New to this

[BigBerserker]

I am very new to this card trading business and I have some questions. I am looking for Basketball cards that will keep and develop a value. I prefer Upper Deck but I do like Topps, which do you prefer?

What packs or boxes would you recommend I invest in? My main goal is to buy cards that will be rare and very valuable. I especially LOVE the jersey cards, I got my first one today: Luke Ridnour in a Upper Deck Hobby pack. I would like a lot more of those.

And finally, what do the numbers mean on some cards like 24/50?

Thanks!

[steve-o]

the high end packs like equsite ultimate or upperdeck are best for nice cards

as for your question 24/50 means the card is numbered to only 50 cards made

[underdawg]

The hobby is pretty much about luck, if you are thinking about value.

You could get a Jordan jersey or auto and sell it for a lot. But, then you could get a Jared Dudley auto and sell it for less than 7 dollars.

The more expensive a product, usually, the more of a high reward, high risk kind of outcome you'd get.

And to add to steve-o's answer, 24/50 means it is the 24th made out of the 50 made in total. People like to have 1/50, or 50/50 which means it was the first or last one made. Some people like to have the cards numbered to the jersey number. For example, if you collect Yao Ming, you'd want 11/50. Because 11 is his jersey number.

[BigBerserker]

Ok, very cool. Also, are all box sets the same or unique because they all contain packs. And what packs contain the most amount of Autographs? What does it cost to have a card graded and which cards do people grade?

Lastly, whats your favorite pack of Basketball cards?

[jubei777]

usually the higher the value of the card in the long term is rookie cards that are autographed with a nice patch. highest would be exquisite from upper deck while my own preference is sp authentic and premier.

[HIJACK12]

Ok, very cool. Also, are all box sets the same or unique because they all contain packs. And what packs contain the most amount of Autographs? What does it cost to have a card graded and which cards do people grade?

Lastly, whats your favorite pack of Basketball cards?

Ok, from the top lol.
Yes, they're unique in that they all have different odds of getting a hit(i.e. a jersey card or an autograph card). They may also be made by different companies which could change the cards design as well. In general, the more a pack costs, the better the odds of getting an auto or jersey.

Card Grading is something that I have not yet participated in,however, I do know a little about it. People tend to get rookie cards that are in VERY good condition graded. This may substantially increase the value, or it may not do much for the value at all. It all depends on the card's grade, the player, and the card itself. Most grading services chage between $10 to $20 .

Hope I could be of some help.

[BigBerserker]

Thanks for the reply HIJACK12. If I had $150 dollars to spend, whats the best box or packs to buy if I'm only looking for AU or GU jerseys?

[Italy61587]

Thanks for the reply HIJACK12. If I had $150 dollars to spend, whats the best box or packs to buy if I'm only looking for AU or GU jerseys?

If you are looking to spend $150 you can either buy a couple moderately priced boxes or one box/pack..for instance 07-08 UD Chronology costs around 150, is one pack that contains i think 7 cards, but of those 7, 3 will be autographs

[NickRadz23]

For $150, get 2007-08 Topps Trademark Moves. You get 8 GU Cards i think two of them being Triple GU, and 4 autos. 1 out of the 4 auto'd cards is a triple auto. all gu and autos are #'ed as well. thanx

[whalechaser]

Thanks for the reply HIJACK12. If I had $150 dollars to spend, whats the best box or packs to buy if I'm only looking for AU or GU jerseys?

If you only want Auto's or Jersey's, your best bet might be to just by singles from eBay. That way you know you'll get auto and jersey 100% of the time for 100% of your money.

But if you do end up buying boxes, learn to enjoy the inserts and base cards too and don't get discourage or disappointed when you don't get the hits you want or start to lose money (which you most likely will.)

As for what boxes to buy for $150, yes Trademark moves will give you a lot of hits but they don't really sell for enough that will make your money back. Maybe if you save up some more and buy something like UD premier.