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Info about BBCE wax wrapping...
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Posts: 3,127
Just got off the phone with Steve Hart...what a stand up guy. Great customer service.
In case anyone wondered or didn't know, since I didn't...I thought I'd pass along this info.
If you want BBCE to authenticate and wrap your wax box, the cost is 5% of the value with a minimum of $5. You can ship it to him, but if you plan to have it done at the store, he needs a one day's notice so he can make sure he's there.
Since I was curious, I thought others might be as well.
In case anyone wondered or didn't know, since I didn't...I thought I'd pass along this info.
If you want BBCE to authenticate and wrap your wax box, the cost is 5% of the value with a minimum of $5. You can ship it to him, but if you plan to have it done at the store, he needs a one day's notice so he can make sure he's there.
Since I was curious, I thought others might be as well.
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Hi. How is the value determined?
"Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it"
<< <i>the cost is 5% of the value
Hi. How is the value determined? >>
He said market value. However, I'm not sure how they determine market value.
Regarding caps...I'm not sure. Sorry.
<< <i>Glad to see someone there answers the phone. I called three times yesterday, finally left a message around 1 and still haven't got a call back. Makes it hard to spend $ if they won't answer or call back. Maybe they are having The National hangover. >>
I have never had a problem getting in touch with them either via email or leaving a message.
<< <i>Glad to see someone there answers the phone. I called three times yesterday, finally left a message around 1 and still haven't got a call back. Makes it hard to spend $ if they won't answer or call back. Maybe they are having The National hangover. >>
They were in Monday and had PSA there on Tuesday. Not sure, but I think Steve may have taken Wednesday after 8-straight days of National and a PSA visit. He
was sending emails yesterday, and they were in the store today.
I would think there is a bit of a backlog to catch-up on since most of them were in Cleveland last week. Steve and his team are top notch, but even they need
some downtime.
Dave
<< <i>the cost is 5% of the value
Hi. How is the value determined? >>
When I did it, I felt like his assessment was low retail at most. It's not the kind of thing I would see them being unfair about and that's how it played out for me.
We charge 5% of the box value. That’s a $6000 box now! So it would be $300 to wrap and authenticate it.
<< <i>the cost is 5% of the value with a minimum of $5. >>
Sweet!
I have some 1994 Topps boxes and 1991 Pro Set English soccer that I'd like to get authenticated.
Only an idiot would have a message board signature.
<< <i>I inquired about my 1976 box. This was his response:
We charge 5% of the box value. That’s a $6000 box now! So it would be $300 to wrap and authenticate it. >>
Wow this sounds like a monopoly position. The higher the prices go the higher their fees go and to achieve the high prices you need their opinion.
<< <i>the cost is 5% of the value
Hi. How is the value determined? >>
The value is determined by their buy price.
<< <i>
<< <i>I inquired about my 1976 box. This was his response:
We charge 5% of the box value. That’s a $6000 box now! So it would be $300 to wrap and authenticate it. >>
Wow this sounds like a monopoly position. The higher the prices go the higher their fees go and to achieve the high prices you need their opinion. >>
That is unbelievable.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I inquired about my 1976 box. This was his response:
We charge 5% of the box value. That’s a $6000 box now! So it would be $300 to wrap and authenticate it. >>
Wow this sounds like a monopoly position. The higher the prices go the higher their fees go and to achieve the high prices you need their opinion. >>
That is unbelievable. >>
This is a great business model. They better hope the justice department never gets interested in trading cards. LOL
<< <i>But don't some grading companies do the same? I thought I was asked the approximate value of the card and then priced or charged according to that value. Although that value would depend on the grade I would receive. >>
They don't sell the product too.
Wasnt there an issue with him/PSA authenticating wax packs and selling them? Which he then backed out and put an end to the conflict of interest? Or I can be way off. Long day today.
Pmkay,
What ever happened to that huge lost shipment of authenticated wax boxes bbce was sending back to Canada that got lost/ stolen?
<< <i>But don't some grading companies do the same? I thought I was asked the approximate value of the card and then priced or charged according to that value. Although that value would depend on the grade I would receive. >>
I don't see a problem with variable rates based on value, but even PSA caps their grading fees at $500.
"Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it"
<< <i>Dpeck, good point.
Wasnt there an issue with him/PSA authenticating wax packs and selling them? Which he then backed out and put an end to the conflict of interest? Or I can be way off. Long day today. >>
I am not really sure.
A conflict of interest like this doesn't really bother me because it has no impact on me. If it did I might feel differently.
The bottom line though is this is a monopoly plain and simple.
Now charges a $5-7 bucks regardless if it's a $500 order or $500 k. A lot of equity brokers out there competing.
But there's only one company I trust to authenticate wax boxes.
<< <i>My broker was charging variable rates based on my purchase price of a stock buy order. Or really the fill rate. Ten years ago.
Now charges a $5-7 bucks regardless if it's a $500 order or $500 k. A lot of equity brokers out there.
But there's only one company I trust to authenticate wax boxes. >>
Your broker at the time couldn't charge you a mark up and a commission at the same time.
BBCX is getting both sides.
You must be working with an online broker because I don't know any broker who in a transaction based account is charging $7 to buy 500k of stock.
<< <i>Dpeck, good point.
Wasnt there an issue with him/PSA authenticating wax packs and selling them? Which he then backed out and put an end to the conflict of interest? Or I can be way off. Long day today.
Pmkay,
What ever happened to that huge lost shipment of authenticated wax boxes bbce was sending back to Canada that got lost/ stolen? >>
Why are you asking me that?
Yeah, online. But with limit orders etc and today's speed no other real reason for me to need a person to place an order. All online. And def can do at least six figure trades for $7.
Pmkay,
Just because you mentioned shipped, armored guards etc which reminded me of that situation. Really, the question is open to anyone.
<< <i>Dpeck, I'm not arguing about bbce. I agree..it is both sides.
Yeah, online. But with limit orders etc and today's speed no other real reason for me to need a person to place an order. All online. And def can do at least six figure trades for $7. >>
No reason to use someone like me if you are making your own decisions on everything. It is amazing what the internet has done to prices of so many things.
Your a broker or financial advisor/planner? One of my best friends is high up at M.L. and we have this discussion all
of the time.It is amazing now with the Internet that someone like me can now do sophisticated options etc for a few bucks.
But you are def needed for over 90-95% of people. Whether it's to execute trades or more so the education/advice/planning that you provide. Actually, my buddy helps me out a lot. I just don't have an account with him.
<< <i>Dpeck,
Your a broker or financial advisor/planner? One of my best friends is high up at M.L. and we have this discussion all
of the time.It is amazing now with the Internet that someone like me can now do sophisticated options etc for a few bucks.
But you are def needed for over 90-95% of people. Whether it's to execute trades or more so the education/advice/planning that you provide. Actually, my buddy helps me out a lot. I just don't have an account with him. >>
I call myself a stock broker because my richest clients call me that. The industry refers to us as financial advisors. I work with a lot of people that play a role in the decision making process and use me as a resource.
<< <i>I actually own an unopened box that was authenticated by BBCE. The sticker attached saying what the product is etc would take two seconds to duplicate. I don't know anything about shrink wrap manufacturing so I can't comment on how easy / difficult that would be to make. With the higher numbers that the stuff that is authenticated by BBCE is getting, there is no doubt someone will try. >>
It was already attempted (a few vintage football boxes that Rick had listed, IIRC). but it was rather evident that they were counterfeit and the auctions were taken down.
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>I actually own an unopened box that was authenticated by BBCE. The sticker attached saying what the product is etc would take two seconds to duplicate. I don't know anything about shrink wrap manufacturing so I can't comment on how easy / difficult that would be to make. With the higher numbers that the stuff that is authenticated by BBCE is getting, there is no doubt someone will try. >>
It was already attempted (a few vintage football boxes that Rick had listed, IIRC). but it was rather evident that they were counterfeit and the auctions were taken down. >>
If people are finding ways to make fake PSA labels then this should be expected. I have no idea how you could do away with the threat but at least PSA assigns serial numbers - there is nothing like that given to the boxes being authenticated by BBCE. Just shrink wrap and a sticker with a signature.
<< <i>I hope BBCE's shrink wrap is produced, packaged, shipped and stored surrounded by armored guards. >>
I was wondering about that.
<< <i>
<< <i>I hope BBCE's shrink wrap is produced, packaged, shipped and stored surrounded by armored guards. >>
I was wondering about that. >>
It doesn't matter. There was nothing special about the original shrink wrap. The horse is out of the barn on that one.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I hope BBCE's shrink wrap is produced, packaged, shipped and stored surrounded by armored guards. >>
I was wondering about that. >>
It doesn't matter. There was nothing special about the original shrink wrap. The horse is out of the barn on that one. >>
Do you mean that at one point they were using plain shrink wrap without their logo on it and that the only thing authenticating boxes was the sticker (that would take less than 2 minutes to duplicate perfectly)?
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I hope BBCE's shrink wrap is produced, packaged, shipped and stored surrounded by armored guards. >>
I was wondering about that. >>
It doesn't matter. There was nothing special about the original shrink wrap. The horse is out of the barn on that one. >>
Do you mean that at one point they were using plain shrink wrap without their logo on it and that the only thing authenticating boxes was the sticker (that would take less than 2 minutes to duplicate perfectly)? >>
I thought I remembered Steve at some point talking about using a hologram on the wrap, though I could be mistaken on that.
I believe Steve will rewrap any box in the clear wrap with the sticker for a flat $5 fee for anyone who wants the monogrammed shrinkwrap instead.
There is no question that people are going to try and cash in and attempt to game the system if money is to be made. In this hobby or any other, but buying a BBCE wrapped product is vastly better than buying that same box raw. It's not even debatable.
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.
For those who have never seen it done?
Ya need a hot gun and heat sealer:
then just take a blank wrapper - place the item inside:
seal the open end and the side to fit better around the item:
and then use the hot gun to "shrink" the wrapper TIGHT around the item being shrink wrapped:
and the final item:
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>Is your cigarette box is worth 25% more now that you did that?
Now that's funny.
<< <i>Mike, I remember seeing a video on that~looks like a great idea to tighten up a box not in the best of shape. >>
Works really well IMO Tim.
You can take a "rough" looking Topps empty box and make it look respectable.
I don't have any Topps boxes in my photobucket but here's a smaller box - ya gotta "fortify" the box with thick poster board to keep the box from imploding.
This box was really rough before shrink wrapping:
<< <i>
<< <i>Dpeck, good point.
Wasnt there an issue with him/PSA authenticating wax packs and selling them? Which he then backed out and put an end to the conflict of interest? Or I can be way off. Long day today. >>
I am not really sure.
A conflict of interest like this doesn't really bother me because it has no impact on me. If it did I might feel differently.
The bottom line though is this is a monopoly plain and simple. >>
Do you know what a monopoly is? Steve and BBCE do not have a monopoly on authentication. Consumers like us can have anyone we like authenticate stuff. And any one of us can open a pack authenticating business. A monopoly is when there are barriers created which do not allow anyone to enter the business.
BBCE has a very tight control of the market, similar to PSA. But there are no laws that exist which say I cannot authenticate packs.
What Steve has he has earned with his hard work, integrity and expertise. That's how you get to the place he's in in the market.
They are not totally controlling the price of unopened product either. I can sell a 1976 T box for 15 k if I had a buyer. But his reputation for knowing unopened product and strong integrity and ethics have created their place in the market. It's circumstances that have occurred because these guys do it right and do it better than anyone. They're not thumping their chest and telling everyone that if they don't clear it, it's no good or that everyone else selling unopened is a fraud. The business has come to him, and rightfully so.
As far as his prices for wrapping in cellophane and sealing it, he could be charging much much more. Most collectors of unopened know that unless it's BBCE authenticated or sold by BBCE it will not get market value. In fact most sellers and auction houses put "BBCE authenticated" in their titles. Steve knows this. The value of their stamp of approval is worth so much more than what they charge, it's ridiculous.
I'd love to see 2 eBay listings run concurrently: a 1986 Fleer basketball box not authenticated or wrapped by BBCE and one that is. I'd be willing to bet that the difference in price blows away that $ 1400 price tag.
I find it comical that this thread has turned into negative insinuations about BBCE's prices and way of doing business. Steve's the last one anyone should be worrying about.
TheClockworkAngelCollection
<< <i>Mike, I remember seeing a video on that~looks like a great idea to tighten up a box not in the best of shape. >>
LOL - I see what you did there, Tim.
Quite frankly, I would be happy paying for the authentication from BBCE, since PSA will not grade wax with loose gum, racks, or boxes. What I am curious about (and should ask) is on individual packs. I saw pictures of packs from National that appeared to be single packs, wrapped in the shrink wrap. The policy has been that they will wrap wax packs in lots greater than one. I wonder if they have changed.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Dpeck, good point.
Wasnt there an issue with him/PSA authenticating wax packs and selling them? Which he then backed out and put an end to the conflict of interest? Or I can be way off. Long day today. >>
I am not really sure.
A conflict of interest like this doesn't really bother me because it has no impact on me. If it did I might feel differently.
The bottom line though is this is a monopoly plain and simple. >>
Do you know what a monopoly is? Steve and BBCE do not have a monopoly on authentication. Consumers like us can have anyone we like authenticate stuff. And any one of us can open a pack authenticating business. A monopoly is when there are barriers created which do not allow anyone to enter the business.
BBCE has a very tight control of the market, similar to PSA. But there are no laws that exist which say I cannot authenticate packs.
What Steve has he has earned with his hard work, integrity and expertise. That's how you get to the place he's in in the market.
They are not totally controlling the price of unopened product either. I can sell a 1976 T box for 15 k if I had a buyer. But his reputation for knowing unopened product and strong integrity and ethics have created their place in the market. It's circumstances that have occurred because these guys do it right and do it better than anyone. They're not thumping their chest and telling everyone that if they don't clear it, it's no good or that everyone else selling unopened is a fraud. The business has come to him, and rightfully so.
As far as his prices for wrapping in cellophane and sealing it, he could be charging much much more. Most collectors of unopened know that unless it's BBCE authenticated or sold by BBCE it will not get market value. In fact most sellers and auction houses put "BBCE authenticated" in their titles. Steve knows this. The value of their stamp of approval is worth so much more than what they charge, it's ridiculous.
I'd love to see 2 eBay listings run concurrently: a 1986 Fleer basketball box not authenticated or wrapped by BBCE and one that is. I'd be willing to bet that the difference in price blows away that $ 1400 price tag.
I find it comical that this thread has turned into negative insinuations about BBCE's prices and way of doing business. Steve's the last one anyone should be worrying about. >>
So are you insinuating that people were insinuating things? Or were you just conjecturing that people were insinuating things?