Picking out a hobby box - give me your thoughts

[ffgameman]

After a splurge in the summer of 2005 (following brain surgery) I've really begun to limit the amount of hobby I buy. Typically it's only 1-2 boxes per year of something affordable, with 1 box coming on my birthday.

For my 25th birthday this April, I've narrowed it down to a few choices. I don't break high-end, so these are middle-of-the-road price-wise. Prices are from Dave and Adam's Card World.

Option 1:

2010 Topps Chrome: 2 rookie autographs, various refractors - $47.95
- My first experience with this wasn't hot, with two dud autographs and nothing overly noticeable on the refractor side except for a red refractor Dempster /25. But, possibilities are Strasburg, Nova, Castro, Stanton, Heyward.

2010 Upper Deck: 1 autograph, 2 game-used - $29.95.
- Since 2010 TC is the lowest-price choice, I'll add this to the order. Autograph could likely be a dud, but there's also chance of a Posey RC and Sheffield's 500 HR Club GU.

Option 2:

2011 Topps Lineage: 2 autographs, 1 GU - $56.95
Interesting set all-around. Plenty of inserts, vintage autographs, and mini '75 reprint GU. Again, plenty of duds on the autograph checklist.

Option 3:

2011 Topps Finest: 2 autographs, 6 refractors - $76.95
Decent rookie autographs, but higher price.

Give me your thoughts and/or other suggestions.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

as i am reading it, and please dont take this as a slight, you seem really concerned about the "hits' and not the enjoyment you could enjoy from opening a product.

imo that is the wrong way to go about things, especially for those that rip not that often.

with the three choices you've posted, i would go with #1. Remember that with the 2010 UD Hobby Boxes, and you have a shot at the Exquisite, which are pretty popular with Set builders and Player collectors

 

[theotherCUTCH]

ive been thinking about a box of 2010 topps chrome as well, nice looking cards and a decent amount of good cards to hit

id take option 1

 

[fugazzi]

the 2011 finest have some nice rookie autos in the checklist, and the colored refractors are just great looking, can't go wrong with it.

 

[ffgameman]

as i am reading it, and please dont take this as a slight, you seem really concerned about the "hits' and not the enjoyment you could enjoy from opening a product.

imo that is the wrong way to go about things, especially for those that rip not that often.

with the three choices you've posted, i would go with #1. Remember that with the 2010 UD Hobby Boxes, and you have a shot at the Exquisite, which are pretty popular with Set builders and Player collectors

That's one reason Lineage is on the list. I know that my two autographs could be "no-names", but it also has a fair share of inserts and parallels.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

as i am reading it, and please dont take this as a slight, you seem really concerned about the "hits' and not the enjoyment you could enjoy from opening a product.

imo that is the wrong way to go about things, especially for those that rip not that often.

with the three choices you've posted, i would go with #1. Remember that with the 2010 UD Hobby Boxes, and you have a shot at the Exquisite, which are pretty popular with Set builders and Player collectors

Its always interesting to me when people bust but only intend to maybe keep one or two cards... at most. This is like working as a Topps (re)distributor, LOL.

I like choice #1 though.

 

[cstmleather]

I'd wait for 2012 Topps Archives, releases in May though. Panini Limited looks like a fun rip also and releases April 11.

 

[ffgameman]

I'm leaning toward Option 1 or 2. Strasburg/Stanton/Heyward and refractors in 1, inserts and possibly an old-time autograph or relic in 2.

 

[ffgameman]

Another product crossed my mind after a little searching - 2007 Bowman's Best for $149.99.

9 autographs - 3 vets, 3 "RCs", and 3 prospects. Anyone have experience with BB?

 

[ChasHawk]

You should check http://www.bbcexchange.com/

Lots of products you won't find on DA or Blowout.

 

[ffgameman]

You should check http://www.bbcexchange.com/

Lots of products you won't find on DA or Blowout.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[gt2590]

I'd go with Quanitity and take Option 1, especially if you don't mind a ton of Base cards. Also, nobody mentioned it, and they're VERY tough, but UD that year had "Double-take" SPs too that you could hit.

But gotta warn you, the TC that year warped REALLY bad, almost to the point of ruining it for me.

And Lineage is real fun, if not value-packed...

 

[TenaciousJDD]

If you like Chrome you may want to consider 2011 as opposed to 2010. 2011 will probably be about $15 more per box, but (1) the quality control is much improved over 2010 and (2) the numbered refractors are easier to hit. Many of my 2010 boxes had no color while most of my 2011 boxes had 2 or 3 nice refractors in them. The most fun I had busting wax last year was with 2011 Topps Chrome.

 

[ffgameman]

Another option that I'm considering - 2006 UD Future Stars. 5 autographs with some nice names involved.

 

[Keyser Soze]

the 2011 finest have some nice rookie autos in the checklist, and the colored refractors are just great looking, can't go wrong with it.

+1. Well worth the few extra bucks

 

[SydBarrett]

Definitely go with option number one.

 

[ffgameman]

If I go with option 1, it will be 2 boxes of 2010 Chrome instead of the Upper Deck on the side.

 

[ffgameman]

As I'm going through my options again....I'm drifting toward buying singles.

I have never been a "buy singles over a box" person (I like the thrill of the occasional bust), but I have doubts about every box I've considered.

 

[James52411]

If you like rookies: #1
If you like retro cards: #2
If you like modern inserts and refractors: #3

 

[ffgameman]

If you like rookies: #1
If you like retro cards: #2
If you like modern inserts and refractors: #3

My options have changed a bit since the OP. I've also considered 2006 UD Future Stars (5 autographs with quite a few rising stars on the checklist), but then I realized the autograph set isn't very eye-appealing.

At times, I can be too indecisive.