Storing unopened boxes and packs

[Tyler]

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips on long term storage of boxes/packs?

Actually, a better question would be: does anyone here actually sit on boxes, or do most of you either rip or sell?

[mnvikingstwins]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips on long term storage of boxes/packs?

Actually, a better question would be: does anyone here actually sit on boxes, or do most of you either rip or sell?

I've never sat on a box before, I don't think it would be good for the cards inside

[alexlazarevich]

I find it incredibly difficult to hold onto boxes/cases. But that's because I like to open product like a crazy person. Also, I'm no expert, but just about everything I've bought in the past and tried to hold, it just goes down in value. I mean, look at 92 Bowman, I bought boxes of that when I was a teen, thinking I was smart and cool and soon to be rich. Heh. Now who wants it? I mean it's not worthless, but it's gone down from where I paid for sure. Almost everything in the card world does go down over time. You gotta sell when the mania is high. Like Stras, sell now. However, if you are holding like 25, 50, 100 years, then yeah, you will probably do well. But then you are dust by then so...

But maybe if you pre-ordered a really high end case that was produced in low quantity, that was very popular upon release so there's little product left, and the product has as little redemptions as possible in it, and the players become stars in a few years, that might be a GREAT case to sell.

Redemptions, man, those suck for case holders...

[kidmikey]

I've been an upopened box collector off/on since 1982 (mostly baseball), so I'm sitting on literally hundreds of unopened boxes. Typically, I buy maybe 5-7 boxes of the product I like (Bowman product, Elite, Topps, Donruss, Fleer in the early 80's. I will keep TWO of them unopened.

I like the idea of "Dreaming" what is in the boxes (do I have a Pujols Bowman Chrome in my 2001 box???). In my mind, I have quite a collection. Over the years, I have definitely missed out a few times on selling a box when it was HOT and watching the value fall, but I've stuck to my guns for the most part.

I now have two kids under 3 and I've recently started buying heavily again. My thought now is that when they are old enough we will have a ton of fun opening one box together and hoping for the BIG pull (while keeping one unopened).

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by kidmikey

I've been an upopened box collector off/on since 1982 (mostly baseball), so I'm sitting on literally hundreds of unopened boxes. Typically, I buy maybe 5-7 boxes of the product I like (Bowman product, Elite, Topps, Donruss, Fleer in the early 80's. I will keep TWO of them unopened.

I like the idea of "Dreaming" what is in the boxes (do I have a Pujols Bowman Chrome in my 2001 box???). In my mind, I have quite a collection. Over the years, I have definitely missed out a few times on selling a box when it was HOT and watching the value fall, but I've stuck to my guns for the most part.

I now have two kids under 3 and I've recently started buying heavily again. My thought now is that when they are old enough we will have a ton of fun opening one box together and hoping for the BIG pull (while keeping one unopened).

That's pretty close to my idea. My son is almost 2, and I can't wait until he's old enough to understand and appreciate baseball cards.

I'm keeping a run of Topps Heritage boxes from 2001 and on. Also going to do Bowman/Bowman Chrome.

But my original question was (maybe it wasn't very clear), how do you guys physically store them? Today's boxes have fragile cellophane. If that gets ripped, then your box is technically opened. Obviously, the best way to prevent that is to not handle them, but it isn't like there's a toploader for boxes.

[WhoStoleMyBeans]

I have a lot of boxes im sitting on as well... It is tough to do.. REALLY TOUGH.. but what i do is I have them in a safe spot in my basement (not to cold, not to hot) and have them protected.

[My-Coolectibles]

I opened a sealed box of 1993 Bowman (with UV Coating) last year and the cards were stuck together. I got a Jeter rookie but as soon as I peeled it off the other card, the ink from the Jeter came off.

[rudyjustinfarrell]

I bought a shelving system from Sam's Club and it's adjustable (space between levels). It's heavy as heck but sturdy. I have it set up for 5 levels of shoe box card containers. You would not have to worry about stacking wax on top of wax and damaging wrappers or flimsy cardboard packaging, but you'd be able to see it all and man... that would be tempting.

[iTHCi]

Originally Posted by Tyler

But my original question was (maybe it wasn't very clear), how do you guys physically store them? Today's boxes have fragile cellophane. If that gets ripped, then your box is technically opened. Obviously, the best way to prevent that is to not handle them, but it isn't like there's a toploader for boxes.

You could store them in a large plastic tote (18 gal). Use soft clean towels or packing material between layers of boxes to keep them from moving around if they won't stack properly. You could also keep them in a closet, in a chest or display them in a case like some people do.

Like you said, the best way is to not handle them to keep them in great shape. A Cool clean environment to keep chrome and other cards from sticking together the longer they sit in the box/case. I would be interested in more comments from others on this.

Understatement: It's hard not to open boxes. I think Blowout and the card companies frown upon it

[mma138]

some boxes will hold there value . for example if you have a case of 2005 bowman draft . if you were to sell it now . you would still be making some nice profit.

[Vintage Collector]

Originally Posted by iTHCi

You could store them in a large plastic tote (18 gal). Use soft clean towels or packing material between layers of boxes to keep them from moving around if they won't stack properly. You could also keep them in a closet, in a chest or display them in a case like some people do.

Like you said, the best way is to not handle them to keep them in great shape. A Cool clean environment to keep chrome and other cards from sticking together the longer they sit in the box/case. I would be interested in more comments from others on this.

Understatement: It's hard not to open boxes. I think Blowout and the card companies frown upon it

I have packs from the 60's and 70's. Boxes and cases of 2003/4 basketball, 2005/6 hockey including the cup and other misc pickups, UFC First Round, 2001 Upper Deck Golf and SP Authentic Golf, etc...

I store these the same way. Usually take the boxes or cases and wrap them in a labeled plastic bag the put them in a big tupperware in a climate controlled area of the house, not the attic.

[Tyler]

Thanks for the advice everybody. Looks like I'll be buying some plastic bins!

[shea6408]

Originally Posted by mnvikingstwins

I've never sat on a box before, I don't think it would be good for the cards inside

Not everyone can do that... it's a gift.

[Ken735i]

Questions about card condition in specific set years. I purchased 1996-97 TSC basketball boxes and opened a few in 2019. Just under 25 years old. This set held great. No sticking or peeling. Many BGS gems from the boxes.

1997 finest baseball, 1996, 97 ,98 Bowman's Best in the
same time frame also held up great.
1995 fleer metal bsk had issues with foil even stored clean and dry.


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[jjo1776]

I use these, not exactly fire proof but they work nicely and are double walled. Just don’t stack to the top or the boxes/packs on top can get crushed.

BOX USA 15 Pack of Heavy-Duty Double Wall Corrugated Cardboard Boxes, 20" L x 14" W x 12" H, Kraft, Shipping, Packing and Moving https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BGFWY8S...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[dani0100]

I have lots and lots of cases and boxes. I store them on quality shelving without too much stacking.

The key, for me, is humidity control. Paper can generally handle any temperature humans would find themselves living in. Humidity, on the other hand, is very different. Paper should generally be stored at around 40-50% humidity. If you live in a cold winter climate and your furnace is running, you are likely to see humidity in your home drop to 10-20%. In the summer, you will see your humidity levels at 70+% in a basement.

I use a whole house humidifier in the winter and a couple of dehumidifiers in the summer to keep humidity roughly constant at around 40-45%. I also have several cheap humidity and temperature gauges (about $10 each at Amazon) around various areas where I store cards.

BTW, if you have chromium cards that curl up -- that's a humidity issue (usually too dry). If you get humidity levels right, your cards will stay flat.

[NYBBFAN]

Well this is a necro bump if I've ever seen one. Cardboard boxes in the closet seems to work.

[Badgers0821]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips on long term storage of boxes/packs?

Actually, a better question would be: does anyone here actually sit on boxes, or do most of you either rip or sell?

I have multiple cases and boxes I’ve been holding. Storage 100% depends on your home/storage situation. I can afford the luxury of having mine on storage shelves in an extra room of my house. Not everyone has that luxury or wants them “sitting out”. The best solution there would be in totes tucked away in a closet somewhere. Anywhere without insulation would not be advisable. Hope this helps.

One last thought, I keep my “expensive stuff” in a fireproof equivalent of a gun safe.

[bmann33]

Cardboard storage boxes were my original method. Over time, and as I accumulated more, I got sick of guessing what was in each and it became a hassle to periodically go through them. We also had a roof leak/ice dam a few years ago and luckily missed the wax closet
by a few feet.

All my unsealed are in these now. Easy to move and less worry about getting crushed, wet, etc.




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[Pacmeyer]

Originally Posted by iTHCi

Like you said, the best way is to not handle them to keep them in great shape. A Cool clean environment to keep chrome and other cards from sticking together the longer they sit in the box/case. I would be interested in more comments from others on this.

For loose boxes, if it's a product that's packed to the brim with packs, then reduce the pressure on the cards inside by not stacking the boxes. You could place the box so packs are oriented vertically but that could end up stressing the card edges instead.

[BOOMER7]

Originally Posted by mma138

some boxes will hold there value . for example if you have a case of 2005 bowman draft . if you were to sell it now . you would still be making some nice profit.

just a 4 instance:
If you bought a case of bowman draft every year and stuck it away for the last 15 years you'd have a nice windfall lol
2009 draft alone is about 110K (sold mine about 18 months ago for 85K)
35 plus years buying/selling wax in qty

[Bambino22]

Rip it!!!

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Thanks for the advice everybody. Looks like I'll be buying some plastic bins!

really the most important thing is temp/humidity.



I store my boxes in plastic totes and don't mess with them, but above all, keep them in a dry/cold room.

[jmsodpc]

The newer type boxes have
Fragile cellophane wrap. I put each
Box into a comic book bag...one of these....

They have a resealable flap
https://officialcomicproline.com/pro...ize-resealable