First Post, What has gone wrong with this hobby?

Misty73

After what happened this weekend, I will be exiting this hobby. I have lurked this forum for a long time, but just registered, because of what has happened to me this weekend.
I have collected cards for about 25 years, and am now completely disgusted at the way things are going with this hobby.

I recently purchased 2 retail boxes of a certain product ( i'm awaiting to hear from the manufacture, before posting the product). I have purchased this product many many times, throught the year without any problems.

I got home and started opening the retail boxes and quickly noticed the cellophane wrapper was different than any of the other boxes that I have purchased in the past. Each box contains a "Hit", a jersey,relic, or a auto. To my suprise therewas none in either boxes. After doing some research on the webI noticed some post on different forums about people buying retail boxes opening them, and then resealing the cellophone wrapper.

What has happened to this hobby? Greed? Not sure what it is but this really rubbed me the wrong way.

I will let all know what the manufactures says


Misty73

hammered

I am deeply sorry for your loss, and I for one, will try to carry on without your presence in the hobby

fkw

Your so called "Hobby" and my "Hobby" are like Night and Day.

You may be better off buying scratchers at 7-11 for your fix.

Downtown1974

Hello. Sorry to hear about your weekend. I stopped buying unopened stuff when it hit 3 or 4 dollars a pack for 5 cards. Maybe all you need to do is change your collecting focus. Maybe start collecting vintage, or a certain team or player. That might keep you in the game and eliminate some of the frustration.
Welcome to the boards and dont be a stranger.

Bob

Sean1125

<< <i>I am deeply sorry for your loss, and I for one, will try to carry on without your presence in the hobby >>



As much as I appreciate your sarcasm, this is simply stealing.


People probably go to walmart/target (I'm pretty sure that is where you went for retail), and

A: Pick through every pack, finding the hits
B: Now apparently buy all the boxes, take the hit out, reseal them, and return them

I'd personally consider option B stealing, and would report it to local authorities/ the store, I'm sure they can check up on who it is if it was purchased via credit card

Stadium1978

I'm sorry to hear that.

The kind of people that would buy, open and reseal sports cards are a small minority. Your average sports card enthusiast isn't like that at all. Also, bad people like that are found in every walk of life/hobby you can think of.

My advice would be to not give up on the hobby due to one isolated incident. As you said, you've bought thse boxes througout the years without a problem until this one time.

KbKards

The manufacturer isn't responsible for putting the box on the shelf like that. It was a collector who resealed the box and the store's no hassle return policy. You even mentioned that you noticed the cello looked different from others you bought and you still bought the box. Buying lottery tickets instead was suggested above, but I would caution against buying the ones where white-out was used.

Boopotts

If you've been collecting for 25 years and this is the first time you've been screwed then I think a call to Guinness is in order. Move over Cal, we have a new winner for the most amazing streak in the history of sport!

miconelegacy

Sorry to hear about your awful experience. I too get the impulse from time to time to buy from Wal-Mart or Target, but mainly buy from a trusted local shop or on Ebay. I've had some issues a few years back with 70's wax and 86 fleer basketball.

Never a problem or hint of one with BBCE. Also we have to remember 15, 20, 25 years ago it was the same thing with wax pack resealing. Some things haven't changed, just the cards, wrappers, and boxes have. It is a shame, but agree it is a very small percentage.

Hope you stay in the game!

drewsef

What happened does suck, but in reality, what did you miss out on? A relic/auto card that 92 times out of 100 will be worth $5 or less, 7 times out of that 100 will be $10 or so, and once in 100 will be worth more. Those are obvious just approximations, but I'm sure you understand it is just like playing the scratch off lottery cards as someone else stated.

Brick

Hi, hello, how are ya?

I guess not well. I like to feel that the vast majority of people are good, decent, honest, and helpful to others. Problem is it only takes a couple low quality individuals to ruin our enjoyment of this hobby. I hope your experience doesn't chase you away as it is good to welcome new collectors into the family of card hobbyist. I have been ripped off a couple times and I agree it lowers your perception of your fellowman. I tend to purchase higher dollar items from those I have had a relationship with in the past but will deal with new sellers on lower priced items after checking their feedback. Sometimes it is wise to pay a premium to deal with those you know are honest. This may be more difficult with new unopened product but I'm sure there are reliable sources out there. Don't be a stranger.

sportscardtheory

It has nothing to do with this hobby and everything to do with the scumbags who perpetrated the crime. There are scumbags and crooks in every walk of life, so blame who is responsible.

Bigjohn69

i really thought i was the unlucky one,, i bought my sealed box at a card shop yea 65 bucks and like you i didnt get anything but a votto name plate, to embarassed to cry about it , but hearing there others who didnt get a relic or auto is making me wonder if they screwed up somewhere, let us know what happens with your quest to get something from the company,,bj

p.s. welcome

RipublicaninMass

hi, welcome to PSA


not sure what your post has to do with PSA

bobbybakeriv

You guys are a tough crowd...

Toro

Well, back in 2007 when Bowman Chrome hit the market, I went to my local Target and purchased everything off the shelf. As I busted pack after pack, I noticed that I was not getting any hits. I then noticed you can see through the pack....I then noticed all of the packs I had yet to open, were slid or staggered....basically, someone had already got to them and pack searched. That was $400 down the drain. I returned them to Topps, explaining them my situation and they sent out one new box and told me better luck next time. Suffice to say, I dont buy retail anymore. I dont blame Topps completely nor do I blame the rest of the hobby. An interesting note, some dirt bag on another forum, back then, had about 20+ hits in 20 straight packs of retail.....again, I stay away from retail

Stone193

Hi Misty

I've been collecting for about 30 yrs - and I really think you've got your anger misplaced.

If you really enjoy collecting - I recommend you change your strategy with respect to unopened modern material.

Consider buying "hobby" boxes from a good source e.g.

I think coming onboard and hitting us with this "bomb" may not be the best way to kick off a relationship here.

All and all, the PSA board is for the discussion of graded cards and memorabilia - people who are acquainted with each other will branch out and be accepted.

Ya might want to start over here?

I totally understand your frustration - not sure what the manufacturer is gonna be able to do - the way those boxes are shrink wrapped - I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it? I would consider going to the store and looking at other boxes - see if they have had returns - or even accept returns?

Good luck - don't be a stranger - the hobby is much more fun than a couple of retail blaster boxes IMO.

swartz1

I've got an answer for you...

2009 Bowman Chrome - pile up now...

thank me later...

cheap, cheap, cheap

DrK

That's it?

There is a lot worse stuff than that going on out there.

verb1

<< <i>Maybe start collecting vintage, or a certain team or player. >>



What he said. Older stuff, with its history, is so much more satisfying to own. And, in terms of value, a T206 will always be a T206, but let a new superstar say the wrong thing in an interview and poof, watch his cards' values disappear. I buy a few new, lower end packs here and there, but that's it.

captainthreeputt

Hi Misty73,

I agree with some of the others. I think your anger is misplaced. The hobby is still great, but there are people that are terrible in all walks of life. If you give up the hobby, you just let these type of people win again. They win, in their mind by stealing all the good cards, and then they win by knowing they ruined your day. Someone that would cheat the system like that, will definitely have the personality that will be even happier to know they ruined your day! Change your focus and enjoy the hobby.

itzagoner

SidePocket

lol, Itz you read my mind!

ThoseBackPages

wax is bad, mmmmmkay?

Dialj

Welcome to the Jungle. If you have been collecting for 25 years; I wouldn't let one bad turn cause you to quit the hobby.