Real question and issue that I know others have to think about regarding modern sports cards

belz

So buying a box of modern or being a part of a group rip is expensive. A case of high end new product cost 2k...one major hit and a bunch of fluff. I like to do some with my son but there is never a time where buying modern unopenend isn't a total loser. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? Spend 200 bucks and get a lame hit of an auto rookie card out of 399 that amounts to 5 bucks...when is the madness going to stop? It's so out of whack in comparison to vintage. Someone help me understand.

Dodgerfanjohn

Depends what you are looking to do imo.

If you like sets or collecting stars, boxes like Topps Heritage, A&G, and Topps base brand are not even $100 boxes. One or two boxes and its easy to fill in the rest of your set via trade, ebay, or comc.

If you are looking for some big dollar hit, well then you are gambling. Might as well put down your $200 on a hand of BJ. If you win, go buy your major hit...little will sell at more than $200. If you lose...well then you still have the same hand of nothing...or as you call it, "fluff".

JoeBanzai

I compare it to the lottery when it comes to getting that high dollar card. Silly to play really.

The difference is, it's fun to open packs of cards.

I might buy a box of modern just for the fun of opening some shiny cards, but as far as a possibility of having something of value, I would buy vintage.

One thing to remember, the modern cards will be virtually all mint. I would hate to break a box of vintage and get all off centered cards.

I would bet the percentages of getting a "9" or "10" rookie out of a vintage box not too much different than shelling out for a modern box/case and getting the hot rookies autograph.

To answer your question; the madness will NEVER end!

PMKAY

<< <i>So buying a box of modern or being a part of a group rip is expensive. A case of high end new product cost 2k...one major hit and a bunch of fluff. I like to do some with my son but there is never a time where buying modern unopenend isn't a total loser. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? Spend 200 bucks and get a lame hit of an auto rookie card out of 399 that amounts to 5 bucks...when is the madness going to stop? It's so out of whack in comparison to vintage. Someone help me understand. >>




Agree totally. I don't buy new high end unopened but I do watch breaks online every so often.

Aric

I consider myself a modern collector and have ripped thousands of dollars in modern football but I have never opened a box that cost me more than $100. Don't get suckered into the high-end market. Like others have said there are plenty of Topps products that fall in the $60-$100 range. I also usually try to buy the previous years releases when they are discounted. Also look into retail boxes that are being wholesaled by the big distributers (dave and adams, blowout).

jeffcbay

It's to the point where you can't really buy a box and expect a case hit, because someone could easily buy a case and once they pull the case hit they sell off the remaining boxes. I don't touch the stuff. Give me junk wax any day of the week, but you can keep the modern "manufactured rare" cards.

Mefer

The one and only time I chased a bunch of new stuff was in 2001. I had to go through that experience to learn it was not for me. Now, I will buy a pack or two here or there of new stuff but save my true collecting dollars for vintage. (Ironically, I end up giving to Goodwill most of the new stuff I open as 99 percent of it is literally worthless). With that said, to each his own!

Matt

ElToroLoco

Stick with the annual releases that are always popular.

Baseball: Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman Draft (Chrome autos,color)
Football: Topps Chrome, Playoff Contenders (Chrome autos, Rookie Ticket Autos)
Basketball: Prizm (new as Panin has an exclusive)
Hockey: Upper Deck (SP Rookie cards)

Otherwise, anything besides that is risky and a gamble. I tend to stick with singles.

PMKAY

<< <i>I consider myself a modern collector and have ripped thousands of dollars in modern football but I have never opened a box that cost me more than $100. Don't get suckered into the high-end market. Like others have said there are plenty of Topps products that fall in the $60-$100 range. I also usually try to buy the previous years releases when they are discounted. Also look into retail boxes that are being wholesaled by the big distributers (dave and adams, blowout). >>




I do this as well. I got some really nice cards from 2013 Topps Chrome Football blaster boxes that D and A were blowing out last Black Friday.

belz

Love the feedback and input..thanks for the discussion.

curch

This is why I collect sealed boxes That way I will never know.

80sOPC

I love ripping modern hockey wax but don't tough the high end products. I like the mid end products, when they go on sale. For instance 2012-13 Panini Classics Signatures. This was a $180 box that is now 55 bucks. 6-8 hard signed autos per box and a good shot at a $100+ SP. Lots of real good value if you look around and don't need to newest product to rip.

totallyradd

I bought a few boxes to rip of 2013 Topps and got into the 2013 Topps Turkey Red set. Realized that though I enjoyed ripping and building the 2013 Topps set it wasn't for me (I had no idea that relics are essentially a lie), but liked the idea of the Turkey Red.

The following year I bought 25 packs of Turkey Red, and after I didn't sell off the dupes right away I realized that the current sets are not for me. If I were to sell off everything immediately I may have paid for my entire purchase and still had a set for myself. But the market floods on new product fast, I sat on em and now have two sets and a bunch of dupes that probably hold little value. I probably won't ever buy new product again.

Would much rather continue to build my Milwaukee Braves sets, buy 80's unopened, and pony up for the big cards when I'm in the mood.

ndleo

As a modern football card collector, I am very concerned what will happen to the hobby once Panini is the sole supplier of NFL and college cards next year. In my experience their high end product has the worst value per box. I avoid most of their products except for Contenders. To pay for these licenses I expect the screwing of the hobbyists will get worse.

dtkk49a

It really depends on why you are buying cards in the first place. Just remember that 99.9 percent of all cards produced today will be worthless forever.

RyanAdmirer

<< <i>As a modern football card collector, I am very concerned what will happen to the hobby once Panini is the sole supplier of NFL and college cards next year. In my experience their high end product has the worst value per box. I avoid most of their products except for Contenders. To pay for these licenses I expect the screwing of the hobbyists will get worse. >>




+1 I'm going to miss the Chrome products