General

Why You Should (Almost) Never Buy Loose Packs On The Internet…

First off, I would like to define what I’m referring to when I say “loose pack”. It’s basically any unopened pack of sports/trading cards that does not have another type of factory-sealed container around it, such as a gravity-feed box. Once a box is opened and packs can be pulled out by customers, all packs inside are considered loose packs now. Same with a hobby box, or retail box, etc. No factory seal around the packs = Loose packs. Why Shouldn’t I Buy Loose Packs? The main reason that I cannot stress enough why you should never, ever, buy loose …

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“Hey, man. That’s not an SP. It’s a Parallel.” – Knowing the Difference and Actually Separating the Two Terms.

You finally pulled that Brian Bosworth Tie-Dyed auto /25 that you’ve been chasing for a month. You check eBay comps and see that it’s been selling for $4 more than you had thought! Get that thing listed! Like so many other eBay sellers, you’re about to do it wrong. Again. Not All Numbered Cards Are Short Prints Two little letters of the alphabet – S and P. When put together, (SP) they abbreviate the words “Short Print“. That sweet, sweet auto /25 of the Boz and his golden mullet of awesomeness, unfortunately, is not one. I hear you already, “But …

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How To Remove Glare In Sports Card Photos

Have you ever tried to snap a picture of your favorite sports card only to realize that it seems like no matter the angle or technique you use, you can’t avoid having glare in the photo? Talk about frustrating! This quick guide will help you with the various ways I have discovered to reduce or remove that pesky glare from your photos to get them looking as close to a professional level as possible. Why Bother Removing Glare In The First Place? If you haven’t already, you should check out my guide for How To Take Better Product Photos for …

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The Best Thermal Printer for Sports Cards Shipping Labels

Best Thermal Label Printer

Whether you are new to the hobby or a seasoned collector, at some point in your collecting journey you will likely want to sell pieces of your collection. When you begin your foray into selling sports cards on eBay and other marketplaces, you will quickly realize that the best way to ship your cards is quite the dilemma. Collectors everywhere debate about the ideal methods for shipping their cards, and the methods vary depending on the quality and worth of the card in question. Personally, I like to ship all of my sold cards in bubble mailers via first-class mail. …

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Tua Tagovailoa Rookie Cards: A Collector’s Guide

Tua Tagovailoa Rookie Card

One of the hottest rookie picks in the 2020 NFL Draft this year was the number five overall pick, Tua Tagovailoa, who was selected by the Miami Dolphins. His first name is actually Tuanigamanuolepola, but we’ll stick with Tua for short. Tua was a quarterback for the University of Alabama where he led the Crimson Tide to two National Championship Game appearances, one of which his team won. Tua was born in 1998 in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. At the time of the Draft, he was 6 ft tall, 217lbs, and regarded as a short mobile quarterback with a high risk …

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Should You Buy Packs Or Individual Cards?

A common question I come across often with new collectors is whether or not they should buy packs, whether they be from hobby boxes or retail, or just go on eBay and buy cards individually. The truth is that the right answer can be different for any given person. It all really depends on what sparks joy for you in the hobby. There are definitely some factors to consider before going all-in on one choice or the other though. Why Buy Packs? The rush of the dopamine hit. Let’s be honest, ripping packs can be as addicting as gambling. When …

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