Any advice on this one??

[alexpatry]

Hi,

I would like to have your opinion on my situation because I’m a little bit confused.
I haven’t been breaking boxes for about a year now because I decided to concentrate on my PC’s and projects because I get more for my money.
Example of active projects
08-09 Artifacts Jersey Set
06-07 and 07-08 Prized Prospect Patch/Auto
Any Kane, Price or Toews card

It’s been great and knowing that you can get the actual card you need for a project for the right prices, helped me save money I was spending on busting wax and getting non-pc stuff.
However, buying PC all the time is really nice, but it doesn’t get you anything in term of trading opportunity because you keep everything. It’s also less exciting. I’ve then been looking at 09-10 Spx and the cards looked really nice. I know you guys are going to tell me that 10-11 is a better product if you compare but I want to complete the 09-10 before, since the 08-09 base set is done and I presently have about 30% base set done already. I kind of miss breaking boxes and would like to be more active on the SCF for trades. That’s why I was thinking of buying a box (about 100$) for the following reasons but I’m a bit mixed up if I should buy or not (buy PC instead)

Pro’s of buying Spx box
1-Want to get some new traders on SCF because my trade list is boring
2-Want to complete the base set like I did with the 08-09.
3-Good hits have an honest probability
4-Have a good time busting wax

Con’s of buying Spx box
1-No new traders
2-Possibly no new PC items
3-Opportunity cost of no spending 100$ to get new PC items, therefore, no advances in my projects
4-Possibility of getting low crappy traders and being stuck with them

Any advice or comment would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[JHEYKID]

Have the same problem all the time, you'll always get something ya want for your PC but never get the big dog that everyone wants. For me I budget my spending to 75% PC 25% Traders/Wax. In the end your goal is to build your PC so I'd lean more towards spending more on it, but have a little set aside to have some fun with.

[alexpatry]

thanks JHEYKID, will take your advice in consideration.

[JHEYKID]

Cracking wax can be a very hard craving to over come sometimes haha.

[joshpackham]

i would consider buying traders the same way you buy PC cards, that way your still getting cards that you should be able to move and don't get stuck with no name auto's/GU cards that no one wants.

[alexpatry]

joshpackham: good point!

[reoddai]

If you can resist the temptation to avoid buying wax, an alternative is to buy 'lots'.

A good for example is lets say you want a Price game used. There's lots on eBay of course. Buy one for 10$ and pay 3$ s/h. Its PC, but no traders or anything else.

If you look carefully, sometimes you can find a lot of cards all sold at once which includes that same Price game used card. You may pay 20$ + 3$ s/h, but in addition to that Price PC item, you also scored some nice trade bait.

If that still doesn't work for you, why not consider taking part in a group break? It has the elements on breaking wax AND because its often a draft (either by number, or team), you are pretty much guaranteed to either get cards of players you want, or trade bait from a similar team. I've taken part in quite a few and find it a great way to fill some trade bait. Not to mention that because I'm choosing my hits, it feels better than just getting whatever would be in the single box that I buy. If you want to see how one is done, just checkout the box break forum and there are a few going on right now (I have a link in my signature as well).

If you can't resist the urge to break wax yourself, then you just have to bite the bullet. Some things to consider is that not everyone wants post 05-06 stuff and you can get some nice things from less expensive products. If you don't want to spend 100$, some options include of around 50$ or less that are still respectable 07-08 ITG O Canada, 05-06 UD S2, 07-08 BTP or 06-07 BTP, Tins of Sweet shot, either year, Any topps or OPC Chrome, or topps Gold label.

Gl on your quest for PC & bait though! We all struggle with similar questions and issues ;)

[alexpatry]

REODDAI: thanks for the comments and options. I will consider that:)

[alexpatry]

any other comments? or opinion? :)

[samwright1961]

In my opinion what your doing by buying pc cards is the most economical thing to do. Busting wax always gives you the oppurtunity for a big hit but they are so far and few between the chances are that you would not pull them. I have busted a lot of wax this year and have had no real huge hits only some medium range ones. By busting the wax you do get a lot of traders but on the other hand you also get lots of cards that are nearly impossible to trade. What ever you do Good Luck.