1980's PSA Topps Baseball Question

ThoseBackPages · January 25, 2011 2:41AM

I realize that there are a number of hard core PSA Set Builders/Collectors around these parts, so i figured this would be the best place to ask/start up a discussion.

I want to collect the guys i grew up a fan of in PSA 9 slabs, with a concentration on HOFers. My "growing years" for baseball was the early 80s.

Pretty easy, right? just march right over to eBay and enter the appropriate search(es).

That being said, there is something "more" to subbing things yourself sometimes. I am wondering if that is the case here. As you know, PSA 9 is neither "pricey" or highly desireable for most people. Not me, i LOVE a "FineNine" as ive grown to calling them in the 6 years ive been a slab collector. because of their lack of hobby love and appreciation, they are not always that easy to track down (whereas PSA 10's of the same card pretty much are).

Do you like to bust Wax? Racks? Cellos? Roll the dice with Vending? or even bust factory sets? to get your possible submission cards?

How do you guys feel about this topic? If im totally outta whack, just tell me to shove it

NickM · January 25, 2011 3:29AM

I buy them off eBay. Lots of 10s go for under $5, even after shipping, so I'd rather wait til I find one I like cheaply than submit modern myself.

Nick

lfa2mfg · January 25, 2011 3:52AM

I go back and forth on this issue. I do love ripping packs and finding sweet cards, but buying unopened of the early 1980s is pricey and $6 bulk submission rates are pricey too. By "pricey", I mean the average collector just can't compete on price with 4SC or Just_Collect. These guys buy mounds of cards (or their consignors do) and submit by the thousands to get prices per slab in the $3 range. Plus, when you think about only getting the cards you want out of racks and wax, the price per PSA 9 rises further....If I could get a rack case or vending case from 1980 for the "buy" price instead of the retail "sell" price - I would love to submit all day....The big boys can afford to sell PSA 9s at less than your cost - so what can you do? As a small timer, it is hard to be cost effective with PSA....

That's my two cents...

mrpeanut39 · January 25, 2011 9:37AM

I have an 80's set on the registry, and I'm from the school that it's more fun to submit your own cards when the unopened stuff is so plentiful. Not necessarily more cost efficient, but more fun. I've only cracked rack, wax and vending for my set. Of those three, rack is definitely your best bet in finding gradable cards. Wax has been hit or miss with me. Not only do you have wax and gum cards, but on occasion corner dings are a problem. As far as vending, I know others have had luck but my experience was so bad the one and only time I went with unopened vending that I'll never go that way again. Steve Hart at BBCE is your man. The peace of mind knowing you're getting unsearched product is worth the extra $ to me.

PowderedH2O · January 25, 2011 10:30AM

It also depends on the player and the set. There may be some cases where you will have to submit it yourself, because nobody else is subbing it. Especially late 80's stuff. I collect some hockey players in which I am almost always the first to submit a card.

ThoseBackPages · January 25, 2011 11:26AM

i really appreciate the various input that you guys have provided. im always learning, always happy about that

still thinking about which way to go

PlayBall · January 26, 2011 12:03PM

Since your not focusing on specific sets, I would rather buy already graded. Opening a rack box for the 1-2 cards your looking for seems like you'll quickly accumulate ALOT of meaningless cards (for your collection, I mean). Unless you grade the best to try and off-set the cost. This is usually a losing proposition as well.

Even when building sets, at a certain point, it becomes almost pointless to continue buying raw. I have an 81 Topps graded set. Bought a rack case and 3 wax boxes. Found some nice cards, but wasn't able to upgrade a single card in my set.

Good luck in whatever decision you make!

ThoseBackPages · January 27, 2011 11:30AM

Thanks Guys. i appreciate the great input from everyone

gopherfan · February 25, 2011 7:49PM

gopherfan · February 25, 2011 7:52PM

I am putting together a 1980 PSA 10 set. I am having a good time just buying them off of eBay knowing that it isn't something that I will make money on. It was the first year I started collecting, and I think it's a great set. I have told others that I will list it when I get to 100 cards. With my budget, I figured that would take about 10 months. ($100/month) But I am ahead of pace. 46 in 2 months. Wife is going
to kill me.

calaban7 · February 25, 2011 7:55PM

I have plenty of extra 9's from the early 80's . Pm me if interested.---- Sonny

gopherfan · February 26, 2011 3:44AM

I'm only doing 10's. At least until I'm completely broke. Then I will be getting in touch with many of you.

gopherfan · February 28, 2011 6:15PM

I just picked up 35 more 10's (I won a small poker tourney for the extra cash) from 4_sharp corners. They are going to be rich by the time this is done. Only 40 to go before I list.

Rob

ThoseBackPages · March 2, 2011 5:53AM

i keep going back and forth on this! LOL

i want to settle on ripping and submitting, but i know darn well it is NOT cost efficient.

i want to rip rack sealed cases for this endeavor, but Steve only has an '89

i am afraid once i start down this road, it will become addictive.

i also do not physically have the room required to store ANY cards that would not be submitted,
so they will most likely be thrown away (i know, i know)

jradke4 · March 3, 2011 5:28AM

the sub and flip game is hard if your not a big time subber to psa. unless you happen to be that first guy or 3 with that PSA10 1986Topps Ryan, then you would off set all your buys.

pretty much my focus is what you see below. however, i have stashed away some rack boxes of topps baseball years that i always liked (84, 86 and 87). some day i will probably rip them but not sure if i will sub them or not. there is nothing worse then subbing a card and getting an 8 in return when you could have bought a 9 on ebay for $5-10 with shipping. even though i sub alot of my own favre's, if i see one slabbed i go for that as long as the price doesnt go to high.

its the old addage a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

ThoseBackPages · March 3, 2011 6:13AM

and so it begins...

i went ahead and placed an order with Steve:

1981 Fleer Baseball Unopened Vending Box $15.00
1981 Topps Baseball Unopened Vending Box $40.00
1981 Topps Baseball Traded Factory Sealed Set $20.00
1989 Topps Baseball Unopened 3-Box Rack Case $25.00

im going to see how the cards look and play the "sub and learn" game. i understand that this will not be the "best" move money wise. but it is a hobby.

That being said, last night i won an '89 Topps Ryan PSA 9 for $5! LOL but thats ok

Remember that i am the rare guy that loves PSA 9's (but doesn't turn away PSA 10's)

ThoseBackPages · March 3, 2011 6:17AM

There is also something very enjoyable about being the one that cracks a sealed case and gets to be the first person that sees the cards inside, 20+ years later

jradke4 · March 3, 2011 11:56AM

you would have been better off getting the lot of 4 vending boxes of the 81 fleer. fleers vending boxes unlike topps werent random. all four boxes put together will give you i think 3 complete sets with some small number of dups left over. not knowing the seq of the box there is a chance that you could never get the player(s) you are really looking for.

btw, i have no problem with 9's or even 8's. to me anything above an 8 is all a crap shoot on wheter its a 8, 8.5 or 9. even with 9's its a crapshoot for a 10.

ThoseBackPages · March 3, 2011 12:22PM

eh, i want to see how the 81 Fleer Vending looks as ive never seen one in person before. at the price point, it was worth taking a look

grote15 · March 3, 2011 12:47PM

Personally, I find it much more gratifying to submit the cards I personally pulled from packs to PSA. It may not be the most cost effective way to build a set, but it's the most fun, and you can always build a nice raw set or two in the process!

ThoseBackPages · March 4, 2011 1:30AM

bbce is sold out of the 89 rack case

that was the whole reason for placing my order

gopherfan · March 12, 2011 7:41PM

<< <i>and so it begins...

i went ahead and placed an order with Steve:

1981 Fleer Baseball Unopened Vending Box $15.00
1981 Topps Baseball Unopened Vending Box $40.00
1981 Topps Baseball Traded Factory Sealed Set $20.00
1989 Topps Baseball Unopened 3-Box Rack Case $25.00

im going to see how the cards look and play the "sub and learn" game. i understand that this will not be the "best" move money wise. but it is a hobby.

That being said, last night i won an '89 Topps Ryan PSA 9 for $5! LOL but thats ok

Remember that i am the rare guy that loves PSA 9's (but doesn't turn away PSA 10's) >>

I am trying to put together a nice 1981 raw set. If you are serious about throwing away the ones you don't submit, I will take them off your hands.

Rob

Justus · March 13, 2011 12:17AM

<< <i>...the average collector just can't compete on price with 4SC or Just_Collect. These guys buy mounds of cards (or their consignors do) and submit by the thousands... >>

Where does 4SC, Just_Collect, and their consignors find/buy all the cards they submit? Has anyone ever knowingly sold to them before?

1980's PSA Topps Baseball Question

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