1987-1990 Topps Vending Quality

CubsKiller99

The vending case price for these is so low that it's tempting to take a shot. A 1988 PSA 10
Ripken can net you $200 and you can buy a vending case for $70.

Anyone worked their way through a vending case or mutliple vending boxes
of these and what was the card quality like compared to earlier vending?

bziddy

I busted a 1986 vending case a couple years back. The middle 85%-90% was sharp -- but chipping, centering, etc were rough.

When I've opened single vending boxes -- it's really hit or miss with overall quality -- I've opened 87-89 vending where one corner was dinged on every card. I've opened vending from 82-85 that was beautiful.

To me, it is a total crapshoot on whether or not you'll get quality cards out of the vending boxes -- there is lots of nice stuff out there, and lots of stuff that is dinged up pretty good. You can get 87-89 6-box rack cases for $80-$100 shipped -- seems to be more consistent condition.

CubsKiller99

No doubt that the racks will be more consistent.

I was just hoping that the 87-90 vending cards would be nicer than
the 1979-81 with the thin card stock.

Agreed that it is probably a cr@pshoot anyhew.

tmgrnzx9r

Generally vending isn't considered the best if you going to bust for the chance to grade. But with that being said, as cheap as 87-90 vending is I'd say it worth a shot. I recently picked up a sealed 88 topps vending case for 29 bucks. I am keeping it sealed for now, but it's very tempting to bust. So if you go for it, please post picks along with the story of busting them. Good luck!!

MiniDuff

As others have said, it is a crapshoot. I've opened lots of these, now and back in the day when no one cared. Very hard to pull 10s on the cards you would want to, but when you are paying $100 for a case, you don't need many hits to pay for it. You just have to have a good eye, a ton of patience and be very, very selective on what you sub.

tmgrnzx9r

Ill echo what miniduff said. If you have a good eye and are selective in what you sub, you don't necessarily need to hit one big card.