Please enlighten me about all these vintage pack breaks I see
halfcentman
Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭
From the video that I have seen, do people realize that every pack they open, that's one less pack available to them - thus making the cost of your entertainment greater down the road??
Also, just because the cards are in the package, they're not mint. Gum, centering, corner ticks, wrapper stains, etc.
I am aware of fully the cost of getting a solid-graded card, especially if it is the right one, but on the surface it looks like a bad gamble to open up these packs.
These packs cannot be cheap, and I am sure they are not getting any cheaper.
So, if you are a person who spends YOUR money, and does this, why do you do it? I must say that I find it hypnotic and entertaining to watch these videos, and I am rooting for those guys who plunked down all that scratch.
ENLIGHTEN ME!
Greg
Also, just because the cards are in the package, they're not mint. Gum, centering, corner ticks, wrapper stains, etc.
I am aware of fully the cost of getting a solid-graded card, especially if it is the right one, but on the surface it looks like a bad gamble to open up these packs.
These packs cannot be cheap, and I am sure they are not getting any cheaper.
So, if you are a person who spends YOUR money, and does this, why do you do it? I must say that I find it hypnotic and entertaining to watch these videos, and I am rooting for those guys who plunked down all that scratch.
ENLIGHTEN ME!
Greg
0
Comments
<< <i>Are you talking about vintage packs or modern packs? It's a hobby and people enjoy it. People have different tastes...unopened box collectors, pack collectors, rookie card collectors, autographed rookie cards, jersey cards, team cards, player sets...etc....most of us aren't in it purely for the "investment". The main reason is most of us tried it in the late eighties and early nineties for that reason.
Yeah, I am talking about the vintage pack breaks such as the 1975 Topps Baseball, etc.
<< <i>
<< <i>Are you talking about vintage packs or modern packs? It's a hobby and people enjoy it. People have different tastes...unopened box collectors, pack collectors, rookie card collectors, autographed rookie cards, jersey cards, team cards, player sets...etc....most of us aren't in it purely for the "investment". The main reason is most of us tried it in the late eighties and early nineties for that reason.
Yeah, I am talking about the vintage pack breaks such as the 1975 Topps Baseball, etc. >>
Breaking vintage wax is always a big gamble, but it can pay off, if you get a nice run of packs. My last 1975 mini sub included several gem mint 10s that paid for the entire box and then some.
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>From the video that I have seen, do people realize that every pack they open, that's one less pack available to them - thus making the cost of your entertainment greater down the road?? >>
By that logic it means now is the best time to do it because it will always cost more if you wait
<< <i>Also, just because the cards are in the package, they're not mint. Gum, centering, corner ticks, wrapper stains, etc.
I am aware of fully the cost of getting a solid-graded card, especially if it is the right one, but on the surface it looks like a bad gamble to open up these packs. >>
If it was a good gamble someone else would have already opened the pack
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Are you talking about vintage packs or modern packs? It's a hobby and people enjoy it. People have different tastes...unopened box collectors, pack collectors, rookie card collectors, autographed rookie cards, jersey cards, team cards, player sets...etc....most of us aren't in it purely for the "investment". The main reason is most of us tried it in the late eighties and early nineties for that reason.
Yeah, I am talking about the vintage pack breaks such as the 1975 Topps Baseball, etc. >>
Breaking vintage wax is always a big gamble, but it can pay off, if you get a nice run of packs. My last 1975 mini sub included several gem mint 10s that paid for the entire box and then some. >>
You're my kind of guy, especially with that Chain Cent avatar!! Thanks for the reply.
But, I will say this to the younger guys - PLEASE do a better job pronouncing the names when you don't know the players if you are going to videotape it! You are killing us 40+ guys who know these dudes and lived through it!
That I always find quite hilarious, too, LOL!
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>I do it cause I enjoy it.
It's been a great adventure building my #1 ranked '79 set and ripping has been a major contributor to it ... in addition to all the mint cards (some extremely tough) that ripping has produced, I've also popped 115 PSA 10s (many 1 of 1s) for my set from these packs.
For some it's a business, for others it's a hobby ... and there's lots of overlapping there ... but in general, it's a gamble, and in my experience it's not worth ripping vending or cello if you're looking for grade worthy cards as those type of materials generally yield poor cards compared to wax and rack.
Ripping an unopened case is another story, these days especially, there are many board members here who are squatting on cases ... most will never open them ... and that's one of the reasons why we're not seeing any new material from the '70s. >>
WHICH LEADS ME TO ANOTHER QUESTION:
When you are breaking out vintage wax, what are your feelings going through your head knowing that you are altering the product (i.e. wax/cello/rack to singles). To me, there is something pristine about unopened material that has lasted that long. To me, if you are a REAL collector, part of you feels a sense of guilt, but part of you feels a genuine sense of excitement knowing, in your case, that that sizzling mint Ozzie Smith rookie could be in the next rip.
I find this topic very intriguing, and thank all of you for your comments.
<< <i>I do it cause I enjoy it.
It's been a great adventure building my #1 ranked '79 set and ripping has been a major contributor to it ... in addition to all the mint cards (some extremely tough) that ripping has produced, I've also popped 115 PSA 10s (many 1 of 1s) for my set from these packs.
For some it's a business, for others it's a hobby ... and there's lots of overlapping there ... but in general, it's a gamble, and in my experience it's not worth ripping vending or cello if you're looking for grade worthy cards as those type of materials generally yield poor cards compared to wax and rack.
Ripping an unopened case is another story, these days especially, there are many board members here who are squatting on cases ... most will never open them ... and that's one of the reasons why we're not seeing any new material from the '70s. >>
You forgot to add that you turn around and sell the empty box, the wrappers AND THE GUM after you are done ripping.
Yes, that does add equity to the cause!
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Are you talking about vintage packs or modern packs? It's a hobby and people enjoy it. People have different tastes...unopened box collectors, pack collectors, rookie card collectors, autographed rookie cards, jersey cards, team cards, player sets...etc....most of us aren't in it purely for the "investment". The main reason is most of us tried it in the late eighties and early nineties for that reason.
Yeah, I am talking about the vintage pack breaks such as the 1975 Topps Baseball, etc. >>
Breaking vintage wax is always a big gamble, but it can pay off, if you get a nice run of packs. My last 1975 mini sub included several gem mint 10s that paid for the entire box and then some. >>
You're my kind of guy, especially with that Chain Cent avatar!! Thanks for the reply.
But, I will say this to the younger guys - PLEASE do a better job pronouncing the names when you don't know the players if you are going to videotape it! You are killing us 40+ guys who know these dudes and lived through it!
Greg,
Are you the one that just commented on my 75 mini pack break on YouTube? Your comments here sound like the same as someone who commented on there. Just curious.
I personally busy the packs for the chase at a high grade, high dollar card. I will say that I am a collector first and foremost. I collect for the hobby. If I can make money at it great, if not (like most vintage breaks) I deal with it.
<< <i>Greg,
Are you the one that just commented on my 75 mini pack break on YouTube? Your comments here sound like the same as someone who commented on there. Just curious.
I personally busy the packs for the chase at a high grade, high dollar card. I will say that I am a collector first and foremost. I collect for the hobby. If I can make money at it great, if not (like most vintage breaks) I deal with it. >>
Yeah, that's me! I was rooting for a Brett and/or Yount for you.
<< <i>The product was produced to be opened and enjoyed in a myriad if ways. I've got a case+ full of star on top packs that I've preserved, in addition to other material that will remain unopened, so I feel I'm doing my part to keep at least some material in its original pristine state.
I feel zero guilt when I rip racks. For me it's a fun process of discovery and learning. >>
AND THAT'S THE REPLY I WANTED TO HEAR!
If you had rare bottles of wine, keeping a certain amount sealed and ENJOYING a bottle or two is part of the enjoyment while preserving your investment. By doing what you are doing with your 1979 Set, you have ADDED cards to the population that would not have been possible by opening select product while not overgrazing the pasture.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I do it cause I enjoy it.
It's been a great adventure building my #1 ranked '79 set and ripping has been a major contributor to it ... in addition to all the mint cards (some extremely tough) that ripping has produced, I've also popped 115 PSA 10s (many 1 of 1s) for my set from these packs.
For some it's a business, for others it's a hobby ... and there's lots of overlapping there ... but in general, it's a gamble, and in my experience it's not worth ripping vending or cello if you're looking for grade worthy cards as those type of materials generally yield poor cards compared to wax and rack.
Ripping an unopened case is another story, these days especially, there are many board members here who are squatting on cases ... most will never open them ... and that's one of the reasons why we're not seeing any new material from the '70s. >>
WHICH LEADS ME TO ANOTHER QUESTION:
When you are breaking out vintage wax, what are your feelings going through your head knowing that you are altering the product (i.e. wax/cello/rack to singles). To me, there is something pristine about unopened material that has lasted that long. To me, if you are a REAL collector, part of you feels a sense of guilt, but part of you feels a genuine sense of excitement knowing, in your case, that that sizzling mint Ozzie Smith rookie could be in the next rip.
I find this topic very intriguing, and thank all of you for your comments. >>
The product was produced to be opened and enjoyed in a myriad if ways. I've got a case+ full of star on top packs that I've preserved, in addition to other material that will remain unopened, so I feel I'm doing my part to keep at least some material in its original pristine state.
I feel zero guilt when I rip racks. For me it's a fun process of discovery and learning. >>
Do you feel any guilt when you sell the empty box, wrappers AND THE GUM?
Hope you can fix it. The blowing it off makes me sick. You're weak.
Jeff
youtube acct
<< <i>I have a few vintage pack break videos from the late 70s and I know most of the common and star players names, but I am sure I have occasionally mispronounced some. Packgeek, letsopensomepacks, gemint67, tmgrnzx9r and crpalmi have some really good vintage breaks. I get much more enjoyment out of vintage breaks then the modern shiny stuff. >>
+1
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>I know I personally mispronounce a ton of names as I'm opening packs - especially when I'm opening hockey stuff! But hey, at least we're sharing the rips with other collectors via these videos. I could be opening cool packs from the 70's without a camera present, and I'd never know any names were getting butchered. Speaking of pack break videos - I'm a little behind on mine
I know this has little to do with original post but please, more packgeek!!!
When I do break a pack, I'm conflicted. I do feel a sense of guilt in removing them from circulation but it's also fun. 1976 would be my favorite year to rip since that was the first year I bought packs as a kid. But it's also fun to rip older packs that I never got to experience opening. Since I'm big into collecting the 1969 set, ripping that cello pack was a blast. I bought three when Mark Murphy broke a box in the late 90s. I opened one, graded and sold one and kept the other for my collection.
My buddy and I always joke that we'll open up all our packs when we're on our death beds.
<< <i>Save the Whales people!! Save the Whales! >>
Yes, but whales tend not to bring pack pristine, fond memories of our childhoods going to the corner store!
<< <i>.
But, I will say this to the younger guys - PLEASE do a better job pronouncing the names when you don't know the players if you are going to videotape it! You are killing us 40+ guys who know these dudes and lived through it!
Im with you 100% on both parts
ALL MY PSA SETS
<< <i>When I go to Vegas I love playing the tables but I get kind of mad when I see a sign that says minimum $25. Although I will be known to throw down $50 on a hand, I just don't want to gamble much more than that. Meahwhile, I have a friend that plays $500 a role on the roulette wheel. I am not sure what he is thinking at the end of the day but he clearly has a higher enjoyment for high dollar play than I would. Whether you are playing cards or opening up boxes of baseball cards, I want to treat people with respect and let them spend their money and time the way they want it. I don't want some guy judging me on my collecting/gambling habits. >>
No one is judging anyone on anything, and it's funny since you brought up a roulette wheel example since I used to be a professional poker player, and I tutor people on how to play casino games.
I used to buy packs at the corner store and open them because I wanted the cards that were inside. I guess you kept them sealed.
<< <i>Yes, but whales tend not to bring pack pristine, fond memories of our childhoods going to the corner store!
I used to buy packs at the corner store and open them because I wanted the cards that were inside. I guess you kept them sealed. >>
No, I opened them like a maven because they were $0.25 a piece, I was a kid, and I had no thought of the future. Oh, and I loved to chew the gum.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
<< <i>My sons chewed gum from 2009 Topps Heritage and said it was disgusting. I can't imagine chewing the 70's or 80's stuff. >>
I had been breaking some older packs at work a few years back and I had vertical of Topps gum from '73 to '81 on my desk. I randomly challenged people to sample the gum. No one really took me up on it.
(btw, I tried a corner of the '73 gum and it had some subtle gum-flavored notes, but fell apart easily and had a very chalky finish).
<< <i>
<< <i>My sons chewed gum from 2009 Topps Heritage and said it was disgusting. I can't imagine chewing the 70's or 80's stuff. >>
I had been breaking some older packs at work a few years back and I had vertical of Topps gum from '73 to '81 on my desk. I randomly challenged people to sample the gum. No one really took me up on it.
(btw, I tried a corner of the '73 gum and it had some subtle gum-flavored notes, but fell apart easily and had a very chalky finish). >>
1973-81 are the exact years when I bought cards as a kid. In 1990, I ate a piece of 1978 gum and it was gross, but I did get a Trammell/Molitor rookie out of that pack if I recall.