Thursday, February 28, 2013

Group Break & COMC Purchase

Just a reminder that the group break is just 9 days away!  There are going to be 5 great baseball hobby boxes!  There are 3 spots left, you get three teams for $22!  CLICK HERE for March's Break Information.

I have the past few months been using more money I usually use buying blaster boxes and putting towards cards I really want for my collection, such as getting cards from COMC.com.  This last one was just a rather small purchase, so here I go:











Not a bad group of cards, another UD Ballpark Relic, another Gibson Dodgers Relic, my first John Kruk Relic, my fifth A-Rod Relic, and some rookie auto cards.

This time last year I bet I had already bought 5 or 6 Topps Blaster Boxes and 2 Topps Hobby Boxes, as of now, just 1 Blaster and 1 Hobby.  I have really been enjoying the older cards as of late from COMC and my group breaks, there are a TON of great older cards out there!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

2013 Topps Turkey Red, Beware A Venting Post

A few weeks ago I got an email from Topps that stated to click here and grab a box of 2013 Topps Turkey Red for just $19.99 at the pre sale price.  Now mind you I got that email to my phone and clicked the link not even a few seconds after getting that email, said SOLD OUT.  After emailing Topps they say that their mail server takes a few hours to send out the emails and that over 75% of the got that email after it had already sold out.  He said that in the actual sale date that they are limiting people to only 10 boxes so I should not have a problem with getting a few boxes.  Topps stated that the boxes will go on sale on February 18 and to find out quicker when the boxes go on sale to again sign up for an email alert.  I checked a few times during the morning hours, and they were yet to be on sale.  I was not at a point I could sit at my computer and wait to get a box, I just had to hope the email thing would work like the man at Topps stated to do.  At 5:36 P.M. I finally got that email I was waiting for to grab up to 10 boxes (I only wanted 2) of Topps Turkey Red.  The page opened and I got THIS:


A part of me was pissed, but a part of me wasn't shocked either.  My wife had said I could pick up one or two boxes as part of my Valentine's Day gift for $24.99 each.  Today I found out that my wife was bidding on a box for me on Ebay before I stopped that.  She was already at $32.50 when I found out.  I went online to Ebay to check out what they were going for.


There are several people selling boxes in large mass like the 25 above, several 20, and so on.  That seller has or is selling 30 boxes, so he went out of his way to find three different ways to get as many boxes as he could get. I found another seller who has already sold 34 boxes, and still has 26 left to sell.  The cheapest I see right now in buy now is $39.99.  That is a profit of nearly $15 for doing nothing, unless they got it at pre-sale which they will make $20.  At the time of writing this there were over 950 box listings (many have multiple boxes like the one above).  These boxes were a Topps only sell, so am I really wanting to fuel the beast of greed that some people do all they can to buy as many as possible in order to get my hard earned money out of me?  Am I going to pay $600-800 in hopes to get a Harper auto?  NO!  Last year I pulled a Harper Auto out of a 2011 Bowman Chrome retail pack for $2.99.  Yes there will be tons of people who will shell out that $40 a box for 11 cards.  I am not knocking those people, we all need to get our fix.  I will just wait till these cards get listed and I will pick out the few cards I want for a fraction of that cost.  Now of course I will not score a monster hit, but after a few months I'm sure I can get the Rockies two base cards and the Colvin auto for about $7.  I asked Topps about their so called "strict" 10 box limit, they stated they will keep a very close eye on people trying to buy more than they are supposed to, and they always have.  Why not search Ebay Topps and see just how many sellers are selling 20 more boxes.  Or do you really not care because all in all you made the sale.  My beef isn't the people who got ten, because that is the limit, they have the right to that.  It is with the ones who go around the 10 to get as many as possible.

I am one of those collectors who will not go and be the first person to buy the Pujols LAA Topps SP for $250.  No, I would rather buy it after the prices go down to about $50.  If you are a true collector, you are aware of the FLIPPING game.  Buy as much as you can to dangle in front of the ones who want it.

There are people who like to buy a box, open the box, keep the cards they need and try to make as much money back on the cards they don't need in hopes to maybe make that box free.  There are people who just rip open as many boxes as possible just to list every single card in hopes to make a big profit.  There are people who try to buy limited products such as this also in hopes to make a big profit.

I would like to see some sort of raffle system:

SITUATION:

10,000 boxes to be released (just a rough number)

7.000 boxes to be released using a raffle system
3,000 boxes to be released after raffle system deadline

One month out: Anyone who wants into the box raffle - On their site put your email address, contact information, (ONE box per person)
On the date:  emails will be sent out to 7,000 emails with a code to enter to buy their one box.  Codes are only good for 48 hours.
After 48 hours:  Whatever boxes not bought from the raffle system will be added to the 3,000 boxes for the general public still with limits.

Because it is obvious that by just getting an email notice a product is now on sale is already too late.  This will ensure that as many people as possible can get at least one box.

WHY THIS WOULD NOT WORK:
If Topps limited one box per person then it would cause Topps to have to ship 7,000 boxes.  They would actually want to sell as many 10 boxes per person to cut down on shipping costs and man hours.

In conclusion, again I'm in that collectors funk that everything seems to make me mad.  Last year was the Topps Five Star Program, this year was the Spring Fever Program that I got a card for, yet I live two plus hours from any card store, and now this.  At least this years wrapper redemption you can mail in, as supplies last.  Not many of us anymore live a short drive from a card store to partake on many of the hobbies greatness.  Maybe it is all the snow and bad weather, I feel like this picture below:


Sorry for the venting, now I feel much better!  I think this is why I enjoy doing box breaks of older cards!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

3 SPOTS LEFT FOR MARCHS GROUP BREAK!

This month's slots are filling up fast!  There are only THREE more three tier spots left.  CLICK HERE for the teams, info, and boxes. 


Monday, February 25, 2013

Past Group Break Hits

I guess I should start making a running log on hits from my group breaks.

MARCH 2013:
Boxes: 2000 Bowman Chrome Hobby Box, 1998 Bowman S2 Hobby Box, 2002 Upper Deck Vintage Hobby Box, 2002 Donruss Hobby Box, 2003 Topps Bazooka Hobby Box

Hits:






FEB 2013: 
Boxes: 2012 Upper Deck Prospects Premiere Hobby Box, 2010 Upper Deck Retail Box, 2005 Just Minors Hobby Box, 1983 Fleer Cello Pack, 2008 Tristar High Series Box, 4 2013 Topps Hobby Packs, 100 Misc. Baseball Card packs 1986-2008

Hits:





Mark Texiria - 8x10 auto

JAN 2013:
Boxes: 2000 Topps Stars Hobby Box, 2002 Topps Stadium Club Hobby Box, 2002 Upper Deck Rookie Update, 2003 Topps Total Hobby Box, 2002 Topps Series 2 Retail Box.







DEC 2012:
Boxes: 1998 Team Best Hobby Box, 2010 Topps Update Retail Box, 10 Boxes 2011 Donruss Elite Boxes
(I no longer have the photos, due to changing my file server and lost them, but here is the text hits)

2011 Donruss Elite Back to the Future Raoul Torrez (D-Backs) 46/494
2011 Donruss Elite Back to the Future Alex Lavisky (Indians) 220/320
2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Status Green Die Cut Jake Lowery (Indians) 10/25

1998 Team Best Buddy Carlyle (CIN)
2011 Donruss Elite Back to the Future 704/720 Mike Antonio (KC)
1998 Team Best Brent Butler Autograph (STL)
1998 Team Best Pablo Ozuna Autograph (STL)

2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Aspirations Brandon Loy DIE CUT 76/100 (DET)
2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Aspirations Brian Flynn DIE CUT 32/100 (DET)  
1998 Team Best Autograph Brian Passini (MIL)

2011 Donruss Elite Back to the Future Chris Hawkins Auto 547/720 (TOR)
2011 Donruss Elite Back to the Future Jurkison Profar (TEX)
(there were two other cards I have lost the post, once I find the post I will update Dec.)

MARCH GROUP BREAK (CLOSED)

SHIPPING UPDATE: EVERYONE BUT BUCKSTORE HAS SHIPPED TODAY 3/19/13, BUCKSTORE I AM GOING TO SEND YOURS MAYBE VIA UPS DUE TO USPS PRICE INCREASE!

RESULTS
Buckstore
Tourist
Madding
Underdog
Sp83
Jbark
Brad
Justin

TIER ONE                          TIER TWO                     TIER THREE

YANKEES  (JOE AVG)      ROYALS (Jbark)                  ROCKIES (JOE AVG)
METS  (Buckstore)              CUBS (Sp83)                        PADRES  (Brad)
REDS (tourist)                      TEXAS  (JOE AVG)            RAYS (JBark)
CARDINALS (Madding)      
TWINS (Justin)                     MARLINS (underdog)

GIANTS (underdog)              O'S   (Buckstore)                 MARINERS (tourist)
DODGERS (Sp83)                 INDIANS                           BREWERS
RED SOX   (Jbark)                TIGERS   (Brad)                 ASTROS  (Sp83)
PHILLIES   (Brad)                ANGELS (Madding)            D-BACKS (Justin)
PIRATES                              A'S     (underdog)                 BLUE JAYS (Madding)

BRAVES (Justin)                   WHITE SOX (tourist)          NAT/EXPOS  (Buckstore)

$22 FOR THREE TEAMS, YOU PICK ONE IN EACH TIER.  ($22 COVERS BOXES, SHIPPING AND HANDLING)(CANADA $24, OTHER INTERNATIONAL EMAIL FOR RATES)  THIS IS THE TIER SYSTEM I WILL USE ON EVERY ONE OF MY BREAKS. $22 IS ABOUT THE SAME PRICE OF A BLASTER BOX, IN THIS BREAK THERE SHOULD BE A LARGE AMOUNT OF BASE AND INSERT CARDS.  THERE HAS BEEN A SMALL BUMP IN SHIPPING RATES WITH THE USPS, PLUS I AM TRYING TO REDUCE MY COLLECTION A BIT SO YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO GET A LOT OF EXTRAS.


BONUS DISCOUNT $20 FOR: MADDING/BASEBALL DAD/UNDERDOG/BRAD'S BLOG


FOR THE FOLLOWING FOR BEING IN LAST MONTHS BREAK! MADDING, BASEBALL DAD, UNDERDOG, AND BRAD'S BLOG.  THE PRICE FOR THOSE FOUR WILL BE $20!  IF YOU ARE IN THIS MONTH, AND RETURN THE NEXT MONTH I WILL GIVE A DISCOUNTED RATE!

I AM GOING TO KEEP THIS BREAK OPEN TILL SAT 3/9/13. PLEASE PICK BY 3/9/13 NOON CT.  LAST   IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL ME   jasonjasonp12@gmail (dot) com  I SHOULD START TO LISTING WHAT EVERYONE GOT THAT SAME NIGHT.

HOW TO PICK TEAMS + PAYMENTS
PICK ONE TEAM FROM EACH TIER BY COMMENTING ON THIS POST.  THIS WAY WE CAN SEE WHO PICKED WHAT TEAMS IN ORDER.  PAY USING PAYPAL GIFT BY SENDING $22 (or other) TO MY PREFERRED PAYPAL:   pilarskifamily@msn (dot) com or jasonjasonp12@gmail (dot) com  WILL WORK, BUT PLEASE USE PILARSKIFAMILY@MSN (DOT) COM SINCE IT IS TIED TO MY BANK.  PLEASE PUT YOUR ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BECAUSE I TEND TO LOSE IT EASIER IN MY EMAIL INBOX.

DOUBLES
UNLESS YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR DOUBLES, THEY WILL GO IN A DOUBLES PILE TO RANDOMIZE AT THE END OF THE BREAK.  THIS GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET OTHER GREAT CARDS FROM OTHER TEAMS.  TO KEEP YOUR DOUBLES PLEASE STATE IN YOUR COMMENT.

MULTI TEAM CARDS
THERE ARE GOING TO BE MULTI TEAM CARDS SUCH AS LEADER CARDS.  THOSE WILL BE SET ASIDE AND WILL BE RANDOMIZED BETWEEN THE TEAMS ON THE CARD. 

USA/WORLD CARDS
THERE IS A CHANCE OF USA/WORLD CARDS.  IF THE PLAYER IS A JR OR COLLEGE USA PLAYER IT WILL GO TO THE TEAM THAT DRAFTED HIM.  SUCH AS HUSTON STREET USA CARD WILL GO TO THE A'S BECAUSE THEY DRAFTED HIM.  A MLB IN A WORLD/USA JERSEY WILL GO TO THE TEAM IT PLAYED FOR THAT YEAR.

MULITI TEAM AUTO/GU HIT
THIS SHOULD BE VERY RARE, BUT IF THIS HAPPENS IT WILL BE RANDOMIZED BETWEEN THE TEAMS ON THE CARD.  WHAT TEAM DOESN'T GET THE CARD I WILL COMP A GM USED OR AUTO FROM MY COLLECTION TO SUBSTITUTE THE HIT AS A GIFT. 

LIST
I LIKED THE IDEA OF LISTING EACH CARD EACH GROUP MEMBER GOT AFTER THE BREAK.  EACH GROUP MEMBER WILL GET A CARD BY CARD BREAK DOWN ON WHAT THEY GOT, PLAYERS NAMES, AND INSERTS.  I WANT YOU ALL TO GET YOUR CARDS AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE SO INSTEAD OF POSTING A VIDEO A DAY, AND TAKING SO MUCH TIME MESSING WITH THE VIDEO PART, I'M JUST GOING TO LIST AND SEND WITHIN THE WEEK.   LAST MONTH WAS REALLY CONFUSING IN LISTING SINCE THE SHEAR QUANTITY OF JUNK WAX PACKS I RECEIVED.   I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS THE EXTRAS FROM LAST MONTH'S BREAK!


RANDOMIZED SPECIAL CARD(S)

THIS MONTH IT IS THE 1990 FLEER '89 WORLD SERIES A'S GIANTS SET (12 CARDS)


 2002 Donruss Hobby Box: 1 Hit Avg.


 2002 Upper Deck Vintage Hobby Box: 1 Hit Avg.


 2003 Topps Bazooka Hobby Box: 3 Relics


 1998 Bowman Series 2 Hobby Box: may have auto


2000 Bowman Chrome Hobby Box: may have auto

Randomized Card(s): One person will get as an added bonus a 1990 Fleer '89 World Series Set (A's Giants)




There it is, 5 great hobby boxes from various years!  Get 3 great teams for these 5 great hobby boxes, plus each person on average 50-75 extra cards from my collection from all years!  Added bonus a random person will get the 1990 Fleer World Series Set.


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Another COMC Purchase

I still am not hooked on the 2013 Topps set yet, I got one blaster and a hobby box so far.  That maybe it on boxes I buy for Series 1.  But in my box lull I got a few cards from my want list from COMC.

I loved Donnie Avery on the Rams, he had a great year in Indy.

In the Rockies farm system

Not much I can say, I LOVE these 6 relic double side cards!

One of the few cards I needed in last years Archives.

Not a Seahawks fan, but I love getting a Super Bowl Ticket card!

I LOVE THIS CARD, plus I'm on a Dawson kick right now.

I had to get a JD Drew auto for my wife!

2 Patch/3 Relic card!

Rockies pitcher Friedrich!

I hope for big things if Catricala makes the Seattle club this year!
Next week Monday I will open up next months group break!  Look for it!!!!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Cyber Bullying In Sports

Being a Colorado Rockies fan in an online community is hard, after every positive post, the trolls come out of the woodwork and tries all they can to cause pain through the internet.  As much as I love social media and the internet, there are groups of people that their only purpose in life is to make others feel bad like them.  We are growing aware of affects of cyber bullying in children and in life in general.  When we as a society hear of someone being cyber bullied, we demand answers right away from people.  We scream there needs to be change, or where are the parents at?  If you want to see cyber bullying at work, just look no further than online sports sites, such as ESPN, or Yahoo Sports.  The problems isn't always strictly a childrens issue, the children learn it from us adults.


Today I read an article of a Canadian 23 year old female professional tennis player that could no longer take the online abuse.  Here we have someone in their early 20's that isn't a well known person, in a sport that isn't as popular as many other leagues, but these rouge fans do all they can to spit venom create wounds into a person.  Rebecca Marino is the tennis player who found it not fun anymore to play tennis because when she lost, she would get death threats because of stupidity on stuff like people losing money on a match.  I understand we are all fans of our teams and players, but we as sports fans need to police up these trolls on these major sites.  

If a baseball player goes 0 for 20, is it right for people to blast that player on sites?  Maybe that player is having family issues, we don't know.  When players start going into slumps, or a player for some reason gets down on themselves, there are those people who smell blood and take that chance to make themselves heard.  Just think of some times recently that people sent death threats to sports figures.  

Mark Sanchez via Twitter POST
Replacement Refs who called the Seattle/Green Bay game last year
Jim Joyce after his blown call of a Tigers perfect game a few years back

Then just imagine if Bill Buckner's 1986 World Series error happened today during the internet age?



Just days after that Series ended Bucker received letter after letter of threats.  Did a player deserve the years of threats because of something that happened in three seconds of his life?  In 1986 the threats would be via mail or phone, today they seem to come from everywhere!  There thousands or tens of thousands of sports pages that take comments, there are cell phones, and there is the fastest way to get into a players head, social media.  Social media you can not only get into the head of a player, but also their family.  When Jim Joyce blew his call in Detroit a few years ago it only took minutes after that call for his family to receive death threats.  Did Joyce and his family deserve all the heart ache because at that split second he believed the call was right.  If a closer loses an important game to a home run late in the season, does he deserve threats because he made a pitch that missed by a few inches?  Yes sports figures make good money, but they are human.  If everyone was perfect, we wouldn't need to have sports because nobody would lose.    

There are billions of people in this world, we got to figure that there are many of these types of people come from outside the United States and are only in business to create havoc in our nation.  All we can do in an online community is report these people and not respond to their posts.  Act like they don't exist, because the more you try to prove your point they are going to keep making it worse.  

FANTASY SPORTS:

In the recent years fantasy sports have boomed, and typically quite fans will blast players for their slumps.  They would make an example of one player costing them a weekly spot in the fantasy polls.  When I was in Iraq in 2005, that was my first time I played fantasy football.  We did it the old fashion way since we didn't have good access to computer, all stats came from a paper, and we drafted using a poster board.  We played for fun, just bragging rights.  This year was my first year I had to stop playing football fantasy because of people fantasy comments directed towards players.  Since many of these sites have cash bonuses these places are becoming even more hostile zones for player hate.  

We can't just call 911 to police the internet, all we can do is spread the word that we will not tolerate these types of comments and people.  Don't be afraid to turn them in on a site, because you never know that one of these people actually follow through their words.

Lets make it a point that someone shouldn't have to stop doing what they love because of being bullied.