Collecting Boxes & Packs - the Future?

[Eric72]

A few observations and opinions:

Unless the cards are individually sleeved, many early UV coated products will "brick" (stick together) over time. This can ruin quite a few 90s releases, whether still in packs or stored loose in boxes. This (in my opinion) makes many early/mid 90s sealed products worthless. Imagine opening a pack and having the cards bonded together. I've been there...it's horrible...I can still hear the sound cards make when you peel them apart.

The recent BBCE episodes have weakened collector trust. Whether it's minor or major is a matter of opinion; however, I believe it killed their reputation. When GI Joe packs came out of a certified Pokemon case, it didn't look good. BBCE seemed to weather the storm, though. Their biggest mistake seemed to be stepping outside their areas of supposed expertise. Then, just when the Pokemon story seemed to fade, there was the 1986 Fleer Basketball box from the National. In the wake of that, BBCE doesn't seem to hold the same gravitas they once did. Additionally, they don't financially guarantee to make you whole if they've "authenticated" a tampered box.

Speaking of GI Joe cards appearing in cases where they don't belong, there are numerous instances in which people are defrauded by tampered product.
I'm certain there are lots of people who approach sealed product sales with integrity and class. However, there are also plenty of shady characters looking to part people with their hard-earned money. Unless you really know what you're doing, getting into collecting sealed product could very well include a steep and expensive learning curve.

So, you could pull a brick (literally) from your box, BBCE certification doesn't seem as safe as it used to, they don't guarantee their work, and random scammers are out there. If you're going into this, be very careful.

[gonefishin]

Thanks for all the "takes" and insight. Last week I purchased a lot of inventory from a small shop that closed in 1991 and there is quite a bit of unopened boxes from 90-91 that I'm deciding what to do with. I overpaid I'm sure, so I might have to hold onto it for a couple of years to recoup my money - or not. I'll see I guess. At least there was some basketball, and unopened basketball from that period seems to sell for a little more than baseball from that period. I normally only purchase vintage, but thought I would take a chance.

[Republicaninmass]

I cant figure out why, aside from the reason I own them.


I've bought many 2001 topps heritage wax boxes at auction over the past decade. I dont think they have moved more than a few bucks since they came out! I feel they have a lot going for them, but the market isnt rational

[packs]

I don't know how other people feel but I'd probably unload that basketball immediately. The market seems to be shrinking much more than other sports. Jordan / Kobe / LeBron all down.

[timzcardz]

I don’t collect unopened boxes as a focus, but they do play a part in my Ripken collection. Here are a few.

[gonefishin]

That's a different take on box collecting - I like it.

I went with my Mother/Father In Law and daughter to Ripkin's last farewell game in Anaheim. We sat directly behind the visiting dug out. Great memory.

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

That's a different take on box collecting - I like it.

I went with my Mother/Father In Law and daughter to Ripkin's last farewell game in Anaheim. We sat directly behind the visiting dug out. Great memory.

Lots of good memories of games with the family and friends.

Saw Cal's second to last game at Yankee Stadium with my wife and sons. They were just shy of 11 and 8 at the time . . . my sons that is. My wife was older!

Originally Posted by timzcardz

I don’t collect unopened boxes as a focus, but they do play a part in my Ripken collection. Here are a few.

By any chance do you have this one

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by rgpete

By any chance do you have this one

No, I do not.

At the time of its issuance there were always lots of Fruit Roll-ups in the house but I have never seen this before.

Looking it up, apparently rather scarce.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Eric72

A few observations and opinions:

Unless the cards are individually sleeved, many early UV coated products will "brick" (stick together) over time. This can ruin quite a few 90s releases, whether still in packs or stored loose in boxes. This (in my opinion) makes many early/mid 90s sealed products worthless. Imagine opening a pack and having the cards bonded together. I've been there...it's horrible...I can still hear the sound cards make when you peel them apart.

The recent BBCE episodes have weakened collector trust. Whether it's minor or major is a matter of opinion; however, I believe it killed their reputation. When GI Joe packs came out of a certified Pokemon case, it didn't look good. BBCE seemed to weather the storm, though. Their biggest mistake seemed to be stepping outside their areas of supposed expertise. Then, just when the Pokemon story seemed to fade, there was the 1986 Fleer Basketball box from the National. In the wake of that, BBCE doesn't seem to hold the same gravitas they once did. Additionally, they don't financially guarantee to make you whole if they've "authenticated" a tampered box.

Speaking of GI Joe cards appearing in cases where they don't belong, there are numerous instances in which people are defrauded by tampered product.
I'm certain there are lots of people who approach sealed product sales with integrity and class. However, there are also plenty of shady characters looking to part people with their hard-earned money. Unless you really know what you're doing, getting into collecting sealed product could very well include a steep and expensive learning curve.

So, you could pull a brick (literally) from your box, BBCE certification doesn't seem as safe as it used to, they don't guarantee their work, and random scammers are out there. If you're going into this, be very careful.

Agree with Eric. Another consideration is pre-92 Topps packs have gum. I am concerned about the 1991 Topps Desert DS packs I have and gum staining. No way to tell unless the pack is opened.

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Unless the cards are individually sleeved, many early UV coated products will "brick" (stick together) over time. This can ruin quite a few 90s releases, whether still in packs or stored loose in boxes. This (in my opinion) makes many early/mid 90s sealed products worthless. Imagine opening a pack and having the cards bonded together. I've been there...it's horrible...I can still hear the sound cards make when you peel them apart.

FWIW

Never peel them apart.

I am a structural engineer, and as bizarre as it may seem I have applied my professional knowledge and experience to separate stuck cards.

This is a little on the technical side but should get the point across.

When you separate the card by "peeling" them apart, the surface stuck together are put into tension, and many times that tensile connection between the surfaces is stronger than that of the surface to the underlying card and you end up tearing some of the surface of the card off.

The shear strength of the adhesion of the surfaces is not as strong though.

If you remove the stuck cards from the pack and rather than peel them you flex the cards as a whole. Grab the stuck pack of cards at each end and flex them together one way and then the other. You will find that the second flex the pack of cards seems less stiff. Then do the same at a 90 degree orientation (grabbing them along the long edge), and then proceed to also flex them grabbing at opposite corners. At this point the cards will normally separate.

The flexing of the cards creates shear planes between the surfaces of the cards due the slight differences in radii of the bend from card to card.

I have almost always had great results with this method.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by timzcardz

.

The flexing of the cards creates shear planes between the surfaces of the cards due the slight differences in radii of the bend from card to card.

I have almost always had great results with this method.

Tim,
I always do this, very carefully, but a LOT of times I still get some damage (looks like snow) on one edge or another. Do you have any suggestions to 'pregame'? I have heard suggestions to freeze them, use a hair dryer, sit them in a steamy bathroom, etc, etc.

I guess it may be product dependent, but I wonder if you have any thoughts?

Thanks, Jim

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by Deertick

Tim,
I always do this, very carefully, but a LOT of times I still get some damage (looks like snow) on one edge or another. Do you have any suggestions to 'pregame'? I have heard suggestions to freeze them, use a hair dryer, sit them in a steamy bathroom, etc, etc.

I guess it may be product dependent, but I wonder if you have any thoughts?

Thanks, Jim

No, I have not frozen, steamed, or anything elsed them.

Occasionally I have issues, but not a LOT.