Buying unopened packs

[GregMitch34]

Yes, my question would be, based on experiences, is there a general sense that such packs really have not been tinkered with? That such concerns are overblown or realistic?

[Griffins]

a lot of packs come from finds, where a case or a few boxes have sat in some grocers warehouse for decades. Such is the case with the Paris Tenn find of '54 and '54 Topps and Bowman packs, the box of '64 Standup penny packs and '65 Topps penny packs, and the 5 boxes of '54 Topps Canadian that walked into a show a few years ago. There was a box of Sport King packs in the early '90's, and a box of '52 Topps packs was broken up about 20 years ago at a show. There have been other instances of the same thing happening with different sets.
There are many things to look for when buying an unopened pack- roller marks, corner folds, etc.
Most vintage packs are worth a lot more than the sum of their parts, the value is in keeping it unopened.

[Snapolit1]

Thanks. Useful info. What about the holiday three packs of 1956 Topps cards I've seen on eBay. You can see the two outside cards on each of the three sleeves, but not what is in the middle. Wonder if those are safe to buy. A pretty cool item and I came close a few times to taking a shot on those.

[RaidonCollects]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Thanks. Useful info. What about the holiday three packs of 1956 Topps cards I've seen on eBay. You can see the two outside cards on each of the three sleeves, but not what is in the middle. Wonder if those are safe to buy. A pretty cool item and I came close a few times to taking a shot on those.

Those aren't worth it, they're repackaged and IMO a waste of money.

-Owen

[Snapolit1]

thanks

[Griffins]

agreed, the Christmas rack packs are an aftermarket craft project.

[ALR-bishop]

http://blog.ha.com/2013/12/christmas...hobby-mystery/

[iwantitiwinit]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Thanks. Useful info. What about the holiday three packs of 1956 Topps cards I've seen on eBay. You can see the two outside cards on each of the three sleeves, but not what is in the middle. Wonder if those are safe to buy. A pretty cool item and I came close a few times to taking a shot on those.

Totally fabricated after the fact, way after. Stay away.

I bought a 1951 topps redback pack showing Monte Irvin through the wrapper

[1880nonsports]

It's always a leap of faith when buying "unopened" products but as diligence and knowledge are requisite in any collectible endeavor - one can proactively reduce the risk.
As for the statement "Is any collector really going to let an unopened pack sit for decades when there is a possible rare card inside?" most see the economic value in keeping the item sealed - it's closest to it's original state and the contents are at this point an uncashed lottery ticket. Like sell the sizzle and not the steak. Of course if we are not talking about a COMMODITY but an emotional activity (these are after all cards we are talking about) - they were meant to at least be SEEN - like having a book but never opening it to read the words - I would probably want to open it.
One might take either approach depending on the desired outcome - I have some early sealed tobacco packs but that's a different animal as there's no advantage to opening them.

[packs]

If you buy one cent packs you can usually see the single card through the wrapper. So if you're worried about temptation and blowing your money, buy an expensive one cent pack, shine a bright light on it, and then decide if you're going to open it for the card inside, or leave it be if it's a common. That way you either get a card you want or you get a neat pack in its original state with peace of mind that you aren't missing anything.