-180 too off-centered to submit. Within the last year and a half I started submitting these and of the 300+ I sent in, fourteen came back 10s and yielded about 60-65% 9s on the rest. I bought a 1982 Topps baseball vending and just submitted the Rickey Henderson I pulled. We'll see on that. But the Ripken rc I pulled looks like a 9, hopefully 10. I don't know if I just got lucky as it is sounding like with the rest of these posts.

tennesseebanker

Tanz, Good to see you here ! I know I have bid against you many times on E-bay (usually on the losing side). I believe it was for 73 Football if I am not mistaken. Wecome to the boards !

tanzanite

Thanks,
glad to be here. It probably was for '73 fb. That set's my passion as it was my very first set. I tend get get carried away with my bids on the '73s. I don't need the best set, just want the best I can possibly put together.

my 1973 set

Stone193

First and foremost...

Welcome Tanz

Glad you decided to jump in cause the water is fine.

Vending can be a crapshoot - but the price will make the gamble a good one for some.



This Rip came from vending.

Centering was good.

As I said before - I bought 4 boxes of 83T - first two boxes - worthless.

So Tanz - I hope you enjoy it here.
Don't be a stranger - shoes optional.
your friend
mike

tennesseebanker

<< <i>Thanks,
glad to be here. It probably was for '73 fb. That set's my passion as it was my very first set. I tend get get carried away with my bids on the '73s. I don't need the best set, just want the best I can possibly put together.

my 1973 set >>



I think you and I started the set the same month, I lost interest in the set after a while and have wound up selling most of them, It is good to see you at the top, I know how hard you worked on the set.