Question for those who open/collect GU/autos

edmundfitzgerald · April 12, 2009 2:28AM

If you open basketball, baseball, football, or hockey boxes with Autos/Game Used cards. I'm guessing these are boxes
anywhere from 1995-2009, then I have a question.

If you're a collector of these cards (like me), is it better to just buy the cards on ebay ? Or is it better to buy the boxes
and hope to trade ? I'm finding that I can purchase these cards well under Beckett value on ebay, so it doesn't seem
worth it to buy any of the wax.

Any and all answers welcome. T I A

lsutigers1973 · April 12, 2009 2:29AM

I don't believe you.

Charlie9 · April 12, 2009 2:38AM

Opening wax in hopes of finding any particular card or team is (and always will be) a gamble. You'll build a collection much easier by buying singles or team lots on Ebay. That being said, the whole reason people bust the wax is because of what you "might" hit. You may buy a single box and hit a $5,000 card (happened to me---once). Many people join group breaks like mine that are set up by team assignments which means you get every card pulled from your particular team through a variety of boxes or a case of products. Most of the time you would have been able to buy the cards you receive for cheaper if you just stayed with Ebay...but there's always a few every month that hit something that would have cost them far more $$ to buy it on Ebay than the fee to join the group break (or to bust your own box for that matter). It's a gamble just like opening any wax...new or old, but if you want percentages over the long haul... stick to buying singles on the Bay.

lawnmowerman · April 12, 2009 2:55AM

Singles on ebay for sure.

daddymc · April 12, 2009 2:56AM

If you are looking for particular players or cards, then yes it is cheaper to go the eBay route.

I bust wax for the entertainment value and for the chance at the "big hit". Once in awhile, I get a player that I actually collect which is a thrill in itself. In my opinion, busting wax is a money losing proposition and should only be done for fun.

MBMiller25 · April 12, 2009 4:44AM

I echo what the posts above me said. You bust the wax for the entertainment value and the prospects of hitting that "monster" card. Do what makes you happy and don't worry about it. Collecting should be about fun, not about dollars and cents.

joestalin · April 12, 2009 4:48AM

The obvious answer is ebay, but pulling the guy you collect, or even for me pulling a player that a good trader collects also is a great feeling!

samspop · April 12, 2009 8:48AM

The obvious answer is ebay, but pulling the guy you collect... is a great feeling!

Agreed!

NickM · April 13, 2009 6:15AM

And there are some boxes that are so cheap that it's worth opening them even if you get common autos - I picked up at a show a couple years ago some unopened boxes of Pinnacle Be a Player Series II (hockey) for $29 each. The boxes have 16 packs, with a signed card in each pack. Some of the older football and basketball draft picks cards have ended up around the same pricing level (i.e., the box price is around $2-$3 per autograph included).

Nick

mtcards · April 13, 2009 7:59AM

Agreed. If you are looking for a particular player, ebay is the way to go. Even the most popular of players generally go for 25% of book or less, with the mid level stars and others going for well under that.

Question for those who open/collect GU/autos

Comments