pre-opened wax box packs?

lawnmowerman · September 1, 2004 9:16AM

Hi , I am new here and to card collecting. I have a question on how to determine if wax packs have been pre-opened. I recently purchased three wax boxes on ebay a 1982 Topps baseball, 1982 Fleer Baseball and 1982 Donruss baseball. I looked for the most respected and reputable dealers and think I did a good job determining who would be the most honest. But there is always the thought of "what if these were already searched". What do I look for to help me figure out if the packs were searched without actually opening them up? Any help is appreciated. Matt

Griffins · September 1, 2004 9:22AM

Mark Murphy's guide has an article that might help you. I think they are available on his web site, if not on ebay.

damnyankees · September 1, 2004 9:52AM

If your going to buy unopened waxpacks go to www.packclub.com.For $10 a month you get access to all his auctions on Ebay(unopened boxes) which can only be accesed by members.Every month hes sends you around 8 unopened packs.Last month I pulled a Upperdeck Griffey Jr R/C, and a Fleer Sosa R/C.This guys the only one I'll trust.The answer to your question is yes they can be easily opened with a hairdryer.Good Luck and Welcome!!

Stone193 · September 1, 2004 9:58AM

Welcome Lawnmowerman!
I have two links that I think are really trustworthy for buying unopened material - this is a CU concensus winner grouping!
Link #1:
Link #2:
As Griff has said, the pack guide produced by Mark Murphy aka BBCKid isn't bad - I use it as a basic guide to the price of things.
Good luck and I hope your stay here is a happy one!
your friend
Stone

lawnmowerman · September 1, 2004 12:08PM

Thanks everyone for all your input
Matt

helionaut · September 2, 2004 3:28AM

A couple hints for examining wax packs that I've pieced together through the years.

1) The seal. These were made by literally melting the wax in the paper. A re-sealed pack might be too tight because it was made with glue. Or it might have been sealed with an iron or something that was too hot and left a brown burn.

2) The wrapper. Sometimes scammers will make the wrapper too tight. Usually there is at least a little slack in the wrapping because the cards were packed tightly together. If the wrapper feels it was made as tight as possible, that's probably not right. Also, the creases in the wrapper might not match up with the edges of the cards. Also, tears in the wrapper are kind of a red flag.

3) The gum (or sticker or puzzle piece or whatever). Learn the placement and size of the gum. Most years it was put in the front of the pack, but some years in the middle or back. This might change mid-year, though. Also, the size and shape can be an indicator. And if the gum is broken but still generally in a rectangular shape, that's probably a good sign that the pack hasn't been opened.

Other red or yellow flags that might indicate searching: if the box is shrinkwrapped or taped shut, as they weren't set out like that originally. If the box is really beat up and the packs are clean and sharp, or vice versa. If the packs are facing different ways inside the box.

If you are planning to keep the boxes whole, that's really about all you can do (in addition to the research you've already done). If you plan to open them at some point, you might go ahead and open one or two. Things to check for are wax and gum stains on the appropriate cards, consistent condition and the orientation within the pack. When resealing, scammers often will just throw cards in there any old way. And the correct brands and years. While there have been examples of previous year cards being in a pack, that is exceedingly rare.

lawnmowerman · September 2, 2004 10:34AM

Thank you helionaut
that is very helpful, Matt

bman90278 · April 5, 2009 2:15PM

Welcome to the CU Forums Matt!!!

Please let us know how your quest for pre-opened wax packs are going?

Brian

lawnmowerman · April 5, 2009 2:17PM

Welcome newbie. Please leave, we don't like your kind here.

nightcrawler · April 5, 2009 2:20PM

Brian.

How'd you find this thread anyway?

Dboneesq · April 5, 2009 2:22PM

<< Welcome newbie. Please leave, we don't like your kind here. >>

I AGREE 100% HAHAHA

bman90278 · April 5, 2009 2:23PM

<<

Brian.

How'd you find this thread anyway? >>

Jedi Mind Trick. Go away you dork!!!! J/k

lawnmowerman · April 5, 2009 2:26PM

<< 

<<

Brian.

How'd you find this thread anyway? >>

Jedi Mind Trick. Go away you dork!!!! J/k >>

LOL

nightcrawler · April 5, 2009 2:30PM

<< Jedi Mind Trick. Go away you dork!!!! J/k >>

No actually, I don't think you were.

But Matts a dork too right?..

lawnmowerman · April 5, 2009 2:31PM

<< 

<< Jedi Mind Trick. Go away you dork!!!! J/k >>

No actually, I don't think you were.

But Matts a dork too right?..

>>

Yep

diamondman · April 5, 2009 2:32PM

Hello Matt, Look for the roller marks and make sure the wax lines match up. plus the other suggestions mentioned earlier.

If you are looking for some pre-opened boxes, have some 87 topps (no wrappers, no gum, and no box) just loose rotten wood border 87 topps commons thrown in a brown box , I can send you for shipping cost and will throw some lighter fluid in for free!

On second thought ! never mind

bman90278 · April 5, 2009 2:33PM

Don't buy from people named Gary.

lawnmowerman · April 5, 2009 2:36PM

<< Don't buy from people named Gary.

>>

I resemble that remark

nightcrawler · April 5, 2009 3:10PM

lawnmowerman · April 5, 2009 3:16PM

VitoCo1972 · April 5, 2009 3:24PM

Greatest. Bumped. Thread. Ever.

lawnmowerman · April 5, 2009 3:28PM

<< Greatest. Bumped. Thread. Ever.

>>

LOL

I'm still trying to figure out why I wrote I was "new to collecting".

Maybe I meant to graded card collecting?

stevek · April 5, 2009 9:01PM

After reading the opening post in the thread, hard to believe this OP made "Poster of the Year".

I think the award should be rescinded and all the prize money returned.

WinPitcher · April 5, 2009 11:32PM

I've had second thoughts too Stevek.

I should have nominated you and you're broken records.

Steve

IchiroDeported · April 5, 2009 11:54PM

winner winner chicken dinner.

lsutigers1973 · April 6, 2009 1:01AM

What the hell is pre-opened?!?!? What a dork.

Morgoth · April 6, 2009 1:24AM

worst first post ever

lawnmowerman · April 6, 2009 1:28AM

Thank you, thank you very much

stevek · April 6, 2009 1:31AM

I've been searching all the internet dictionaries and encyclopedias trying to find out what "pre-opened" means - I still can't find an answer?

lawnmowerman · April 6, 2009 1:35AM

<< I've been searching all the internet dictionaries and encyclopedias trying to find out what "pre-opened" means - I still can't find an answer? >>

Here ya go Steve

link

stevek · April 6, 2009 1:43AM

<< 

<< I've been searching all the internet dictionaries and encyclopedias trying to find out what "pre-opened" means - I still can't find an answer? >>

Here ya go Steve

link >>

Thanks - I was needing some of those - I just placed an order. LOL

...and you're just being nice because you're afraid that you might have to return the $25,000 prize money. I hope you received it - WinPitcher was supposed to send it to you.

gumbyfan · April 6, 2009 1:44AM

<< WinPitcher was supposed to send it to you. >>

I thought ArnyVee was collecting that...

lawnmowerman · April 6, 2009 1:52AM

<< 

<< WinPitcher was supposed to send it to you. >>

I thought ArnyVee was collecting that... >>

"but the Arny must keep that money, cause I still ain't seen a nickle of that million dollars."

lol

rbdjr1 · April 6, 2009 4:20AM

hi newbie,

try a dude named 80sjunkie.

fur72 · April 6, 2009 4:35AM

<< Welcome Lawnmowerman!
I have two links that I think are really trustworthy for buying unopened material - this is a CU concensus winner grouping!
Link #1:
Link #2:
As Griff has said, the pack guide produced by Mark Murphy aka BBCKid isn't bad - I use it as a basic guide to the price of things.
Good luck and I hope your stay here is a happy one!
your friend
Stone >>

So how has your stay been?

bman90278 · April 6, 2009 4:55AM

<< 

<< Greatest. Bumped. Thread. Ever.

>>

LOL

I'm still trying to figure out why I wrote I was "new to collecting".

Maybe I meant to graded card collecting?

>>

Just admit you are a newbie Matt....

pre-opened wax box packs?

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