I'm thinking about getting into regular (not etopps) cards. I was wondering what sets to choose from with price and rare cards and inserts being a factor.

I don't know much about newer sets, but 92 & 93 bowman are some nice sets to build. Filled with quality rookies.

Do they have 01 02 Bowmans? All I hear about is the 92/93 years.

The fact that you have to ask this question is why I don't buy regular cards anymore.

lol yea there are so many sets out there...

I don't know if they make regular Bowman anymore, but currently the Bowman set that has all the rookies are the Bowman Chrome sets. They have all kinds of refractor cards too that are always worth some loot if you get a good guy.

Ipster, what're you looking for? Some sets have better quality cards than others... some have better inserts in packs. The best set I've seen in recent days is the Topps 206 cards. It's simple enough for set builders, has great inserts & short print subsets.

I also really liked UD 2002 40-man. It's a tough set to build, but it's inexpensive. Boxes still go for around $25. The inserts are great, plenty of bats, jerseys, and variation cards. I got a Sosa Gold Jersey, #'ed to 50, a Nomo Jersey card, amongst many other great inserts.

Donruss had a strong comeback in 2001, but it hasn't been able to maintain the initial strength. It's still a great product, but not what it was with the relaunch.

my 3 cents
thekingpin

This year the best luck I've had has been with 2003 Topps Chrome, the boxes have been out now for a month or so and are getting cheaper and cheaper on ebay, the base set is only 220 cards with 20 of them being First Year Cards and they have some Uncirculated X Fractors, Blue Back Relics, and Record Breaker Relics that are worth a little bit not to mention the numbered refractors that you get in each box!!!!

I have to diagree on the donruss, I believe that are holding steady, I just finished the the 2003 Diamond kings and it is better than last year, I have all the rookie so like 7 cards short of the Retired stars, to finish it off, this is where it gets difficult.

So the diamond kings has been a great set to put together.

If you want to work on a set every year, Bowman is nice and fairly easy with some nice inserts and lots of rookies.
Bowman Chrome gets expensive if you want to get the whole set but the inserts can make it well worth it. Rookies, refractors, auto rookies, etc.
Bowmans Best is a lot like the chrome but more expensive.
The Topps traded and Chrome as well as the Bowman Traded are nice to build. Something in there for every taste.
The good sets are now making rookies an insert card which makes the rookies worth more but the regular set without the SP rookies are almost worthless because of it.
That's why Bowman is better if you want lots of rookie cards and why Bowman Chrome is better if you want high dollar rookie cards.
Upper Deck has basically the same range of products with less rookies but a chance at higher dollar inserts.
Hope this helps a bit.

Leaf Rc's and Stars AND U.D pros and prospects are cool!

Pacific Products for amount of g.u/ Inserts mainly for collectability

SPA and SPX for "Lottery Packs" My form of scratch offs. Not real Salty, but rewards can be great!!

U.D.Ultimate collection for a mere $150/pack

Bowman Chrome sets esp. the pre-SP ones always hold their value because of the sheer number of superstar RCs they have. I just finished my 1999 Bowman Chrome set with RCs of Soriano, Dunn, Kearns, Burrell, Hudson, Mulder, Garcia, Nick Johnson, A.J. Burnett, Jason Jennings, etc. The Bowman ones are nice as well, but demand for Bowman is noticeably less than for Bowman Chrome.

Where is a cheap place I can buy these boxes...besides ebay.

All I collect anymore is the regular Topps issued. They always have some pretty nice inserts. I haven't had much luck with jerseys but in one pack of Topps 2002 I pulled a Duke Snider Auto. Plus there is always the chance of getting some vintage topps in them. I once pulled a 1960 Whitey Ford. Like everybody else they have jerseys, bats and autos too. No SP's which I like. It makes the sets easier to collect. Also you can get like a 13 card pack for $1.99 so they are not too expensive either.
If you do decided to collect Topps, I have a lot of 2002 and 2003 duplicates and a bunch of 2001 and 2002 inserts.

i would say these sets, 2002 topps heritage or 2003,

topps 206 is awsome set to build fun tons of inserts good resale value

topps 205 will come out in july and i expect it to be as big or bigger then 206

and any bowman/topps chrome product wether bowman draft picks ect

Chrome is always a fun box break resale is high great eye appeal alot of bang for the buck!!!

If your looking for a challenege then i would say pick a vintage year that is obtainable, ie not like 52 topps unless your rich, and go from there i am currently pursuing the 68 topps set and its been the most fun i have had with cards in a LONG time. Whatever you choose good luck! and try to have fun thats what this hobby is all about.

ohh yea and sorry a good place to buy cards is dacardworld.com they have the best prices i have seen on the net excluding sometimes on ebay. plus they have a flat shipping rate of 6.00 no matter how much you buy its less if you buy less but if you do a bulk order it can come in handy!

1992-1999 Bowman Sets are real good.

They may be a bit expensive but they will always hold their value because they have the best rookie cards around.

If you want to spend more money then maybe Bowman Chrome would be a good fit.