Hockey Pack Subscriptions?

[Blargh]

The facbeook alogrithms picked up my interest in hockey cards and I started seeing ads for a Hockey pack subscription. Basically you sign up to pay $X a month and they will send you Y packs a month. The subscription service I was looking at had 5 packs for $20 USD as the basic subscription. The other sports seemed to be better value, but the picture of the hockey packs had 9 packs from 90-92 out of 18 pictured. So while I love the idea of getting random packs in the mail, I can't pull the trigger for 5 packs at $20 USD when there's a chance I'll end up with a bunch of junk wax Pro Set and Score. Since I live in the Arctic Circle, I can't look for cheap wax at flea markets or card shows to scratch that itch.
Does anyone have any experience with any subscription services for hockey cards? In particular something that is Canada S&H friendly?

[parco10]

First I have heard about 'subscription services', I love the idea and would be interested, but like you I'm afraid it would be someone trying to unload all the cheap wax they couldn't sell otherwise.

[Therealmahoney]

I was looking into these services because I was interested in trying them out. I think “Loot Locker” was the only one I found with hockey, and you were only getting like Artifacts and Series 1/2, MVP, etc. That’s fine and all, but I would expect some sort of deal, but it works out the same pretty much as what you would pay at your LCS.

go on YouTube and you can see some of these monthly packs getting opened. To be fair, I’ve seen some nice stuff pulled, like a Matthews young gun canvas, but overall with the ones available and the value, I’m not interested at this point. Baseball/basketball/football monthly subscriptions seem to be real good though, and I’ve seen some absolute beasts of cards pulled

[RGM81]

Can't see that being something that would interest me. I've gotten somewhat cynical over the years seeing so many of these "mystery" packs and re-purposed boxes and the like, both from individuals online and vendors such as Wal-Mart. In many cases, you're seeing "dead" packs or retail-level packs where your chances of an actual hit of some consequence and value are exceptionally slim. Yes you may see the odd big one like a Matthews YG Canvas, but more often than not you're turning $20 plus shipping into $5 and no hope of moving inserts.

[creasecollector]

Good idea in theory, but I wouldn't pay that much for a bunch of cards that I won't be able to move. I'd rather save the money for single cards than a bunch of commons, to be honest.

[jsokol1626]

I'm skeptical, too, when it comes to buying individual packs through a subscription service. I'd be concerned that packs might be leftovers from boxes where the 'hits' have been pulled or they might be from years that have little market value.

[30ranfordfan]

Can't see that being something that would interest me. I've gotten somewhat cynical over the years seeing so many of these "mystery" packs and re-purposed boxes and the like, both from individuals online and vendors such as Wal-Mart. In many cases, you're seeing "dead" packs or retail-level packs where your chances of an actual hit of some consequence and value are exceptionally slim. Yes you may see the odd big one like a Matthews YG Canvas, but more often than not you're turning $20 plus shipping into $5 and no hope of moving inserts.

My thoughts exactly.


I'm sure a "subscription service" would send some more modern packs too.... not all 90s junk wax... but I have zero idea who the company is, and why would I expect it to be any good?

I'm assuming you'll get a mix of junk era packs, plus some more modern stuff that's already been picked over..... i.e. I start opening up a case of 2015-16 Upper Deck Series 1. Once I find a McDavid, I put the rest of the packs into my subscription services.... and tell everyone that there's a chance of a McDavid YG.

There is a chance, a case would have 72 YGs, so there's about a 44% chance that any particular one has a duplicate in the case. No guarentee though.

[cheevers]

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. When I'm bored waiting between sets, I've purchased a couple of those Walmart mystery boxes. I pulled a Victory Crosby RC. Big whoop!!