1980's Unopened Items

[insidethewrapper]

Did you see the prices on the current REA Auction ? I didn't know the prices for 1980's unopened wax and sets material was that high .

[Zach Wheat]

The Henderson rookie has really driven the prices for boxes & packs.

[isiahfan]

I always found it insane what 80's wax brought (even late 70's)...people buy wax boxes for 3-5X (or more) than the BV is on the set...and you can usually find most sets at 33-50% of BV.....so essentially 6-8 times more than a complete set in nice condition....all for the chase for a "10" or to hold for investment. Especially the sets with only one real good RC (Henderson/80, Ripken/82, Mattingly/84, etc.) make no sense to me. To each their own but I know what I would choose and sold off ALL of my wax during COVID....never thought twice about it.

Side note...the prices people ask for junk wax with "X" star player on them...not even RC's....hilarious IMO....just check out our 80's BST.

[jthorst75]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

Side note...the prices people ask for junk wax with "X" star player on them...not even RC's....hilarious IMO....just check out our 80's BST.

Which one's are you referring to?

[isiahfan]

Any of them...I just don't get it at all.

I do get that there is a market obviously...and as stated I have sold into that market. For example I sold a 1985 Topps wax box two years for $600...I know could easily buy 15 or more complete 85 sets in NM for that.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

Any of them...I just don't get it at all.

I do get that there is a market obviously...and as stated I have sold into that market. For example I sold a 1985 Topps wax box two years for $600...I know could easily buy 15 or more complete 85 sets in NM for that.

I wonder if this isn't a bit of an educated gamble on the part of some more "investor-like" collectors who are betting on future appreciation to such unopened items. As you noted, you can still purchase these sets for relatively low amounts, but finding unopened boxes may start becoming more difficult as time goes by. People opening those boxes nowadays, looking for those few, elusive, high-grade stars/HOFers that may be in them, just keeps reducing the number of unopened boxes out there. Just a SWAG.

[isiahfan]

Originally Posted by BobC

I wonder if this isn't a bit of an educated gamble on the part of some more "investor-like" collectors who are betting on future appreciation to such unopened items. As you noted, you can still purchase these sets for relatively low amounts, but finding unopened boxes may start becoming more difficult as time goes by. People opening those boxes nowadays, looking for those few, elusive, high-grade stars/HOFers that may be in them, just keeps reducing the number of unopened boxes out there. Just a SWAG.

I agree with your reasoning...I am not a "slabber" so I just don't agree in the practice. Using the 1985 Topps set as an example....I would bet you could buy at least 15 (probably more) NM sets for the price of 1 unopened wax box.....and if you get a wax box you will most likely get 2/3 of the "big 3" rookies...and if they are not centered or sharp (i.e., "8" or below") you just lost practically your entire investment....where if you get the 15 sets...you know you are getting 45 NM copies of the "big 3" (not to mention 15 of every star). Odds are you will get many 7s-8s...maybe better...hit a few 9s or even 10s of any star and bingo you can sell to breakeven or re-up for 15 more sets...whatever your end game is. I am more collector than flipper/investor...but I especially don't get buying a (see 1) pack for say $100...when you can buy the same set for $10....never will.

[babraham]

Everyone is just crossing their fingers for those PSA/SGC 10's.
That are now increasingly harder and harder to get from both companies.

[D. Bergin]

The unopened box itself is the collectible now, not what's inside it.

If you were to pull a Rickey out of a guaranteed unopened wax box (it's very conceivable you don't given the size of the set), I doubt very much it's going to grade any higher then a 7 or 8 if you're lucky enough for it not to have a gum or wax stain, or for it to be wildly off-center...which might pay for 1 or 2 of those packs, out of the sealed case box in REA.

Better off with Vending or Cello, if you're mining for graded cards, but it seems the wax sells for more, probably because it presents better as a collectible itself, not because of the possible PSA 10 that resides inside of it.

Then again, I'm not entrenched in the "Breakers" world...so I don't really know how those outfits are affecting the price of vintage wax boxes.

[insidethewrapper]

I agree, the Wax Box is a collectable by itself. No reason to open the box at these high prices hoping for a certain card. If a person was trying to get high graded cards I would buy the factory sealed sets ( at a much lower price) and you know the card will be there and probably in at least the same or better condition. So buy the wax box and kept unopened and buy the Factory Set at less than 1/2 the price and get the cards graded (if your an investor).

[BobC]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

I agree, the Wax Box is a collectable by itself. No reason to open the box at these high prices hoping for a certain card. If a person was trying to get high graded cards I would buy the factory sealed sets ( at a much lower price) and you know the card will be there and probably in at least the same or better condition. So buy the wax box and kept unopened and buy the Factory Set at less than 1/2 the price and get the cards graded (if your an investor).

Exactly my point, the unopened wax box is the investment/collectible itself you're now "gambling" on appreciating.

Think of what an unopened box/pack of Old Judge cigarettes, known to have an OJ card inside, would potentially go for in today's market, if one is even known to exist. Can only imagine what some serious collectors would pay for one, with absolutely no intention of ever opening it. Meanwhile, unopened '80s wax is still being opened today by those hoping to hit the lottery ang get a big cash windfall by pulling a star/HOFer card in that ever elusive 10 grade. And every time they do, that's another one less of that particular unopened wax product that now exists.

[jthorst75]

Originally Posted by BobC

Exactly my point, the unopened wax box is the investment/collectible itself you're now "gambling" on appreciating.

Think of what an unopened box/pack of Old Judge cigarettes, known to have an OJ card inside, would potentially go for in today's market, if one is even known to exist. Can only imagine what some serious collectors would pay for one, with absolutely no intention of ever opening it. Meanwhile, unopened '80s wax is still being opened today by those hoping to hit the lottery ang get a big cash windfall by pulling a star/HOFer card in that ever elusive 10 grade. And every time they do, that's another one less of that particular unopened wax product that now exists.

Scored me a sweet OJ in this unopened pack!

[BobC]

Originally Posted by jthorst75

Scored me a sweet OJ in this unopened pack!

Sweet is right!

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by isiahfan

I especially don't get buying a (see 1) pack for say $100...when you can buy the same set for $10....never will.

Thrill of the hunt?

[ALR-bishop]

As a set collector I like to have at least one unopened pack with each set. I have done that for Topps and Fleer but got late start on Bowman and so settled for wrappers

[HittinLikeCarew]

And people are paying $35&up for a Panini football blaster that 9/10 times every card is pretty much worthless.

[Eric72]

It's refreshing to see reasonably priced material every now and then. This eBay seller seems to be a stand-up individual who offers customers quality merchandise at a fair price.

[deweyinthehall]

...and reasonable shipping costs.