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How The Graded Card Era Is Ruining My Day Off (busting 1989 Fleer Wax)

gstarlinggstarling Posts: 463 ✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
So I'm bored at home breaking some 1989 Fleer wax. Got my first Bill Ripken FF (black box, meh). Keep going through get a pack with McGwire, Henderson and Clemens and get nostalgic about how happy I would have been to have opened this 23 years ago. A couple of packs later, there it is, the Griffey card. Quickly get to it and realize it's 30/70 t/b and there is a slight tilt to on the back.

Again, 23 years ago, I would have been running around the card shop celebrating the "pull of the box". Now, it goes in the ungradeable pile. 99% of the time, I'm thankful for what grading has done for the hobby, but every now and then, I realize it's taken some of the excitement out of busting wax. Now, it's a two step process.

1: Find The Card
2: Assess The Condition (not just corners)

The break continues...
Currently Buying:
2004 Tommie Harris SPX Printing Plate (White Whale will pay top $$$)
1994 SP Football Die Cuts PSA 10s

Comments

  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭
    Well, let's be real. There really isn't anything you could pull out of that particular set that would have you jumping for joy. Even if you pullled a Griffey worthy of a PSA 10, you'd be lucky to get 25 bucks for it.

    The Clockwork Angel Collection...brought to you by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase
    TheClockworkAngelCollection
  • gstarlinggstarling Posts: 463 ✭✭
    A 10 will usually sell for around $40, but more than anything I was lamenting some of the joy that is taken from seeing the card you want with razor sharp corners, but realizing it's not going to grade out.

    And I'm really looking for FF & Marlboro errors (no luck).
    Currently Buying:
    2004 Tommie Harris SPX Printing Plate (White Whale will pay top $$$)
    1994 SP Football Die Cuts PSA 10s
  • BaltimoreYankeeBaltimoreYankee Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Easiest way to get a nice FF card is to go the BST board. Foo3112 has one for sale there right now.

    Agreed on looking at cards differently now. I recently opened a bunch of 1975 Topps mini packs and back then I would have thought they were pretty much all mint. I've put about 8-9 aside (out of about 200) that I think may grade 9.
    Daniel
  • JuggsJuggs Posts: 495 ✭
    I kind of agree on this, which is why I've decided that my interest is in building HOF collections of cards that are PSA 4-8. I can still get excited if I pull a 75 Brett that looks like a solid PSA 6.
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    There's a certain satisfaction about pack-pulling and self-submitting a card, regardless of "value"
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • digicatdigicat Posts: 8,551 ✭✭


    << <i>I was lamenting some of the joy that is taken from seeing the card you want with razor sharp corners, but realizing it's not going to grade out. >>



    Stop collecting modern graded slabs and you might get some of it back. I know I did.
    My Giants collection want list

    WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
  • CubsFan41CubsFan41 Posts: 513 ✭✭
    I sold a psa 10 Ripken FF card for about $70 last year.
    Looking for Cello packs with Bill Buckner on top
  • MeeMahMotherMeeMahMother Posts: 108


    << <i>There's a certain satisfaction about pack-pulling and self-submitting a card, regardless of "value" >>



    Agreed ! Grow your own. Like raising a child. (well, maybe that's a little overboard) But still, my self ripped and submitted cards are the favorites. image
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    if you're busting '89 wax, you might want to accompany it with a little techno-pop or very early Nirvana music to add the proper ambiance.

    you'll feel your body move to the disappointment of teen angst and the failure will irritate your stomach like a late night breakfast at Denny's.
  • gc1213gc1213 Posts: 154


    << <i>There's a certain satisfaction about pack-pulling and self-submitting a card, regardless of "value" >>



    I couldn't agree more! I love pulling my own cards and seeing them grade out an 8 or higher. I would rather a self pulled 9 over a purchased 10 all day.

    The thing with wax is you know the chances of pulling that gem 10 beauty you are after are very slim. I always rip things I love and have fond memories of. If I pull a stunner it's icing on the cake. That's how I'm approaching my "cards of the 80's" run. All self pulled in 8 or higher.
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    Remember when flannel symbolized tough mountain men, chopping wood outside of their cabin on a cold winter night?

    Enjoy the break!
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭


    << <i>Remember when flannel symbolized tough mountain men, chopping wood outside of their cabin on a cold winter night? >>



    no. to me flannel symbolizes warm jammies with enclosed feet and cute little duckies. image
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Remember when flannel symbolized tough mountain men, chopping wood outside of their cabin on a cold winter night? >>



    no. to me flannel symbolizes warm jammies with enclosed feet and cute little duckies. image >>



    image
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    yeah, you're close....if i had to wear those i would have hung myself by the ears. image
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