Is it worth the gamble?

NYYDM23

I am moving next year and when I look at the size of my collection my move looks a little on the impossible side. I am trying to decide what to do with what and I have my first of many dilemmas.

I have at least two sealed Topps Tiffany sets for each year including traded and Bowman ranging from 1984 through 1991. Also I have a dozen 1984 and 1985 Donruss factory sets in the small cellos. Is it worth opening all of these sets and taking advantage of the current special or is it too risky and I should just sell them as they are? Is it very hard to pull PSA 10s from the Donruss cellos? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Estil

I think I'd sell those sets as is. If you offered ALL of those Tiffany sets in one auction and perhaps paid a few pennies more to have it featured, and take lots of nice pictures really showcasing it, you'd probably make a killing (I mean, how often do you get to buy a sweet run of sets like that for one purchase, one price?). Then keep the other set for your personal collection. I'd be tempted to buy them myself if I had enough funds, but I guess for now I'll have to settle for regular Topps sets.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector

My set had the cellos so tight it affected the corners. Heard another say the same. Maybe just the year I had. I think it was 87 regular issue.

XanaduNow

You're rolling the dice. I'd sell them each separately. I think you'll bring in more money that way. Let someone else roll the dice when it comes to grading. Take the solid money when you can.

Arthur

blindflyer

NYYDM23 ...

I'd be interested in one or two of your '84 Donruss sets.

Any deal for a fellow CU board member?



I just started my '84 Donruss in PSA 9 or better set .... I've got a looooong road ahead!

-Tom

NYYDM23

I guess part of the reason I am tempted to open the sets is that I would love to have some PSA 10 Mattinglys for my collection. It is just so tempting to rip them open after all these years.

NYYDM23

<< <i>NYYDM23 ...

I'd be interested in one or two of your '84 Donruss sets.

Any deal for a fellow CU board member?



I just started my '84 Donruss in PSA 9 or better set .... I've got a looooong road ahead!

-Tom >>




Will let you know after I decide.

yankeeno7

Also, Donruss factory cards are a tiny bit shorter than wax pack cards. Again, you would be rolling the dice but I have never seen anyone get higher than a PSA 8 on a factory set Clemens rookie. But that is just my experience.

XanaduNow

NYYDM23, if you do end up cracking the sets I'd be interested in purchasing any and all Mike Greenwell cards that are available. My vote is still on the "don't crack" side but I thought I'd throw out the offer in case you decided to break.

Thanks

Arthur

ArnyVee

I'd also be interested in a couple of factory sets at the right price if you decide to go that route.

It is very difficult to pull 10s for Mattingly to begin with, but factory sets are a bit of a crap shoot as well. Sometimes, the corners are dinged because of the tight wrapping of the cellos and/or because of the mishandling of the boxes. Couple that with the potential for having cards returned not graded because of the size differences. In some cases (most?) the '84 Donruss cards are a slight bit shorter in the factory sets than in the wax.

At any rate, good luck with your decision. I think that you only have until the end of the month to postmark your submission for this deal though, so might have to make that decision a little quicker!

mikeschmidt

People pay for the risk of getting a good card. Odds are that you will do better selling the sets/cellos as is. But, like any lottery, if you give away a set that ends up having a key PSA 10, you probably lose out marginally.

Packs, factory sets, etc. always sell for more than the expected value of what is inside, given a probability/risk matrix.

NYYDM23

<< <i>NYYDM23, if you do end up cracking the sets I'd be interested in purchasing any and all Mike Greenwell cards that are available. My vote is still on the "don't crack" side but I thought I'd throw out the offer in case you decided to break.

Thanks

Arthur >>




One of those Red Sox bums, huh? (only good natured ribbing intended) I think I am going to open a few to see how it works out and because I do not have many Tiffany Mattingly cards in my loose collection. I will most likely sell more than half of them sealed. If you could tell me what years he played I will see what I can do for you. If you happen to know his card number for each year even better.

AkbarClone

If you do bust open some of those Tiffany sets, I need some random non-Mattingly singles from several of them. Please post here or send me a PM if you bust some open and are willing to sell some singles on the side. My paypal button is ready.
Good luck with the Mattingly search.
James

XanaduNow

<< <i>

<< <i>NYYDM23, if you do end up cracking the sets I'd be interested in purchasing any and all Mike Greenwell cards that are available. My vote is still on the "don't crack" side but I thought I'd throw out the offer in case you decided to break.

Thanks

Arthur >>




One of those Red Sox bums, huh? (only good natured ribbing intended) I think I am going to open a few to see how it works out and because I do not have many Tiffany Mattingly cards in my loose collection. I will most likely sell more than half of them sealed. If you could tell me what years he played I will see what I can do for you. If you happen to know his card number for each year even better. >>



NYYDM23, thanks! Here's the list. PM me what you want for them (whatever you feel is a fair price). Much appreciated

1987 Topps (and Tiffany) #259
1988 Topps #493
1989 Bowman #34
1989 Topps #402 (AS) & #630
1990 Bowman #274
1990 Topps #70
1991 Topps 792

Arthur

larryallen73

I would sell and I would sell in smaller lots. Unless your Ebay feedback is incredibly high I think you get into "trust" issues when the dollar amounts get really high on one auction. At least I know I don't bid on high dollar auctions except with high feedback. I know this is not any guarantee of anything but that's how I do it. Good luck.

Estil

I still would love to see all the Tiffany sets done on one auction. I may not have a chance in hell of ever getting them, but it would still be fun to watch. And if I did have the funds, well, you all know what I'd rather have.