One of those experiences that makes me question this Hobby

[aarne13]

Matt- that's definitely a kick in the junk. Whether it's a $100 box or several cases the feeling is the same. Kinda shatty to see some of the comments in the thread. It doesn't matter what product you are opening (vintage/prospect) the hope is that you will pull a "big $" card. The thill of pulling something cool is worth the gamble to many. How much fun would it be to strictly buy singles?
The poor collation is a separate matter, Topps should do a much better job. People shouldn't have to sit on cases/boxes to see if their dealer was gifted with a pile of shatty cases.

 

[hofautos]

Skrip: Sorry to hear about your cases. I'd say the vast, vast, vast majority of us here on the Boards know exactly how you feel. Whether it's $70 or $7000, the Buyer's Remorse after a bad wax break feels like a rock in your stomach.

We all know breaking wax is a fool's proposition. No matter how smart you are about it, you're almost certainly going to lose money. Playing craps is a better bet, odds wise.

And it is silly to expect sympathy when we all know better than to expect an 85% return on wax. Still, if you can't complain about it here amongst your fellow collectors, prospectors, and addicts, then where can you go? Here's wishing a Superfractor will be in your next case...

+1. Good post. To all of the guys making the negative, ******* posts: WTF?!? How can you be like that to someone that comes in here and complains about getting a swift kick in the sack like that. I mean if that happened to you, I'm sure you would be pissed too. I would have to believe that Skrip knew that a break like this was a possible outcome (I hope so), but that doesn't stop you from hoping to make a somewhat decent return. And when that decent return your hoping for doesn't happen, you're going to get a little upset. The man needed to vent. So stop being asses.

I think it's one thing to say CRAP, I GOT A BAD BREAK...but it's another thing to say "I can't believe it, i lost 50%", and that he has to make payments on a credit card...
I have sympathy for the guy, but i think it's time for a wake-up call. I am glad it happened, because I do care. I think it was a lesson that he needed to learn.
Sure sympathize with him, but to call others ********, because they said that they believe he used bad judgement, is a bit much. It's sound advice....spend only what you can afford to lose...and if you got to put it on plastic, you can't afford it.

I saw the original post after it had been edited, so I didn't see anything about the credit card. And I agree with you that you should only spend what you can afford to lose. I just thought some of the responses were rather harsh. Any of us in that situation would be upset, even if we had lower expectations. It's just basic human emotion. See what Skrip has to say tomorrow after the initial sting of the break has worn off.

I read through the thread, and I saw mostly people sympathizing or offering what they believed to be good advice...I saw one post where someone suggested he was stupid, which i thought was "out of line". I didn't think it was that bad, until chashawk called those offering sound advice (which mimicked my thoughts), ********. That's where I got upset. I think it's great people can sympathize with someone, but I also think there should be an equal amount of advice. IMHO advice is definetely needed here, more so than sympathy, and that was apparent by his surprise by losing 50% and by putting it on plastic. I think gambling is ok where it is done where one can roll with it, but when they can't roll with it, then it's a problem. I have known someone that lost their home and family (granted it was vegas style, but it is the same concept). I am not going to sugarcoat it, but not because I am an ass, because when it starts affecting people's lives, and all they get is sympathy instead of some sound advice, something is wrong. People can act like they are your friends and that they really care, but if they did, then they would offer the same advice. Don't spend what you can't afford to lose...and LEARN IT WELL. It's bad enough with the world and the economy the way it is, than to hear about someone that charges an addiction, in more than likely what was greed in the first place. I don't mean to sound condescending, as I buy many times to try to make money too, and many times things don't go the way I was hoping, and "most" people do it with similar intention, whether it be short term or long term. I think it's a good hobby, provided people understand their limits.

 

[hofautos]

Matt- that's definitely a kick in the junk. Whether it's a $100 box or several cases the feeling is the same. Kinda shatty to see some of the comments in the thread. It doesn't matter what product you are opening (vintage/prospect) the hope is that you will pull a "big $" card. The thill of pulling something cool is worth the gamble to many. How much fun would it be to strictly buy singles?
The poor collation is a separate matter, Topps should do a much better job. People shouldn't have to sit on cases/boxes to see if their dealer was gifted with a pile of shatty cases.

I don't think the feeling is the same between a $100 box or $5600 on plastic, depending on how deep someone's pockets are. $100 to some may be more devastating than $5600 to others.

Also please don't turn this into the "gamble high" vs the single collector thread. To each their own. I enjoy the search, and find it far more enjoyable than busting wax, again, to each their own.

To blame it on TOPPS is crazy...if you didn't have bad cases, you couldn't have good cases, right? Is it really expected to collate so everyone gets 80% or better?? Is that realistic?? Come on??
Is that the issue here?

 

[WNP22]

Skrip: Sorry to hear about your cases. I'd say the vast, vast, vast majority of us here on the Boards know exactly how you feel. Whether it's $70 or $7000, the Buyer's Remorse after a bad wax break feels like a rock in your stomach.

We all know breaking wax is a fool's proposition. No matter how smart you are about it, you're almost certainly going to lose money. Playing craps is a better bet, odds wise.

And it is silly to expect sympathy when we all know better than to expect an 85% return on wax. Still, if you can't complain about it here amongst your fellow collectors, prospectors, and addicts, then where can you go? Here's wishing a Superfractor will be in your next case...

+1. Good post. To all of the guys making the negative, ******* posts: WTF?!? How can you be like that to someone that comes in here and complains about getting a swift kick in the sack like that. I mean if that happened to you, I'm sure you would be pissed too. I would have to believe that Skrip knew that a break like this was a possible outcome (I hope so), but that doesn't stop you from hoping to make a somewhat decent return. And when that decent return your hoping for doesn't happen, you're going to get a little upset. The man needed to vent. So stop being asses.

I think it's one thing to say CRAP, I GOT A BAD BREAK...but it's another thing to say "I can't believe it, i lost 50%", and that he has to make payments on a credit card...
I have sympathy for the guy, but i think it's time for a wake-up call. I am glad it happened, because I do care. I think it was a lesson that he needed to learn.
Sure sympathize with him, but to call others ********, because they said that they believe he used bad judgement, is a bit much. It's sound advice....spend only what you can afford to lose...and if you got to put it on plastic, you can't afford it.

I saw the original post after it had been edited, so I didn't see anything about the credit card. And I agree with you that you should only spend what you can afford to lose. I just thought some of the responses were rather harsh. Any of us in that situation would be upset, even if we had lower expectations. It's just basic human emotion. See what Skrip has to say tomorrow after the initial sting of the break has worn off.

I read through the thread, and I saw mostly people sympathizing or offering what they believed to be good advice...I saw one post where someone suggested he was stupid, which i thought was "out of line". I didn't think it was that bad, until chashawk called those offering sound advice (which mimicked my thoughts), ********. That's where I got upset. I think it's great people can sympathize with someone, but I also think there should be an equal amount of advice. IMHO advice is definetely needed here, more so than sympathy, and that was apparent by his surprise by losing 50% and by putting it on plastic. I think gambling is ok where it is done where one can roll with it, but when they can't roll with it, then it's a problem. I have known someone that lost their home and family (granted it was vegas style, but it is the same concept). I am not going to sugarcoat it, but not because I am an ass, because when it starts affecting people's lives, and all they get is sympathy instead of some sound advice, something is wrong. People can act like they are your friends and that they really care, but if they did, then they would offer the same advice. Don't spend what you can't afford to lose...and LEARN IT WELL. It's bad enough with the world and the economy the way it is, than to hear about someone that charges an addiction, in more than likely what was greed in the first place. I don't mean to sound condescending, as I buy many times to try to make money too, and many times things don't go the way I was hoping, and "most" people do it with similar intention, whether it be short term or long term. I think it's a good hobby, provided people understand their limits.

HOF, I agree with what you're saying. And like I said, I didn't know about the CC because it was edited out of the original post. It is one thing when you have the money to back up the credit card purchase and you use your card to get cash back and/or other benefits. But to purchase a product with an unknown ROI, on credit, with the plan of paying off the credit debt with what you get in return for the product, is a whole different thing. I agree with you that the latter is something that is not very smart and could have bad consequences. BTW, I'm not calling skrip out on any of this post. This post applies to all of us collectors.

 

[Gwynn545]

Orange Autos
Ryan burr usa
chevez clarke usa

skrip

Skrip, you will be laughing last when these two guys battle it out for the single season HomeRun records in the same season, sparking Major League Baseball into a Frenzy of Fan Friendly excitement. Every magazine, newspaper, and newscast will focus on Ryan Burr and Chavez Clark, their sprint to greatness, and the re-birth of baseball in the post-steroid era! You, my friend, are sitting on a gold mine! Congrats!

 

[hofautos]

I saw the original post after it had been edited, so I didn't see anything about the credit card. And I agree with you that you should only spend what you can afford to lose. I just thought some of the responses were rather harsh. Any of us in that situation would be upset, even if we had lower expectations. It's just basic human emotion.

I agree, it's normal to be PISSED in these situations. We all have experienced it. And I could even understand him ranting that he got a bad case, but not that he was surprised by losing 50% and that he didn't have enough to cover the plastic without selling off proceeds, so he really didn't have it to lose. I just feel sorry that someone would do that, and hope that he learns. If he has a gift for researching and prospecting and can do it in moderation, that's cool. I certainly hope he doesn't buy that much (or more) on plastic again, unless he has it to lose.

 

[hofautos]

Orange Autos
Ryan burr usa
chevez clarke usa

skrip

Skrip, you will be laughing last when these two guys battle it out for the single season HomeRun records in the same season, sparking Major League Baseball into a Frenzy of Fan Friendly excitement. Every magazine, newspaper, and newscast will focus on Ryan Burr and Chavez Clark, their sprint to greatness, and the re-birth of baseball in the post-steroid era! You, my friend, are sitting on a gold mine! Congrats!

Provided he doesn't flip them too soon :lol:

 

[hofautos]

[quote="maxpower":kd0sejc5]Skrip: Sorry to hear about your cases. I'd say the vast, vast, vast majority of us here on the Boards know exactly how you feel. Whether it's $70 or $7000, the Buyer's Remorse after a bad wax break feels like a rock in your stomach.

We all know breaking wax is a fool's proposition. No matter how smart you are about it, you're almost certainly going to lose money. Playing craps is a better bet, odds wise.

And it is silly to expect sympathy when we all know better than to expect an 85% return on wax. Still, if you can't complain about it here amongst your fellow collectors, prospectors, and addicts, then where can you go? Here's wishing a Superfractor will be in your next case...

+1. Good post. To all of the guys making the negative, ******* posts: WTF?!? How can you be like that to someone that comes in here and complains about getting a swift kick in the sack like that. I mean if that happened to you, I'm sure you would be pissed too. I would have to believe that Skrip knew that a break like this was a possible outcome (I hope so), but that doesn't stop you from hoping to make a somewhat decent return. And when that decent return your hoping for doesn't happen, you're going to get a little upset. The man needed to vent. So stop being asses.

I think it's one thing to say CRAP, I GOT A BAD BREAK...but it's another thing to say "I can't believe it, i lost 50%", and that he has to make payments on a credit card...
I have sympathy for the guy, but i think it's time for a wake-up call. I am glad it happened, because I do care. I think it was a lesson that he needed to learn.
Sure sympathize with him, but to call others ********, because they said that they believe he used bad judgement, is a bit much. It's sound advice....spend only what you can afford to lose...and if you got to put it on plastic, you can't afford it.

I saw the original post after it had been edited, so I didn't see anything about the credit card. And I agree with you that you should only spend what you can afford to lose. I just thought some of the responses were rather harsh. Any of us in that situation would be upset, even if we had lower expectations. It's just basic human emotion. See what Skrip has to say tomorrow after the initial sting of the break has worn off.

I read through the thread, and I saw mostly people sympathizing or offering what they believed to be good advice...I saw one post where someone suggested he was stupid, which i thought was "out of line". I didn't think it was that bad, until chashawk called those offering sound advice (which mimicked my thoughts), ********. That's where I got upset. I think it's great people can sympathize with someone, but I also think there should be an equal amount of advice. IMHO advice is definetely needed here, more so than sympathy, and that was apparent by his surprise by losing 50% and by putting it on plastic. I think gambling is ok where it is done where one can roll with it, but when they can't roll with it, then it's a problem. I have known someone that lost their home and family (granted it was vegas style, but it is the same concept). I am not going to sugarcoat it, but not because I am an ass, because when it starts affecting people's lives, and all they get is sympathy instead of some sound advice, something is wrong. People can act like they are your friends and that they really care, but if they did, then they would offer the same advice. Don't spend what you can't afford to lose...and LEARN IT WELL. It's bad enough with the world and the economy the way it is, than to hear about someone that charges an addiction, in more than likely what was greed in the first place. I don't mean to sound condescending, as I buy many times to try to make money too, and many times things don't go the way I was hoping, and "most" people do it with similar intention, whether it be short term or long term. I think it's a good hobby, provided people understand their limits.

HOF, I agree with what you're saying. And like I said, I didn't know about the CC because it was edited out of the original post. It is one thing when you have the money to back up the credit card purchase and you use your card to get cash back and/or other benefits. But to purchase a product with an unknown ROI, on credit, with the plan of paying off the credit debt with what you get in return for the product, is a whole different thing. I agree with you that the latter is something that is not very smart and could have bad consequences. BTW, I'm not calling skrip out on any of this post. This post applies to all of us collectors.[/quote:kd0sejc5]

+1 We all do it!
Just need to keep it in check. THanks :grouphug:

 

[Big Mac McGwire]

The fact is you cant blame topps or the hobby for a bad bunch of cases. You also cant post on a board, FCB of all of them saying you shelled out 5k plus and your upset you basically lost your money. Its the same as someone saying they put a boatload of money on a sports game and their pissed they lost. You took a large gamble , its the same thing. Whether you like it or not you will get advise and criticism.

 

[boomo]

guys, are this years player lots worse than previous years?
i ripped 20+ cases in 06 and 07 and came out ahead both times
do to the sales of the player lots. sucks to sort them all, but they
are the bread and butter in getting cash back. I have no clue on anyone
this year, are there no good players that will net 1.00 per in lots?

 

[Marlo]

could have been the guy that ripped 30 cases and didnt hit a single machado auto

 

[jubei777]

I'm coming in late on this thread but one of the things that has been a killer on the hobby is the economy. Five years ago of you broke what you did, you would probably pull an additional 25%. Unless you hit a monster, you're better off trying to rip and flip the first day (see how the Harper and Machados dropped from the launch day). I personally knew that there was no way to recuperate anything close to half from my case break. With free listings, I have my big hits up for what I want and if I don't sell them, I have no problems holding onto them until the hit the majors. Best of luck to you on what you plan to do with your breaks.

 

[2014BESTSERVICE]

Thanks for sharing the negative experience with the boards,,,,, its always nice to see honesty from someone about a real experience,,,,,

Ya know--- I've yet to see a Youtuber or Box Breaker who shows their carnage breaks,,,,, yet it happens more than 80% of the time to people,,,,,, a box/case "purchase" that turns the stomach ,,,,,,

Your right to question yourself after this experience,,,,,,,, here is hoping its an experience that, once the aftertaste of it leaves, teaches you more about what your in the hobby for,,,,,,

I hope you stay in the hobby,,,,, I've seen plenty of people who have benefited from your giving nature,,,,, and honestly thats what the hobby should be about,,,,,

Hang in,,,,, start listing, get some funds back,,,,,, spend some time away,,,,, and if your still feeling like crap,,,,, its time to take a siesta for a while,,,,,,,,, if after some time away you feel the same pack stuff away ( or sell your choice),,,,,, or if after a while the feelings/itch returns,,,,, just use the experience to teach yourself,,,,,

Jeff

 

[justinmandawg]

Matt, next time just email the group of us that has a ******* clue what you are talking about. Obviously a lot of people have no clue because they havent been there before.

 

[JoshHamilton]

Any time you buy any cards with the hope of turning a profit it's gambling. Or investing. There is no difference between the two terms

This goes for prospects, wax, vintage, autographs, whatever.

 

[Big Mac McGwire]

Matt, next time just email the group of us that has a fracking clue what you are talking about. Obviously a lot of people have no clue because they havent been there before.

i think there are alot of old wise men on this board that are a little too wise to put themselves in that position. Once again, you do not need to be a Genius to figure out if your putting out 5k in wax, you are playing with some serious fire.

 

[hofautos]

guys, are this years player lots worse than previous years?
i ripped 20+ cases in 06 and 07 and came out ahead both times
do to the sales of the player lots. sucks to sort them all, but they
are the bread and butter in getting cash back. I have no clue on anyone
this year, are there no good players that will net 1.00 per in lots?

It seems you have had good luck to bust 20+ cases (is that 20 each year or 20 between the 2 years)?
sounds like you have experience at this thing. :lol:
I have a question for you, what is a reasonable expectation on average for a case break, in terms or percentage.
I would guess 70% or less? (it makes sense you have to have marginal cases to have winners, and have to have BAD cases to have KILLER cases, right?) if there's minimal risk, with only potential, everyone would buy them...

Also with ebay and paypal fees at 12%, And that being after tons of work.

I probably would enjoy busting cases, just to look for the key cards, but to try to get my money back sorting and listing..ack!,
you know better than anyone that I HATE listing crap...it's so much more fun buying (grin).

Also out of curiosity, it's reasonable to sell singles for .99 and make your money on the postage..i don't think most people mind paying $2.50 s/h when it costs $1.40? If you can make $1 on 1000 cards that's $1000? Is there any logic to this in your selling?

 

[boomo]

mike, it was 22 in 06 and 26 in 07. got lucky in 06 with 3 gold longoria and the 1/1 bonds red in 07 + saunders red ref. But even with those, it was sorting all the player lots and jamming ebay with all 165 of them at once in 100+ count lots. That is the beauty of draft, every card sells in lots, even the worst of the worst would get 10 cents a card. cant say that with 90% of the products as the base cards are just firewood. I never figured out exact % of return, was just to lazy, but in the end i knew i had more back than i spent.

 

[Lancemountain]

tldr warning:

I don't mean this to be directed at Skrip per se, some of you "you took a gamble and you lost" guys are being total **********. Skrip is a nice guy here and is one of the very few that is always willing to offer advise and his thoughts and is always a pleasant fellow. He's a valued member in my eyes. He has a valid point about the terrible collation.

That said, I think the main point that has been missed in this thread is that a hobby is just that. A hobby. Once you add profits into a hobby it's not a hobby, it is a business. And that's fine if that is what you after, but I have found that it is impossible to enjoy something that is both a hobby and a business. Buying a prospect product, let's be honest here......everyone that buys it is doing it to sell later. Buying several cases of a product like this is purely a chance at profit. Once that line is crossed, it no longer becomes a hobby, it is a money making venture. A potentially fun one, yes, but again; you cross that line and the enjoyment is gone. Does anyone think Mr. Mint has a collection he enjoys? Nope. He has cards he sells.


Here's a similar story about me. I have collected coins since I knew what money was. When I was a kid, a steel penny or a simple walking liberty coin was awesome. I amassed an awesome collection throughout my 20's. . My brother is a coin dealer and about 5 years ago he stumbled across an estate that had thousands of gem+ mercury dimes, morgan dollars and peace dollars. He cut me in and I was selling and slabbing like crazy. I looked at my own collection more and more like a commodity, not a collection.

I literally stopped buying and selling because I realized that coins didn't bring me enjoyment, I was just looking to "flip" and anything I bought for my permanent coin collection was simply coins to further sell. I sat out of the coin scene for a few years and last year I had to re teach myself current values and such. It's a hobby again, it's not something I look to make a profit on.

I open boxes all the time. When I pull an Ortiz gu from chicle, I trade it, keep it or sell it to make payapl to buy something I want. I don't expect profit. I sell what I don't want and they go to people who do. I hope for the best but expect the expected. I'm fine with that, it's a hobby. Prospecting is fun I guess for those that do it, and good for them if they can retain that "hobby" feel. But ripping lots of cases for the sole reason of future profit isn't a hobby. It's a risky business transaction; like the stock market.

Anyway, again Skrip that wasn't posted about you, just a general post. I think you (skrip) really love baseball and cards and I hope this terrible experience does not drive you away from the hobby, but maybe brings you more into it like I posted above. You are a nice guy around here and some of these dudes are being a-holes. I opened that ss psa7 package from you and I can tell by what you sent you know what you are doing and have a great eye....I hope that part of the hobby brings you joy.

I feel like I channeled my inner predatorj :lol:

.

 

[hofautos]

Matt, next time just email the group of us that has a fracking clue what you are talking about. Obviously a lot of people have no clue because they havent been there before.

I have been there many times...only once with cases... but It's not much different than hoarding a player that never pans out...or much different than playing blackjack in vegas...or any one of a million different scenarios in our lives. Everyone is trying to get ahead. It's great when you win, sucks when you lose. You just need to keep your wits with you, don't get greedy, and keep life in perspective. THere is nothing mysterious here.