1971 topps rack pack
thunderdan
Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭
No past history visible on ebay for how much the last one sold for. This one is $950 obo and has been listed at least once before. I'm interested, but have a few questions as I am not a rack pack expert.
1) What's a fair price on this. I'm a VCP subsciber, but I don't know if you can look at past 71 rack pack history
2) Should I be worried that this isn't graded? Can rack packs be searched without ever being opened?
3) Anything else I should be concerned about.
What does the brain trust say? And, if I do end up buying this, there's a good chance I'm busting it. I don't buy much unopened material, but without exception I've been unable to keep anything I've purchase unopened for very long (which is why I have to restrain myself).
1) What's a fair price on this. I'm a VCP subsciber, but I don't know if you can look at past 71 rack pack history
2) Should I be worried that this isn't graded? Can rack packs be searched without ever being opened?
3) Anything else I should be concerned about.
What does the brain trust say? And, if I do end up buying this, there's a good chance I'm busting it. I don't buy much unopened material, but without exception I've been unable to keep anything I've purchase unopened for very long (which is why I have to restrain myself).
0
Comments
Unsure about this year, but some others do have collation patterns.
I'm also unsure if this year has room in the racks to move the cards around as I have seen done with other years.
Ungraded $475, graded About $600 if my memory serves me.
Larry
The only thing that you can see is that the wrap seems to be tight enough that the pack hasn't been thumbed through recently, if at all. Although I would like to see a nice scan for evidence of fingernail marks etc.
I would ask about a return policy though (just in case / as one isn't mentioned)
looks legit from here / good luck if you decide to take the plunge!!!
The "fingernail" marks folks often talk about are not from people "thumbing" through a rack to see the cards underneath. They actually come from the machine that is used to seal the packs. From the 70's, 1977 is the most common year for this. I've seen fresh cases opened in front of me where every pack has the edge scrape. No fingernails ever "thumbed" those packs.
Although you can slide the top or bottom few cards aside to peak at the ones underneath, on the older 70's packs you're only going to have enough room to see very few cards, and only a small corner at that.
As someone mentioned, the cello "shrinks" or gets tighter over time.
The only thing you can look for (if you have the pack in hand) is at the seams between the sections and at the ends. They should all look the same. One way re-sealers do racks is to cut along one of the seams, swap cards, and reseal along the seam. I've seen some excellent work out there, but if you look good and hard you can tell the original seam has been compromised and it's a reseal.
I think the value is around $7-800 myself if the cards are crisp.
**Buyer Beware* * This guy reseals packs. I have proof. Email me for full story.
the-hockey-nut ( 1095 [Feedback score is 1,000 to 4,999] )
Mar-15-03 18:21
*
Reply by letsgetitstarted1 (Mar-15-03 20:51):
Get a life. $25 pack and I refunded your $. Forget the hockey, you're just a NUT
o
Follow-up by the-hockey-nut (Mar-16-03 07:23):
I now have emails from others he has screwed. Check your packs. No side deals.BW
-- (#1980175878)
pretty sure this is one of the barry brothers who have been known to sell resealed packs.
<< <i>pretty sure this is one of the barry brothers who have been known to sell resealed packs. >>
Very interesting..I've always been a rack pack lover because that's what my pops always bought me as a kid. Plus I love buying the rack packs because of the star players showing and i'm saving them for my son....But I was wondering if you can share a little about resealing rack packs?...And are there certain years that are more prone to resealing? I've been mainly buying 77 to 83 rack packs and always thought they were safer purchases.
Brian
I know one of the guys (hockeynut) who dished out the negative, and would 100% trust his judgment as to the seller. I copied and pasted the warning from the transaction that was posted on another site ..........
1vintage1 sucks on ebay .........
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"Just to let the new guys that may have joined know dont buy from this
guy he is a resealer. He has a second account called topps11. I
noticed he has begun listing again so watch out for him. he reseals
packs, racks, cellos, funpack bags etc.... nothing he wont try."
Current obsession, all things Topps 1969 - 1972
<< <i>71 racks go for more than 475-600, especially a couple years ago , they would go close to a grand on the ones with a true header card , the ones with a punched card go slightly less. in current markets they are probably a few hundred less.
pretty sure this is one of the barry brothers who have been known to sell resealed packs. >>
Thanks for the heads up. There is some feedback others referenced that indicate the possibility that he is a resealer.
<< <i>That's why you should always simply analyze the seller first, before bothering to waste time analyzing whatever product he is selling. I mean if you determine he's a scammer, why waste time even looking at anything he offers? >>
That's a good point. I hadn't known about the toolhaus tool, either, which makes negatives easier to find.
Check out this thread from a group of unopened collectors that we have on eBay. The thread is about a year old and it talks about all the CRAP that these brothers sell. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!
Stay Healthy!
Doug
http://groups.ebay.com/topic/Wax-Packs/Discussions/Major-Unopened-Scam/1500920698&start=0
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Now I have my eye on a GAI graded 1986 fleer basketball pack from a full box.
<< <i>Thanks all. This has been a big help. I will avoid this seller.
Now I have my eye on a GAI graded 1986 fleer basketball pack from a full box.
THAT will be a WHOLE LOT CHEAPER!!!!! (and HOPEFULLY legit!)
Stay Healthy!
Doug
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
1. The seam stitching within the racks had the same design and pattern (sort of a diamond stitch), although the pattern on the 71 was less pronounced (harder to see) and it’s width about 2/3 that of the 73’s.
2. The 71 rack was about a quarter to half an inch taller.
3. The 71 rack was “looser” than the 73’s. It just didn’t feel as sturdy as the 73’s. Didn’t have a tight feel. The cellophane on the 71 wasn’t quite as brown as the 73’s but the way the packs were curling due to aging looked similar on both.
4. I examined the corners of the cards within the racks with a magnifying glass thoroughly. Regarding the 71, it was apparent there were to be no 9’s or 10’s. You could tell that most of the corners on all the cards were damaged. The 73 packs showed cards with uniform, consistent and for the most part, sharp corners. I would venture at least a few 9’s.
So the ultimate test was to open it.
5. No cards would grade higher than a 6, 7 on a very lucky day.
6. Pack had 53 cards and 6 Phil Roof’s (3 were back to back to back). Most all of the cards were from #’s 1 to 15. Several “trio’s” were in numerical order (i.e. 6, 7, 8).
7. Absolutely no stars. There were 3 Johnny Callison’s, 1 Andy Messersmith and 2 Doc Ellis’s. So in my opinion this would be considered the best, which I know is a monumental stretch.
I’d like to hear your opinions.
Rick
Not counting BBCE of course and DA.
If a collector wants to sell his unopened collection he should get it authenticated first.
I don't want to say everyone that sells raw on ebay is a scammer but all should be treated as such.
The risk-reward is just not there.
Sorry that happened to you. A legit 71 pack would have been graded.
Steve
It looks as though, UNFORTUNATELY, you paid a LARGE premium to have some half worn '71 commons wrapped up in some old cellophane.
The SCUMBAGS that reseal should have their NUTS resealed!
Stay Healthy!
Doug
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Rick
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.