Impossible to buy retail boxes nowadays...Help!!

[ssucram]

Hi I use to collect in the 90s when hoops score and fleer was the brand and u could pick up packs and boxes at any card shop or department store. Well I recently start back collecting last month and not only overwhelmed by the new companies but also the card types REPRINTS (WTF) and biggest problem is u can't find card boxes at stores (target walmart etc) Can't even get from Company? Panni score Topps etc....not even a pre-order? I'm lost please let me know how I can get current and upcoming boxes at retail price without sleeping in front of store everyday. Thanks in advance.

[Archangel1775]

You have to spend the $$$ on hobby. Try and buy it early though. GL!

[tommyboiazn23]

well, you're kind of screwed like all us of on finding affordable boxes. You have to spend you're mortgage, future children's college scholarships, and empty your savings to open a couple boxes. I'm exaggerating, but not exaggerating at the same time - so lmao

[LukaMagic]

I just picked up 6 chronicles blasters by waiting 3 hours for the shipment to arrive at Target lol. Seems to be the only way to avoid paying the ridiculous prices sadly

[icollectrookies]

Originally Posted by LukaMagic

I just picked up 6 chronicles blasters by waiting 3 hours for the shipment to arrive at Target lol. Seems to be the only way to avoid paying the ridiculous prices sadly

how did you find out they were coming that day? Every time I ask they said that the vendors dont have a scheduled delivery date or time.

[mjohnatgt]

The only way I can help you is to tell you to stop expecting to find retail anywhere at MSRP. You'll sleep better at night knowing.

[LukaMagic]

Originally Posted by icollectrookies

how did you find out they were coming that day? Every time I ask they said that the vendors dont have a scheduled delivery date or time.

I struck out at Walmart then drove to Target right before they opened and there was a group of five people already waiting and they said dude was coming. Took him 3 hours but he eventually came, first time I was able to buy a box at the store lol. They said he usually comes Mondays, but not every Monday so always possible to wait hours and he never shows up haha

[oldgoldy97]

Instead of making this thread so early in the morning you should be out stalking.

[oldgoldy97]

Oh, yeah, one more thing....

Cesspool.

[timber63401]

Just be screwed like me. Im never waiting 3 hours with 5 other dudes. I get it I guess but its not for me. Just break down and buy it after market or do without.

[Vinny1984]

Originally Posted by timber63401

Just be screwed like me. Im never waiting 3 hours with 5 other dudes. I get it I guess but its not for me. Just break down and buy it after market or do without.

I’m not doing it but I completely understand it. 5 dudes splitting 20 blasters is about $200 profit for each guy. $70 an hour isn’t too shabby. Call it easy money all you want but it’s still more work than 99% of corporate execs do.

[TimBuckTwo]

How can I help you sir?

[WhiteMeteor]

Just go through the Chronicles thread. I'm sure you'll find all the information you need on how to buy at retail there.

[Promethius88]

I think the key is to be unemployed and have nothing but time on your hands. If you are gainfully employed on a full-time basis working the 9-5, you are most likely better off saving your time and dignity and just buying hobby boxes at inflated prices.
When I say this, I mean it in the nicest way possible. There are some of the most loathsome douchebags you will ever meet in your life stalking the Excell and MJ reps. #FactsOnly

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by WhiteMeteor

Just go through the Chronicles thread. I'm sure you'll find all the information you need on how to buy at retail there.

Originally Posted by Promethius88

I think the key is to be unemployed and have nothing but time on your hands. If you are gainfully employed on a full-time basis working the 9-5, you are most likely better off saving your time and dignity and just buying hobby boxes at inflated prices.
When I say this, I mean it in the nicest way possible. There are some of the most loathsome douchebags you will ever meet in your life stalking the Excell and MJ reps. #FactsOnly

I would suggest taking advice from the 2nd poster. Best way to buy retail is to follow this guy's advice.

[Brobocop]

Originally Posted by Vinny1984

I’m not doing it but I completely understand it. 5 dudes splitting 20 blasters is about $200 profit for each guy. $70 an hour isn’t too shabby. Call it easy money all you want but it’s still more work than 99% of corporate execs do.

That not including all the time they've waiting only to strike out. If it was this easy and I knew the day and rough time they were coming in, then sure. But there are tons of people out there waiting for nothing or striking out when the rep comes in and stocks Pokemon cards.

[StructureK]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

I think the key is to be unemployed and have nothing but time on your hands. If you are gainfully employed on a full-time basis working the 9-5, you are most likely better off saving your time and dignity and just buying hobby boxes at inflated prices.

When I say this, I mean it in the nicest way possible. There are some of the most loathsome douchebags you will ever meet in your life stalking the Excell and MJ reps. #FactsOnly

100%

How is it possible for a grown ass man to stand in line at Target for 3+ hours waiting/stalking basketball cards?

And when you say $70/hr you need to factor in all the times you wait and get nothing or get shutout by other people. Seems like an absolutely miserable way to make a quick buck.

Unfortunately this is what it has come to. Hopefully something will be done by the retailer/ supplier soon to stop all the greedy slimeballs from hoarding all the product.

[gowizards0]

I need help too friend

[brock]

Originally Posted by Vinny1984

I’m not doing it but I completely understand it. 5 dudes splitting 20 blasters is about $200 profit for each guy. $70 an hour isn’t too shabby. Call it easy money all you want but it’s still more work than 99% of corporate execs do.

Lol @ Mr Socialist here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by Vinny1984

I’m not doing it but I completely understand it. 5 dudes splitting 20 blasters is about $200 profit for each guy. $70 an hour isn’t too shabby. Call it easy money all you want but it’s still more work than 99% of corporate execs do.

Most corporate execs make wwwaaaaaayyyyyy more than $70 hourly. Sorry but this is one of the worst analogies I’ve ever seen. Those people either have a fixed salary (with huge bonuses) or work equivalent to a full time job. Meaning they have something called “job security”. These bags have no security at all plus work (I use that word loosely here) what, 10 days a year lol?

[mattsgarage]

I had to pick up a few things at Target last Friday afternoon and noticed about 10 guys standing around the card isle. Late last year and early this year I was able to find a little Prizm and a decent amount of Hoops/Donruss. I even found some 2017 essentials on clearance. When Optic hit I noticed the card section was getting cleaned out pretty regularly and I didn't stand a chance unless I was incredibly lucky and managed to catch them stocking (which happened once). Now I don't even try, especially after seeing a large group just standing there waiting.

I refused to buy anything on eBay when it was 2x retail price just out of principle... now those prices seem like a steal. I guess I won't be ripping any packs with my kids anytime soon.

On the flip side, I've been selling cards at crazy prices. So like anything there's some bad and some good. I do feel bad for folks just getting back into the hobby though.

[Vinny1984]

Originally Posted by brock

Lol @ Mr Socialist here


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I stand by this and you won’t convince me otherwise.

Originally Posted by packerfan4200

Most corporate execs make wwwaaaaaayyyyyy more than $70 hourly. Sorry but this is one of the worst analogies I’ve ever seen. Those people either have a fixed salary (with huge bonuses) or work equivalent to a full time job. Meaning they have something called “job security”. These bags have no security at all plus work (I use that word loosely here) what, 10 days a year lol?

Apologize if my post came of as saying they both equate to the same amount of money. Of course it doesn’t. Point being is that most people are living paycheck to paycheck and making some quick cash in their free time. However they want to spend their time isn’t my business.

[Mac302]

Originally Posted by mattsgarage

I refused to buy anything on eBay when it was 2x retail price just out of principle... now those prices seem like a steal. I guess I won't be ripping any packs with my kids anytime soon.

Same here...I totally can afford to buy retail 2,3 or 4x retail but on principle I refuse....plus I don't want to fuel the fire of the people trying to make a quick buck. I got a lot of Prizm, some optic and mosaic.....but Chronicles is WAYYYY out of control with the aisle stalkers. I still go and look at places really close to me but if there are more than 2 or 3 guys I ask how long they've been waiting and then I'm out. I love ripping everything I buy, especially with my kids, but I'm not about to spend hours sitting in a Walmart/Target like some wierdo....sorry if I offend anyone but it's just strange to me.

Like you as well I have been selling a ton of stuff so that is the plus side of this whole thing....thank goodness I got back into this in 2016.

[timber63401]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

I think the key is to be unemployed and have nothing but time on your hands. If you are gainfully employed on a full-time basis working the 9-5, you are most likely better off saving your time and dignity and just buying hobby boxes at inflated prices.
When I say this, I mean it in the nicest way possible. There are some of the most loathsome douchebags you will ever meet in your life stalking the Excell and MJ reps. #FactsOnly

+1000. I would just as soon be hit by a bus then stalk reps all day with 8 other dudes and hit 22 Targets and 16 Walmarts everyday.

[Mrhenrychan]

Originally Posted by mattsgarage

I had to pick up a few things at Target last Friday afternoon and noticed about 10 guys standing around the card isle. Late last year and early this year I was able to find a little Prizm and a decent amount of Hoops/Donruss. I even found some 2017 essentials on clearance. When Optic hit I noticed the card section was getting cleaned out pretty regularly and I didn't stand a chance unless I was incredibly lucky and managed to catch them stocking (which happened once). Now I don't even try, especially after seeing a large group just standing there waiting.

I refused to buy anything on eBay when it was 2x retail price just out of principle... now those prices seem like a steal. I guess I won't be ripping any packs with my kids anytime soon.

On the flip side, I've been selling cards at crazy prices. So like anything there's some bad and some good. I do feel bad for folks just getting back into the hobby though.

Same. I bought so much Optic last year (mainly because Panini was throwing in 15000 rewards points in there and Optic was the best option for the 2019 NSCC packs from the Panini booth) that I’m making a killing this year...

I tried to not spend 3x over retail but I did the 4x just to see which Target employee/manager to get in trouble because I was tired of literally seeing 3 different vendors wheel the stuff out just to see boxes opened already and all the Chronicles basketball taken out.