any pointers on collecting unopened packs?

[fittsy99]

also looking for pointers on collecting older unopened packs , i bought a bunch that have gum still in the, OH BOY seems sugar likes to crystalize and move from card to card but i want to save some so i will not even know what condition the cards are in, dont wanna save junk

[DaClyde]

That's why so many things are supposed to be kept in a "cool, dry place". I bought two boxes of 1987 OPC that must've been kept in a tropical ocean-front warehouse as not only had the gum melted and ruined the bottom card, but thanks to the wax wrapper acting as a container, it seeped into the 2nd & 3rd to last cards in every pack, and some packs were completely ruined.

However, when collecting unopened packs, so long as the wrapper seems to be intact, if you're not going to open it anyway, what difference does it make? You could probably get PSA to give a sharp looking pack a 9, only to open it years later and find that all the cards had long since been glued together by the gum. But, hey, if the pack looks good, so long as you don't open it, all the cards are probably 9's & 10's, right?

[playa55x]

I advise you not to open any other packs what so ever, they are a waste, nothing special comes out of them unless they are bonds or griffey rookie years, all the cards book at 5 cents and normally no inserts or anything come in the packs, and if you do get an insert, damn your one lucky fellow, i would stick to the newer packs, say from 97-present you get the most bang for your buck and even if you dont get what you are looking for there is at least something worth while in them. also another hint: spend the cash, dont buy cheap packs or you will end up with nothing. buy the more expensive, $5+ ones, you get decent cards out of them. well i hope this has helped you if you have any questions just contact me again.