hot pack searching?

cars

I just read about this on the Mintacular thread. Its been a Long time since I last collected sports cards. I currently do not collect but I visit these boards frequently to read post's and relive the "old days" of my card collecting.

I've never heard of hot pack searching before. Can someone explain what it is, how its done, why its done and why its frowned upon?

Thanks

Mintacular

Supposedly there is a way to feel/weigh a pack and figure out which one has an insert or high value card. Apparently some guys go to Target with scale in hand when boxes come out and essentially buy the good packs leaving the left over ones for everyone else. I'm not sure if it's a "weight" thing only, i.e. the heavier the pack = insert card. You won't find anybody on this board to explain in detail as they either oppose the practice or would not admit it if they participate in it.

During this process I'm pretty sure they don't tamper/rip the pack--which is why I've argued that these folks are not Mother Teresa's but still haven't crossed the line of bad/illegal behavior.

Most people on this board find this troublesome because it discourages young people from entering the hobby and takes the fun out trying to get a "hit". On a purely personal level I find a bit distasteful but realize the best way to fix the problem is for the manufacturer to package them better to prevent this practice. Some also believe the manufacturers (Topps, UD) are in on it to drive sales, etc.

Hope this helps.

jswieton

Pack searching is looked down upon by most collectors. What the pack searcher is trying to do is feel for relic/GU and autographed insert cards. Target, Wal-Mart, and K mart are usually where these searchers prey.

jswieton

<< <i>Supposedly there is a way to feel/weigh a pack and figure out which one has an insert or high value card. Apparently some guys go to Target with scale in hand when boxes come out and essentially buy the good packs leaving the left over ones for everyone else. I'm not sure if it's a "weight" thing only, i.e. the heavier the pack = insert card. You won't find anybody on this board to explain in detail as they either oppose the practice or would not admit it if they participate in it.

During this process I'm pretty sure they don't tamper/rip the pack--which is why I've argued that these folks are not Mother Teresa's but still haven't crossed the line of bad/illegal behavior.

Most people on this board find this troublesome because it discourages young people from entering the hobby and takes the fun out trying to get a "hit". On a purely personal level I find a bit distasteful but realize the best way to fix the problem is for the manufacturer to package them better to prevent this practice. Some also believe the manufacturers (Topps, UD) are in on it to drive sales, etc.

Hope this helps. >>




I disagree with this. The edges and corners are often mashed after a searcher has handled the packs. I have opened my fair share of retail packs that have clearly been searched. They often have damaged edges from a pack searcher running their fingernail across the edge of the cards.

AkbarClone

9 out of 10 pack searchers are not carrying scales into stores and weighing them. They are sqeezing and feeling the edges of the packs trying to find the hit cards. After they are done, everyone else who buys a pack from that box not only have little to no chance of getting a hit, but they are going to get cards with damaged edges and indentions.

But of course, Mr. Mintacular, doesn't feel this has crossed any lines. That has why he has defended this practice as being ethical.

Hope this helps.

storm888

"...but still haven't crossed the line of bad.......behavior...."

//////////////////////////

They are cheating and stealing.

They also, as noted above, damage the cards with their THIEVING fingers.

WMT and TGT should have the filthy SCUM arrested.

Bottom9th

<< <i>"...but still haven't crossed the line of bad.......behavior...."

//////////////////////////

They are cheating and stealing.

They also, as noted above, damage the cards with their THIEVING fingers.

WMT and TGT should have the filthy SCUM arrested. >>

stown

<< <i>You won't find anybody on this board to explain in detail as they either oppose the practice or would not admit it if they participate in it. >>



We should post instructional videos on how to search hot packs. Also we should show how to trim and soak cards without getting caught. While we're at it, might as well show how to crack PSA cases and swap the cards without anyone being the wiser.

None of it is technically illegal, so why not?!?!

cars

I attempted a search on the subject but all I came up with were people supposedly confronting the searchers, No real info on what it is. I collected in the late 80's & Early 90's as a preteen/teen. I wonder if this was possible or was going on back them. I do remember looking through the rack packs to get a star visible, I didn't think I was doing anything wrong however.

I recently visited the card section in the local department store and was overwhelmed. I couldn't believe all the different types and the Prices especially. Some were $5/pack and had only a few cards. I remember in the 90's buying TSC basketball cards and thought they were expensive. I wouldn't know where to start if I got back into SC's. I think I'd stick with the earlier years that I was use to from when I collected. I still have a stack of cards that were decent when I collected, Probably worthless now. From Topps, U/D, Fleer, Bowman, Donruss.

cars

<< <i>9 out of 10 pack searchers are not carrying scales into stores and weighing them. They are sqeezing and feeling the edges of the packs trying to find the hit cards. After they are done, everyone else who buys a pack from that box not only have little to no chance of getting a hit, but they are going to get cards with damaged edges and indentions.

But of course, Mr. Mintacular, doesn't feel this has crossed any lines. That has why he has defended this practice as being ethical.

Hope this helps. >>



Wouldn't the cards in the "Hot packs" Be damaged as well? I'm sure there are many youtube vidoe's ect on how to do it. I think I do a search just to see what's out there and understand more about it.

lanemyer85

if you collected back in the early 90's then you probably remember the Donruss Elite Inserts which supposedly (I have a few but I don't know if they really do or not) have metallic particles in them and dudes used to bring metal detectors into stores and scan wax boxes looking for them.

Mintacular

Hmmm. I wasn't aware that these people were feeling the packs in such a way that damage was done to the cards inside. In that case, the ethical line has been crossed because they have damaged the product inside.

If they are simply holding, observing, or weighing the packs without damaging the cards, I would say they are not breaking the ethics code although I am sensitive to those who feel these people hurt the hobby.

Cracking PSA cases/trimming cards/restoration = unethical and are practices I strongly oppose because sellers are altering the original items and misrepresenting/lying about their product. (For example, replacing a PSA 7 card with a PSA 5 one is blatantly deceiving the buyer into thinking they are receiving something they are not...)

cars

<< <i>

<< <i>You won't find anybody on this board to explain in detail as they either oppose the practice or would not admit it if they participate in it. >>



While we're at it, might as well show how to crack PSA cases and swap the cards without anyone being the wiser.

None of it is technically illegal, so why not?!?!

>>



Seems that would be illegal. Couldn't that be considered counterfeiting or something along those lines?

jswieton

<< <i>If they are simply holding, observing, or weighing the packs without damaging the cards, I would say they are not breaking the ethics code although I am sensitive to those who feel these people hurt the hobby. >>







I am not one to flame here but how do you "observe" a pack to search it? I am sure you knew there was more to it then holding and observing.

storm888

"Groups affected by group-think may have a tendency to think within the box, without taking the opportunity to explore the diverse options located on the outside of that box. They are inclined to ignore alternatives and react negatively to the ideas of other people who are not inclusive of the group. -Carl Jung "

/////////////////////////////////////


CJ was likely a NAZI collaborator, and contibuted to the
destruction of ethical behavior by encouraging foolish folks
to think that any and all expression of individuality was a good thing.

That's not working out too well.

akuracy503

I'm sure there are a few geeks in the hobby that believe they are blessed with Jedi power and can feel the force to determine if a pack is "hot".

Barfvader

<< <i>I'm sure there are a few geeks in the hobby that believe they are blessed with Jedi power and can feel the force to determine if a pack is "hot". >>

daddymc

I don't think a "normal" Jedi can, but I bet he could:

LINK

lawnmowerman

I'm no Jedi but I do have x-ray vision.

halosfan

DaddyMC ... those videos are ridiculous!

daddymc

<< <i>DaddyMC ... those videos are ridiculous! >>



Yeah, they're great aren't they? Don't know where they came up with that stuff. LOL