Newby - Questions and Just bought 2 boxes

[Scubastevie]

Hey all,
I'm new to the whole collecting and trading cards deal. I bought cards when I was young but never really did much with them. I played with them and looked at them too much. I never really had any "rare" cards so it wasn't too big of a deal. I'm talking 95-98 was when I was really getting packs as gifts.

Now that I'm looking for a good hobby, I decided to start collecting again.

I have a few questions, and also just wondering a couple things if you do not mind answering.

First, I bought a hobby box of Authentic Upper Deck and Series One.

1. What do you store your cards in? Just basic top loaders? Where can I get a bunch cheap
2. Is it worth sending them to get graded? How can you tell how perfect the card is?
3. Do you recommend any other boxes? I see people talking about SP packs and such coming out soon.
4. Final Q. What do you end up doing with all the extra basic cards you get?

I'm excited for my first 2 boxes. Also building a rep here. I sell on ebay alot with perfect rep and can't wait to get some on here.

[TJJenkins]

Not into hockey, but I'd PM JerseyCoast on here for supplies. Great prices, and SCF members get free shipping.

[ClaudeGirouxTML]

1. Most decent cards, people put them in a penny sleeve and a top loader. If it's a really nice card, people may put them in a magnetic one-touch. You can get all of that a local card/hobby shop.

2. Most people don't send cards in to get graded that often, at least, not that I know of. Some people do group submissions because it's pretty expensive to send a single card in by yourself. It's worth sending a card in if it's a nice, valuable card already (i.e. probably over a 50 dollar card in Sale Value), and to your eye, the card is perfect.

3. This is all personal preference. It also depends on how much you're willing to spend. In terms of bang for buck, Upper Deck Series One usually does all-right, as its Young Guns (Rookie cards) are very collectible. If you're willing to spend some money, look towards The Cup by Upper Deck, and Dominion by Panini. There's also Ultimate Memorabilia by In The Game, but it's very expensive (upwards of 800 a box), and a lot of people seem to shy away from ITG cards. Just the way it is. My advice would be this.
For low end (30-50 bucks a box) go with Score (Panini).
For low-mid end (60-90 bucks a box) go with Upper Deck Series 1 and 2.
For mid-high end (100-200 bucks a box) go with Artifacts (Upper Deck), Ultimate Collection (Upper Deck), Limited (Panini), or SP Authentic (Upper Deck).
For high end (200+ a box), go with Dominion or The Cup.''

4. I store 'em in a cabinet. Some people throw them away, some people keep them, and some people give them away. Some people send them to NHL Arena's for through the Mail autographs. Again, personal preference.

Hope I could be of help!

Let us know how you do on your two boxes!

[MasonRaymond0320]

Welcome to SCF!! :)

For question #3, I'd reccomend this years contenders. Unfortunately it'll be delayed but it's gonna be awesome with multiply player autos, and pretty much ever 2nd box has 'case hit'. I think there's like 6 case hits per 14 boxes although I'm not 100% sure. Also it's around $90 per box which definitely isn't bad.

#4 I'd reccomend donating them or maybe giving them to kids during cardshows. They can be a bit annoying because I have stacks of them and don't have room for them lol

[Scubastevie]

Wow, I really appreciate the quick responses to my questions. I'm very excited about getting my first 2 boxes. I ordered online because I didn't see a card shop close to my area. I used to visit one but it moved to florida.

I'm going to try to find one this week as I want to pick up some penny sleeves and top loaders.

I really don't want to spend upwards of 150 a box. I saw the SP authentics coming out soon, I'll probably try to hopefully fund a little bit of a box by selling some cards when I get them. I assume that should be possible if I get lucky.

Hopefully I don't get too addicted. I'm really excited about building rep and doing case breaks and stuff, it sounds cool.

[wild4life]

Wow, I really appreciate the quick responses to my questions. I'm very excited about getting my first 2 boxes. I ordered online because I didn't see a card shop close to my area. I used to visit one but it moved to florida.

I'm going to try to find one this week as I want to pick up some penny sleeves and top loaders.

I really don't want to spend upwards of 150 a box. I saw the SP authentics coming out soon, I'll probably try to hopefully fund a little bit of a box by selling some cards when I get them. I assume that should be possible if I get lucky.

Hopefully I don't get too addicted. I'm really excited about building rep and doing case breaks and stuff, it sounds cool.

If you're looking for good rookie cards, you can't go wrong with Upper Deck Series 1 and SP Authentic. The Young Guns and Future Watch Autos are the staple rookie cards of any player collection (not including The Cup).

Dakota

[npham]

Not into hockey, but I'd PM JerseyCoast on here for supplies. Great prices, and SCF members get free shipping.

Where were you earlier today!? I just picked up 25 1-touch cases, oops!

[Scubastevie]

Question:
Got my first box and Loved Artifact, not CRAZY about UD but obvious price difference.

What would you recommend?

Artifact or Panini Limited?

I want to stop by my LCS and buy something :)

[wild4life]

Definitely Artifacts...between those two. Limited is a one box/pack product that is very hit or miss.

[Scubastevie]

Thanks!