Help needed for what to look for when purchasing 1984 Fleer Update "factory sealed" set

Frozencaribou

1984 Fleer was the first set I completed from packs. I didn't ever buy an update set because they were so expensive.

I want to buy a factory sealed update set to go along with it. I'm sure there are experts on this board who can help discern if it is still possible or if these update sets factory seals are easily compromised.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-Nathanael

wallst32

84 Fleer Update sets did not come with a factory seal; any sticker you see on them claiming to be a factory seal is after market.

RedHeart54

As far as I remember I don't think '84 Fleer Update sets were ever "sealed" with any kind of tape or anything. I guess you'd have your use your best judgment of whether the box had ever been opened or the cards removed.

Frozencaribou

Thanks for the information. That simplifies things. Aside from centering, are there any common defects such as factory creasing that are common in undisturbed sets?

jfkheat

There are a lot of counterfeit Clemens and Puckett rookie cards out there. Do a search to see how to tell the real ones from the fake ones before buying a set.
James

gameusedhoop

You'd be better off buying a set with the stars graded IMO. Centering is all over the place on the sets, and there are counterfeits out there. Take your time when looking and find a nice one. They are far from rare.

ThoseBackPages

if you're in the market for the set, Steve has one listed

Frozencaribou

I appreciate the advice. I have a few predictable buying patterns that I'm trying to avoid. First and foremost, I don't want to get screwed on misrepresented cards. Second, I don't want to buy and upgrade. Therefore it probably makes sense to buy once with PSA 9 graded stars.

-Nathanael

Foo3112

As far as the Clemens goes - you can spot the fakes easily. On the back of the card, it has a trivis question that reads "did you know" - If the letter "k" is capitalized for the word "know" - then you have come across a fake.

1980scollector

BBCE had sets at the national that are shrinkwrapped by them and have their gold business card on the bottom of the wrap. It really looked good and that way you won't be tempted to open it and then possiby try to upgrade.

cardbender

I believe Fleer made 35,000-40,000 of the update sets. At least that was the word back in 1984.

I have seen entire sets where the cutting was not clean and there would be excess
cardboard on one corner of every card. If you buy a complete set sight unseen and get one like
this, you are screwed.

Agreed, buying the stars already graded would seem like the best plan.
Then pick up a partial set without stars and you'd be done.

pclpads

pm sent

ThoseBackPages

<< <i>I appreciate the advice. I have a few predictable buying patterns that I'm trying to avoid. First and foremost, I don't want to get screwed on misrepresented cards. Second, I don't want to buy and upgrade. Therefore it probably makes sense to buy once with PSA 9 graded stars.

-Nathanael >>



i like this idea. i also think you should try to find as centered PSA 9's as you can.

its TOUGHER then one would think!

took me some time to find my Puckett:



T/B could be better, but if you've looked at enough 9's, L/R is a true PITA!
ironically enough i suppose, i won this one from Steve via auction format lol

Frozencaribou

That is a great Puckett rookie. I appreciate all the advice. After looking at vcp averages for psa 10's and 9's of Puckett, Clemens, and Gooden, it certainly makes the factory sets on the BBCE site look interesting at $275. But since I am not someone that can keep a box of cards unopened, I would be essentially buying in the wax box method of pulling raw cards that become 9's and 10's. I know I want mint, centered cards. Looks like the method of buying stars individually and buying the rest of the set would be most prudent. But as we all know, the lottery wax box style method of building a great set is always the way we like to roll. Right, BBG?

-Nathanael