Vintage Set Group Break Idea! Input Needed!
 

Hey guys,
My name is Nick for those of you who don't know me. I'm an approved group break host on Blowoutcards forums and host a variety of breaks from cards to memorabilia products. I've bought a good amount of cards on this site and I think we have the strongest vintage card collecting presence of any forum, so I thought a vintage set group break would be an awesome new addition to the site.

Leon & I discussed the possibility of doing a vintage group break but we need your input on a possible set to break. So far we really like the idea of doing a 1955 Topps Set with the main cards of the 206 card set being the Roberto Clemente Rookie, Sandy Koufax Rookie, & Harmon Killebrew Rookie. Let me know how you feel about this and Leon & I will discuss it from there.

I know a lot of you already know the format and how these work. But for those of you who are unfamiliar with the idea here is an example of how it works using the Topps 1955 set

*JUST AN EXAMPLE*
-Set: 1955 Topps
-Number of Cards: 206 (Each card represents a group break spot)
-Spot price breakdown example:
$4,000/206=$19.40
$19.40 + $4.00 Shipping & Supplies + $1.00 Paypal Fees=$24.40 per card/spot
-Once all 206 spots are filled and paid for. A random done live via ustream webcam will take place to decide what card you end up with. For instance, if you receive spot #164 in the random you receive card number #164, which in this case is the Roberto Clemente Rookie Card.
*JUST AN EXAMPLE*

Leon & I would love to know what you guys think. Leon has agreed to front the money for the set we decide, but keep in mind we do have a budget. Condition of the set has yet to be determined. But the estimated pin point as of now would probably range from VG to EX-MT (PSA 3-6). Again condition depends on what is available and at what price. I will host the break meaning that I will handle all the logistics of the break including keeping track of payments, packaging the cards, and shipping the cards.

*COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS: FEEL FREE TO POST ON THE THREAD OR SEND ME A MESSAGE*

Depending on condition I'd be open to purchasing a few spots. I'm working on a 55 set but I'm trying to keep it around 5 or above. Are we talking graded or raw and what kind of condition?

For sure the main cards will be graded thats a guarantee. The whole thing relies on what set is available to us and at what price. My guess is for the first run group break the cards will range from 3-6 in grade, so VG to EX-MT. (Just an estimate)

Thanks for the comment and support.
Nick

Sounds like a great idea

Thanks for the comment and support.

Nick

I'm in.... Sounds like fun and 55 seems like as good a choice as any.

Thanks for the comment and support. These are really fun and a great way to bring the forum community together.

Nick

i have no interest in this...as I collect mainly pre war cards...not pre vietnam!

sounds great....
 

but I only collect T206 and OJs!:)

How random is the number generator?

Random.org has a random list generator. I will broadcast the random live and run the generator 5 times.

Thanks for the question,
Nick

We may do a pre-war set/partial set later but this first break is a test run to see interest levels and what people would be interested in doing.

Thanks for the input,
Nick

Will we split up the exact cost of the set?

Or is there a premium we all are paying to someone?

We might do pre-war cards in another installment, this is really the first run so we want to see exactly where we stand especially interest wise.

Thanks,
Nick

There is a premium due to the time and effort that goes into putting all this together. Leon & I agreed to split that premium 50/50. We are trying to be as transparent as possible. We are not going to charge ridiculous premium charges but rather something that we think is fair.

Thanks for the question,
Nick

Personally, I like the idea and I would be in for a few spots.

Thanks for the input and support,
Nick

I would buy a few spots.

Thanks for the comment and support!

-Nick

I think it's a great idea. I've always liked the 1956 and 1960 Topps sets. What about 1941 Playball?

I was about to post a thread on here and blowout about a prewar group break idea. If you are going to do a pre war set in the future please let me know

I love the idea --- please keep me informed.

And if you want to do this at the end of the month -- I have a place where this can be done publicly. Leon, are you game for doing this at the local show I coordinate :o

I am interested. Not sure what you mean that numbers are drawn 5 times. Does that mean that the first 4 draws don't count?

Yea. He means the list will be randomized 5 times and whatever shows up the 5th time is the final list that will be matched up to the card numbers.

I'd throw down for a spot or two. I think this is a great idea! I like watching group breaks, but personally I don't care about owning the glitzy new cards of today...however a vintage group break sounds like a lot of fun!

I'm not much of a gambling man, so I'd be out.....though I'd certainly be interested in watching the drawing.

I have little interest in anything other than pre-war, but I would probably buy a spot just for the gambler in me.

I like the idea, filling that many spaces might be a challenge, what time horizon would sign ups exist in?

Now, would you actually show the cards and who got what one at a time, or would you email everyone the list and jsut let them see the number and player they got?

This is definitely a cool idea. Can you give an estimate of what a slot would cost? That would certainly help a lot of people decide if they would be in or out.

If I'm the only one to have this question, please feel free to delete this post.

But can someone explain what is going on? I've never heard of group breaks.

Thanks.

Using the example of the 1955 Topps set there are 206 cards total in the set... that means 206 slots available for sale.

There is a set price per slot and you can buy multiple slots.

Let's say you buy 5 slots at $25 per slot ($125 total). Your name will be put in the group 5 times (once per slot).

All names go into a randomizer... that's a program that will randomly put each name next to a number (in this case 1-206)

You will end up with 5 numbers between 1 and 206 selected w/ the randomizer program.

For example the randomizer puts your name next to numbers 11, 32, 47, 138, 198 in which case you'd get Fain, McGhee, Aaron, Hebert, and Berra.

That means you would end up with those card numbers from the set.

You could end up with 4 commons and a HOFer and make out pretty well or you could end spending $125 for 5 commons... it's all a gamble.

That's about as far as I can break it down without drawing pictures. Hopefully it makes sense.

If multiple slots were purchased, would shipping be combined?

@ZackS

Thanks. That explained it very well. Appreciate your taking the time.

I would slowly scroll down the list so you can see your name on the random as well as make the video public on my ustream so you can watch it over if you wish. Also, Random.org has the time the random took place so you can use that as a reference as well.

-Nick

Interested in a spot.

Shipping would be combined if you have multiple spots. Also there will be some discounts depending on how many spots you buy. But that will be determined once we figure out the monetary dynamics of the break.

-Nick

Thank you for the help in explaining the concept. I really appreciate it.

-Nick

We are definitely in discussions about doing a pre war set in the future. You will definitely hear about it if we do.

Thanks,
-Nick

At this time I cannot estimate an exact price on exactly what each break slot would cost. That will be decided sometime in the near future when we obtain the set. Most of these breaks will have a lot of spots so no need to worry about figuring out if you can join now. You will definitely have time to decide once the break if officially posted.

-Nick

I'd like to everyone who posted on this thread. Thank you for all the support and questions. I've tried to answer all the questions and I'm very gracious to those who took the time to answer some for me.


-Nick

Unsure of the time horizon but sometimes members take multiple spots so it fills it up much quicker. 206 is a lot of spots but with these Topps sets usually the more cards equals the lower the spot price will be. Pre-war set prices since some have few cards spot price is quite high. For now this is a brainstorm, concern, question thread. Just trying to poll everyone see how they feel. I know we have a lot of pre-war collectors so Im trying to weigh every possible option available to us.

-Nick

I have not heard of this before but think it is a cool idea.

Love this idea...
 

I'd love to be part of it... I could only afford 1 or 2 slots, but it sounds like an awesome idea!

Cheers!

I'd be in for a spot or 2 - always interested in Pre-War Cards (Vietnam)

Group break
 

Hey guys
Nick approached me with this idea and it sounded like it could be something to keep our forum current and energized. I don't think anything is set in stone yet so any suggestions and/or feedback is appreciated. The '55 set seemed good because of it's size and star amount but i am also open to thinking about other sets, maybe pre-war? Or maybe the first one is the '55 and we see how it goes. I am not sure we can fill over 200 slots. Keep the feedback coming and thanks to Nick for offering to handle it. Believe me guys, this is all Greek to me too!!

Nick--What's in this for you?

I'm in. Sounds like a fun idea.

I would take a spot or 5 depending on price. Better odds than the lottery.
Bill D.

Im doing this because I love the hobby. As I previously stated in another answer to a question there is a premium amount to run the break which me and Leon will split 50/50. A lot of work goes into putting these breaks together, making them run smoothly, packaging items, and sending out the items.

Thanks for your questions,
-Nick

Awesome. Definitely better odds than the lottery because at least in these you always end up with something.

Thanks for the support,
-Nick

As Leon stated keep those suggestions and feedback coming. We really appreciate and want to run something you guys will enjoy.

-Nick

Thank you Nick and Leon...
 

I love these kind of things... and it's always kind of a dream of mine to find a box of really old cards and do a break... this is about as close as I'll ever get to something like that... and as was mentioned before... better than Vegas, because everyone will get something... The '55 set seems a good bet... great design... a lot of excellent players... (anything from 1956 and earlier interests me). I have a couple of friends who (while not on the forum) would be interested in this (is that allowed?). ...so I think, Leon, there's a good chance of selling all the slots. Keep us posted!

If you ran 10 random number scans you could publish the results on Friday and tie the chosen numbers with the total number of runs scored on Sunday. Like football boards. That way we could spend Monday cursing or praising the Yankee, Dodger or Red Sox (others Sunday night teams too possibly) player that scored or allowed the run that moved you from Clemente to Finigan.
Bill D

Not trying to poopoo anything, but what is the point of running the random list generator 5 times rather than just once? It's not like shuffling a deck of cards where things only get sorta randomized the first time. Are the extra 4 randomizations just to make the skeptics feel better?

(I'm not trying to be a smart alec here. I just really don't understand the point of randomizing multiple times.)

If and when a prewar break happened I'd be in.

I really think this is a great idea (that's the degenerate gambler in me!). Here are some sets for thought, including a Pre-WWI:

T201 - 50 cards
1941 Playball - 72 Cards
1948 Bowman - 48 cards
1955 Topps

It sounds like must watch TV as it's streamed live. I believe the corresponding thread chatter will be great to follow.

I would be interested in a pre-war break.

I'm in
 

I like the idea, I am in for a spot or 2.

Mr. Lee

The running the random generator is to make skeptics feel better and provide more excitement to the people watching live. I feel one-three randoms are good if you have about 5-10 people in the break, anything past that 5 is usually the best way to avoid anyone complaining or being skeptical.

-Nick

As I stated in a previous answer to a question. There is a premium charge added to the break which Leon & I are splitting 50/50. A lot of time goes into planning and actually doing the break.

I also do this because I love the hobby. I collect vintage cards and thought it would be a great way to bring our community together.

-Nick

PM Sent.


Thanks for the feedback,
-Nick

Actually and this is a MUST when it comes to doing a case break or something such as this is that the whole drawing of the numbers must be televised on a site such as Breakers.TV, the reason is you do not want ANY person with a hint of a complaint about the final decision.

Rich

There are a lot of questions being asked and comments being made that have ALREADY been addressed. Please read the enitre thread, folks.

Any thoughts on when this will launch? I'm heading to the Caribbean for the next eight days, but I don't wanthink to miss out.

Would you be allowing B/S/T after the random? This is one of my favorite parts about these types of breaks and I'm sure others would love the chance to buy/sell unwanted cards and/or make trades.

Also, as T206 crazy as this board is, you could whip everyone into an absolute frenzy doing a near set-break of T206s. If you can make this happen it will be the most viewed and responded to thread in net54 history. Just sayin!

Sorry the line about being on TV line while the randomater was gong was missed on my part -- I saw that on the third re-read

This get a partial set of t206 set

Fair enough. Thanks for the explanation and personal experience. Good luck!

Not sure when the break will launch but an email blast will probably be sent out. I think that would be the best way to keep everyone informed about what is going on. Leon and many others are busy at the national so more information will come once the national is over.

Nick

Yes buying/selling/trading will be allowed after the break for sure. Thanks for your question.

As for the T206 near set break I guess only time and interest will tell. The sky is the limit with these breaks. Hopefully one day we reach that limit.

Thanks,
Nick

Exactly. Everything has to done a specific way so no one questions the final results of the break.

Thanks for the comment Rich,
Nick

Thanks for the support,
Nick

I'd be in for a spot or two. Sounds like fun!

Personally I think this concept is worthy of one of my columns --- I'm going to write this and pitch to my editor (who is a valued Net54 advertiser)

Wow awesome! Thank you Rich, I really appreciate it.

Nick

"As I stated in a previous answer to a question. There is a premium charge added to the break which Leon & I are splitting 50/50. A lot of time goes into planning and actually doing the break."

I realize you are making something. What I am asking is what percentage of the set's purchase price are you and Leon making? Will the cost of the set be disclosed?

Yes these cost of the set will probably be disclosed as Leon & I are trying to be as transparent as possible with these breaks.

Thanks,
Nick

Hi Nick,

I think it's a great idea and I don't think you'll have any trouble filling up the 200 or so slots.

Best of luck and keep us informed as I will certainly be in for a few slots.

Steve

I would be in for a couple of slots. I am going to Vegas in a week so it might depend what happens there. :D