Mid 1980's OPC Vending Case Question

gregmo32

Does anyone have any experience with opening an entire case of 1980's vending product? I know that they are notorious for off center cards, and am trying to figure out if the off center factor will run consistently through an entire vending case. For example, will a certain card be off center consistently through an entire case run, or will it vary wildly, with some copies of the same card off center, some slightly off center, some well centered?

Any help would be appreciated!

jeffcbay

In my somewhat limited experience in ripping 80s cases, it seems like the centering is pretty random, but the surface wrinkles and corner dings are very consistent.

gregmo32

What years did you open boxes or cases of? Was the centering consistent within each vending box, or did it vary even in the box?

twiley

Hi -

I opened up a case of 1984 OPC Baseball Wax (not vending) about 3 years ago. The centering on the cards seemed to be completely random. 90% of the cards had ruff cuts or ding corners or wrinkle issues.

For example I got 6 total examples of the key card for the set Don Mattingly RC. 1 of the 6 was centered and came back a PSA 9 the remainder 5 were to OC to sub. I am still sitting on a bunch that need to be submitted from that issue. Since there isn't interest in 1984 OPC baseball I haven't bothered submitting them.

gregmo32

That is interesting Twiley. That is what I was wondering. I bet that PSA 9 felt like an excavation from an archaeological dig.

gregmo32

Has anyone else opened a mid 1980's vending case?

54topps

Im assuming you are referring to baseball. However I have opened a 1982 and 1983 hockey vending case. The centering pretty much matched all cards. For example, the 1983 Gretzky regular issue were all off centered around 90/10 to 80/20. I don't recall seeing cards that were badly o/c and perfectly centered of the same card#

gregmo32

54topps,

That is what I figured, and what I was afraid of. I also think that the hockey is more in line with what I was wondering. Especially with the key card like Gretzky being off center consistently throughout the case, the value of the case is much better unopened.

btcarfagno

I opened two 1985 OPC baseball vending cases. The centering was mostly off and those that weren't the corners were dinged. Was not pleased.

gregmo32

btcarfa-no

If Clemens and Puckett are the key RC's in that set, how many gradeable copies did you get of them? And maybe include Nolan Ryan and Cal Ripken, or other stars, if you recall...

btcarfagno

in terms of getting a nine or above I would say no more than one or two of each. The centering was abysmal. I could literally go fifty cards and not one would have allowed a grade of nine. Then I would find one and a corner would be off. Very frustrating. So much so that one is still In my basement about two thirds unsearched.

Tom C