and more than happy to address those variables, matt:
i have 5 basic topps ryan sets.
, so the cards weren't purchased simply to couple them together and wish for a 10. i certainly didn't buy every 9 that was posted either.
the buy prices on my 9s have ranged from $800 - $1200. naturally this is over the course of 5 or so years. haven't bought a 9 in the past 8 months however 9s seem to be fetching $2K these days. again i'm not a dealer or a speculator. they are in my collection and even though the last 10 went for 40k, i'm not cashing in on this one. she's been tucked away.
even if one didn't cross and/or was in it for the flip/money, a case could certainly be made for sticking w/ this process as well. buy, hold, attempt to cross and still quite a bundle to be made either way.
again, to each their own but even if the 10 didn't hit, it's a win-win scenario.