Hobby vs. Retail

[GriffithCW]

This may sound like a dumb question. I've been out of the hobby for a long time, and just now coming back into it in the last couple of months. I keep hearing talk of hobby boxes vs. retail boxes. What exactly is the difference? Why does the insert, gu, and auto, distribution seem to be different between the two. I have a pretty good idea of what a retail box is, but I'm not sure specifically what a hobby box is. I would appreciate your help.

[WilyWestbrook0]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I believe hobby boxes are only available in card shops. Retail stuff can be found in the likes of Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

[golfermatt91]

the hobby boxes are directly from the manufactures and have the good cards like the gu's, autos, and better chances of getting stuff as the retail go to stores like Kmart, walmart,target.. and usually cheaper but just get base cards... hope this helps.

[spuds1961]

hey griffith cw,how are ya the biggest difference that i have noticed is you get better odds on the gu from hobby boxes ,take this years fleer tradition for example retail odds for a gu are 1 in 288 packs but the box is only 9.99 for 11 packs ,hobby boxes run in the 55 to 65 dollar range you get 36 packs but the odds for a gu are 1 in 18 packs,so you are guaranteed for the most part 2 gu per hobby box as per 1 gu in28 retail boxes the math is simple 280 bucks for 1 gu or 55 to 65 for 2 gu sure you won,t get to open 288 packs but you will still spend alot less on hobby in the long run ,now if you are just trying to put a set together retail is the cheaper way to go but if you are looking for gu i would definitely buy hobby just my opinion though ,hope this helps a little take care spuds