Question about busting Higher-End Cases...

jmeind · 04-02-2008, 09:38 PM

Hey guys,

I'm new to this forum and fairly new to collecting cards again serious. Of course as a kid it's all I did but I just got back into the hobby a couple months ago. Beings I'm a college student with no real income at the moment, the funds for collecting cards are limited. I've always wanted to bust a case but as of now seems more like a future-dream for me. I have a few questions regarding just that.

Do people bust Higher-end products to:
A) Make money
B) Break even
C) Add to their collection
D) Hope they get that 1/1 mojo that saves them from debt (joking of course, but the idea still applies)
E) Have the money to spend/$2000 isn't a lot of money for ya
F) Combination of all

The reason I ask is that from everything I've been seeing, it seems people bust a case only to sell everything they just opened on ebay to break even. If this is true... it seems to me it'd be a lot easier to save your money and not risk losing money buying a case. What are you getting out of busting the case? I realize that you win on some and of course lose on others. I know you certain can make money... take the new UD Black for example. I've seen a lot of cards on ebay going for $300+ which easily pays for a box of black. I just don't get why you'd bust a case in the first place if you're only goal was to break even? What are you getting out of it? Unless it's just for the thrill of never knowing what you're going to get. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love opening packs/boxes for that exact same thrill/feeling of never knowing what you're gonna get. Except with my luck 99% of the time it's complete crap. I know if I was to bust a case I would hope for a few cards that I could sell in order to not be out the thousand or so dollars. The rest of the cards I would either keep for my PC or use as trade-bait.

Please don't take this thread as ignorance towards busting cases. I'm just genuinely interested in why people (you) bust cases. I've been thinking a lot about busting a case for myself. But with my situation that kinda money could be put to a lot better use. The only way I could even afford to would be to put in on the 'ole trusty credit card and hope for the best. I usually put away $20 away every check or so and then bust a box when I save enough for one. I know with a case you know you'll hit the case odd (Hot box per case/2 "A" list auto's/etc). Maybe that's why people do it... I don't know. Which is exactly why I am interested in everyones opinions!

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and also to everyone who takes the time to respond!! I appreciate it!!

vortekv8 · 04-02-2008, 10:11 PM

well for me it is everything but E and B there. I really dont think any of us are looking to ever break even. We just hope that we do break even or do better than even. You never want to lose on a case, your odds though say you will. Most of us like to take the chance though. Besides just the fact that ripping is a blast, you hope for that big hit that either you could add to your PC or sell off to pay for possible more cases/boxes. But hey just for some info. for you. If you are looking to break something that is cheaper but a blast to open I would tell you to go with Artifacts. You get alot of hits per box and it is really cheap. But if you are ever thinking of purchasing a case of anything, you alwasy have to remember that your odds are down from the get go, especially if you purchase a UD product. You take the chance but it is great. Alot of us also jump into Group Breaks. It is cheaper, and you hope that your random slot(s) hit you that big $ card. Hope this helps you out and answers your question.

pskell02 · 04-02-2008, 10:23 PM

tek you beat me to it on the artifacts call lol, i just sold a leinart triple patch out of there for $75, so there is some value in those boxes, granted a lot of the auto's are worthless, but like you stated in your opening post a lot of it is about the thrill of busting.

Personally I bust to try and add to my PC and if nothing falls for me breaking even on what remains is the minimum goal I shoot for. But then there are times when I hit a PC card that tears me up trying to decide what to do with it (ie. 05/06 Beehive Sidney Crosby beige base card, books at 50-100, that I want to keep but could really use the extra cash to chase a big hit).

Lots of members on this board specifically bust cases for a living or supplemental to their living (brentandbecca especially) which I think would be a hell of a lot of fun. While others just love to bust boxes and whatever comes from it is ok with them (profit, pc, etc.).

go_steelers07 · 04-02-2008, 10:31 PM

the people who make consistent money at case breaking follow some very simple rules....

1. never break a "high-end" product. (ie: anything over $100/box from any manufacturer)
2. break in quantity. the more the better. (5-10+ cases of a product)
3. steer clear of UD. 90% of their releases have no real value.

it's a pretty basic formula. and it is tweaked to each individuals approach to busting.

now, to address the answers to your question....

only a complete idiot or degenerate gambler type person would be busting cases to satisfy part D. i don't know about the rest. i don't busat anything high end anymore.

jmeind · 04-02-2008, 10:32 PM

Ya, I've busted a few boxes and hit something big (for me that is) and had a hard time deciding what to do with it. I bought a box of 06-07 Finest basketball and got a #1 Draft Pick Redemption Green Refractor (bv $140) and had a hard time deciding what to do. Would love to keep it but also wouldn't mind selling it to fund for future buys.

I agree with what both of you have to say so far regarding that everything you bust you hope to add something to the PC as well as something worth while to either pay for the break/future breaks.

So there is money to be made in busting cases?!? I would love to bust cases for a living. It'd be exciting yet at the same time kinda stressful. I was talking to some friends the other day about what we'd do for a living if we won the 200+ million dollar powerball and I said I'd open up a Card Shop. I know if I owned a card shop I would wake up every morning not minding that I had to work. I love busting boxes for myself but even watching what other people bust is fun to me. I think that would be my ideal job.

Another question. Is it even worth it to bust the lower end products? OR are the mid-to-higher end products the way to go?

pskell02 · 04-02-2008, 10:33 PM

oh yea, forgot to mention, attempt to avoid saying mojo here, thats a bad word to almost everyone here

go_steelers07 · 04-02-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeind

Ya, I've busted a few boxes and hit something big (for me that is) and had a hard time deciding what to do with it. I bought a box of 06-07 Finest basketball and got a #1 Draft Pick Redemption Green Refractor (bv $140) and had a hard time deciding what to do. Would love to keep it but also wouldn't mind selling it to fund for future buys.

I agree with what both of you have to say so far regarding that everything you bust you hope to add something to the PC as well as something worth while to either pay for the break/future breaks.

So there is money to be made in busting cases?!? I would love to bust cases for a living. It'd be exciting yet at the same time kinda stressful. I was talking to some friends the other day about what we'd do for a living if we won the 200+ million dollar powerball and I said I'd open up a Card Shop. I know if I owned a card shop I would wake up every morning not minding that I had to work. I love busting boxes for myself but even watching what other people bust is fun to me. I think that would be my ideal job.

Another question. Is it even worth it to bust the lower end products? OR are the mid-to-higher end products the way to go?

the lower end products are the money makers....... inquantity.

vortekv8 · 04-02-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go_steelers07

the lower end products are the money makers....... inquantity.

I agree there. Another reason why I really like Artifacts. With as many hits as you get per box you really can make out. With boxes being low $40's and pulling 4-5 hits per box it really benefits you. Now some of the hits may be worthless, but even one decent to great hit will cover the cost of the box alone. The other hits will cover and make you a profit. The lower is the better. And the odds are better to tell you the truth. With high price products, you could hit a major money card, but the odds are really bad with that (or with UD it is basically impossibly since Beckett owns all of them lol). Once in a while I will get the urge to spend and buy a high priced case but I usually like to stay with the low to med priced cases.

04-02-2008, 10:11 PM	#2
vortekv8 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maumee, Oh Posts: 1,931 vortekv8	well for me it is everything but E and B there. I really dont think any of us are looking to ever break even. We just hope that we do break even or do better than even. You never want to lose on a case, your odds though say you will. Most of us like to take the chance though. Besides just the fact that ripping is a blast, you hope for that big hit that either you could add to your PC or sell off to pay for possible more cases/boxes. But hey just for some info. for you. If you are looking to break something that is cheaper but a blast to open I would tell you to go with Artifacts. You get alot of hits per box and it is really cheap. But if you are ever thinking of purchasing a case of anything, you alwasy have to remember that your odds are down from the get go, especially if you purchase a UD product. You take the chance but it is great. Alot of us also jump into Group Breaks. It is cheaper, and you hope that your random slot(s) hit you that big $ card. Hope this helps you out and answers your question. __________________ ----Vortek/Jared---- (RedWings, Tribe, Browns, Penn State) Always Looking For Zetterberg Patch Autos

04-02-2008, 10:23 PM	#3
pskell02 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 21,937 pskell02 pskell02	tek you beat me to it on the artifacts call lol, i just sold a leinart triple patch out of there for $75, so there is some value in those boxes, granted a lot of the auto's are worthless, but like you stated in your opening post a lot of it is about the thrill of busting. Personally I bust to try and add to my PC and if nothing falls for me breaking even on what remains is the minimum goal I shoot for. But then there are times when I hit a PC card that tears me up trying to decide what to do with it (ie. 05/06 Beehive Sidney Crosby beige base card, books at 50-100, that I want to keep but could really use the extra cash to chase a big hit). Lots of members on this board specifically bust cases for a living or supplemental to their living (brentandbecca especially) which I think would be a hell of a lot of fun. While others just love to bust boxes and whatever comes from it is ok with them (profit, pc, etc.). __________________ Click here to be notified when I post a new group break https://www.sportlots.com/dealers/?dealer=pskell02

04-02-2008, 10:33 PM	#6
pskell02 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 21,937 pskell02 pskell02	oh yea, forgot to mention, attempt to avoid saying mojo here, thats a bad word to almost everyone here __________________ Click here to be notified when I post a new group break https://www.sportlots.com/dealers/?dealer=pskell02

04-02-2008, 09:38 PM	#1
jmeind Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 2	Question about busting Higher-End Cases... Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and fairly new to collecting cards again serious. Of course as a kid it's all I did but I just got back into the hobby a couple months ago. Beings I'm a college student with no real income at the moment, the funds for collecting cards are limited. I've always wanted to bust a case but as of now seems more like a future-dream for me. I have a few questions regarding just that. Do people bust Higher-end products to: A) Make money B) Break even C) Add to their collection D) Hope they get that 1/1 mojo that saves them from debt (joking of course, but the idea still applies) E) Have the money to spend/$2000 isn't a lot of money for ya F) Combination of all The reason I ask is that from everything I've been seeing, it seems people bust a case only to sell everything they just opened on ebay to break even. If this is true... it seems to me it'd be a lot easier to save your money and not risk losing money buying a case. What are you getting out of busting the case? I realize that you win on some and of course lose on others. I know you certain can make money... take the new UD Black for example. I've seen a lot of cards on ebay going for $300+ which easily pays for a box of black. I just don't get why you'd bust a case in the first place if you're only goal was to break even? What are you getting out of it? Unless it's just for the thrill of never knowing what you're going to get. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love opening packs/boxes for that exact same thrill/feeling of never knowing what you're gonna get. Except with my luck 99% of the time it's complete crap. I know if I was to bust a case I would hope for a few cards that I could sell in order to not be out the thousand or so dollars. The rest of the cards I would either keep for my PC or use as trade-bait. Please don't take this thread as ignorance towards busting cases. I'm just genuinely interested in why people (you) bust cases. I've been thinking a lot about busting a case for myself. But with my situation that kinda money could be put to a lot better use. The only way I could even afford to would be to put in on the 'ole trusty credit card and hope for the best. I usually put away $20 away every check or so and then bust a box when I save enough for one. I know with a case you know you'll hit the case odd (Hot box per case/2 "A" list auto's/etc). Maybe that's why people do it... I don't know. Which is exactly why I am interested in everyones opinions! Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and also to everyone who takes the time to respond!! I appreciate it!!

04-02-2008, 10:31 PM	#4
go_steelers07 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nittany Lion Country Posts: 11,168 psu98	the people who make consistent money at case breaking follow some very simple rules.... 1. never break a "high-end" product. (ie: anything over $100/box from any manufacturer) 2. break in quantity. the more the better. (5-10+ cases of a product) 3. steer clear of UD. 90% of their releases have no real value. it's a pretty basic formula. and it is tweaked to each individuals approach to busting. now, to address the answers to your question.... only a complete idiot or degenerate gambler type person would be busting cases to satisfy part D. i don't know about the rest. i don't busat anything high end anymore.

04-02-2008, 10:32 PM	#5
jmeind Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 2	Ya, I've busted a few boxes and hit something big (for me that is) and had a hard time deciding what to do with it. I bought a box of 06-07 Finest basketball and got a #1 Draft Pick Redemption Green Refractor (bv $140) and had a hard time deciding what to do. Would love to keep it but also wouldn't mind selling it to fund for future buys. I agree with what both of you have to say so far regarding that everything you bust you hope to add something to the PC as well as something worth while to either pay for the break/future breaks. So there is money to be made in busting cases?!? I would love to bust cases for a living. It'd be exciting yet at the same time kinda stressful. I was talking to some friends the other day about what we'd do for a living if we won the 200+ million dollar powerball and I said I'd open up a Card Shop. I know if I owned a card shop I would wake up every morning not minding that I had to work. I love busting boxes for myself but even watching what other people bust is fun to me. I think that would be my ideal job. Another question. Is it even worth it to bust the lower end products? OR are the mid-to-higher end products the way to go?