After getting my refund for the Bradshaw I won this Dryden PSA 9 from PWCC in their March auction. Down to 11 cards needed for my Hockey HOF RC collection. Sights are set next on a PSA 9 OPC Gretzky RC.
One pack of 1971 Topps baseball purchased from BBCE for $325. Nice pack, plan to sub the Rose, the Home Run Leaders, Kline and McCovey. The Maddox was the wax card and the Batting Leaders was the gum card. My scanner cut off the bottoms of the cards and probably should have scanned with white background.
Edited to add grades: NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 100 PETE ROSE Date Received:5/2/2011
Edited to add grades: MINT 9 1971 TOPPS 66 NL HOME RUN LEADERS BENCH/WILLIAMS/PEREZ NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 51 STEVE KLINE NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 50 WILLIE McCOVEY Date Received:5/2/2011
An unopened pack of '71s- love it! Always wanted to do that.
Edited to add- too bad the Maddox was the wax card b/c it looks like an easy 9 from the scan.
'Sir, I realize it's been difficult for you to sleep at night without your EX/MT 1977 Topps Tom Seaver, but I swear to you that you'll get it safe and sound.' -CDs Nuts, 1/20/14
A Rose 9 would command some serious change! A very nice pack indeed! Congrats!
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.
Two boxes of 1991 Topps Stadium club football purchased from BBCE for $75 per box. Only hit the single Favre RC, will send it in as part of my renewal sub.
Edited to add grade: GEM MINT 10 1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FARVE Date Received:5/2/2011
Ten packs of 1977 Topps basketball purchased from BBCE for $17 per pack. The Dantley will be subbed but looks like an 8. Still on the elusive quest for a PSA 9 Dantley rookie.
Edited to add grade: EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1977 TOPPS 56 ADRIAN DANTLEY Date Received:5/2/2011
<< <i>Ten packs of 1977 Topps basketball purchased from BBCE for $17 per pack. The Dantley will be subbed but looks like an 8. Still on the elusive quest for a PSA 9 Dantley rookie.
>>
what is the PSA 9 pop on Dantley?
Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Sub just popped, pretty poor overall. Jordan went from Min Size on my last sub to Ev of Trimming. The Ovechkin and Griffin will be added to my PC.
MINT 9 1975 O-PEE-CHEE 199 1961-MVP'S R.MARIS/F.ROBINSONCardUS EXCELLENT 5 1981 O-PEE-CHEE 269 PETER STASTNY CardUS MINT 9 2005 SP AUTHENTIC 190 ALEXANDER OVECHKIN AUTOGRAPHCardUS N1: EVIDENCE OF TRIMMING 1986 FLEER 57 MICHAEL JORDAN CardUS EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1980 TOPPS SCORING LEADER BIRD,ERVING,JOHNSONCardUS MINT 9 2009 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 101 BLAKE GRIFFIN AUTOGRAPHCardUS N6: MINIMUM SIZE REQUIREMENT 2000 PLAYOFF PRESTIGE 286 TOM BRADY CardUS NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 100 PETE ROSE CardUS MINT 9 1971 TOPPS 66 NL HOME RUN LEADERS BENCH/WILLIAMS/PEREZCardUS NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 51 STEVE KLINE CardUS NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 50 WILLIE McCOVEY CardUS EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1977 TOPPS 56 ADRIAN DANTLEY CardUS GEM MINT 10 1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FARVE CardUS
Robb, Did you think the Dantley would come back that low of a grade or did you just want something to fill in the hole till you get the elusive 9?
I can feel your pain with the Jordan. I ripped a whole box of 1979 Topps hockey this year and the one Gretzky came back Minimum size. Makes the pain of opening a box that much more painful.
Good luck with your rips this year. We all are looking forward to them.
Mike
Working my way to #1 1979 Topps Hockey I know it's going to be tough!
One pack of 1986 Fleer basketball purchased from BBCE for $315. Will send in a couple of the cards for grading. The Jabbar sticker is well centered but one of the corners is a little mangled unfortunately.
Two packs of 1981 Topps football, two packs of 1984 Topps football, two packs of 1986 Topps football and two packs of 1989 Score football from BBCE as part of the CU forum rip. A couple HOF RCs, the Sanders and Aikman were in the same pack. All look like 8s might sub the Sanders.
Three packs of 1981 OPC hockey, two packs of 1982 OPC hockey, two packs of 1983 OPC hockey, three packs of 1984 OPC hockey and two packs of 1986 OPC hockey purchased from BBCE as part of CU Forum RIP. Packs were pretty much all duds from a HOF RC perspective though there were plenty of non-RC HOF stars in the packs. Centering was fairly poor, no cards worth grading.
If you are patient and don't expect the break even today, you can usually break even or make a little. But it is the law if large numbers rule of thumb.
Right - but to be fair, he's easily spent over 30k in the last two years - but I haven't seen evidence of a GEM MINT Jordan or Gretzky - which is really the only way to slightly recoup. I suppose if you totally grind it out and get everything slabbed you can get back about 50% - but think he's (and by the way, I love this thread, I'm not knocking you, just discussing the econ of it) ripped about 30 Fleer 86's at at average cost of 325 - that puts you in at around 10k for those.
Anyway - I'd love to see the breakdown. It's more or less why I've gotten hooked on collecting unopened - the "thrill" value of buying the pack is worth way more than it's actual contents.
If I have 5 shoe boxes, and one of them contains 300 bucks - i can probably sell each box for 60 bucks each. But it's tough selling an empty opened box!
You don't break even in this game at all. You do it for the fun of it. This is why I hate buying packs to open in the longrun, I am the type who only likes to invest in stuff that I can one day turn a profit on.
That's why I again state, modern cards have money to be made. Follow the rookies, watch a bit of sportscenter and sports news, and follow the hot players. I can give you lots of examples of how to make money with modern cards. Then once you make money, buy your vintage for the long haul. Or a box of 1986 fleer.
So he has spent about 10k. How many Jordans total? How many superstars? How many PSA 9's? If you opened all, and sell all down to the last card, I think the numbers would surprise you. I know they would be way above 50 percent. The key is to break even and build your PC.
Timing is everything. When you see cards going for more money, it's already too late to make good money.
I find your conversation re: the profitability very interesting but Robb strikes me as a hobbyist more than anything. Don't get me wrong, no one likes throwing away good money but I think if he were broke and/or didn't enjoy the hobby for reasons beyond money, this thread wouldn't exist.
I'm sure Robb does well enough to afford the enjoyment of opening these packs, and as someone who both collects unopened and opens unopened, I can completely relate to that. Some people like to drink $500 bottles of wine instead of house red, in the end it's all about what piques your palate.
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.
For every $1 in unopened I get $.20 - $.30 back, I could figure it out exactly since I have records for all sales and subs but that would be more trouble than it is worth. Fortunately I don't have to worry about trying to break even or make money. There is certainly money to be made in this hobby whether through modern, vintage, grading, non-sports, etc but I just don't care to try and do it. However busting older unopened is definitely not the way to go about making money. I bust boxes and packs that I find interesting without really considering resale value.
According to my records I've spent $58,156.90 on unopened since Jan 2009. This year I have been buying more graded cards for my PC than unopened thus the decrease in posting frequency.
We all complain about how the hobby has plummeted the last 15 or so years compared to the boom of the 80's early 90's, but it's threads like this that all remind us of why we fell in love with the hobby in the first place. Back when we didn't care about centering, condition or a return on our investments. Robb is one of the truly pure collectors still out there and this is by far and away my favorite thread. Keep up the posts Robb and I can honestly say and I pull for you every time I see a new post by you on here.
Again, I love the thread, but the financial numbers are just mind-boggling. I'm assuming Robb is very rich to indulge (as one poster said) in 500 dollar glasses of wine. Even if I made 300k a year, I'd have a hard time justifying spending 60k (with, as Robb says, 20 cents back on every dollar) in 18 months on unopened cards - it seems a bit over the top. That said, keep ripping!
So I have been looking for a PSA 9 2001 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady card for a while. Went ahead and bought a nice 9 graded by another company, cracked it and submitted it to PSA...
To add insult to injury somehow PSA also managed to damage the card while determining it was EOT.
The edge damage definitely wasn't there when I cracked the card but sadly I didn't bother to take "before I sent the card to PSA" scans...
Gotta say not particularly pleased with PSA at the moment as they have taken a $1000+ card and basically halved its value. Since I don't have any proof there is not much I can do about it nor would I expect PSA to do anything but doubtful that I will be submitting cards to PSA any time soon.
As a rule I don't get into my word versus their word types of situations. The money doesn't really matter, though it is pretty annoying, I honestly just want a PSA 9 Brady RC for my PC. For these types of situations I simply stop using the offered service.
Comments
<< <i>One pack of 1986/87 Fleer basketball purchased from BBCE for $315.
that is a SWEET sticker! is that one going into PSA?
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
Nicely centered Dryden!
Bosox1976
Edited to add grades:
NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 100 PETE ROSE
Date Received:5/2/2011
Edited to add grades:
MINT 9 1971 TOPPS 66 NL HOME RUN LEADERS BENCH/WILLIAMS/PEREZ
NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 51 STEVE KLINE
NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 50 WILLIE McCOVEY
Date Received:5/2/2011
Bosox1976
<< <i>There is a Gretzky PSA 10 available at auction
That card's been passed around for years like a joint and like one will eventually burn out.
Edited to add- too bad the Maddox was the wax card b/c it looks like an easy 9 from the scan.
-CDs Nuts, 1/20/14
*1956 Topps baseball- 97.4% complete, 7.24 GPA
*Clemente basic set: 85.0% complete, 7.89 GPA
Good luck on the sub.
Is the wax on the surface or is it a true stain as if the wax melted into the cardboard?
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.
<< <i>probably should have scanned with white background >>
I find with 71's that a different color other than white or black works best. A piece of construction paper or even a towel work fine.
BTW, great pack!
Thanks for sharing, John
Current obsession, all things Topps 1969 - 1972
Edited to add grade:
GEM MINT 10 1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FARVE
Date Received:5/2/2011
Edited to add grade:
EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1977 TOPPS 56 ADRIAN DANTLEY
Date Received:5/2/2011
<< <i>Ten packs of 1977 Topps basketball purchased from BBCE for $17 per pack. The Dantley will be subbed but looks like an 8. Still on the elusive quest for a PSA 9 Dantley rookie.
what is the PSA 9 pop on Dantley?
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
<< <i>what is the PSA 9 pop on Dantley? >>
pop is 26 with 2 10s out there too
MINT 9 1975 O-PEE-CHEE 199 1961-MVP'S R.MARIS/F.ROBINSONCardUS
EXCELLENT 5 1981 O-PEE-CHEE 269 PETER STASTNY CardUS
MINT 9 2005 SP AUTHENTIC 190 ALEXANDER OVECHKIN AUTOGRAPHCardUS
N1: EVIDENCE OF TRIMMING 1986 FLEER 57 MICHAEL JORDAN CardUS
EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1980 TOPPS SCORING LEADER BIRD,ERVING,JOHNSONCardUS
MINT 9 2009 PLAYOFF CONTENDERS 101 BLAKE GRIFFIN AUTOGRAPHCardUS
N6: MINIMUM SIZE REQUIREMENT 2000 PLAYOFF PRESTIGE 286 TOM BRADY CardUS
NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 100 PETE ROSE CardUS
MINT 9 1971 TOPPS 66 NL HOME RUN LEADERS BENCH/WILLIAMS/PEREZCardUS
NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 51 STEVE KLINE CardUS
NEAR MINT 7 1971 TOPPS 50 WILLIE McCOVEY CardUS
EXCELLENT-MINT 6 1977 TOPPS 56 ADRIAN DANTLEY CardUS
GEM MINT 10 1991 STADIUM CLUB 94 BRETT FARVE CardUS
Date Received:5/2/2011
VCP is $330
plus the psa 7 Rose, the Griffin, Ovechkin and the PSA 10 Favre, you got some real nice cards in there
Always love this thread!
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
I can feel your pain with the Jordan. I ripped a whole box of 1979 Topps hockey this year and the one Gretzky came back Minimum size. Makes the pain of opening a box that much more painful.
Good luck with your rips this year. We all are looking forward to them.
Mike
I know it's going to be tough!
Thanks again for sharing, John
Current obsession, all things Topps 1969 - 1972
Robert
My collecting blog: http://ctcard.wordpress.com
Love this thread!!!
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
Anyway - I'd love to see the breakdown. It's more or less why I've gotten hooked on collecting unopened - the "thrill" value of buying the pack is worth way more than it's actual contents.
If I have 5 shoe boxes, and one of them contains 300 bucks - i can probably sell each box for 60 bucks each. But it's tough selling an empty opened box!
My collecting blog: http://ctcard.wordpress.com
So he has spent about 10k. How many Jordans total? How many superstars? How many PSA 9's? If you opened all, and sell all down to the last card, I think the numbers would surprise you. I know they would be way above 50 percent. The key is to break even and build your PC.
Timing is everything. When you see cards going for more money, it's already too late to make good money.
I can give you plenty of examples...
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
My Podcast - Now FEATURED on iTunes
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.
According to my records I've spent $58,156.90 on unopened since Jan 2009. This year I have been buying more graded cards for my PC than unopened thus the decrease in posting frequency.
Cheers,
Robb
Thanks again for sharing Robb.
Brian
My collecting blog: http://ctcard.wordpress.com
To add insult to injury somehow PSA also managed to damage the card while determining it was EOT.
The edge damage definitely wasn't there when I cracked the card but sadly I didn't bother to take "before I sent the card to PSA" scans...
Gotta say not particularly pleased with PSA at the moment as they have taken a $1000+ card and basically halved its value. Since I don't have any proof there is not much I can do about it nor would I expect PSA to do anything but doubtful that I will be submitting cards to PSA any time soon.
Cheers,
Robb
For these types of situations I simply stop using the offered service.
Robb