Top 5 Hobby Boxes?

[GotMelky]

Just thought I would throw this out there - I have been away from collecting for a little over two years and am really having a great time being back. Looking forward to future purchases - and box breaks - what are your Top 5 Hobby Boxes from recent years.

Here are the caveats - not overly interested in super premiums (max out in the $100-120 range would be good) - needs to be 2008 or sooner - would prefer products with no redemption, or redemption dates that have not expired.

So, what are your Top 5?

 

[David K.]

• 1. 2008 UD Heroes basball

• 2. 2011 topps

• 3. Gypsy Queen

• 4. 2011 Topps serials II coming out soon

• 5. 2010 Bowman Platinum

Best regards, David

 

[zlw1]

2008 UD Heroes #1
2008 UD Spectrum #2
2009 UD Spectrum #3
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen #4
2008 Bowman #5

 

[valediction]

I don't think there are "Top boxes". A box of anything can be good, or bad. I'll be the first to admit, I don't get the obsession with 08 Heroes. The case bust here was about as good as it gets, and even that I'd have felt a sting after opening at least 5 of the boxes. A handful of inserts /499 or less, a few GU and a sticker auto is the average for an $80-100 box. GU is lost on me, so a Jon Lester jersey /25 isn't much of a 'hit' to me, or a Tom Gorzelanny or Derrek Lee auto jersey /10. If I found them in a $5 box at a show I may pick them up for trade bait, but dropping $80-100/box to get them is a different story. A lot of people really seem to enjoy it though. Personally I'll take Topps Heritage, base Topps, Bowman Chrome instead, or some older Upper Deck (1994-2000), All Time Fan Favorites, Donruss Diamond Kings, mid 2000's Leaf issues, etc. The cards the last few years are more sizzle than steak to me. I'd say just find a set you like and take your chances that way, at least you'll have a start on something you know you like instead of the chance of a big hit and a box of what you consider wasted cardboard. If you get the big hit, consider it a win/win.

 

[Rockies9fan]

1. 2008 Topps Update
2. 2009 Bowman
3. 2010 Topps Update
4. 2007 Topps Chrome
5. 2008 Topps Chrome

 

[GotMelky]

Some interesting ideas there! I actually opened two cases of Heroes in 2008 and did really well with them. That was before I had to sell off most of my collection to take care of some medical stuff. I might just look for a decent deal on a box and go with it - Heritage is a favorite, and I have always been an Upper Deck fan.

 

[zlw1]

I don't think there are "Top boxes". A box of anything can be good, or bad. I'll be the first to admit, I don't get the obsession with 08 Heroes. The case bust here was about as good as it gets, and even that I'd have felt a sting after opening at least 5 of the boxes. A handful of inserts /499 or less, a few GU and a sticker auto is the average for an $80-100 box. GU is lost on me, so a Jon Lester jersey /25 isn't much of a 'hit' to me, or a Tom Gorzelanny or Derrek Lee auto jersey /10. If I found them in a $5 box at a show I may pick them up for trade bait, but dropping $80-100/box to get them is a different story. A lot of people really seem to enjoy it though. Personally I'll take Topps Heritage, base Topps, Bowman Chrome instead, or some older Upper Deck (1994-2000), All Time Fan Favorites, Donruss Diamond Kings, mid 2000's Leaf issues, etc. The cards the last few years are more sizzle than steak to me. I'd say just find a set you like and take your chances that way, at least you'll have a start on something you know you like instead of the chance of a big hit and a box of what you consider wasted cardboard. If you get the big hit, consider it a win/win.

While you may have been able to buy them at $80-100, I bought a case at $495 twice.. so 49.50 for a box to get 4 hits including at least 1 autograph, and then adding the two case hits.. I did very well both times including a Pujols Auto Jsy /10, a quad patch of Pujols/Jeter/Fielder/Ortiz /10, Roger Maris YSL Jsy, and a Rod Carew /25 5 color patch... plus three hof autograph jsys /25 including robinson, carew, and schmidt.

If they are $79.99 a box, it's a bit steep when you could have what happen to me every other box I opened.. pulling three jerseys worth $8-15 a piece and a common autograph.. But that's the chance you take as always.. You can't guarantee anything, especially with upper deck.

That's why buying singles has always been the way to go, although many more people will risk the chance to spend 1/2 the price of a pujols auto to try a box and hope for the best... to find out they pulled a Gorzelanny Autograph and three jerseys of players who'll find your 3 for $10 game used bin. That's the chance you take...

 

[GotMelky]

I definitely buy my fair share of singles ;-)

I was just looking for ideas - kind of a "what did I miss" over the last two years. Opening packs/boxes for me is a chance for something cool - or an opportunity to add trade bait - or get a start on a set. I never really look at them as a money making opportunity - I can only think of a few times that I made more than I spent on the box shifting singles on eBay (Usually a Jeter/Pujols Auto pull). I'll keep an eye out and see what I can get a good deal on and keep those suggestions in mind. Thanks again!

 

[valediction]

While you may have been able to buy them at $80-100, I bought a case at $495 twice.. so 49.50 for a box to get 4 hits including at least 1 autograph, and then adding the two case hits.. I did very well both times including a Pujols Auto Jsy /10, a quad patch of Pujols/Jeter/Fielder/Ortiz /10, Roger Maris YSL Jsy, and a Rod Carew /25 5 color patch... plus three hof autograph jsys /25 including robinson, carew, and schmidt.

If they are $79.99 a box, it's a bit steep when you could have what happen to me every other box I opened.. pulling three jerseys worth $8-15 a piece and a common autograph.. But that's the chance you take as always.. You can't guarantee anything, especially with upper deck.

That's why buying singles has always been the way to go, although many more people will risk the chance to spend 1/2 the price of a pujols auto to try a box and hope for the best... to find out they pulled a Gorzelanny Autograph and three jerseys of players who'll find your 3 for $10 game used bin. That's the chance you take...

I agree. $49.50 a box is something I'd think about taking a flier on, the $75-100 I'm seeing on ebay, Dave & Adams, the n/a @ pghsportswholesale and only loose packs at Blowout, I'll pass. I did the same thing when the Yankee signature came out...everyone started busting at $20/pack and then when they started pulling the Ken Singleton, John Mayberry, Bob Cerv, Butch Wynegar autos box after box, suddenly my local shop had 3 packs collecting dust until they lowered them to 7.99 each. I bought them and pulled a Bob Cerv, a Paul O'Neill, and a Don Mattingly as my autographs. If you get a good enough deal, even the bad boxes don't bother you much, and the good boxes look even better. I love to gamble, but I play pretty low risk. I have a hard time walking by $5-10 boxes of 92-93 Score, 91-94 UD, Donruss without breaking down. I know the odds for an auto or Elite are pretty long, but if I can get 2-4 boxes for a $20, I usually end up with another good start on a monster box of commons, and it was worth $10-20 just on the chance I pull that Mantle, Williams, DiMaggio, or Ripken auto