Buying unopened 1978 Topps

jrboles

Receiving my unopened box of 1981 Topps Baseball Wax Packs, I now got the fever. To that end I am going to make an investment in 1978 Topps - either a vending box or cello racks from BBCE.

Two questions:
- My 2-3 dealings with BBCE have been great and I would like to hear your experience with cello packs. My guess is the BBCE business model is to deliver unsearched random cello packs so that buyers can be surprised with an HOFer/Rooke on the top bottom, is that right?
- For $350 a get either a 500 count vending box (and risk getting 23 Paul Moskaue cards and 19 Duane Kuipers) or 5 rack packs which gets me 195 cards with 30 visible on the top or bottom.

I am leaning toward the vending box but would be grateful to hear your experiences.

Thanks
Your pal
jr

Mefer

I just bought a 78 vending box from BBCE. 78 Topps is my favorite year. My box yielded all the big rookies and a really nice Brett. As is typical with vending, however, a lot of cards had the dreaded corner ding. With that said it still was a lot of fun and I may buy another in the future.

Matt

thunderdan

I bought a 78 vending box from Steve a few weeks back. Definitely got all the stars, but the corners were a challenge.

cpamike

<< <i>probably also speaks to the dwindling supply of '78 racks as the set has gotten so popular over the past few years. >>



I wonder how this happened???

BTW, I would go for the rack packs. Just my personal preference as I like the unopened packs and I've had no luck with 78 vending boxes.

jwgators

I have been eyeing the 78 vending boxes for awhile. Please fill us in on the results.

jmmiller777

I do not know about vending. I would think most vending boxes from the 70's have already been picked through. Ya, you may get one or two of those RC's, but they have been picked through (IMHO). I have bought racks from BBCE and have recieved some nice stuff. I just recieved random racks from them (1987 Donruss) and got a Cal Ripken on top and a Ozzie Smith with Pete Inclavigia on top. I only bought three. I also recieved a box of 85 Fleer Cellos; great cards. I have several more boxes on the way from them. I think Steve and his team are great, but those 70's vending, well I just don't know where they've been.

dtkk49a

If you are ripping unopened material to submit the cards for grading, buy racks instead of cellos. The cards will be in better condition.

TheThrill22

I think if you're looking to build a set that the vending box is the way to go. If you're looking for cards to submit, then rack is the way.

brianwintersfan

<< <i>I do not know about vending. I would think most vending boxes from the 70's have already been picked through. Ya, you may get one or two of those RC's, but they have been picked through (IMHO). I have bought racks from BBCE and have recieved some nice stuff. I just recieved random racks from them (1987 Donruss) and got a Cal Ripken on top and a Ozzie Smith with Pete Inclavigia on top. I only bought three. I also recieved a box of 85 Fleer Cellos; great cards. I have several more boxes on the way from them. I think Steve and his team are great, but those 70's vending, well I just don't know where they've been. >>



Your statement on 70's vending is being painted with a pretty broad brush. If you either buy from good sources or know what to look for yourself you have nothing to worry about.

MrG

I have purchased boxes of 78T vending, rack, cello and wax from Steve and have even cracked some GAI graded looking for cards to submit. From my experience, grade worthy cards will just depend on the print run loaded in the box. (MCs & PDs mainly) My last submission of ~200 78's was pulled from boxes of 4 vending, 2 wax, and 1 each of cello & rack, and yielded 10% PSA10, 80% PSA9, 8% PSA8, & 2% Other. I did make almost 4 complete sets, and have a shed load of commons, but it was still fun to open! I have a few more unopened vending and wax boxes, and a GAI 8 rack that I am itching to crack, to find that elusive Ryan and 16 other remaining cards waiting to be graded a PSA 10, and destined for Hatch's monster effort!

thunderdan

<< <i>I do not know about vending. I would think most vending boxes from the 70's have already been picked through. Ya, you may get one or two of those RC's, but they have been picked through (IMHO). I have bought racks from BBCE and have recieved some nice stuff. I just recieved random racks from them (1987 Donruss) and got a Cal Ripken on top and a Ozzie Smith with Pete Inclavigia on top. I only bought three. I also recieved a box of 85 Fleer Cellos; great cards. I have several more boxes on the way from them. I think Steve and his team are great, but those 70's vending, well I just don't know where they've been. >>



In the case of the current 1978 vending boxes, per Steve they were from a fresh case. Most had the same corner issue (top right in my case)

daddymc

I purchased and ripped a wax box a few months back and was very happy with the quality of cards pulled. I've had good luck with racks too. All were purchased from BBCE.

Mefer

In the vending box I just picked up, I figured about 25 of the cards were worthy of grading (or about 5 percent of the cards). I plan to send them off towards the end of the month. No doubt you may find a higher percentage worthy in rack (depending on the centering of course). Now I must buy some racks and see how that turns out!