Mike D's Adventures in Wax

[Mike D.]

Listed the first 7 complete sets on eBay.

Still have a LOT of boxes and packs to open, but probably won't sort any more sets until a few of these sell (if they do!)

[Mike D.]

Today was the former Cranston show, now held in Coventry, RI...a handy 8 minutes from my house.

I didn't get quite as much time to look around as I would have had flying solo, but I brought my little guy and he had a blast.

The dealers and other customers were all very nice to him...I think folks in the hobby understand that we need to get the kids interested for things to continue on. Several gave him small gifts of free cards, free packs, etc. Small gestures that mean a lot!

We made a few purchases for his budding collection, including a few small sets, some 2 for $1 packs, a Ted Williams card, and a box of 1987 Topps packs that are his to open and sort. The box was only $10, and that's the set that started ME collecting 32 years ago!

[Mike D.]

At the Coventry show, we also picked up a rack case of 1989 Donruss.

The case has 72 rack packs, 45 cards per pack (plus 3 puzzle pieces) and we paid $50 from the same very nice dealer we bought the '87 Topps wax box from.

We started opening today. I keep forgetting just how many packs/cards are in a case. I should have bought more storage boxes at the show.

[Mike D.]

Cracked all the '89 Donruss rack packs.

Pulled 5 Griffey Jr's, 4 Randy Johnson, and it seems mostly 3-9 cards.

I've started listing a few cards on eBay, but I can't imagine I'll make the $50 I spent on the case. I guess the approach is to try to make a little back, and the rest is "entertainment fee" for the fun of opening and sorting.

[Mike D.]

Looking back at the box that got this all started, the 1981-83 Cramer.

I've sold 3 singles and 4 lots for $1.99 w/ free s/h. So, that's $13.93 out of my original $34.95 "investment".

[Yastrzemski Sports]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

Cracked all the '89 Donruss rack packs.

Pulled 5 Griffey Jr's, 4 Randy Johnson, and it seems mostly 3-9 cards.

I've started listing a few cards on eBay, but I can't imagine I'll make the $50 I spent on the case. I guess the approach is to try to make a little back, and the rest is "entertainment fee" for the fun of opening and sorting.

My best advice if you want to make money is to get a very few of the key cards graded if they are worthy. I just recently sold a 1987 Topps bo Jackson psa 10 for around $38. If the Griffey would grade a 10 it is around $200. But if it’s a 9 it’s worth less than $20 so you have to be really sure it’s a 10. Otherwise the junk wax stuff is usually worth more unopened - as are all cards.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by Yastrzemski Sports

My best advice if you want to make money is to get a very few of the key cards graded if they are worthy. I just recently sold a 1987 Topps bo Jackson psa 10 for around $38. If the Griffey would grade a 10 it is around $200. But if it’s a 9 it’s worth less than $20 so you have to be really sure it’s a 10. Otherwise the junk wax stuff is usually worth more unopened - as are all cards.

It's not really "make money" as much as it's "make some of it back".

I've actually never had any cards graded. The whole "hoping for 10's" things is a bit too much like gambling for me. Looking at population reports for '89 Donruss on PSA, looks like many have tried the same and gotten burned.

That last part sounds mildly depressing. I guess the fact that I open stuff makes me a "hobbiest"

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

It's not really "make money" as much as it's "make some of it back".

I've actually never had any cards graded. The whole "hoping for 10's" things is a bit too much like gambling for me. Looking at population reports for '89 Donruss on PSA, looks like many have tried the same and gotten burned.

That last part sounds mildly depressing. I guess the fact that I open stuff makes me a "hobbiest"

I just picked up a case of 1989 Donruss wax last weekend and had fun ripping it open. If your luck was anything like mine, there would have been no Griffs worth grading. Not one was remotely close to being centered. That being said, it's not the only money card in the set if graded. The Schillings are now going for $50-65 in PSA 10, I believe in anticipation of him possibly getting into the Hall next year. I'm sending in about 15-20 of the cards in a bulk sub but I am being overly picky on what I'm sending.
Even if you don't send in anything for grading, pick the most centered, sharpest cards(best to use maginfication) and just put them back, you...or your son may want to send them in for grading one day!
Best of luck/fun in your rips and thanks for sharing!

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Yastrzemski Sports

My best advice if you want to make money is to get a very few of the key cards graded if they are worthy. I just recently sold a 1987 Topps bo Jackson psa 10 for around $38. If the Griffey would grade a 10 it is around $200. But if it’s a 9 it’s worth less than $20 so you have to be really sure it’s a 10. Otherwise the junk wax stuff is usually worth more unopened - as are all cards.

I had no idea donruss griffeys were going for that much. I bought 3 or 4 for like 40 bucks each a while back along with some fleer, score, and topps traded.