i also got my packs today and opened my 1972 opcs and disappointed isnt the word....i have opened a few boxes of these over the years and my 2 packs must have gotten water damage somehow because all the right corners were bad and had a black mark on the cards...i have ordered from steve many times and the product is usually outstanding but in this case the opc baseball were in very bad shape....i am just wondering if anyone else had this problem as far as maybe water damage...i expect the gum cards to be bad but in my packs they were all bad...i did open my football and those were fine i still have a few cellos i am going to hold on to and not rip...once again steve to me has the best unopened product out there but something happend to those opcs packs ....
yes all of mine were damaged and thats unusual unless it happened on shipping but the other packs appear fine and no damage..my only prob was the 72 opcs id like to see if anyone else had that problem as i only bought 2 packs
Nothing too earth shattering out of what I opened. Pulled a Jack Morris rookie out of the '78 waxpacks. The centering on the '79 wax was really bad. Pulled a Tim Raines rookie from my '81 cello. My '79 cello has Tom Seaver on the front so I'm leaving it sealed.
I haven't cracked the '82 cello box from the sealed case. I guess I wasn't expecting an X'd box out of a sealed case.
I added a box of 2001 Topps Traded and pulled Pujols and Reyes base rookies. Nothing special in the Chrome parallels. I did hit a Johnny Damon auto. The autos were really tough out of this product...1:626 packs.
My '79 cello has Tom Seaver on the front so I'm leaving it sealed.
That's awesome right there!
Neatstuff, I opened one 72 OPC wax pack (series 1) last group rip when I added a couple of them to my purchase and unfortunately all 8 cards were ruined inside from what appeared to be moisture from the gum or water damage, though the pack looked pretty good from the outside. 72 OPC packs seem to also be prone to this hazard as I've had more issues with those packs than any other I can recall offhand, due in part, imo, to the much larger piece of gum which also had more sugar in it than the Topps gum, which causes in many cases a few instead of just one card to suffer from gum damage.
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 had no major hits but the '77 & '78 FB packs yielded very nice cards including a few minor hits. The '78s were probably the nicest cellos I've even opened, lots of well centered cards and despite of the tightness of the cellophane the corners on most were undamaged. The '79 FB cellos however were a mess
<< <i>Got mine today, saving the 78 fb cello. Did open the two 72' OPC packs, very disappointing. Both wrappers were ripped in back and almost every card had a stain(gum I assume). If all the 72 OPC are this way I would not open them.
Heres a pic of a few of them..... >>
This how the 72's looked last time... I think Steve issued some credits the last time.
<< <i>I bought a baseball cello pack run and 2 wax packs each of 1972 OPC, 1978 and 1979 Topps baseball. The OPC packs are gorgeous and will be left unopened. The cello run had no stars showing. I opened one each of the ’78 and ’79 wax packs and the ’83 cello.
The ’83 cello pack had absolutely nobody in it. The best cards were Ron Guidry and Jack Clark.
The ’79 pack had 10 awesomely centered cards and 2 off center including the Ozzie below.
The ’78 pack yielded these Schmidt and Brock cards back to back, as well as a Brock Record Breaker:
My scanner may be a little harsh because the Schmidt and Brock cards are fantastic. I still need to work a little on not cutting out the borders on some of my scans.
All in all, a very fun purchase. Can't wait for the next one!! >>
Try scanning with the cover open and the room lights off... the black will show the cards off better!
grote you are 100% right as i believe thats what happened on these maybe at some point in time they were stored in a warm area and the gum melted and the sugar went on the other cards or bleed on them...once again steve is one of 3 wax dealers i will always buy from great product i just had a few bad packs as he cant see inside them and i understand this...
Gumbyfan - How does the Pujols look? I was tempted to get a box of that as well (pulled a PSA10 Pujols RC last time) but I didn't. Mine hasn't arrived yet, maybe this afternoon...
<< <i>I haven't cracked the '82 cello box from the sealed case. I guess I wasn't expecting an X'd box out of a sealed case. >>
I thought the same thing when I saw the X on the top of my 1982 Cello box, which arrived today. I thought that an X on the front meant the box was returned to Topps at end of the season as unsold. I figured that a sealed case meant the boxes inside of the case had been untouched. Am I missing something?
Hello! I was notified of this thread, so let me respond.
First of all, we had no idea that the 1972 OPC packs were gum bled this bad. The packs really look nice from the outside, but I can't tell whats on the inside. If these packs had been sent in for grading, I would have authenticated 100% of them and the graders would have given out grades in the 7-9 range, depending on any corner tears/rips/etc. Anyone who wants a refund, please send back the packs to me.
As far as the black x on the boxes goes. Here is the whole x-out story:
Back in the early to mid 80's we were allowed to return full cases of product to Topps to get a full refund. Therefore, what was purchased from Topps was almost a profit guarantee (what didnt sell could be returned). Unfortunately, football cards were absolute garbage (nobody bought the stuff). Baseball cards sold very well, but still had quite a few returns to Topps. Once the returned product was back at Topps, they then sold it at blowout prices buy the truckload/weight. If not mistaken, it turned out to be around $15 per wax case on the blowout prices (imagine if you bought a truckload of 1984 Topps football at 75 cents per box!!!!). The people who bought these blowouts by the truck, still had a hard time re-selling the cases at $49.00 dlvd. Even imagine that, people didnt want to pay $49.00 for a case of 1984 Topps football! Well, since everyone finds a way it seems to get an unfair edge, they would try to return the same blowout cases to Topps again at the original price. Therefore, Topps started putting the black x on the box, meaning it had already been returned and couldnt be sent back again for a second refund. In fact, I heard stories from wholesalers who said Topps used a light grease pencil at first, but it could be wiped off and look like a new box. Therefore, Topps went to a heavier paint-like black x so it couldnt be wiped off and couldnt be returned a second time. So a box/case with an x-out on them were still shipped out factory sealed. All that happened was Topps employees opened up the cases, put the black x on the lid, then sealed it back up. Nobody searched the packs or played with them(at 75 cents a box, who in the world would care to look for a star on top). In fact, if you look at all the buy prices on my website, I dont ask or care if you sell me boxes with x-outs or without x-outs. I will pay the same price and not even think twice. Now some people who want to display their collection will ask me if I have any non-x out boxes, but usually there is never any difference. In fact, when I opened up this case and spot checked the boxes, I saw at least 1 pack with Ripken on top. So these are fresh, untouched boxes straight from Topps. Still, if anyone wants a full refund, please ship the box back to me.
<< <i>Hello! I was notified of this thread, so let me respond.
First of all, we had no idea that the 1972 OPC packs were gum bled this bad. The packs really look nice from the outside, but I can't tell whats on the inside. If these packs had been sent in for grading, I would have authenticated 100% of them and the graders would have given out grades in the 7-9 range, depending on any corner tears/rips/etc. Anyone who wants a refund, please send back the packs to me.
As far as the black x on the boxes goes. Here is the whole x-out story:
Back in the early to mid 80's we were allowed to return full cases of product to Topps to get a full refund. Therefore, what was purchased from Topps was almost a profit guarantee (what didnt sell could be returned). Unfortunately, football cards were absolute garbage (nobody bought the stuff). Baseball cards sold very well, but still had quite a few returns to Topps. Once the returned product was back at Topps, they then sold it at blowout prices buy the truckload/weight. If not mistaken, it turned out to be around $15 per wax case on the blowout prices (imagine if you bought a truckload of 1984 Topps football at 75 cents per box!!!!). The people who bought these blowouts by the truck, still had a hard time re-selling the cases at $49.00 dlvd. Even imagine that, people didnt want to pay $49.00 for a case of 1984 Topps football! Well, since everyone finds a way it seems to get an unfair edge, they would try to return the same blowout cases to Topps again at the original price. Therefore, Topps started putting the black x on the box, meaning it had already been returned and couldnt be sent back again for a second refund. In fact, I heard stories from wholesalers who said Topps used a light grease pencil at first, but it could be wiped off and look like a new box. Therefore, Topps went to a heavier paint-like black x so it couldnt be wiped off and couldnt be returned a second time. So a box/case with an x-out on them were still shipped out factory sealed. All that happened was Topps employees opened up the cases, put the black x on the lid, then sealed it back up. Nobody searched the packs or played with them(at 75 cents a box, who in the world would care to look for a star on top). In fact, if you look at all the buy prices on my website, I dont ask or care if you sell me boxes with x-outs or without x-outs. I will pay the same price and not even think twice. Now some people who want to display their collection will ask me if I have any non-x out boxes, but usually there is never any difference. In fact, when I opened up this case and spot checked the boxes, I saw at least 1 pack with Ripken on top. So these are fresh, untouched boxes straight from Topps. Still, if anyone wants a full refund, please ship the box back to me.
Thanks! Steve >>
Thanks for the clarification, Steve! I actually ripped my box this morning and had quite a few stars on top in my packs. I ended up opening them all anyway and found another 69 cards I needed for the set I've been building. I'm only 28 cards away now after a cello box, a couple of wax boxes and a cut card case.
<< <i>Gumbyfan - How does the Pujols look? I was tempted to get a box of that as well (pulled a PSA10 Pujols RC last time) but I didn't. Mine hasn't arrived yet, maybe this afternoon... >>
I think it's a 9 all day and may have a shot at a 10. I'll be sending it in on my next sub.
Received my packs yesterday... Just 2 1977 football packs.
1977 was my birth year... still have one unopened pack of 77 baseball from 2 rips ago. Was going to keep both of these unopened. One pack had Jack Ham showing on the back, the other had Mike McCoy (a Packer!). Put them both in a team bag with a top loader backing... last about 2 hours and I ripped the Ham pack. I WILL KEEP THE PACKER PACK SEALED! Nothing to speak of besides the Ham, which was wax covered... cards were mostly OC, but had 1 or 2 commons that might be PSA 9/10 grade worthy.
Opened my cello box. Nothing major, so that Ripken on top is still out there. I did get a Steve Carlton Highlights pack to add to my unopened Carlton on top packs,
but nothing else on top. Not even minor stars. Decided to rip a few of the new unsearched packs and fill the empty spaces in the box with other 82 cellos I had purchased off eBay which I assume have been searched. First pack I rip, and there's broham:
A little off, but looks much nicer than the one in my raw set!!
<< <i>The good news: MY PACKAGE arrived -- 1982 cello box, 2 cello baseball runs.
The bad news: I'm at work and won't get home until after 7pm (oh, the A-G-O-N-Y) >>
Well, I'm home.
I plan to keep the packs closed for a bit, but the two pack runs only had STAR/HOF power on one: Phil Niekro on the back of a '79 cello ['Jogging' George Foster was on the front of the same pack as an all-star]
Now it's off to crack a beer and open the 1982 cello box -- that has an X on it.
For the record, the box had shrink wrapping on it -- but the X was on the box. Did BBCE/Steve shrink wrap it? I'm confused.
Anyway, looking at my box brought back incredible memories of the local candy store in Brooklyn and having enough $$ for a cello pack (wax was cheaper), then asking the owner if I could flip thru the cello packs to spot one that had a winner -- you know, a Met on top! (That's all I cared about). Oh, the memories.
Well, the 24 only yielded 3 HOF keeper packs -- Jim Rice (front), Fergie Jenkins (back) and Carlton Fisk (back). And yes, Ed Lynch (Mets) was showing on one!
Thanks, Mike, for organizing this and the many other rips.
If/When I rip, I'll post scans.
For those keeping tabs, I may rip the '75 rack I bought in the rips (was it October?), that possible has a Brett (according to the recorded sequences).
Steve shrinkwraps all his full boxes. Now get to ripping that 75 rack and put Brett in a CS I!
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>Hello! I was notified of this thread, so let me respond.
First of all, we had no idea that the 1972 OPC packs were gum bled this bad. The packs really look nice from the outside, but I can't tell whats on the inside. If these packs had been sent in for grading, I would have authenticated 100% of them and the graders would have given out grades in the 7-9 range, depending on any corner tears/rips/etc. Anyone who wants a refund, please send back the packs to me.
As far as the black x on the boxes goes. Here is the whole x-out story:
Back in the early to mid 80's we were allowed to return full cases of product to Topps to get a full refund. Therefore, what was purchased from Topps was almost a profit guarantee (what didnt sell could be returned). Unfortunately, football cards were absolute garbage (nobody bought the stuff). Baseball cards sold very well, but still had quite a few returns to Topps. Once the returned product was back at Topps, they then sold it at blowout prices buy the truckload/weight. If not mistaken, it turned out to be around $15 per wax case on the blowout prices (imagine if you bought a truckload of 1984 Topps football at 75 cents per box!!!!). The people who bought these blowouts by the truck, still had a hard time re-selling the cases at $49.00 dlvd. Even imagine that, people didnt want to pay $49.00 for a case of 1984 Topps football! Well, since everyone finds a way it seems to get an unfair edge, they would try to return the same blowout cases to Topps again at the original price. Therefore, Topps started putting the black x on the box, meaning it had already been returned and couldnt be sent back again for a second refund. In fact, I heard stories from wholesalers who said Topps used a light grease pencil at first, but it could be wiped off and look like a new box. Therefore, Topps went to a heavier paint-like black x so it couldnt be wiped off and couldnt be returned a second time. So a box/case with an x-out on them were still shipped out factory sealed. All that happened was Topps employees opened up the cases, put the black x on the lid, then sealed it back up. Nobody searched the packs or played with them(at 75 cents a box, who in the world would care to look for a star on top). In fact, if you look at all the buy prices on my website, I dont ask or care if you sell me boxes with x-outs or without x-outs. I will pay the same price and not even think twice. Now some people who want to display their collection will ask me if I have any non-x out boxes, but usually there is never any difference. In fact, when I opened up this case and spot checked the boxes, I saw at least 1 pack with Ripken on top. So these are fresh, untouched boxes straight from Topps. Still, if anyone wants a full refund, please ship the box back to me.
Thanks! Steve >>
This is why I spend my money with Steve... hands down best customer service in the business!
I received my stuff from BBCE yesterday and will open most of it today. I did open the 72 OPC pack before I read about the gum issues.
If you haven't opened your 1972 OPC packs yet I would consider sending them in to be graded instead of opening them. As others have stated the gum bleed is pretty bad (5 cards in my pack had gum stain)
Everything else I received looks perfect!
Here are the other cards that were in the pack The Jenkins is pretty nice! BTW, I had 9 cards in my pack:
EDIT: I just looked at the POP Report for the Jenkins and there hasn't been any 9's or 10's graded yet (there hasn't been very many submitted either)
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
Since posting the results of the packs I previously opened (one each 78, 79 wax and 83 baseball cellos), I decided to open the 81 cello. Most of the cards were in great condition but if I had to pick a best/most popular player that I pulled, it would be Bert Campaneris or Dick Tidrow. Yikes!
The cellos I'm keeping sealed are all the 'tight as a brick' variety: 79, 80 and 82. The 2 72 OPC wax packs will get sent to PSA for grading.
I bought 2 cello runs of baseball. No stars showing on any of the packs.
I've opened one run and haven't found any stars inside the packs either!! I got to the point I was laughing at the results.
I pulled a 1980 Yaz, and that was it. Really, that was it.
No Rose, Sutter, Fisk, Murray, Carter, Bench, Henderson, Perez, Young, Schmidt, Perry, Gossage, Winfield, Dawson, Seaver, Ryan, Palmer, Stargell, Carew, Morgan, Fingers.....nothing!!!! Let alone a rookie of Ozzie, Henderson, Raines, Ripken, Gwynn, Boggs, or Sandberg!!! It was U-G-L-Y!!!
My '79 and '80 cellos are wrapped super tight, the rest of loose. Centering was pretty good on most cards as was overall condition. I haven't check low population commons yet, may be my only chance to save this rip.
Don't know if I'll rip the other run or not. Sure was a fun rip, but obviously I have the luck of a pregnant nun so I may just keep them intact and put with the rest of my modest unopened collection.
Oh, to make matters worse, I pulled this...........
Quick story...............I was born in '73, and started collecting cards at a pretty young age, around 5 or 6. Couldn't tell you what I had or didn't have, but had a pretty large shoebox full of stuff by the time I was 8 or 9. There was a kid in the neighborhood who's dad was in to cards so I ended up at their place one day. The guy convinced me I didn't have much, but to do me a favor, he'd trade me one card, ONE CARD, which was worth $100, for my entire box!! I couldn't pass up on a $100 card so of course I made the trade.
I continued to buy cards, also extra careful to take good care of my $100 card and sometime around the age of 10 or 11, I found my first price guide. I couldn't wait to look up the one card I had worth so much money. Of course, when i did, my card wasn't worth a $100. It was worth a quarter.
And of course, that one card was this *bleeping* 1980 Fred Lynn!!!
Lesson learned, turns out I got a little smarter than I was at the age of 8. But it's still my least favorite card and not surprising I'd pull it.
<< <i>Oh, to make matters worse, I pulled this...........
Quick story...............I was born in '73, and started collecting cards at a pretty young age, around 5 or 6. Couldn't tell you what I had or didn't have, but had a pretty large shoebox full of stuff by the time I was 8 or 9. There was a kid in the neighborhood who's dad was in to cards so I ended up at their place one day. The guy convinced me I didn't have much, but to do me a favor, he'd trade me one card, ONE CARD, which was worth $100, for my entire box!! I couldn't pass up on a $100 card so of course I made the trade.
I continued to buy cards, also extra careful to take good care of my $100 card and sometime around the age of 10 or 11, I found my first price guide. I couldn't wait to look up the one card I had worth so much money. Of course, when i did, my card wasn't worth a $100. It was worth a quarter.
And of course, that one card was this *bleeping* 1980 Fred Lynn!!!
Lesson learned, turns out I got a little smarter than I was at the age of 8. But it's still my least favorite card and not surprising I'd pull it. >>
Your friend's dad ripped off a 6-7 year old kid? I hope that karma came back to bite him some time in the future.
Quick story...............I was born in '73, and started collecting cards at a pretty young age, around 5 or 6. Couldn't tell you what I had or didn't have, but had a pretty large shoebox full of stuff by the time I was 8 or 9. There was a kid in the neighborhood who's dad was in to cards so I ended up at their place one day. The guy convinced me I didn't have much, but to do me a favor, he'd trade me one card, ONE CARD, which was worth $100, for my entire box!! I couldn't pass up on a $100 card so of course I made the trade.
>>
I wouldn't wish a slow painful illness on anyone, however...
No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
<< <i>Your friend's dad ripped off a 6-7 year old kid? I hope that karma came back to bite him some time in the future. >>
Well to start, I'm throwing the word "friend" around a little loosely, he was just a kid a couple years older in the neighborhood.
But yeah, things turn out. Years later the guy had a card shop, couldn't keep it afloat. Had to shut it down. Ended up filing bankruptcy and lost his house. I guess that's karma alright.
Truth is, I forgave the old man in time. No hard feelings.
No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents.
Pack grading has nothing to do with the condition of the cards inside and whether they may or many not be damaged. The grade is based on the condition of the wrapper ( any rips or tears) and the seal on back. There are many packs out there, even very high-dollar ones (53 Topps Tennessee find comes to mind) that were stored in adverse conditions and very likely contain damaged cards, but that's not why unopened collectors are going to buy the pack for their collection. The issues being described with 72 OPC packs are actually pretty common for that issue.
Edit: OTOH, look at that Fergie Jenkins cars that Bunker pulled--that card looks to have a shot at a 10, imo, or at least a 9, so you never know, as there are gems hidden even in packs like these. That's the gamble of unopened product.
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>No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents. >>
What Grote said...I know there are guys here who collect unopened and others who are on the fence to open or not to open, I wish would have sent mine in for grading for my own PC.
I still had 4 cards that were clean including the Jenkins which is at least a "9" imo. I am going to add it to my next sub, so time will tell.
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
<< <i>No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents. >>
I do plan on having my 72 OPC packs graded. I will keep one for my permanent collection and most likely sell one down the road. I think most of the packs that are slabbed by PSA will remain that way. A lot of people like saving unopened packs and would never consider opening them.
Was waiting to check this thread until I had my packs busted (2 '77 fball, 2 '78 fball, 2 '79 fball, 2 '78 bball, a cello run, and 1 '72 opc- which I am sending back for credit as I am not an unopened collector).
Anyway, nice Ozzie BaltYank regardless, and sweet pack Macros!
Results for me weren't all that great but it sure was a great time.
The cello run yielded very little to speak of. The best were '83 Schmidt and Nolan. I don't even have anything to post for 78 and 79 football. My '78 bball packs had these three (sorry, no scanner)
Unfortunately, the Mccovey was the gummer.
The '77 fball were a really fun rip as all cards were sharp, although the centering jumped around a bit. Highlights:
Again, all in all, a lotta fun and thanks again to Mike and Steve!
Has anyone not received their shipment yet? I haven't received my '82 cello box yet. If it doesn't arrive Monday I'll start getting nervous. Are the cello boxes shipped USPS or UPS?
<< <i>Has anyone not received their shipment yet? I haven't received my '82 cello box yet. If it doesn't arrive Monday I'll start getting nervous. Are the cello boxes shipped USPS or UPS? >>
My stuff came UPS Ground
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
<< <i>Has anyone not received their shipment yet? I haven't received my '82 cello box yet. If it doesn't arrive Monday I'll start getting nervous. Are the cello boxes shipped USPS or UPS? >>
Monday is a holiday.
Looking for 66 and 69 OPC baseball 60's OPC packs 72 BB, 60's FB, 71FB, 73FB, 74FB, 75FB, 76FB, 78FB Rack Packs 72 and earlier BB cello
<< <i>No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents. >>
I do plan on having my 72 OPC packs graded. I will keep one for my permanent collection and most likely sell one down the road. I think most of the packs that are slabbed by PSA will remain that way. A lot of people like saving unopened packs and would never consider opening them. >>
I lost money grading my 72 opc pack last time... with the grading fees and shipping just not worth it to try and sell. If it's for your own collection get it slabbed.
<< <i>Has anyone not received their shipment yet? I haven't received my '82 cello box yet. If it doesn't arrive Monday I'll start getting nervous. Are the cello boxes shipped USPS or UPS? >>
Comments
Successful transactions with: yankeeno7, raiderguy10, Beck6, CDsNuts, DaveP01, Dboneesq, Elemenopeo, gameusedhoop, georgebailey2, Goldlabels, gstarling, justmichael, etc
Working on.........
Tony Dorsett Master Set
1977 Topps Mexican FB (raw)
1957 Topps FB Set (raw or graded)
I haven't cracked the '82 cello box from the sealed case. I guess I wasn't expecting an X'd box out of a sealed case.
I added a box of 2001 Topps Traded and pulled Pujols and Reyes base rookies. Nothing special in the Chrome parallels. I did hit a Johnny Damon auto. The autos were really tough out of this product...1:626 packs.
Good luck to the other participants.
That's awesome right there!
Neatstuff, I opened one 72 OPC wax pack (series 1) last group rip when I added a couple of them to my purchase and unfortunately all 8 cards were ruined inside from what appeared to be moisture from the gum or water damage, though the pack looked pretty good from the outside. 72 OPC packs seem to also be prone to this hazard as I've had more issues with those packs than any other I can recall offhand, due in part, imo, to the much larger piece of gum which also had more sugar in it than the Topps gum, which causes in many cases a few instead of just one card to suffer from gum damage.
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>Got mine today, saving the 78 fb cello.
Did open the two 72' OPC packs, very disappointing. Both wrappers were ripped in back and almost every card had a stain(gum I assume). If all the 72 OPC are this way I would not open them.
Heres a pic of a few of them.....
This how the 72's looked last time... I think Steve issued some credits the last time.
<< <i>I bought a baseball cello pack run and 2 wax packs each of 1972 OPC, 1978 and 1979 Topps baseball. The OPC packs are gorgeous and will be left unopened. The cello run had no stars showing. I opened one each of the ’78 and ’79 wax packs and the ’83 cello.
The ’83 cello pack had absolutely nobody in it. The best cards were Ron Guidry and Jack Clark.
The ’79 pack had 10 awesomely centered cards and 2 off center including the Ozzie below.
The ’78 pack yielded these Schmidt and Brock cards back to back, as well as a Brock Record Breaker:
My scanner may be a little harsh because the Schmidt and Brock cards are fantastic. I still need to work a little on not cutting out the borders on some of my scans.
All in all, a very fun purchase. Can't wait for the next one!! >>
Try scanning with the cover open and the room lights off... the black will show the cards off better!
<< <i>.......This how the 72's looked last time... I think Steve issued some credits the last time. >>
You are correct Jasen. That was a rip I ran, and Steve was allowing members to return their damaged 1972 OPC packs.
<< <i>I haven't cracked the '82 cello box from the sealed case. I guess I wasn't expecting an X'd box out of a sealed case. >>
I thought the same thing when I saw the X on the top of my 1982 Cello box, which arrived today. I thought that an X on the front meant the box was returned to Topps at end of the season as unsold. I figured that a sealed case meant the boxes inside of the case had been untouched. Am I missing something?
Has everyone gotten an X who ordered a box?
I was notified of this thread, so let me respond.
First of all, we had no idea that the 1972 OPC packs were gum bled this bad. The packs really look nice from the outside, but I can't tell whats on the inside. If these packs had been sent in for grading, I would have authenticated 100% of them and the graders would have given out grades in the 7-9 range, depending on any corner tears/rips/etc. Anyone who wants a refund, please send back the packs to me.
As far as the black x on the boxes goes. Here is the whole x-out story:
Back in the early to mid 80's we were allowed to return full cases of product to Topps to get a full refund. Therefore, what was purchased from Topps was almost a profit guarantee (what didnt sell could be returned). Unfortunately, football cards were absolute garbage (nobody bought the stuff). Baseball cards sold very well, but still had quite a few returns to Topps. Once the returned product was back at Topps, they then sold it at blowout prices buy the truckload/weight. If not mistaken, it turned out to be around $15 per wax case on the blowout prices (imagine if you bought a truckload of 1984 Topps football at 75 cents per box!!!!). The people who bought these blowouts by the truck, still had a hard time re-selling the cases at $49.00 dlvd. Even imagine that, people didnt want to pay $49.00 for a case of 1984 Topps football! Well, since everyone finds a way it seems to get an unfair edge, they would try to return the same blowout cases to Topps again at the original price. Therefore, Topps started putting the black x on the box, meaning it had already been returned and couldnt be sent back again for a second refund. In fact, I heard stories from wholesalers who said Topps used a light grease pencil at first, but it could be wiped off and look like a new box. Therefore, Topps went to a heavier paint-like black x so it couldnt be wiped off and couldnt be returned a second time.
So a box/case with an x-out on them were still shipped out factory sealed. All that happened was Topps employees opened up the cases, put the black x on the lid, then sealed it back up. Nobody searched the packs or played with them(at 75 cents a box, who in the world would care to look for a star on top). In fact, if you look at all the buy prices on my website, I dont ask or care if you sell me boxes with x-outs or without x-outs. I will pay the same price and not even think twice. Now some people who want to display their collection will ask me if I have any non-x out boxes, but usually there is never any difference.
In fact, when I opened up this case and spot checked the boxes, I saw at least 1 pack with Ripken on top. So these are fresh, untouched boxes straight from Topps. Still, if anyone wants a full refund, please ship the box back to me.
Thanks! Steve
The bad news: I'm at work and won't get home until after 7pm (oh, the A-G-O-N-Y)
<< <i>Hello!
I was notified of this thread, so let me respond.
First of all, we had no idea that the 1972 OPC packs were gum bled this bad. The packs really look nice from the outside, but I can't tell whats on the inside. If these packs had been sent in for grading, I would have authenticated 100% of them and the graders would have given out grades in the 7-9 range, depending on any corner tears/rips/etc. Anyone who wants a refund, please send back the packs to me.
As far as the black x on the boxes goes. Here is the whole x-out story:
Back in the early to mid 80's we were allowed to return full cases of product to Topps to get a full refund. Therefore, what was purchased from Topps was almost a profit guarantee (what didnt sell could be returned). Unfortunately, football cards were absolute garbage (nobody bought the stuff). Baseball cards sold very well, but still had quite a few returns to Topps. Once the returned product was back at Topps, they then sold it at blowout prices buy the truckload/weight. If not mistaken, it turned out to be around $15 per wax case on the blowout prices (imagine if you bought a truckload of 1984 Topps football at 75 cents per box!!!!). The people who bought these blowouts by the truck, still had a hard time re-selling the cases at $49.00 dlvd. Even imagine that, people didnt want to pay $49.00 for a case of 1984 Topps football! Well, since everyone finds a way it seems to get an unfair edge, they would try to return the same blowout cases to Topps again at the original price. Therefore, Topps started putting the black x on the box, meaning it had already been returned and couldnt be sent back again for a second refund. In fact, I heard stories from wholesalers who said Topps used a light grease pencil at first, but it could be wiped off and look like a new box. Therefore, Topps went to a heavier paint-like black x so it couldnt be wiped off and couldnt be returned a second time.
So a box/case with an x-out on them were still shipped out factory sealed. All that happened was Topps employees opened up the cases, put the black x on the lid, then sealed it back up. Nobody searched the packs or played with them(at 75 cents a box, who in the world would care to look for a star on top). In fact, if you look at all the buy prices on my website, I dont ask or care if you sell me boxes with x-outs or without x-outs. I will pay the same price and not even think twice. Now some people who want to display their collection will ask me if I have any non-x out boxes, but usually there is never any difference.
In fact, when I opened up this case and spot checked the boxes, I saw at least 1 pack with Ripken on top. So these are fresh, untouched boxes straight from Topps. Still, if anyone wants a full refund, please ship the box back to me.
Thanks! Steve >>
Thanks for the clarification, Steve! I actually ripped my box this morning and had quite a few stars on top in my packs. I ended up opening them all anyway and found another 69 cards I needed for the set I've been building. I'm only 28 cards away now after a cello box, a couple of wax boxes and a cut card case.
<< <i>Gumbyfan - How does the Pujols look? I was tempted to get a box of that as well (pulled a PSA10 Pujols RC last time) but I didn't. Mine hasn't arrived yet, maybe this afternoon... >>
I think it's a 9 all day and may have a shot at a 10. I'll be sending it in on my next sub.
1977 was my birth year... still have one unopened pack of 77 baseball from 2 rips ago. Was going to keep both of these unopened. One pack had Jack Ham showing on the back, the other had Mike McCoy (a Packer!). Put them both in a team bag with a top loader backing... last about 2 hours and I ripped the Ham pack. I WILL KEEP THE PACKER PACK SEALED! Nothing to speak of besides the Ham, which was wax covered... cards were mostly OC, but had 1 or 2 commons that might be PSA 9/10 grade worthy.
but nothing else on top. Not even minor stars. Decided to rip a few of the new unsearched packs and fill the empty spaces in the box with other 82 cellos I had purchased off eBay which I assume have been searched. First pack I rip, and there's broham:
A little off, but looks much nicer than the one in my raw set!!
Jim
60's OPC packs
72 BB, 60's FB, 71FB, 73FB, 74FB, 75FB, 76FB, 78FB Rack Packs
72 and earlier BB cello
<< <i>The good news: MY PACKAGE arrived -- 1982 cello box, 2 cello baseball runs.
The bad news: I'm at work and won't get home until after 7pm (oh, the A-G-O-N-Y) >>
Well, I'm home.
I plan to keep the packs closed for a bit, but the two pack runs only had STAR/HOF power on one:
Phil Niekro on the back of a '79 cello ['Jogging' George Foster was on the front of the same pack as an all-star]
Now it's off to crack a beer and open the 1982 cello box -- that has an X on it.
<< <i>Now it's off to crack a beer and open the 1982 cello box -- that has an X on it. >>
Well you know what they say, X marks the spot.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Anyway, looking at my box brought back incredible memories of the local candy store in Brooklyn and having enough $$ for a cello pack (wax was cheaper), then asking the owner if I could flip thru the cello packs to spot one that had a winner -- you know, a Met on top! (That's all I cared about). Oh, the memories.
Well, the 24 only yielded 3 HOF keeper packs -- Jim Rice (front), Fergie Jenkins (back) and Carlton Fisk (back). And yes, Ed Lynch (Mets) was showing on one!
Thanks, Mike, for organizing this and the many other rips.
If/When I rip, I'll post scans.
For those keeping tabs, I may rip the '75 rack I bought in the rips (was it October?), that possible has a Brett (according to the recorded sequences).
Stay tuned.
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>Hello!
I was notified of this thread, so let me respond.
First of all, we had no idea that the 1972 OPC packs were gum bled this bad. The packs really look nice from the outside, but I can't tell whats on the inside. If these packs had been sent in for grading, I would have authenticated 100% of them and the graders would have given out grades in the 7-9 range, depending on any corner tears/rips/etc. Anyone who wants a refund, please send back the packs to me.
As far as the black x on the boxes goes. Here is the whole x-out story:
Back in the early to mid 80's we were allowed to return full cases of product to Topps to get a full refund. Therefore, what was purchased from Topps was almost a profit guarantee (what didnt sell could be returned). Unfortunately, football cards were absolute garbage (nobody bought the stuff). Baseball cards sold very well, but still had quite a few returns to Topps. Once the returned product was back at Topps, they then sold it at blowout prices buy the truckload/weight. If not mistaken, it turned out to be around $15 per wax case on the blowout prices (imagine if you bought a truckload of 1984 Topps football at 75 cents per box!!!!). The people who bought these blowouts by the truck, still had a hard time re-selling the cases at $49.00 dlvd. Even imagine that, people didnt want to pay $49.00 for a case of 1984 Topps football! Well, since everyone finds a way it seems to get an unfair edge, they would try to return the same blowout cases to Topps again at the original price. Therefore, Topps started putting the black x on the box, meaning it had already been returned and couldnt be sent back again for a second refund. In fact, I heard stories from wholesalers who said Topps used a light grease pencil at first, but it could be wiped off and look like a new box. Therefore, Topps went to a heavier paint-like black x so it couldnt be wiped off and couldnt be returned a second time.
So a box/case with an x-out on them were still shipped out factory sealed. All that happened was Topps employees opened up the cases, put the black x on the lid, then sealed it back up. Nobody searched the packs or played with them(at 75 cents a box, who in the world would care to look for a star on top). In fact, if you look at all the buy prices on my website, I dont ask or care if you sell me boxes with x-outs or without x-outs. I will pay the same price and not even think twice. Now some people who want to display their collection will ask me if I have any non-x out boxes, but usually there is never any difference.
In fact, when I opened up this case and spot checked the boxes, I saw at least 1 pack with Ripken on top. So these are fresh, untouched boxes straight from Topps. Still, if anyone wants a full refund, please ship the box back to me.
Thanks! Steve >>
This is why I spend my money with Steve... hands down best customer service in the business!
If you haven't opened your 1972 OPC packs yet I would consider sending them in to be graded instead of opening them. As others have stated the gum bleed is pretty bad (5 cards in my pack had gum stain)
Everything else I received looks perfect!
Here are the other cards that were in the pack The Jenkins is pretty nice! BTW, I had 9 cards in my pack:
EDIT: I just looked at the POP Report for the Jenkins and there hasn't been any 9's or 10's graded yet (there hasn't been very many submitted either)
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
JDRF Donation
The cellos I'm keeping sealed are all the 'tight as a brick' variety: 79, 80 and 82. The 2 72 OPC wax packs will get sent to PSA for grading.
I've opened one run and haven't found any stars inside the packs either!! I got to the point I was laughing at the results.
I pulled a 1980 Yaz, and that was it. Really, that was it.
No Rose, Sutter, Fisk, Murray, Carter, Bench, Henderson, Perez, Young, Schmidt, Perry, Gossage, Winfield, Dawson, Seaver, Ryan, Palmer, Stargell, Carew, Morgan, Fingers.....nothing!!!! Let alone a rookie of Ozzie, Henderson, Raines, Ripken, Gwynn, Boggs, or Sandberg!!! It was U-G-L-Y!!!
My '79 and '80 cellos are wrapped super tight, the rest of loose. Centering was pretty good on most cards as was overall condition. I haven't check low population commons yet, may be my only chance to save this rip.
Don't know if I'll rip the other run or not. Sure was a fun rip, but obviously I have the luck of a pregnant nun so I may just keep them intact and put with the rest of my modest unopened collection.
shawn
Quick story...............I was born in '73, and started collecting cards at a pretty young age, around 5 or 6. Couldn't tell you what I had or didn't have, but had a pretty large shoebox full of stuff by the time I was 8 or 9. There was a kid in the neighborhood who's dad was in to cards so I ended up at their place one day. The guy convinced me I didn't have much, but to do me a favor, he'd trade me one card, ONE CARD, which was worth $100, for my entire box!! I couldn't pass up on a $100 card so of course I made the trade.
I continued to buy cards, also extra careful to take good care of my $100 card and sometime around the age of 10 or 11, I found my first price guide. I couldn't wait to look up the one card I had worth so much money. Of course, when i did, my card wasn't worth a $100. It was worth a quarter.
And of course, that one card was this *bleeping* 1980 Fred Lynn!!!
Lesson learned, turns out I got a little smarter than I was at the age of 8. But it's still my least favorite card and not surprising I'd pull it.
<< <i>Oh, to make matters worse, I pulled this...........
Quick story...............I was born in '73, and started collecting cards at a pretty young age, around 5 or 6. Couldn't tell you what I had or didn't have, but had a pretty large shoebox full of stuff by the time I was 8 or 9. There was a kid in the neighborhood who's dad was in to cards so I ended up at their place one day. The guy convinced me I didn't have much, but to do me a favor, he'd trade me one card, ONE CARD, which was worth $100, for my entire box!! I couldn't pass up on a $100 card so of course I made the trade.
I continued to buy cards, also extra careful to take good care of my $100 card and sometime around the age of 10 or 11, I found my first price guide. I couldn't wait to look up the one card I had worth so much money. Of course, when i did, my card wasn't worth a $100. It was worth a quarter.
And of course, that one card was this *bleeping* 1980 Fred Lynn!!!
Lesson learned, turns out I got a little smarter than I was at the age of 8. But it's still my least favorite card and not surprising I'd pull it. >>
Your friend's dad ripped off a 6-7 year old kid? I hope that karma came back to bite him some time in the future.
<< <i>
Quick story...............I was born in '73, and started collecting cards at a pretty young age, around 5 or 6. Couldn't tell you what I had or didn't have, but had a pretty large shoebox full of stuff by the time I was 8 or 9. There was a kid in the neighborhood who's dad was in to cards so I ended up at their place one day. The guy convinced me I didn't have much, but to do me a favor, he'd trade me one card, ONE CARD, which was worth $100, for my entire box!! I couldn't pass up on a $100 card so of course I made the trade.
>>
I wouldn't wish a slow painful illness on anyone, however...
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents.
"Molon Labe"
<< <i>Your friend's dad ripped off a 6-7 year old kid? I hope that karma came back to bite him some time in the future. >>
Well to start, I'm throwing the word "friend" around a little loosely, he was just a kid a couple years older in the neighborhood.
But yeah, things turn out. Years later the guy had a card shop, couldn't keep it afloat. Had to shut it down. Ended up filing bankruptcy and lost his house. I guess that's karma alright.
Truth is, I forgave the old man in time. No hard feelings.
Still hate that Fred Lynn card though.
shawn
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents.
Pack grading has nothing to do with the condition of the cards inside and whether they may or many not be damaged. The grade is based on the condition of the wrapper ( any rips or tears) and the seal on back. There are many packs out there, even very high-dollar ones (53 Topps Tennessee find comes to mind) that were stored in adverse conditions and very likely contain damaged cards, but that's not why unopened collectors are going to buy the pack for their collection. The issues being described with 72 OPC packs are actually pretty common for that issue.
Edit: OTOH, look at that Fergie Jenkins cars that Bunker pulled--that card looks to have a shot at a 10, imo, or at least a 9, so you never know, as there are gems hidden even in packs like these. That's the gamble of unopened product.
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>No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents. >>
What Grote said...I know there are guys here who collect unopened and others who are on the fence to open or not to open, I wish would have sent mine in for grading for my own PC.
I still had 4 cards that were clean including the Jenkins which is at least a "9" imo. I am going to add it to my next sub, so time will tell.
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
JDRF Donation
<< <i>No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents. >>
I do plan on having my 72 OPC packs graded. I will keep one for my permanent collection and most likely sell one down the road. I think most of the packs that are slabbed by PSA will remain that way. A lot of people like saving unopened packs and would never consider opening them.
Anyway, nice Ozzie BaltYank regardless, and sweet pack Macros!
Results for me weren't all that great but it sure was a great time.
The cello run yielded very little to speak of. The best were '83 Schmidt and Nolan. I don't even have anything to post for 78 and 79 football.
My '78 bball packs had these three (sorry, no scanner)
Unfortunately, the Mccovey was the gummer.
The '77 fball were a really fun rip as all cards were sharp, although the centering jumped around a bit. Highlights:
Again, all in all, a lotta fun and thanks again to Mike and Steve!
Total crapola and actually got doubles, not exactly what I anticipated but O'WELL
<< <i>Has anyone not received their shipment yet? I haven't received my '82 cello box yet. If it doesn't arrive Monday I'll start getting nervous. Are the cello boxes shipped USPS or UPS? >>
My stuff came UPS Ground
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
JDRF Donation
<< <i>Has anyone not received their shipment yet? I haven't received my '82 cello box yet. If it doesn't arrive Monday I'll start getting nervous. Are the cello boxes shipped USPS or UPS? >>
Monday is a holiday.
60's OPC packs
72 BB, 60's FB, 71FB, 73FB, 74FB, 75FB, 76FB, 78FB Rack Packs
72 and earlier BB cello
<< <i>
<< <i>No offense intended but if the 72 OPC packs are ruined inside, why would you want to grade them instead of returning them? Isn't that a little deceitful considering it's only the wrapper that is pristine? Would Steve even grade them if he knows they came from this break?
Even if you intend to keep them, someday they may very likely be sold and the buyer would certainly deserve better than to purchase damaged goods for undamaged prices.
Just my 2 cents. >>
I do plan on having my 72 OPC packs graded. I will keep one for my permanent collection and most likely sell one down the road. I think most of the packs that are slabbed by PSA will remain that way. A lot of people like saving unopened packs and would never consider opening them. >>
I lost money grading my 72 opc pack last time... with the grading fees and shipping just not worth it to try and sell. If it's for your own collection get it slabbed.
<< <i>
<< <i>Has anyone not received their shipment yet? I haven't received my '82 cello box yet. If it doesn't arrive Monday I'll start getting nervous. Are the cello boxes shipped USPS or UPS? >>
Monday is a holiday. >>
Is UPS also shut down?
1957 Topps 99% 7.40 GPA
Hank Aaron Basic PSA 7-8(75%)
<< <i>UPS is working Monday. >>
Don't tease an old man now
Joe