Case-breaking noob questions

[jasman]

Greetings everyone,

I was hoping I could ask for some advice. I collected for a while as a younger person, but am just not getting back into collecting after many years away. While the internet helps with research, I have a few questions:

1) This fall, I'll be breaking my first case of football cards. I anticipate starting small, so I assume to go with a case of the base Topps when it releases in August. Should I expect to pull enough re-sellable value to cover the cost of the case or actually make a profit? (there was a time when that was the norm, but it's been so long I don't know if that's remotely true anymore)

2) In considering other products, what would you say are the top 5 Football Card products that make for the best case breaks?

Any insights you can give to an old man returning to a beloved hobby would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

jasman

[vikingsfan4life]

Jasman,

No matter what you break anymore you are not going to have enough to break even let alone make a profit. If you are looking to make a profit in this hobby, you need to buy and sell singles by the bulk. Breaking boxes is definatley not the way to.

if you are looking to break some boxes for fun and hope to get good hits out of them. I would not break Topps, as you will get 1 Hit and the rest base that arent really worth much to most.
Look into sets that give you the ability to hit rookies & vets. My personal favorite is from 2011 Plates & Patches, I also like Limited. Just a little more variety than a bunch of rookies.

Just my opinion.

Chaz

[tndcollectables]

I don't know about the above answer as I break cases and make some profit off of them. It all depends on the case is what drives the profit, also on who is hot and how good the rookie class is.

[vikingsfan4life]

What cases are you busting?

[tndcollectables]

What cases are you busting?

limited, spa, elite, exquisite, prestige

[tndcollectables]

I have only done 3 cases of exquisite didn't want to press my luck. I have also done sp legendary cuts 3 cases the very best pull was a Satchell Paige cut auto. If you sell on feebay then it is all about timing. Don't try selling football during baseball season, unless it is a sp or very "hot" player, then you might do well.

[bcw716]

I'm with Vikings fan on this one for the most part. I don't really buy cases per se but 85% of the people I see that do break cases rarely break even or turn a profit especially with this year's class.

That being said, 2014 may be the time to take a chance on it with the solid QB class coming in & nice depth at skill positions.

[tndcollectables]

With me I have a small shop and I do a card show every 3 months. I usually at least break even or a little a head. But I also include on my trading the ones that don't sell for other cards to so that is also factored in.

[azdbacks1998]

I don't break cases, or many boxes for that matter.....but consider these:

Momentum
Certified
Crown Royale

Those boxes generally go for $100-$125/box and yield 1 hit per pack, I only have experience breaking Momentum, which has ten packs, that's 10 hits/box. I don't know how many boxes are in a case, but you do the math if your looking for # of hits. Sure, you'll get the $8-$10 hits, but you'll also hit the occasional $50 to $100 hits too, that might pay for one of the boxes alone....then the rest of the autos/relic hits in that particular box are all profit/trade bait.

Something to consider.

Good luck, and make sure to post your break results!

[jwgreen68]

You CAN break even or turn a profit. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as;

Popularity
Cost
Secondary market value
Timing


Check YouTube for breaks of a product you're considering from the previous year. Check trading site reviews. Those could be a key indicator of a products popularity.

Comparison shop for the best price. Some wholesalers offer free shipping or other discounts but that doesn't necessarily make them the best price.

Check ebay for previous sold auctions to get an idea of a ballpark range for what your cards might bring.

Timing is also very important. Your big case breakers generally pre-sell a product weeks before its release. Competition can be stiff and drive prices down.

Also consider that the big case breakers generally buy 10,20 or more cases of a single product. This gives them the best shot at pulling the best cards and turning a profit.