Home› Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

1976 unopened box

sushihotwingssushihotwings Posts: 452 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-T...d4d:g:65IAAOSw-itXqS9o



So I stumbled upon this unopened box of 1976 baseball on EBay (not my box) and I am hoping to glean some expertise from our board on how people evaluate the potential authenticity (not resealed etc) of such a box. We have a tremendous asset in this board particularly with unopened product expertise from the 1970s.



The first things I look at are number of feedbacks, read any negatives, and of course photos. I have been burnt a couple of times with unopened on EBay and greatly appreciate the effort Dave is putting in the group rip. I am focused on other sports right now or otherwise I would be participating. My only input to all the controversy is to keep in mind that participation is a privilege not a right although I can also sympathize with those who missed out. Feeling disappointed is ok, but leave it at that imo and move on.



Back to the box... So aside from feedback, how does one evaluate a box such as this that is not authenticated by BBCE? Anything in the pictures? Anything you ask the seller. Other red flags? I understand avoiding altogether other than BBCE is an option but the thrill of a deal is so tempting. Thoughts appreciated.



Dave
On the hunt high grade Star Basketball.

Comments

  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1. Add BBCE address as one of your addresses on eBay
    2. Notify seller if you win, it will be shipped directly to BBCE to authenticate
    3. If it's resealed/fake, at that point the seller will make up an excuse or block you from bidding
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • cpamikecpamike Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    The one thing that struck me about that listing when I saw it yesterday was that he didn't mention the word "unopened". Maybe an oversight or a clever way to say that I never claimed it wasn't possibly opened.

    If I were to seriously consider the box, I would ask for scans of the backs of the packs to see if I could pick something up there.
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep."

    "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

    Collecting:
    Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
  • travis ttravis t Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭
    By appearance, my first concern would be that it's an assembled, or Frankenstein box. I'm not seeing what I feel is uniformity in the top packs from left to right, as if it were in its original distribution condition. Only my opinion. I'm sure Grote15 and others would have valuable and experienced info to add.
  • sushihotwingssushihotwings Posts: 452 ✭✭✭
    Great info so far. I never thought about having it shipped directly to BBCE. Fantastic idea. Extra cost of course. I guess you just email Steve after you win and pay in advance for the evaluation and wrapping?
    On the hunt high grade Star Basketball.
  • brendanb438brendanb438 Posts: 1,595 ✭✭✭
    Anyone message the seller to try to find out more about it? My guess is you will get the generic response of it is from an estate sale!!!!! image
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: sushihotwings
    Great info so far. I never thought about having it shipped directly to BBCE. Fantastic idea. Extra cost of course. I guess you just email Steve after you win and pay in advance for the evaluation and wrapping?

    Not an idea conceived by me, just something I've seen mentioned by a couple others here. That would be my guess on emailing Steve after winning, not sure on payment. Hopefully those that have done this previously will chime in with additional detail.

    Last I knew, the cost for Steve's evaluation was 5% of retail + extra costs for the additional shipping, but allows you to take a gamble while lowering the risk significantly.
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • SOMSOM Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭
    I would never buy high-end baseball cards from a seller with a user name like that
  • travis ttravis t Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭
    Michigan. Upper Peninsula. Likes ice cream. Very suspicious. ;-)
  • LuvOldPacksLuvOldPacks Posts: 263 ✭✭
    I have arranged ahead of time, with both Steve and the seller's, to have the box shipped directly to BBCE before I win. If the seller is unwilling to do that - which is at no extra cost to him or her since they have to ship it anyway - then I would NOT buy it!!! I offer to pay for the authentication and then if they are found to be resealed packs, the box will be shipped back to the seller for a FULL refund. I've had much success with this in the past.
  • rcmb3220rcmb3220 Posts: 1,108 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: travis t
    Michigan. Upper Peninsula. Likes ice cream. Very suspicious. ;-)


    Nice area!

    sincerely, Jim Price
  • detroitfan2detroitfan2 Posts: 3,337 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: rcmb3220
    Originally posted by: travis t
    Michigan. Upper Peninsula. Likes ice cream. Very suspicious. ;-)


    Nice area!

    sincerely, Jim Price


    image
  • jfkheatjfkheat Posts: 2,740 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: LuvOldPacks

    I have arranged ahead of time, with both Steve and the seller's, to have the box shipped directly to BBCE before I win. If the seller is unwilling to do that - which is at no extra cost to him or her since they have to ship it anyway - then I would NOT buy it!!! I offer to pay for the authentication and then if they are found to be resealed packs, the box will be shipped back to the seller for a FULL refund. I've had much success with this in the past.




    This is what I would do. I have had many boxes shipped to BBCE by the seller. By doing this the seller can't claim that you opened and resealed the packs. Although, I did have one known resealer claim that BBCE opened the packs in a 1981 topps baseball box.

    James
  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: LuvOldPacks

    I have arranged ahead of time, with both Steve and the seller's, to have the box shipped directly to BBCE before I win. If the seller is unwilling to do that - which is at no extra cost to him or her since they have to ship it anyway - then I would NOT buy it!!!




    Doesn't the seller have to assume risk by not shipping to the buyer's confirmed address?
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: mlbfan2
    Originally posted by: LuvOldPacks
    I have arranged ahead of time, with both Steve and the seller's, to have the box shipped directly to BBCE before I win. If the seller is unwilling to do that - which is at no extra cost to him or her since they have to ship it anyway - then I would NOT buy it!!!


    Doesn't the seller have to assume risk by not shipping to the buyer's confirmed address?

    Not if you add BBCE as a 2nd confirmed address to your eBay account.
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • 19541954 Posts: 2,905 ✭✭✭
    The guy is currently selling graded cards and has one PSA graded unopened pack of 1978. Hmmm, the seller knows too much to not get this reviewed by BBCE IMO.

    SL
    Looking for high grade rookie cards and unopened boxes/cases
  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: LarkinCollector

    Originally posted by: mlbfan2

    Originally posted by: LuvOldPacks

    I have arranged ahead of time, with both Steve and the seller's, to have the box shipped directly to BBCE before I win. If the seller is unwilling to do that - which is at no extra cost to him or her since they have to ship it anyway - then I would NOT buy it!!!




    Doesn't the seller have to assume risk by not shipping to the buyer's confirmed address?


    Not if you add BBCE as a 2nd confirmed address to your eBay account.





    Good to know. Thanks.
  • jfkheatjfkheat Posts: 2,740 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You can add several confirmed addresses to your Ebay account. I currently have 5 including BBCE. Just send Steve an email before having anything shipped to them so he will be expecting it.

    James
  • smallstockssmallstocks Posts: 1,644 ✭✭✭✭
    No chance this is unopened. Neither in the title or description does he mention it.

    Late 60's and early to mid 70's non-sports
  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: smallstocks

    No chance this is unopened. Neither in the title or description does he mention it.




    I don't think that's a red flag in this case. That same seller doesn't even put "BGS" in the title for his BGS graded cards.
  • coinspackscoinspacks Posts: 1,033 ✭✭✭✭
    top packs dont seem to show any stick gum outlines
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,727 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Impossible to tell without at least seeing some close up photos of the packs but there are some red flags for sure. Why spend most of the photos on the outer box when it's the packs that are important. As someone mentioned, this seller should also know better since they deal in cards. One positive is that all packs on top row bear same wrapper variation, but I would ask for some close up photos of the packs, particularly the back seals and corner folds before placing a bid.


    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.
  • flatfoot816flatfoot816 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭
    I just saw the listing--I would not even entertain asking him to send it to BBCE. With that write up you would be better off buying 100 $10 scratch tickets
  • SdubSdub Posts: 736 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: LarkinCollector

    1. Add BBCE address as one of your addresses on eBay

    2. Notify seller if you win, it will be shipped directly to BBCE to authenticate

    3. If it's resealed/fake, at that point the seller will make up an excuse or block you from bidding




    ++++ perfect
    Collecting PSA 9's from 1970-1977. Raw 9's from 72-77. Raw 10's from '78-'83.
    Collecting Unopened from '72-'83; mostly BBCE certified boxes/cases/racks.
    Prefer to buy in bulk.
  • MULLINS5MULLINS5 Posts: 4,517 ✭✭✭
    Agreeing ahead of time that the box will be returned if deemed resealed is not enough in the eyes of eBay to give you permission to send it back. AFTER the box has arrived and been deemed resealed is when you have to have the seller's permission to return the package. If you just get Steve to send it back the seller does not have to refund you (and they have the product as well) and you are NOT covered by eBay buyer protection. To repeat, you must have permission from the seller or eBay AFTER the item has been delivered. I learned this lesson the hard way last year when I asked a seller if they could give me some information which would tell me the edition of the book. He could not, but he agreed to accept a return if it is not the edition I was looking for. Came in, wasn't the edition, I messaged him that I was returning it, didn't get a reply, sent it back anyway, never got the money, contacted eBay, was told by several agents and a supervisor they can do nothing for me.



    I would just buy the box, have it sent to BBCE, if deemed resealed address it for the first time with the seller and open an eBay case.
  • ugaskidawgugaskidawg Posts: 882 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: coinspacks

    top packs dont seem to show any stick gum outlines




    +100



    Also, the third picture, I love how he has a picture of his pill bottle and 1990s stereo/video equipment in the background.
  • ElvisPElvisP Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭
    Never understood why people with an expensive box show picture after picture of the box but no pictures of the packs themselves. Red flag. Need to see the backs of at least some of the packs as well as the short ends of the packs.
  • KendallCatKendallCat Posts: 3,009 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: ugaskidawg
    Originally posted by: coinspacks
    top packs dont seem to show any stick gum outlines


    +100

    Also, the third picture, I love how he has a picture of his pill bottle and 1990s stereo/video equipment in the background.


    The stereo equipment is not part of the deal? I am done bidding on this one if that is the case.

    KC
Sign In or Register to comment.