Unopened is apparently def NOT dead - Collect Auctions

shu4040 · April 3, 2015 2:05AM

wow, some serious prices in the latest Collect Auctions that closed. We all know these come from a great provence, but for mostly vending only, some strong prices (otheres were right where expected):

1975 Topps Baseball Vending Unopened CASE - $81,445
1970-71 Topps Basketball 2nd Series Vending Box (500) - Final Price: $19,404 (how cool was this btw? never seen anything like it)
1980-81 Topps Basketball Vending Box (500)- Final Price: $9,615 (wow!)
1972 Topps Baseball 3rd Series Vending Box (500) - $8,741 (for a '72?)
1977 Topps Baseball Vending Box (500) - Final Price: $2,670
1985 Topps Football Rack Box (24) - $757
1980 Topps Football Vending Box (500) - $464 (yet wax at $286?)
1979-80 Topps Basketball Vending Box (500) - $1,100 (twice as much as 78?!? what am i missing here)
1987 Topps Football Rack Box (24) - $568

grote15 · April 3, 2015 2:31AM

Amazing prices, wow!

If anyone wants a mint BBCE wrapped 1977 baseball vending box at a 10% discount off that hammer price with free shipping, plmk.

cpamike · April 3, 2015 2:38AM

<< Amazing prices, wow!

If anyone wants a mint BBCE wrapped 1977 baseball vending box at a 10% discount off that hammer price with free shipping, plmk.

>>

I want those case fresh 1975 baseball vending boxes you are sitting on.

grote15 · April 3, 2015 2:43AM

<< 

<< Amazing prices, wow!

If anyone wants a mint BBCE wrapped 1977 baseball vending box at a 10% discount off that hammer price with free shipping, plmk.

>>

I want those case fresh 1975 baseball vending boxes you are sitting on.

>>

Baby steps, Mike! LOL!

PaulMaul · April 3, 2015 2:46AM

I'll never understand $2670 for a '77 vending box. Especially for years with notoriously bad centering, how can someone plunk down $5/card??

grote15 · April 3, 2015 2:51AM

<< I'll never understand $2670 for a '77 vending box. Especially for years with notoriously bad centering, how can someone plunk down $5/card?? >>

But if you hit a cherry box with sweet centering...it's all in the gamble. Why do people plunk down money on lottery tickets for prizes they have virtually no chance of winning?

MULLINS5 · April 3, 2015 2:58AM

To me an LOA box is not at all attractive. Like mentioned, I would want an untampered box that hasn't been pieced together.

slum22 · April 3, 2015 3:16AM

I know it is about the cheapest thing on the list, but $568 for a 1987 FB rack box? Like Tim, I've got a mint one of these purchased straight from BBCE and I will sell mine for 30% off the closing price, with free insured priority boxed shipping

Eta: these prices are incredible!

packCollector · April 3, 2015 3:17AM

these auctions always amaze me. fritcsch has been selling the 70 basketball wax packs for 400, he even put them on special last month but someone paid 650 a piece for a lot of 8. I know fritsch is notorious for not selling from his catalog but when he goes as far as putting them on special, I think he would make the deal. now he won't sell them for anything less than 800 each I am sure

itzagoner · April 3, 2015 3:20AM

<< 

<< I'll never understand $2670 for a '77 vending box. Especially for years with notoriously bad centering, how can someone plunk down $5/card?? >>

But if you hit a cherry box with sweet centering...it's all in the gamble. Why do people plunk down money on lottery tickets for prizes they have virtually no chance of winning? >>

i hit a cherry '77 Topps baseball vending box with sweet centering, just like you've described. got it from Steve Hart several years ago. paid $400 for it. bought 2. paid the same price for the other one. so that was, at the time, an $800 dollar investment.

Box "A" was an absolute dud. my confidence took a hit, but what the heck, i had to keep going and Box "B" was a superstar. i subbed a bunch of great cards from the cherry box. some early Gem Mint grades, cards which were still in the infancy of the numbers game. first, second, third gems being grappled at by eager Registry participants. perfect storm.

at a price point nearly 7 times what i paid then, increased costs of grading, and increased amounts of Gem Mint cards resulting in lowered values, i personally couldn't see past spending that kind of money for anything other than a conversation piece. there is little, if any potential for profit in busting a vintage vending box at today's prices.

if money is not your motive, then bust away. otherwise, i'd consider you ready to be committed.

esquiresports · April 3, 2015 3:57AM

It was interesting to see these prices, because vending to me is the weakest product going on the demand-side. The 1977 Topps vending box must have just been two people battling it out.

Nascar360 · April 3, 2015 4:21AM

Buy It Now for $355
1987 Topps Football Rack Pack Box Bbce Sealed

shu4040 · April 3, 2015 4:33AM

any guesses why the cazy 79 bkball price??

LarkinCollector · April 3, 2015 4:34AM

<< Buy It Now for $355
1987 Topps Football Rack Pack Box Bbce Sealed >>

Even better at $290: opcbaseball Wrapped

It's either shenanigans or novice bidders, those results make little sense. It would be interesting to know which items actually get paid for.

Porkins · April 3, 2015 4:43AM

Am I seeing this right that 2 '81 baseball vendings went for $568!!!!

I did zero research, but can't you still pick one of these up for either side of a hundo?

AUPT · April 3, 2015 6:40AM

These prices might be due to unimpeachable, rock-solid provenance. From Topps to the Fritsch warehouse to Collect Auctions.

Steve at CA has been building a real niche for himself in the hobby auction arena.

rtimmer · April 3, 2015 6:48AM

Wow very exciting. What great prices especially for vending, several highs from what I've seen.

StanTheManMusial · April 3, 2015 7:22AM

<< These prices might be due to unimpeachable, rock-solid provenance. From Topps to the Fritsch warehouse to Collect Auctions.

Steve at CA has been building a real niche for himself in the hobby auction arena. >>

This has more to do with it than anything, in my opinion.

Most unopened has been in a bubble that is slowly deflating down a bit. There are wiser places to park money these days, in my opinion. This is not knocking unopened as I love the stuff. Just being honest with what I am experiencing.

ClockworkAngel · April 3, 2015 8:17AM

I'll never really understand the appeal of collecting vending boxes. There is no distinction on the box and it's a pretty bland display. These prices speak for themselves, but if I collected unopened I would focus on Wax/Cello/Rack boxes in the original packaging. Great display and lots of fun. Vending just seems a bit

, but that's me.

VintagemanEd · April 3, 2015 8:57AM

So where is the best place to put money into?

rtimmer · April 3, 2015 9:12AM

<< So where is the best place to put money into? >>

Collecting wise I'm all in on 1980s star rookie showing packs. I think one day they do what the '60s and '70s unopened star packs have done and their rarity can't be beat.

secretstash · December 12, 2016 1:46PM

@shu4040 said:

1980-81 Topps Basketball Vending Box (500)- Final Price: $9,615 (wow!)

What would one of these go for without an LOA but with your typical look of an untouched Vending box? I might have found one but not possible to get an FASC designation of course.

Thoughts on value? Any way to get it authenticated on its own by someone? (It is my understanding that BBCE may not do these due to the vending not from sealed case)

Thanks.

1980scollector · December 13, 2016 7:35AM

@rtimmer said:
<< So where is the best place to put money into? >>

Collecting wise I'm all in on 1980s star rookie showing packs. I think one day they do what the '60s and '70s unopened star packs have done and their rarity can't be beat.

The problem you have is so many were manufactured/created by scammers. The demand will be there but so will the supply. Just my .02.

secretstash · December 13, 2016 9:00AM

@1980scollector said:

@rtimmer said:
<< So where is the best place to put money into? >>

Collecting wise I'm all in on 1980s star rookie showing packs. I think one day they do what the '60s and '70s unopened star packs have done and their rarity can't be beat.

The problem you have is so many were manufactured/created by scammers. The demand will be there but so will the supply. Just my .02.

Just only buy graded or grade yours with PSA and then there is no problem.

BaltimoreYankee · December 13, 2016 9:06AM

@secretstash said:

@1980scollector said:

@rtimmer said:
<< So where is the best place to put money into? >>

Collecting wise I'm all in on 1980s star rookie showing packs. I think one day they do what the '60s and '70s unopened star packs have done and their rarity can't be beat.

The problem you have is so many were manufactured/created by scammers. The demand will be there but so will the supply. Just my .02.

Just only buy graded or grade yours with PSA and then there is no problem.

I tried collecting PSA graded packs with stars showing - didn't work out too well for me

secretstash · December 13, 2016 9:19AM

@BaltimoreYankee said:

@secretstash said:

@1980scollector said:

@rtimmer said:
<< So where is the best place to put money into? >>

Collecting wise I'm all in on 1980s star rookie showing packs. I think one day they do what the '60s and '70s unopened star packs have done and their rarity can't be beat.

The problem you have is so many were manufactured/created by scammers. The demand will be there but so will the supply. Just my .02.

Just only buy graded or grade yours with PSA and then there is no problem.

I tried collecting PSA graded packs with stars showing - didn't work out too well for me

$$$ wise spent? or you mean you popped one that wasn't authentic? Thanks

jsanz · December 14, 2016 7:24PM

Keep in mind the Collect Auctions final prices are with a 20% (I think) buyers premium. Its easy to over look that when you are in a bidding war. I made that mistake on a low dollar item and my item that was a good price at $100 became a $130 item with BP and shipping.

jsanz · December 14, 2016 7:28PM

Another thing I noticed that is worth mentioning is they are starting to label items from the Fritsch Vault. I am sure that adds value now and when the buyer decides to sell it. I think that is very smart. It's like FASC but takes it to the next level.

grote15 · December 14, 2016 7:52PM

@jsanz said:
Another thing I noticed that is worth mentioning is they are starting to label items from the Fritsch Vault. I am sure that adds value now and when the buyer decides to sell it. I think that is very smart. It's like FASC but takes it to the next level.

For vending, I could see that adding a premium though I'd still prefer FASC from BBCE.

Fritsch does sell PSA graded cellos with stars on top, though, so I wouldn't assume that the cello boxes are intact and FASC.

dtkk49a · December 16, 2016 2:34PM

@secretstash said:

@1980scollector said:

@rtimmer said:
<< So where is the best place to put money into? >>

Collecting wise I'm all in on 1980s star rookie showing packs. I think one day they do what the '60s and '70s unopened star packs have done and their rarity can't be beat.

The problem you have is so many were manufactured/created by scammers. The demand will be there but so will the supply. Just my .02.

Just only buy graded or grade yours with PSA and then there is no problem.

Are you new to pack collecting?

Unopened is apparently def NOT dead - Collect Auctions

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