The 1998 Topps Tek Thread

[Brewer Andy]

Pattern 39

Are you building a set of diffractors or just snagging them when you find a bargain?

 

[MansGame]

Are you building a set of diffractors or just snagging them when you find a bargain?

Good question... I have a Belle and Konerko if you're interested. (and yes, the Belle is a double pattern and woud love to trade/sell it)

 

[RustyGreerFan]

I am just picking them up here and there when I can find deals. Eventually I might try for a set, but not until I knock some more of the big-timers off the checklist. And even then I would want to do it at a leisurely pace - no rush. MansGame - I traded you your double. I remember how disappointed you were when you got it in hand :mrgreen:

 

[MansGame]

I am just picking them up here and there when I can find deals. Eventually I might try for a set, but not until I knock some more of the big-timers off the checklist. And even then I would want to do it at a leisurely pace - no rush. MansGame - I traded you your double. I remember how disappointed you were when you got it in hand :mrgreen:

PIE know, shame on me for not asking for pattern #. Then again, I'm just waiting for a guy who has a Belle diffractor and will just trade me 1 for 1.

 

[SINFULONE]

Only 45 players in the '99 set?30 patterns each for home and away?It shouldn't be the pain '98 is at completing the set with only McGwire left to collect.Is this a reliable place to go for checklists?

http://www.tradingcarddb.com/ViewAllSet.cfm/sid/1352

 

[RustyGreerFan]

Yeah, but I don't like 99s as much 98s. I always go to Beckett or baseballcardpedia for checklists.

 

[SINFULONE]

Yeah, but I don't like 99s as much 98s. I always go to Beckett or baseballcardpedia for checklists.

Looks like Ankiel and Drew were added to the '00 set, so I guess I'll have to persue them as well.Why is '98 more desirable?I haven't been on Beckett in ages, guess I need to go back there.

 

[Brewer Andy]

Looks like Ankiel and Drew were added to the '00 set, so I guess I'll have to persue them as well.Why is '98 more desirable?I haven't been on Beckett in ages, guess I need to go back there.

I'm guessing.it's for the pure challenge aspect as I personally like the 99 designs and golds better myself. Getting all the 98s is just an accomplishment and a half anyone can be proud of. Which reminds me, PM me your address, I've got a McGwire and a Jordan for you from 98

 

[RustyGreerFan]

I must admit that I like the themed backgrounds of the 99s, but I don't like the colored part they put on there. Looks cheap and cheesy. I also think Diffractors are far more eye-popping than golds.

I just hit this Juan Gone tonight. PadsFan - you may want to make him an offer for the Caminiti - worked for me with the Juan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160874307903?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I thought this was a really interesting sale. Five base cards (4 stars), all different with no apparent connection, and the lot sells for $14.50 dlvd? Weird.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Card-Lot-...1134927331?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3a78cee1e3

 

[MansGame]

I thought this was a really interesting sale. Five base cards (4 stars), all different with no apparent connection, and the lot sells for $14.50 dlvd? Weird.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Card-Lot-of-1998-Topps-Tek-baseball-cards-/251134927331?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3a78cee1e3

I've seen things like this before. There is also a guy who must of had the set but he is only selling it off in small team sets, etc. He won't break it up. I had to buy the white sox he had for like $5 or more for the Belle pattern I needed. Ended up trading the Thomas and pretty much broke even. Lots like this can be nice to catch, but not sure how you found it lol

 

[SINFULONE]

I must admit that I like the themed backgrounds of the 99s, but I don't like the colored part they put on there. Looks cheap and cheesy. I also think Diffractors are far more eye-popping than golds.

I just hit this Juan Gone tonight. PadsFan - you may want to make him an offer for the Caminiti - worked for me with the Juan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160874307903?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I thought this was a really interesting sale. Five base cards (4 stars), all different with no apparent connection, and the lot sells for $14.50 dlvd? Weird.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Card-Lot-of-1998-Topps-Tek-baseball-cards-/251134927331?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3a78cee1e3

Isn't it common for stars from this set to sell for $2-$3 or more?I keep hearing so much about these Diffractors I guess I should get one for myself so I can see them in hand.

 

[RustyGreerFan]

It is common for stars to sell for $2-$3 or more, but why would someone want this particular lot of five? It's not worth buying just to get the one card you want even if you could sell the others. It's just base - there's over 500 of each out there so it's not like you'd never see it again. It just interests me... how people think :mrgreen:

So Sin, are you saying that you can't tell the difference between a base and a diffractor? It's all about the cracked glass effect on the Diffractors that pick up the light.

Pattern 86

 

[SINFULONE]

It is common for stars to sell for $2-$3 or more, but why would someone want this particular lot of five? It's not worth buying just to get the one card you want even if you could sell the others. It's just base - there's over 500 of each out there so it's not like you'd never see it again. It just interests me... how people think :mrgreen:

So Sin, are you saying that you can't tell the difference between a base and a diffractor? It's all about the cracked glass effect on the Diffractors that pick up the light.

Pattern 86

Buyer probably needed one card, and thought he could break even if selling the rest.I can tell the Diffractors apart, sometimes they just don't stand out initially, but you have a good scan of that a Konerko.I just found one I made an offer on, but probably won't get it.

 

[RustyGreerFan]

My other three Konerkos don't really show off the diffraction effect like Pattern 86:

Pattern 79

Pattern 78

Pattern 54

 

[MansGame]

You interested in acquiring a 4th?

 

[SINFULONE]

This guy has an assload of Diffractors.I didn't get the one I made an offer on, didn't want it that badly anyway.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TODD-HELTON...1000253231?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3374a43f2f

 

[SINFULONE]

It's interesting how dirt cheap these sold for.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Derrek-Lee-...1129937944?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3a7882c018

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carlos-Delg...1128803006?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3a78716ebe

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adrian-Belt...1128813602?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3a78719822

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-Topps-...0855156374?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item231fab0296

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-TOPPS-...0909911708?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item416789169c

 

[RustyGreerFan]

It is interesting, but not surprising. Nobody really wants those guys or is collecting their Teks. Eventually I'll have to pick up one of each if I go for a set, but until then I'm going to be patient and try to get mine for more in the $3 dlvd range. I really don't expect anyone to ever collect their stuff, so it's not like they have any future value or resale value. I think it's interesting that nobody is going for Beltres. He's on a great team and is having yet another great season (since sucking for my Mariners). You'll notice that the Justice went for just over $10, so there are definitely Justice collectors out there.

 

[SINFULONE]

It is interesting, but not surprising. Nobody really wants those guys or is collecting their Teks. Eventually I'll have to pick up one of each if I go for a set, but until then I'm going to be patient and try to get mine for more in the $3 dlvd range. I really don't expect anyone to ever collect their stuff, so it's not like they have any future value or resale value. I think it's interesting that nobody is going for Beltres. He's on a great team and is having yet another great season (since sucking for my Mariners). You'll notice that the Justice went for just over $10, so there are definitely Justice collectors out there.

Not that surprised with McCrackon and King, but I definitely thought the other 3 would sell for more, especially Delgado.He was a beast then, and was always an underrated player to me.In fact, just last week I made a trade with a Delgado collector.$5 or whatever it went for seems cheap to me.Just doesn't seem like Rangers fans want cards of players on different teams.I picked up a supposedly rare Cruz RC logo card for $1 last week.Beltre for whatever reason is never that collected for whatever reason.

You wouldn't need an early Buhner insert or bat card, would you?

 

[DeliciousBacon]

You have my address, just send those Konerko Diffractors my way!