Should I quit the gamble?

[KangoBass]

I've never been a big box breaker and personal I have done well just opening a few packs here and there. I've participated in 3 group breaks (2 went well, 1 went decent). I personally collect Bobby Ryan cards and have built a few sets (08/09 OPC Retro, Base/SPs, 09/10 OPC Base/SPs, Score, 09/10 Cup Base). As of latley I've been buying a lot of PC cards on ebay and notice I've been spending less overall. I used to have a decent amount of traders but have only traded for 23 PC cards out of my 199 total PC cards. I like opening packs for the thrill of getting a big hit or pc cards and typically just ebay my hits after. So, I'm looking for some opinions from SCF member that are PC only collectors (don't buy many packs if at all, maybe a group break here and there) and from routine box breakers. Do you think you spend less on a PC person only buying cards? Unless I'm building a set I might stop buying packs. If a pack of SPGU at a cost of $30 and I can buy a triple jersey PC card for $10 then I might as well as save $20 and just take the card I would rather have then what I would rather get (the thrill)? I've also thought about this; When buying a PC card on ebay, should I look at what else the sellers might have @basement prices (0.99 GU/autos) and pick them up on a shipping discount (typically 0.50 extra so 1.50 overall cost) providing a way to build up some traders? Experiences/Opinions? Thanks!

[metsfan6986]

I'm the same way love the thrill but hate breaking bank. I don't think I've ever opened a box that costed more than 150. Personally your best bet for base and inserts is checkoutmycards.com...they have nice stuff there for a good price. I'd pick up the $10 card off ebay and possibly buy a few packs here and there but set limits for yourself.

[ralral33]

it is fun busting because you never know you could hit the jackpot.but on the other hand if your just looking for a certain player you collect it is better just to buy the singles .alot cheaper that way

[paulsamborski]

I love busting, its a rush, but on that same token it is such a huge gamble! I have found it is usually a lot lighter on the wallet just buying items you want and leave the rest. I like doing both, but just like anything just do it inside your means!

[fdp79]

its always more expensive to bust wax than buying singles...always

[scla6986]

Imo you would save a bunch of time, money and stress by just buying singles of your pc guy. I wouldn't stop buying packs or boxes completely (I don't think many of us could lol) but adjusting your budget to favor your pc is the way to go.

[joshpackham]

I just pick up the singles I want. Collecting Ovechkin is expenisve to start with so I don't buy boxes very often. The way I look at it is I can get all the Ovechkin cards from a set for less than the cost of a box, so it saves money that way. The only 2 boxes I've opened this year were a box of Certified (to test panani) and a box of score because I like the cards and they are cheap.

[TheBoxBreaker]

If you're a big Ryan collector, don't buy a lot of boxes and just buy the singles that you like.

Sites like eBay and CheckOutMyCards have great prices for such cards, along with a lot of other sites.

[KangoBass]

great feedback, this is what I was looking for.

[centrehice]

If I had opened only packs and boxes to get 1,278 different Steve Yzerman cards, I would only be at about 875 Yzerman cards now, and would be out of pocket about another $4,500.00 easily.

Pack breaking is fun, but not at all profitable in the least. I have obtained 4 different Steve Yzerman cards with single BV's from $80.00 to $100.00 in the last 5 months, and have not spent over $6.00 total.

That's $360.00 BV of Yzerman's for $6.00 plus $6.50 shipping charges - $13.50. To get the same 4 cards by opening packs/boxes, I would have had to open 4 cases minimum of Product and it would have cost me dearly.

The issues I would have had to open, Yzerman was the 2nd highest BV in the boxes after Gretzky, so none of this Patch/Auto Patch stuff, these are low numbered parallels and were the only high BV cards offered. All issues were also prior to 2004, 3 of them in the late 90's.