Sports cards

[Blazers46]

I had a massive collection from the late 80s to 2001. My brother stole my cards and all my childhood videos playing sports so he could pawn everything. I need to get back into it.

 

[Wild Bill]

The COVID bubble is over. Looks like another Junk Wax era is upon us. I’ll do an occasional rip but I prefer vintage (pre-1980). I don’t mess w/ getting them graded. I just enjoy collecting as many HOFers in the 3 major sports as I can get my hands on. Fun to look at & reminisce. And they’re never in danger of being overproduced or losing much value.

My son got into it a bit and I'm with you - prefer collecting older cards, some graded, most aren't.

I'll buy him packs bc he's a kid and likes it but it's rare. I'll occasionally buy him newer singles but try to get them numbered.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

My son got into it a bit and I'm with you - prefer collecting older cards, some graded, most aren't.

I'll buy him packs bc he's a kid and likes it but it's rare. I'll occasionally buy him newer singles but try to get them numbered.

That’s the way it should be. The new stuff should be about the kids collecting but the adults ruin it. If your son finds a particular baseball player or team that he enjoys collecting, let me know & I’ll be happy to send you some to give him. Just DM me & I‘ll put together a package for him or his friends.

 

[Giddyup]

Whip his ass and get them back.

Well I think he gave em to my nephew so I’ll give him a $1,000 present. But now he doesn’t get the shotgun I planned on giving the nephew

 

[Junkhead]

I was big into football cards in mid 80's. I have 3-4 Jerry Rice rookies floating around here somewhere.

 

[Armyirish47]

Hey Army,

My boys got into collecting soccer cards and other items.

Some of the more interesting shops I have been to:

Chicagoland Sports Cards in Buffalo Grove
Heroes Sports Cards in North Riverside (open only Wed and Saturdays)
Jim and Steve's in Waukegan...that shop is messy but has some of the best memorabilia in the Chicago area and tons of cards..Waukegan is not one of the nicest suburbs in the Chicago metro area but I do recommend the shop as the owners are super nice.

Nice! I'll be heading back that way in a few weeks and I'll try to start working down the list. Thanks!!!

Also for you would be collectors, a great release just came out, Bowman Chrome University football, it's got Estime, Alt, Fisher and Hartman cards that look super sharp. Bone appetite!

 

[PolishDomer]

Nice! I'll be heading back that way in a few weeks and I'll try to start working down the list. Thanks!!!

Also for you would be collectors, a great release just came out, Bowman Chrome University football, it's got Estime, Alt, Fisher and Hartman cards that look super sharp. Bone appetite!

Biggest card boys have is a Mbappe Rookie card that was 3 out of 5...boys were fighting and card was slightly bent...graded at a 4...instead of 9 or 10...would have been worth over $10K...now its still decent at around $1K

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Biggest card boys have is a Mbappe Rookie card that was 3 out of 5...boys were fighting and card was slightly bent...graded at a 4...instead of 9 or 10...would have been worth over $10K...now its still decent at around $1K

That is just painful to read.

I've given myself a monthly amount to spend on singles to create a fun little collection. I'm in the process of creating a document with prices paid and dates and I'm just going to hold indefinitely. Some people want to flip and grind and make it a little side business but the margins aren't there for me (45-50 hr/week job & 3 kids). But the buy and hold strategy on some premium prospects is a little like gambling & value investing combined. I'm in the early stages of pulling stats and charting data to compare players early/later in their careers to get a better idea of longterm values.

Just a fun diversion that has really pulled me into baseball (that and my son playing/collecting).

 

[OhioIrish]

That is just painful to read.

I've given myself a monthly amount to spend on singles to create a fun little collection. I'm in the process of creating a document with prices paid and dates and I'm just going to hold indefinitely. Some people want to flip and grind and make it a little side business but the margins aren't there for me (45-50 hr/week job & 3 kids). But the buy and hold strategy on some premium prospects is a little like gambling & value investing combined. I'm in the early stages of pulling stats and charting data to compare players early/later in their careers to get a better idea of longterm values.

Just a fun diversion that has really pulled me into baseball (that and my son playing/collecting).

I take 100% the same approach.

 

[Irish#1]

I idolized Mickey Mantle growing up and probably had between 50 -100 of his cards, but like OMM, all my cards disappeared. Anyway, I'm going to buy me 10 shares just for fun.

Rally

app.rallyrd.com

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Through a work perk, I’m able to earn ”points” toward gift cards to various retailers incl Fanatics & Amazon. So to avoid wasting actual money I’ll use those points towards a box of cards. I just got a Hobby box of 2023 baseball update. Glad I didn’t spend money on it b/c it was very underwhelming. They tell you that each box has 1 auto card OR 1 relic Card. Odds are that I pull the relic which is usually worthless but at least it’s a piece of game worn jersey so u just hope it’s a big name or retired HOFer. Not this time. I got one of those manufactured relics which should be a slap in the face to anyone who throws down $80 to buy that. The other inserts sucked, too. Even the Silver Pack that is included w/ Hobby Box was four card of retired players…thanks for nothing. Anyways, buyer beware.

 

[Armyirish47]

Through a work perk, I’m able to earn ”points” toward gift cards to various retailers incl Fanatics & Amazon. So to avoid wasting actual money I’ll use those points towards a box of cards. I just got a Hobby box of 2023 baseball update. Glad I didn’t spend money on it b/c it was very underwhelming. They tell you that each box has 1 auto card OR 1 relic Card. Odds are that I pull the relic which is usually worthless but at least it’s a piece of game worn jersey so u just hope it’s a big name or retired HOFer. Not this time. I got one of those manufactured relics which should be a slap in the face to anyone who throws down $80 to buy that. The other inserts sucked, too. Even the Silver Pack that is included w/ Hobby Box was four card of retired players…thanks for nothing. Anyways, buyer beware.

Yeah, boxes can be ROUGH. I usually either save up to buy a case for a rip that feels like an actual chance at something or just go singles hunting. Or you can buy into breaks if you have a favorite player, those can feel scammy too of course.

Sorry you had a rough box!

Got my son (11) a couple of WWE blasters for his birthday, he had a big time with them. The hobby has expanded into so many different cards now its wild.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Through a work perk, I’m able to earn ”points” toward gift cards to various retailers incl Fanatics & Amazon. So to avoid wasting actual money I’ll use those points towards a box of cards. I just got a Hobby box of 2023 baseball update. Glad I didn’t spend money on it b/c it was very underwhelming. They tell you that each box has 1 auto card OR 1 relic Card. Odds are that I pull the relic which is usually worthless but at least it’s a piece of game worn jersey so u just hope it’s a big name or retired HOFer. Not this time. I got one of those manufactured relics which should be a slap in the face to anyone who throws down $80 to buy that. The other inserts sucked, too. Even the Silver Pack that is included w/ Hobby Box was four card of retired players…thanks for nothing. Anyways, buyer beware.

From reading everything I possibly could over the past month, here's what I I think has happened over the last couple decades.

Card companies worked to restore the faith in their product as collectibles following the junk wax era. There was limited demand so they printed limited supply. As more people moved back into the hobby, prices continued to go up but on a slow, steady basis. Breakers became a thing and with them, came a company's ability to raise prices on wax/boxes. As this happened, less cards were packed in each box and the odds became worse at pulling something special. Fanatics purchased Topps and has openly stated they intend to grow the hobby and many believe they are trying to rapidly improve profits to take Topps the IPO-route.

Since the price has moved forward so aggressively on boxes, most 'value' people sit on the sidelines with an occasional rip but usually they just wait for the singles. Breakers/warehouse buyers have completely tipped the scales on the wax prices so the average collector is usually better served sitting on the sidelines while hunting for what they want.

This is probably overly simplified and incomplete because I'm still coming up to speed on this.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

From reading everything I possibly could over the past month, here's what I I think has happened over the last couple decades.

Card companies worked to restore the faith in their product as collectibles following the junk wax era. There was limited demand so they printed limited supply. As more people moved back into the hobby, prices continued to go up but on a slow, steady basis. Breakers became a thing and with them, came a company's ability to raise prices on wax/boxes. As this happened, less cards were packed in each box and the odds became worse at pulling something special. Fanatics purchased Topps and has openly stated they intend to grow the hobby and many believe they are trying to rapidly improve profits to take Topps the IPO-route.

Since the price has moved forward so aggressively on boxes, most 'value' people sit on the sidelines with an occasional rip but usually they just wait for the singles. Breakers/warehouse buyers have completely tipped the scales on the wax prices so the average collector is usually better served sitting on the sidelines while hunting for what they want.

This is probably overly simplified and incomplete because I'm still coming up to speed on this.

I think you nailed it in a nutshell. I’d add that Fanatics is struggling w/ the balancing act of “growing the hobby” vs recouping revenue from overpaying for Topps.

IMO, wait for the retail boxes you want to rip to be marked down. Go to a WM today and you’ll see plenty of product marked down to approx $18 per blaster. For the new stuff, do as you noted; buy the singles from dealers or eBay.

I do enjoy going back to previous years to dig up rookies of guys who are now on the verge of being stars. Right now I think guys like Kyle Tucker & Gabe Moreno are undervalued. Pitchers are a crap shoot.

 

[Armyirish47]

From reading everything I possibly could over the past month, here's what I I think has happened over the last couple decades.

Card companies worked to restore the faith in their product as collectibles following the junk wax era. There was limited demand so they printed limited supply. As more people moved back into the hobby, prices continued to go up but on a slow, steady basis. Breakers became a thing and with them, came a company's ability to raise prices on wax/boxes. As this happened, less cards were packed in each box and the odds became worse at pulling something special. Fanatics purchased Topps and has openly stated they intend to grow the hobby and many believe they are trying to rapidly improve profits to take Topps the IPO-route.

Since the price has moved forward so aggressively on boxes, most 'value' people sit on the sidelines with an occasional rip but usually they just wait for the singles. Breakers/warehouse buyers have completely tipped the scales on the wax prices so the average collector is usually better served sitting on the sidelines while hunting for what they want.

This is probably overly simplified and incomplete because I'm still coming up to speed on this.

It’s also hard to quantify how much COVID impacted the hobby, along with the explosion of grading as a whole other ball of wax to consider.

 

[Irishnuke]

My brother in law stole my baseball cards.

Murder him

 

[arrowryan]

I got into football cards last year, and have been buying them off and on since then.

I pulled a Blake Fisher auto /50 today from a Bowman Chrome box.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Recently became aware of an app that can scan and price trading cards. I also found a nearby PSA authorized dealer who offers bulk grading for decent pricing. Thinking about taking my shoeboxes over and seeing what I should do. 99% of my cards are raw form from the junk wax era. But some still carry some decent value and if graded, some incredible value.

I'm hesitant to sell my cards. Opening these boxes sends me back to my childhood and all the good times I had with friends. Thankfully I was super anal about all of mine and had the frame of mind back then to collect rookie cards and inserts. Would you guys sell your collections if you could get $5000+ for them? Or would you hold on to them for sentimental reasons? IF I decide to sell them, it's going to require a significant amount of time and money to get them graded and sort through them all.

 

[Henges24]

That’s a tricky question. They don’t make anymore of those cards and physical cards will fizzle out as NFTs or some other sort of non-physical, easier to hold, easier to store card becomes available.

Me, I’m more of a physical type, as I’ve been collecting vinyl, on a sentimental value aspect, since COVID. I won’t be selling my cards anytime soon.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Unless needed, I wouldn't sell. It's been fun going through them with my boys and I want them to share in it as well with their kids.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

That’s a tricky question. They don’t make anymore of those cards and physical cards will fizzle out as NFTs or some other sort of non-physical, easier to hold, easier to store card becomes available.

Me, I’m more of a physical type, as I’ve been collecting vinyl, on a sentimental value aspect, since COVID. I won’t be selling my cards anytime soon.

Unless needed, I wouldn't sell. It's been fun going through them with my boys and I want them to share in it as well with their kids.

Let's assume that I keep them...would you still send them off to be graded? I'm guessing I have about 50 that are worth sending in. At $20 each for grading (minimum charge), that's a $1000+ investment. I'm assuming most of them will grade 7-9, near mint or mint. I can't imagine I have any 10s, let alone gem mint 10s. So the resell value, from what I can tell may be around $50 for the low end tier and $750-$1000 for the high end tier (depending on grades obviously). I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if my gross valuation of these 50 cards is $2500-$5000 (more if I happen to end up with some PSA 10 grades).

Sentimental value will die with me, imo, because it's not the "who" on the card, rather than the "time spent with Dad" looking at cards in general. Don't get me wrong, my kids could find value in them, the same way that I (as a 40 year old) would find value in my Dad's collection from the 50s and 60s had he still had them, so maybe I'm wrong.

Which is why I'm torn. Sell them, make a few grand. Keep them, and who knows what happens. Or 50/50....get them graded, but keep them so my kids can potentially find value in them later. And if they don't, I will have done the hard/expensive/time consuming work for them already and they can just sell them. Maybe I sell a couple just to offset my own costs.

 

[Irish2155]

Recently became aware of an app that can scan and price trading cards. I also found a nearby PSA authorized dealer who offers bulk grading for decent pricing. Thinking about taking my shoeboxes over and seeing what I should do. 99% of my cards are raw form from the junk wax era. But some still carry some decent value and if graded, some incredible value.

I'm hesitant to sell my cards. Opening these boxes sends me back to my childhood and all the good times I had with friends. Thankfully I was super anal about all of mine and had the frame of mind back then to collect rookie cards and inserts. Would you guys sell your collections if you could get $5000+ for them? Or would you hold on to them for sentimental reasons? IF I decide to sell them, it's going to require a significant amount of time and money to get them graded and sort through them all.

Can you share that app, please and thank you?

 

[Irish#1]

Let's assume that I keep them...would you still send them off to be graded? I'm guessing I have about 50 that are worth sending in. At $20 each for grading (minimum charge), that's a $1000+ investment. I'm assuming most of them will grade 7-9, near mint or mint. I can't imagine I have any 10s, let alone gem mint 10s. So the resell value, from what I can tell may be around $50 for the low end tier and $750-$1000 for the high end tier (depending on grades obviously). I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if my gross valuation of these 50 cards is $2500-$5000 (more if I happen to end up with some PSA 10 grades).

Sentimental value will die with me, imo, because it's not the "who" on the card, rather than the "time spent with Dad" looking at cards in general. Don't get me wrong, my kids could find value in them, the same way that I (as a 40 year old) would find value in my Dad's collection from the 50s and 60s had he still had them, so maybe I'm wrong.

Which is why I'm torn. Sell them, make a few grand. Keep them, and who knows what happens. Or 50/50....get them graded, but keep them so my kids can potentially find value in them later. And if they don't, I will have done the hard/expensive/time consuming work for them already and they can just sell them. Maybe I sell a couple just to offset my own costs.

I guess it depends on where you are in life. Some thoughts:
1. Unless it's for insurance purposes, why spend the money to have them graded if you're going to keep them? You can always have them graded later if the need arises. You'll probably have to pay to have a rider added to your policy.
2. Would the money provide some much needed relief? If not why sell?
3. Sell them and put the money in individual investment accounts for each child. It would probably grow faster than the value of the cards.

It's a good problem to have.

 

[IrishLion]

My mom got rid of my Sega Genesis and game collection, my Power Ranger megazord collection, and my Pokemon card collection, all without my knowledge. She did it at some point in the early 2010's when I was distracted by college, and before she knew how much some of that now "vintage" 90's stuff was worth. Could've paid off my student loans with my Pokemon cards, and then put a down payment on a big ass house with my Power Rangers stuff.

Have plenty of sports cards, none of which are valuable as far as I'm aware lol

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Can you share that app, please and thank you?

Ludex. It's not perfect. But it's quick and easy and from what I can tell, it uses data from ebay to gauge the real time value of card, raw or graded. If I understood it correctly, you get 20 free scans per month. Or you can pay for the subscription options.

I guess it depends on where you are in life. Some thoughts:
1. Unless it's for insurance purposes, why spend the money to have them graded if you're going to keep them? You can always have them graded later if the need arises. You'll probably have to pay to have a rider added to your policy.
2. Would the money provide some much needed relief? If not why sell?
3. Sell them and put the money in individual investment accounts for each child. It would probably grow faster than the value of the cards.

It's a good problem to have.

All valid options.

I like option one in particular. I've always wanted to know a rough idea of what these are worth 20-30 years after I got them. And yes, if it's worth it, I'd add it to the insurance policy. That type of coverage isn't expensive.

I think what I'd really like to do is keep them. Deep down, it would be hard to part ways. But I really would like to separate the junk cards from the ones that are worth money. It's a pretty large and heavy tote I'm hoarding in my basement. I could probably get rid of 75% of the stuff in it and just keep the cards that have value in a water proof/fire proof box.

 

[Irish#1]

Ludex. It's not perfect. But it's quick and easy and from what I can tell, it uses data from ebay to gauge the real time value of card, raw or graded. If I understood it correctly, you get 20 free scans per month. Or you can pay for the subscription options.



All valid options.

I like option one in particular. I've always wanted to know a rough idea of what these are worth 20-30 years after I got them. And yes, if it's worth it, I'd add it to the insurance policy. That type of coverage isn't expensive.

I think what I'd really like to do is keep them. Deep down, it would be hard to part ways. But I really would like to separate the junk cards from the ones that are worth money. It's a pretty large and heavy tote I'm hoarding in my basement. I could probably get rid of 75% of the stuff in it and just keep the cards that have value in a water proof/fire proof box.

Your post had me come up with one more option. Keep the select group that you want to hang onto, sell the rest and put that money in the kids accounts.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Your post had me come up with one more option. Keep the select group that you want to hang onto, sell the rest and put that money in the kids accounts.

Perhaps the best option and the one I'm likeliest to choose. Thanks!

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Spent the last couple of days going through my cards. Essentially weeded out rookies, HOF, all-starts, inserts, etc. and got rid of the rest. I even took the time to re-case all of my case-worthy cards. It's been 25-30 years so the cases were scratched etc. Besides that, it was prep for PSA grading since they require a certain process. It's been fun. I've even been tempted to purchase a few older cards on ebay. But prices are nuts! I can see why people are getting back into it...seems like card values are increasing and people are selling.

What are some cards that you wish you had and would purchase? Within reason, obviously we all want Mantle, MJ, or Lebron PSA 10 rookies... Here are a few that I'm looking at:

1) I have a bunch of 1987 Topps baseball cards, but I'd really love to complete a set that includes the big names that I don't have: Nolan Ryan, Bo Jackson, Barry Bonds, Ryne Sandberg, Cal Ripken, Kirby Puckett, Rickie Henderson, etc

2) I somehow managed to be dumb enough to trade away a Kobe Bryant 96 Flair Showcase RC for a handful of Jordan Inserts. The trade was fair at the time (and likely still holds true today), but I always regretted parting with that card. I'd like to buy it back on ebay, but the rare Row 0 is way out of my price range. I had the more common Row 2 card. I'd love to own Row 0, Row 1, and Row 2 in this set.

3) Which baseball player from the 50s, 60s, 70s would be a good value add to the collection? Not trying to break the bank, but would love the addition of some truly vintage baseball cards in this collection.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm a Yankee fan, so besides the obvious Mantle, if I were buying I would want Maris, Ford and Berra. Others from the 60's would be Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Carl Yaztremski. From the 70's Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Ricky Henderson.

 

[Irish2155]

I'm a Yankee fan, so besides the obvious Mantle, if I were buying I would want Maris, Ford and Berra. Others from the 60's would be Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Carl Yaztremski. From the 70's Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Ricky Henderson.

I have four Yaz signatures displayed in my office right now. My old man liked Yaztremski so much that he named my brother “Yaz”. Happy he didn’t name me that.

I used to have a signed John Harbaugh #4 football from when he was a Colt. Sold it though when he took the scUM job as I couldn’t have that bad karma in my house. Bet that ball has increased in value after the last few days.