Pack Prices?

[arborwolf]

I have not purchased a pack of football cards since 1991. I was out of the hobby from 1992 until just recently, when I had a thought of creating "artwork" for the basement. (By artwork, I mean, for example, taking all of John Riggins core Topps cards (1972-1985) and framing them to display each card.)

Anyhow, I happened across a Larry Fitzgerald TOTT #/10 card, and was blown away! So I started collecting those, etc. They haven't been overly expensive, but I came to the SCF to see if I could find the ones I am missing. I haven't had a need to buy single packs, but see that the cost is staggering!

In 1991 a box of Upper Deck was approximately $30. There were 36 packs per box and 12 (or 15) cards per pack. There were the cool "Heroes" inserts, and collecting was affordable.

I just saw another thread where a fella spent $255 for 3 boxes.
I've seen auctions for $120/box (24 packs, 5 cards a pack).

So, I am curious to know, how much are cards today? Leaf, Upper Deck, Topps, Bowman? Per box? Per pack? How many card come in a pack?

I think I will stick to hunting on eBay for my Larry Fitzgeralds ...

Godspeed,
Arbor

[vikingfan101]

They are vary. The card companies have put tons of autos and game used into packs and the better the ratio normally the higher the price of the pack. It can range from 3-4 cards per back up to 35 in this years Bowman jumbo.

[rayny1]

I have not purchased a pack of football cards since 1991. I was out of the hobby from 1992 until just recently, when I had a thought of creating "artwork" for the basement. (By artwork, I mean, for example, taking all of John Riggins core Topps cards (1972-1985) and framing them to display each card.)

Anyhow, I happened across a Larry Fitzgerald TOTT #/10 card, and was blown away! So I started collecting those, etc. They haven't been overly expensive, but I came to the SCF to see if I could find the ones I am missing. I haven't had a need to buy single packs, but see that the cost is staggering!

In 1991 a box of Upper Deck was approximately $30. There were 36 packs per box and 12 (or 15) cards per pack. There were the cool "Heroes" inserts, and collecting was affordable.

I just saw another thread where a fella spent $255 for 3 boxes.
I've seen auctions for $120/box (24 packs, 5 cards a pack).

So, I am curious to know, how much are cards today? Leaf, Upper Deck, Topps, Bowman? Per box? Per pack? How many card come in a pack?

I think I will stick to hunting on eBay for my Larry Fitzgeralds ...

Godspeed,
Arbor

I`m that fella. I sometimes splurge on a few boxes here and there in the hopes of pulling that 1 card that will pay for the boxes I bought and a few extra dollars so`s I can do it again. :icon_cool About once, maybe twice a year I do that. I try to stay as current or no later than the previous year releases because some older boxes may contain redemption cards that have since expired. Happened to me about 3 years ago with 2000 UD Encore. I pulled 2 redemption autograph cards of Plaxico Burress and Shaun Alexander that were expired. Took me a few months to get a response back from Upper Deck only to be told those cards won`t be honored. Bummer. Those would be some really good sells on eBay today.

I would simply research most of the products that just came out or are soon to be released and find something that catches your fancy. I did the UD Legends because each box gaurantees 3 Legendary autograph cards + the inserts of Jersey cards and stuff. Not a bad deal for the buck imho. I`m an old time collector/fan of days gone bye. Lots of the so-called "Legendary Players" were playing when I was a kid. :icon_cool Makes me feel old.

Most hobby boxes contain 24 packs w/5 card per pack. Some are costly too. If you buy on eBay make sure the seller is an active seller and has good to excellent feedback(99% or higher).

[kr580]

here's a tip... forget everything you know about cards and learn everything from scratch again. The hobby is nothing like 1991 now.

[arborwolf]

I used to think $4.95 for a 9-card pack of Yu-Gi-Oh! was bad ... had to limit my son's spending. LOL. I appreciate the value and rarity of the cards in packs today, but with prices like this (all from eBay auctions):

2005 (FB) Upper Deck Sweet Spot - 12 packs/box; 4 cards/pack - $70+
2005 (FB) Upper Deck Reflections - 12 packs/box; 4 cards/pack - $60+
Average of about $1.25/card or $5.50/pack

AND HOLY COW!
2005 (FB) Leaf Limited - 1 pack/box - 4 cards/pack - $50
Average of $12.50/card or $50.00/pack

$50 per pack! Are you serious? Maybe I just misread the marking in someone's auction, but it would appear sports card collecting is now for teenagers and adults with serious incomes.

LOL.

[arborwolf]

here's a tip... forget everything you know about cards and learn everything from scratch again. The hobby is nothing like 1991 now.

HAHA. Indeed!

I think I'll stick to eBay-ing for my Larry's, Earl's and whatever else that comes out I just think I have to have.

By the way, anyone have a cluse as to the value of the Absolute Memorabilia TOTT's #/10 cards?

Cheers!

[kr580]

Those are about right. Companies don't make cards so we can collect the sets and trade cards anymore. They make em so they can make as much money as possible. And they do it.