best pack type for raw cards

daywalker2029

was wondering when buying un-opened material for possible submissions whats is the best form of pack ? wax ? cello ? rack ? vending box ?
im thinking about mid to late 80s material most specifically

i figure wax is prob worst b/c of gum reisdue on the top or bottom of card but what are the otehr pros and cons of each type of pack

thanks !

1954

Daywalker,
I have always heard that the rack packs are the best then the wax packs. I am not a very good person to ask because I have not busted many of these, but I wanted to respond to your post. Best of luck on your ripping.

Shane

daywalker2029

<< <i>Daywalker,
I have always heard that the rack packs are the best then the wax packs. I am not a very good person to ask because I have not busted many of these, but I wanted to respond to your post. Best of luck on your ripping.

Shane >>

thanks for the advice - im still a rookie compared to the big dogs on here but figured you guys would be the best to ask for advice

RobMM77

I agree with Shane, I like the rack packs and I haven't busted open but a few. The few I did, paid off..........

bri2327

Rack all the way.

lawnmowerman

Another vote for rack

Matt

Elemenopeo

Wax has been pretty good to me. I'd say that vending is the least favorable choice.

packman

I have opened a lot of product. The best to worst in my experience are in this order (1) rack, (2) wax, (3) vending and (4) cello. I am sure a lot of people may have had better luck with cello then vending. Even more important then the type of product is the handling history of the product. I have opened wax packs where they were stored in a non-temperature controlled environment that were worst then any cello or vending that I opened. Buy from a trusted source. I have had the best luck with Steve Hart from bbcexchange.com. Finally, be carefull of buying individual packs without knowing where they came from. If a rack pack has been mishandled, then the cards will probably be damaged.

David

Bosox1976

My preference (in order):

Rack
Wax
Vending
Cello

Wabittwax

<< <i>My preference (in order):

Rack
Wax
Vending
Cello >>



I agree with this order. Racks produce the best quality.

joemaggio

cons:

Cello packs, especially vintage ones, were often wrapped too tight and most of the cards have corner damage. Early 70's cellos came in a box, but were still sealed in cello (hence the name), but you often see them in the box, but unwrapped - opened and searched.

Wax packs have the wax/gum stain issue and can be resealed.

Vending boxes aren't sealed, so it would be quite easy to take out one or two cards and no one would notice. Same with most Topps Traded sets.

Racks packs sometimes have enough room for someone to slide the cards and see all the numbers on the backs. Also, Topps often had cards sequenced - as a completely made up example: it might be common knowledge that 1979 cards were sequenced in packs in the following order - Mario Soto, Checklist #2, Pete Rose RB, Rick Cerone, Bump Wills, Ozzie Smith. So, someone who knew the sequence would know that if Soto, Checklist #2, Rose RB, Cerone or Wills was on the top, there'd be an Ozzie rookie inside.

RipublicaninMass

Joe I agree with you! But nowadays a low pop PSA 10 common would be worth more than a PSA 9 o/c Ozzie rc!!

MorrellMan

I've had good luck with wax, as long as it's boxed. Consistent 9s and some 10s. I hear rack is best though.

daywalker2029

wow thanks for all the replies - i guess ill go with racks - thanks guys !

RemynSkyler

Not too long ago I pulled a 1981 Topps Baseball Nolan Ryan from a rack pack for only $6.00 from the Baseball Card Exchange. I just got it back today from PSA and it graded a 10. I'd go with them all the way.

Mark

zef204

I think a rack box is the best bet. BUT, it will cost a lot more than wax which, IMO has as nice of cards but just less perpack with likely 2 per pack being ruined by wax and gum.

Loose racks, now thats another story. There is a lot of room for the cards to move around and get dinged.

I would say what has been said above.

Rack
Wax
Vending
Cello

Vending is a good, less expensive alternative if you buy from a reputable seller and can see a picture of the box with the lid opened. There is a definite "vending pattern" and if you can see this, you are much more likely to get an unsearched box.


Just out of curiosity, what year/make/sport do you have your eye on?

Wabittwax

<< <i>Also, Topps often had cards sequenced - as a completely made up example: it might be common knowledge that 1979 cards were sequenced in packs in the following order - Mario Soto, Checklist #2, Pete Rose RB, Rick Cerone, Bump Wills, Ozzie Smith. So, someone who knew the sequence would know that if Soto, Checklist #2, Rose RB, Cerone or Wills was on the top, there'd be an Ozzie rookie inside. >>



This is very true. I spent a lot of money opening 1979 Racks to find the sequence for the Ozzie. It's not 100% but it's close enough that I pull a lot of Ozzie's. It's almost not even worth doing though because the last one I got, I ended up paying $45 for the Rack on ebay. I guess somebody else knew the sequence and bid it up. Anyways, the Ozzie was there, absolutely gorgeous but very OC. I sent it in, it got a 9OC and sold on ebay for $9. So I only lost $41 in that transaction. I haven't done it since.

daywalker2029

<< <i>


Just out of curiosity, what year/make/sport do you have your eye on? >>


85/86 topps baseball

viking7

Rack
Vending
Cello
Wax