First Buzz: 2023 Topps World Baseball Classic baseball cards

[The Accountant]

Originally Posted by cj828282

Is the IV foilfractor still out there or did someone hit that? I didn't hear about that one.

Oh good call I’m updating my post I missed a few


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[The Accountant]

I may have used the term monster a little loosely but I think my point is valid haha…


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[bub838]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Very true. Singles are sort of weirdly inflated; I don't expect Randy Arozarena Golds to sell for $35 shipped much longer. Could be wrong, we will stay how much staying power the WBC has. Team Samurai is the only one I think will retain significant value.

At $80 shipped, these are a really fun break with a great shot at positive at positive EV. At $120 shipped, these aren't anywhere as good. Still lots of breaks where your best hit is an unnumbered Jonathan Aranda auto. Although, box openers have proven to be very bad judges of EV, and cases that produce 0.5 EV are ripped as quickly as they come in. Sooo... I'd expect these to continue jumping in price. But, they're still really fun. Your odds at any Shohei auto are roughly 1:263 boxes. Probably as good as you're going to do in any $80 product until Shohei retires.

Agreed, singles are going to drop a lot and soon. With buffalo selling this near unlimited a lot is about to get opened. As you said, there’s only so many people willing to spend $35 on an Arozarena gold auto. We’re getting farther and farther away from release and the next shiny releases are coming.

[anusinha]

You know? The Trout game used pieces might be the most significant games he ever plays in.

[cj828282]

I think the Randy gold is already down to $20. Checked my COMC submission pile and I have one. Guess I will list tomorrow and see what I get.

[speedyjg13]

Originally Posted by anusinha

You know? The Trout game used pieces might be the most significant games he ever plays in.

How do we know the base pieces are from a USA game? With no authentication sticker, it can be from any World Baseball Classic game. The wording on the back of the card is:

"The relic contained in this card is from a base used during the 2023 World Baseball Classic."

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by The Accountant

You make great points. While EV isn’t slam dunk per say. The value is better than the majority of breaks and the patch autos sell well. To me, the difference with this product:

Patch autos (relatively common too)
GU Book letter AUTO patches
Country logo patch auto 1/1 books
Case Hit gem cards
Game used pieces of WBC base (very unique)
Japanese branded cards with some big names

By my count, there are still these monsters in boxes:

Ohtani game-used base foilfractor 1/1
Ohtani base foilfractor 1/1
Ohtani base IV foilfractor 1/1
Ohtani 2006 Variation Foilfractor 1/1
Ohtani Captains of WBC Foilfractor 1/1
Ohtani Global Grandeur Foilfractor 1/1
Ohtani International Gems Foilfractor 1/1

Ohtani Patch Auto Red /5 (4 remaining)
Ohtani Auto Nameplates Book Letter Patch /6 (5 remaining)
Ohtani Auto Nameplates Book Gold 1/1 (card of the product)
Ohtani International Gems Auto Red /5
Ohtani International Gems Auto Foilfractor 1/1



Plus his other autos and patch autos, and international gems parallels.

That’s just Ohtani, not even including the other huge cards from trout and the other samurais. It’s a good product with huge hit potential which is why we’re fawning over it.


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All great selling points, but you are forgetting the one huge anti-selling point: hideous sticker autos on otherwise gorgeous cards. This product would be truly great with on-card autos.

I think we are seeing a large portion of collectors aversion to sticker autos play out here.

[zworykin]

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

All great selling points, but you are forgetting the one huge anti-selling point: hideous sticker autos on otherwise gorgeous cards. This product would be truly great with on-card autos.

Counterpoint - the product wouldn't exist with on-card autos. It's tough enough for them to even get signed stickers back. They're only going to send the athletes so many cards to sign in a year, they're not going to waste those "slots" on a niche product like this. Or at least, if they do decide to invest some of those "slots" on the product, they're not going to sell it for only 80 bucks a box - so it will be a very different product, in a meaningful sense.

(And yes, I wish they could be on-card too. I'm sure we all do. If wishes were fishes...)

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by zworykin

Counterpoint - the product wouldn't exist with on-card autos. It's tough enough for them to even get signed stickers back. They're only going to send the athletes so many cards to sign in a year, they're not going to waste those "slots" on a niche product like this. Or at least, if they do decide to invest some of those "slots" on the product, they're not going to sell it for only 80 bucks a box - so it will be a very different product, in a meaningful sense.

(And yes, I wish they could be on-card too. I'm sure we all do. If wishes were fishes...)

Can only speak for myself here, but I had/have zero interest in this product at $80 or really any price with sticker autos. Simply a non-starter for me. Had they been able to produce the same product with on-card autos, I'd be in up to $150, maybe more if FOMO set in. Undoubtedly much harder to execute on-card autos, but I think Topps would have seen a great return on the extra investment and effort.

[Trueblue]

You guys really shouldn't underestimate how nice the inserts are in this set. Personally, I get more excited rolling a parallel of an insert more than an auto.

[zworykin]

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

Can only speak for myself here, but I had/have zero interest in this product at $80 or really any price with sticker autos. Simply a non-starter for me. Had they been able to produce the same product with on-card autos, I'd be in up to $150, maybe more if FOMO set in. Undoubtedly much harder to execute on-card autos, but I think Topps would have seen a great return on the extra investment and effort.

Oh, sure, no doubt there are many who are in your same boat. But I'd wager the number of people willing to spend $150 for 10 cards with one on-card auto is significantly smaller than the number willing to spend $80 for 10 cards with a sticker auto (which is already, let's admit it, a pretty small number - despite the activity in this thread!).

[Bcr]

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

Can only speak for myself here, but I had/have zero interest in this product at $80 or really any price with sticker autos. Simply a non-starter for me. Had they been able to produce the same product with on-card autos, I'd be in up to $150, maybe more if FOMO set in. Undoubtedly much harder to execute on-card autos, but I think Topps would have seen a great return on the extra investment and effort.

Same. There's just too many WBC cards already made and the stickers kill it. I'm glad people on Blowout are enjoying them though.

[bub838]

I agree with the feelings on sticker autos. I’ve only picked up a couple singles and they were base relics which I think are actually a cooler hit.

[eastbayak]

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that hobbyists prefer on-card autos over sticker autos.

With that said, this product (with sticker autos) offers better value at MSRP than many other products (regardless of whether those products have sticker or on-card autos). That's the most important. Low entry point, high reward, chances at big cards (relative to cost), higher than usual hit rate, etc.

I'm thankful to those who passed on the product though, gave me (and others) enough of an opportunity to load up on Buffalo's deals lol.

By the way, LittleJimmies, you probably have more sticker autos for sale on eBay than the average BO user. I thought you don't like products with sticker autos though.

[dunquixote1]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that hobbyists prefer on-card autos over sticker autos.

With that said, this product (with sticker autos) offers better value at MSRP than many other products (regardless of whether those products have sticker or on-card autos). That's the most important. Low entry point, high reward, chances at big cards (relative to cost), higher than usual hit rate, etc.

I'm thankful to those who passed on the product though, gave me (and others) enough of an opportunity to load up on Buffalo's deals lol.

By the way, LittleJimmies, you probably have more sticker autos for sale on eBay than the average BO user. I thought you don't like products with sticker autos though.

Bingo. Like who’s debating that on card autos aren’t preferred? Like f’n duh!

[theredmenace]

Originally Posted by Trueblue

You guys really shouldn't underestimate how nice the inserts are in this set. Personally, I get more excited rolling a parallel of an insert more than an auto.

Global Grandeur in particular is a stunning set. Easy number 1 for my 2023 insert set of the year award.

[Trueblue]

Originally Posted by theredmenace

Global Grandeur in particular is a stunning set. Easy number 1 for my 2023 insert set of the year award.

My man!

[bubblesquirtle]

Originally Posted by theredmenace

Global Grandeur in particular is a stunning set. Easy number 1 for my 2023 insert set of the year award.

This^. The base version of this insert is stunning. The parallel versions are nice but I love the gold the best

[bub838]

Originally Posted by theredmenace

Global Grandeur in particular is a stunning set. Easy number 1 for my 2023 insert set of the year award.

International Gem is really nice in hand too

[Boo]

Up for $99 at DA place

[Boo]

I forgot

2545MFF

$25 off $250+

[J1L]

Originally Posted by Boo

I forgot

2545MFF

$25 off $250+

Thanks!

[cruiserdaddy7]

Originally Posted by Boo

Up for $99 at DA place

Must have sold out quickly.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by cruiserdaddy7

Must have sold out quickly.

It was up for at least 15 minutes. I was trying to decide if I wanted more, then I had to search for a coupon code. I bought before I posted so it wasn't instant.

[J1L]

Originally Posted by cruiserdaddy7

Must have sold out quickly.

I was going to pass at $100 price point but bought 3 with code to keep my average cost of all boxes under $90/per. They went quickly.