[SethRome]

Hi everyone! I've been leisurely collecting for a while now, but I'm starting to get serious with hobby boxes. I make sure to do a lot of research before I purchase anything, but I feel like I'm not doing enough to give myself a good shot at nice pulls. I see the hits that guys around here get and I feel like Charlie Bucket, a'la Willy Wonka, pressing my face up against the window and wishing I had something like that! LOL!

That all being said, do you guys have some advice when it comes to hobby boxes? Is it better to buy early when a product first comes out? Better to pre-order? Any particular products to avoid? Any kind of advice about this would be much appreciated!

[englandhousehold]

I feel like you sometimes my friend but the only advice I can give is it's all luck.....the more you buy the more chances, kind of like scratch offs .

[joe callahan13]

Depends on what you are going for. Just expect to be disappointed a majority of the time. Personally, I never pre-order anything. I want to see some breaks first. The only exception for me is National Treasures. It is always my favorite, so I will get those the day they come out.

The best advice I can give is: watch a bunch of breaks on youtube for the ones you are interested in and make your decision that way.

[SethRome]

Thanks guys! I'm definitely going to keep trying my luck at it!

[bigtrip18]

Go for the guaranteed stuff at first, it lessens the blow of products like Topps Chrome and basically any other mid-low end Topps products. 2010 had some nice sets and a good chance to pull some interesting cards. Crown Royale, Sweet Spot, Threads, and Contenders are good places to start. All have 4-6 "hits" guaranteed, and you'll at at least find something pc or higher dollar amount.

[SethRome]

Good to know! I've been trying to go for products that have multiple guaranteed hits because it definitely does give a fighting chance to pull something nice.

[mcleodfive]

My advice stay clear of Panini Threads...... Try upper deck if you like lettermans! That is my favorite product by far in a while! Normally 2 letterman autos and another auto for around $60-$75. You have good chanes of pulling good rookie autos and then there are all the sp's and everything. Very fun product

[Num1Monroefan]

If you are trying to pull nice items then go for it, but if you are trying to flat out try and profit just stay away. Boxes are a horrid odds of actually turning a profit

[bselje]

I definitely wouldnt pre-order. Like Joe C said - i like to see what others are pulling.
As far as specific products, if you dont mind pulling redemption cards, Certified and Contenders are a good bet. But you'll almost always get a redemption card (true about any panini product) I think the most fun I had this year was ripping Topps Jumbos. Between me and a friend of mine, we pulled 4 Super Bowl Legend autos, a Dual Auto of Cam/Gabbert, and countless other decent auto and GU. Plus you get a PILE of inserts, RC's and parallels for trade bait and not a single redemption. (You might have noticed I hate redemption cards - lol)
Finally there's Upper Deck - they might be going out of business so your redemption cards might not be worth anything, but SP Authentic are amongst my favorites every year.
I cant afford the high end stuff like National Treasures, Exquisite or 5 star so I just buy singles of those.
Also, the chances of you actually making money ripping wax is almost non-existant. Its a hobby - enjoy - and don't get discouraged when you bust a box and get $30 worth of no name rookies for $150.

[jmessick86]

I agree Contenders and Certified are good brands. However if you are looking for specific players I suggest buying singles because you will get more value for your money and get players you want.