Counterfeit Hobby Box?

[shandsgator8]

Just purchased a Hobby Box of Topps 2013 Series 1 baseball cards. Unlike the other two Hobby Boxes I purchased the shrink wrap doesn't have the small blue "Topps" stamps on it. Instead, it has small blue smears where the small blue stamps would be. It's a little odd, but does it mean it's a counterfeit box? Anyone have any experience with this odd type of shrink wrap?

[drubacca117]

I've had boxes without any stamping on the shrink wrap, or with smears, it happens. Did you buy the box off eBay, or from an LCS? I wouldn't worry so much if it was purchased from a shop, with eBay I would have the sellers info handy, and would maybe snap some pictures before I opened the box...

[shandsgator8]

It was purchased from ebay for a reasonable price and a reputable dealer. I doubt it's fake, but I may take pictures of it before opening it, just in case, as you suggested.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[texansrangerfan73]

Never heard of a counterfeit hobby box but they have been known to be searched & resealed. Pretty sure like the other poster posted I wouldn't worry too much but I'd take pictures. If your guaranteed hit is missing then worry.

[shandsgator8]

Ok, thanks, I'll make sure I get my hit.

[jwgreen68]

You would have to ask yourself why anyone would counterfeit a cheap box anyways? Wouldn't it be more likely that someone would counterfeit a more expensive box? It likely would cost more to fake a box of 2013 Topps than to buy one! More than likely, the seller bought more than he could sell or picked up a discounted case and is hoping to make a little profit by breaking it up and selling individual boxes.

[shandsgator8]

You would have to ask yourself why anyone would counterfeit a cheap box anyways? Wouldn't it be more likely that someone would counterfeit a more expensive box? It likely would cost more to fake a box of 2013 Topps than to buy one! More than likely, the seller bought more than he could sell or picked up a discounted case and is hoping to make a little profit by breaking it up and selling individual boxes.

I've thought about that, but I bet that's what counterfeiters would want you to think (assuming they make fake boxes). A signed rookie Bryce Harper card is going to be scrutinized more than a "normal" Hobby Box. Also, a fake Hobby Box wouldn't be hard to develop at all. Just take a real, used Hobby Box that used to have real cards in it and replace the cards with worthless base cards and wrap them in plastic wrap and used those to fill up the used Hobby Box. Last step: shrink wrap it all with some after market machine. Heck, you wouldn't even need to fill it up with baseball cards, just pieces of paper.

I doubt this happens, but you never know.

[jwgreen68]

I've thought about that, but I bet that's what counterfeiters would want you to think (assuming they make fake boxes). A signed rookie Bryce Harper card is going to be scrutinized more than a "normal" Hobby Box. Also, a fake Hobby Box wouldn't be hard to develop at all. Just take a real, used Hobby Box that used to have real cards in it and replace the cards with worthless base cards and wrap them in plastic wrap and used those to fill up the used Hobby Box. Last step: shrink wrap it all with some after market machine. Heck, you wouldn't even need to fill it up with baseball cards, just pieces of paper.

I doubt this happens, but you never know.

I think you are way over-thinking this! Cards wrapped in plastic wrap would be a dead giveaway since almost all cards come in foil wrappers now. The whole point of counterfeiting something is to fool someone into thinking it's real. If you can tell its fake, then they've lost the chance to fleece more money from you plus would face criminal charges. Like others have said, if you don't get your guaranteed hit, then maybe the packs have been searched and resealed , but I doubt it.

Rather than just continue speculating about what could go wrong, just open the box and packs already.

[shandsgator8]

I think you are way over-thinking this! Cards wrapped in plastic wrap would be a dead giveaway since almost all cards come in foil wrappers now. The whole point of counterfeiting something is to fool someone into thinking it's real. If you can tell its fake, then they've lost the chance to fleece more money from you plus would face criminal charges. Like others have said, if you don't get your guaranteed hit, then maybe the packs have been searched and resealed , but I doubt it.

Rather than just continue speculating about what could go wrong, just open the box and packs already.

If the cards were in the sealed Hobby Box, it would be hard for anyone to tell it's a fake box, especially if the buyer purchased the box online.

I'll open the box when I get the chance, maybe this weekend.

[Compasscards04]

I opened a box of 2008 UD Timeline a few months ago that had Stadium Club football cards from the '90s. Not sure what happened there, but it was from a reputable dealer that I won't name. Have purchased thousands of $ worth of unopened boxes/cases from them and haven't had any other issues.

[shandsgator8]

As an update, I opened the box in question. It had 36 packs inside and I've opened about half of them and everything seems normal. I got my first hit, too (jersey relic).

I did take pictures, just in case, though.

[texansrangerfan73]

As an update, I opened the box in question. It had 36 packs inside and I've opened about half of them and everything seems normal. I got my first hit, too (jersey relic).

I did take pictures, just in case, though.

Congrats!! Who is the jersey relic of? Did you get any other hits such as any low numbered parallels?

[shandsgator8]

Congrats!! Who is the jersey relic of? Did you get any other hits such as any low numbered parallels?

It was a Chasing History Carlos Gonzalez relic (#CHR - CGO).

I don't think i got any low numbered parallels. I got a few gold and shiny green (emerald?) parallels, though (probably not worth much).