Best hobby boxes and retailers?

[zebuckeye81]

Hey everyone!

I'm looking to order a few hundred dollars worth of hockey hobby boxes in the next couple of days and am looking for some input. The local card shops (Dayton, Ohio) don't offer much in this area, so I'll most likely order online.

First, I am curious as to how my money would best be invested. I am looking to pick up multiple boxes at this point, not just a single $350 purchase for something like The Cup. I am leaning towards a variety of something like SP Game Used, Trilogy, and perhaps SP Authentic or Ice.

Any suggestions regarding how good these products (and others) are this year regarding value (in hits and overall satisfaction) per box as well as any other feedback on 08-09 hockey hobby boxes.

In addition, I've been eyeing a couple of online retailers that seem to have pretty good prices, and am looking for input on whom to buy from as well. DA Card World has pretty good prices, and free shipping over a certain dollar amount, while DCS Cards has better prices on some products but doesn't offer free shipping (thinking of splitting my order for cost effectiveness and getting boxes from DCS only if after shipping it will be cheaper than DA).

Thanks in advance for any and all advice you can give!!

[Ray33]

go with sp authentic or ultimate.

[SenatorsFan]

Hey everyone!

First, I am curious as to how my money would best be invested.

If you want maximum return from your money then I'd suggest buying singles, without question. The sports card market is so flooded with different products that you can easily obtain 10 times more value in cards buying singles then you would breaking boxes. UNLESS, you beat the odds significantly, but they're stacked heavily against you.

[FrankToronto]

Agree with SenatorsFan, if that is precisely how you are using the term "invested"... otherwise, buying boxes is always a gamble.

But if you're looking to crack wax of products that you like then SPGU and Trilogy are great looking cards. However, I don't recommend them. They are at the top of the list in terms of gambles and are not a good value for your money unless you hit a sweet patch. The odds are against you.

SPA is one of the staple products year in and year out. Everything from rookies, autos, to GUs and a large collector base.

I'm always a fan of Ice because I just really like the designs. Not usually a bad box to buy, but I'd choose SPA over all four that you've mentioned.

Ray33 mentioned Ultimate Collection... great cards... if not SPA, then choose Ultimate out of these 5 mentioned. However, it is yet another high end set and you may or may not get good value for your money.

[twotoekenn]

doesn't dcs offer free shipping on orders over $100 anymore?

[ComancheKeen]

If your looking to bust some wax and get decent value in return out of it I would suggest Between The Pipes, SP Authentic, and Ultimate.

[Matteo Hockey]

Totally agree with Ray33

[zebuckeye81]

Thanks guys- I'm appreciating the feedback - counting down to ordering!!

Any thoughts on 08-09 UD Black or SPX, or 07-08 Sweet Shots tins?