Really Basic Question

[alibas]

I would like to get into collecting again after years away from it.

When I collected there were 2 sets to choose from, not it seems endless.

I would like to stick to one set for the year and would like a set with a decent base set as well as rookies, autos etc that could potentially have value in the future. I don't want to be paying $30+ for a pack but dont want the cheapest as well.

Could I have some suggestions?

[Wickabee]

Upper Deck Series 1/2

[gardzy99]

If you're in it for the set building aspect of it, I'd say Score gives you the best bang for your dollar this year. It has subsets, highlights, rookies, and some autos in there too. If you want to step up a bit UD1 and 2 are okay, but I'm not a huge fan of them anymore as they seem to have run out of creativity. If I were you, I'd look at some of the sets of the past few years. Boxes seem to be easy to locate and they have some really sweet product.

[RGM81]

Hello me from three years ago! LOL

I know exactly the boat that you're in, as I was there when I returned to the hobby after a 15-year absence. There's a lot to choose from out there, and if you don't know what to look for you'll soon end up getting lost with all the products. It's pretty overwhelming but you get the hang of it fairly quickly.

SP Authentic is generally one of the most popular sets of the year because it combines just about everything that you're looking for. The rookies are hard-signed autographs, if you're lucky you'll pull a low-numbered patch, and you're guaranteed at least 3 signatures in every box.

In your other thread, you mentioned Certified. This is another one I would strongly recommend. In addition to the autographed rookies, you may end up pulling a short-printed auto-memorabilia RC of a top player like Taylor Hall, Jeff Skinner, or Jordan Eberle. The parallels and memorabilia/autograph content are also still selling strong on the secondary market.

If you're interested in the rookies of tomorrow, Heroes and Prospects is another really good option. Nice autographs, fantastic memorabilia, and of course combinations of the two. If you hit an auto card of the projected #1 draft pick you'll easily make your money back on the box.

Hope that helps a bit!

[Captain Collector]

Hi alibas.
Welcome. I personally like Upper Deck Series 1 and 2 – decent value, fun breaks, Young Guns, attractive cards, etc. The problem: lack of autos. In my mind, you should give SP Authentic a lot of consideration. As mentioned above, it has everything you are looking for.