70's vs 80's unopened? Is it worth it to rip it?

tmgrnzx9r

So we have all read or have seen first hand the way the market has been lately on 70's unopened stuff. In the last year or so we have seen 75 mini pack go from $40.00 plus sometimes the 10 percent discount to now $65.00 per pack. As well as all the other increases in everything really. With all these talks of ripping packs and boxes vs hoarding packs and boxes (which I do both). What do my fellow CU members think is a better value as far as ripping and grading? Is it worth spending 65 bucks on a pack of 75 minis now and hope for a nice 9 or 10? Or is it worth say 5-6 bucks a pack and go for an 82 or 83 pack and hope for Ripken,Gwynn,Sandberg, or Boggs? Maybe go for the 81's or 86 topps packs??
I have done all of the above and personally like going with the older stuff from the mid 70's to late 70's. But again with all the price increases is it worth it anymore? I have to admit that the 1983 topps set is one of my favorites as that is the year I first started collecting at the good ole ripe age of 9!! Again even the 1983 packs/boxes have seen an increase, but not as much as the older stuff and for obvious reasons. Another question, do any of you rip any 80's product in bulk and submit a certain set consistently?

mygotta

As far as 80's stuff goes. I think it could be fun ripping, but the value of 8's and 9's graded are nearly worthless to their 10 counterparts. So thats the sore spot. If you want to make a set, rip away. What I find worth keeping closed are packs that are hard to find. Its not the cards that are valuable, the form they seem to take. For instance, grocery rack packs I find worth keeping sealed and it would be better to just get some wax packs. Certain types of Michigan packs I keep sealed, jumbo, etc that are not common I keep sealed. Especially as I approach the junk era. Personally I am keeping most complete boxes sealed, regardless of year, but seek out hard to find versions of those years. Thats my take.

galaxy27

There is a synergistic effect in play here, and it's only gaining steam. On average, the sum of the individual parts (i.e. the cards) doesn't come close to the totality of the whole (i.e. the unopened box), and the correlation is seemingly widening by the day. But that's not slowing anyone down, as rising demand -- consisting of those who rip, those who don't, and those who partake in both -- is continuing to suck supply dry, and prices are throwing it into another gear as a result. Best case scenario, things stabilize. Worst case, which is actually a best case for some, they don't. Or, per the sage advice of the member above me, you could simply not worry and have fun.

rtimmer

I'd rip the 1983's. love the set and 3 decent rookie cards to go after.

76collector

For me it's more of a price point. I find it hard to rip almost any pack that is over $20 or has only one card that I would be happy getting. So an example for me would be a 93 SP pack. I think they go for near 20 now, but considering the only thing that would make it worth ripping is the Jeter, I can't bring myself to rip it. Just my take, for others I'm sure it would take a much higher price point.

lahmejoon

I don't think the current price level of the 70's and early 80's makes ripping a profitable endeavor. I'm not even sure that the price levels a year ago made ripping profitable. I'm biased, though, as the only pack I have ever opened from a group rip is an 80/81 Topps basketball. Everything else has remained sealed.

tmgrnzx9r

Thanks for all the comments!! For me again I hold,rip and everything else in between. I'm have been and always will be a collector in this hobby. So when I do rip and don't get squat it may hurt but I'm ok with it.
Lamejoon,
I love the 80-81 basketball cards. I remember buying a box of those when I was a kid for like 10 bucks. My favorite part back then was to open the packs and then rip he cards apart. Sadly back then since I always kept all of my cards, I still have both the single cards of Magic and Bird. Luckily I did manage to keep on of them together!!! I recently had it graded by psa, it came back a 4.

TheCARDKid

I've opened a wide variety of packs in the last 5-7 years (mostly from bbce, but also other sources). Baseball from 1981-88/89. Football from 1980-89. I bought an 80 Topps football box not that long ago for $100.

Now it's $195, lol. Tried 86 football, never got any cards that booked over $10.

-The fun factor can't be underestimated. Like ripping 88 Topps football and getting Bo Jacksons.

I like late 70's basketball. Good value for the money. Only 132 cards. Lots of hall of famers and rookies. You almost can't lose with those.

I don't like the one major card, and the box is $300-500. I would focus more on packs you haven't opened, vs what you could get out of it. Try new things.

One of these days, I'm going to buy a box or partial box of something like 74/75 topps basketball and try my luck, lol. Big potential money loser.....but, if you like basketball and haven't tried it before, why not.

3BoyzTrading

80's is a good rip. There is still a lot of it out there. The 70's stuff looks like it's best to keep sealed.