Retail and Hobby

[helstad]

I know this is a newbie question but i never bought a box of cards, so i would like to know what is the difference between a retail box and an hobby box.

Or are they the same thing?

[Enigma]

Completely different...

Retail boxes are the boxes you find in department stores, drug stores, etc. They generally have 24 packs per box and a lower rate of insertion of inserts, game used and autos. In retail stores, you will also finds things such as blaster boxes (sealed boxes with just a few packs that run from 9.99-29.99 depending on the product). If buying packs from an open retail box, there's a high probability that packs have been searched unless you witnessed the box being opened.

Hobby boxes are the ones you find in card shops and online card stores. Unopened boxes come factory sealed and have a higher rate of getting hits, thoug hthey generally cost more than retail items. Most people will recommend hobby over retail because of the hit insertion rate and they are less likely to have been searched.

[snowkat]

That said...Retail is cheaper. And may contain items not found in the hobby packs, different inserts and the like.

It used to be that retail packs contained more cards in general than hobby packs, although I'm not sure that's true anymore. the point being that retail buyers were more likely to be set collectors.

[helstad]

I see... thanks for the answers.

I´m more into collecting base sets, so i guess it´s retail for me.

Another thing, i was looking at a few descriptions and sometimes says "1 autographed card per box in average". Does this mean there´s a chance of me buying a box and don´t get an autographed card? Or are they saying that some boxes might include 2?

[sgazi]

Another thing, i was looking at a few descriptions and sometimes says "1 autographed card per box in average". Does this mean there´s a chance of me buying a box and don´t get an autographed card? Or are they saying that some boxes might include 2?

Either or.

[helstad]

OK, thanks

[helstad]

Would this be a good buy?

I´m asking because i´m not into prices and don´t want to be fooled...

2007-08 Upper Deck SPX Basketball Cards Sealed Hobby Box for $140