Buying Singles vs. Busting wax

[MW Connection]

Let's have a nice discussion on this topic. I bought singles for years and recently started busting tons of wax. I realize singles is the smart play. Breaking boxes seeing different cards of players I normally would not buy is fun. I keep some and sell some. They both have their pros & cons. There is nothing like hitting a big card from a pack you opened. Singles are still fun and it is nice to just have the card you want while saving money compared to busting boxes. What does everyone on here like to do?

[30ranfordfan]

Both.

If I'm building a set, have to start it with at least a couple of boxes. Even if I'm not building the set.... I like boxes that are fun (i.e. nice cards) for a fair price. Usually don't end up with a lot that I want to keep, so try trading / selling.

Singles is the way to go though. If you keep busting wax to finish sets (as an example) it's never guarenteed you'll get anything you need, and you're going to end up with loads of doubles that you don't.

[RGM81]

Both. I buy more singles than I break wax, in terms of dollars spent, but it's nice to build up the trader reserves from time to time while enjoying a good break.

[habsheaven]

I almost exclusively buy singles only. The only exceptions to that are Montreal based products where I am guaranteed to get cards I want.

[centrehice]

Singles and Lots only. Busting boxes with today's new issues, is as close to setting your money on fire and watching it burn as actually doing it.

[MW Connection]

Singles and Lots only. Busting boxes with today's new issues, is as close to setting your money on fire and watching it burn as actually doing it.

what do you mean by today's new issues. The flooding of the market with product after product of event worn and sticker autos.

[maradona]

A while ago I had some euros to spare in my PayPal account and I was somewhat positively surprised by what I could find at that (low) price range on eBay. I cringe at the thought of having spent that on a few packs only to end up with nothing.

That said, I do buy a box maybe once a year because I also like trading and having nothing newer than five years old on my tradelist makes that difficult.

[Kessel_fan_87]

Both.

If I'm building a set, have to start it with at least a couple of boxes. Even if I'm not building the set.... I like boxes that are fun (i.e. nice cards) for a fair price. Usually don't end up with a lot that I want to keep, so try trading / selling.

Singles is the way to go though. If you keep busting wax to finish sets (as an example) it's never guarenteed you'll get anything you need, and you're going to end up with loads of doubles that you don't.

My exact thoughts 100%

[joshpackham]

I basically only buy singles unless I'm at the expo and then I buy something that is a product with a redemption program, usually ITG or Panini as I dislike waiting in the UD line, it fulfills my urge to open a box, the other way I like breaking boxes is playing packwars at trade day, it's cheap and fun

[subban7677]

Almost exclusively singles for me. The odd blaster here and there is a fun thing to do though. I went bonkers when Walmart had 2009-10 Artifacts blasters for $10. I look at wax as a lotto ticket...The "grand prize" might not be as big, but at least you're guaranteed to get SOMETHING for your money.