Is Topps preying on the uninformed collector with full box retail releases?
The problem with retail boxes is that while they may contain the same amount of packs as a hobby box, the hits come at a very diminished rate when compared to their hobby box brethren.
Tonight I stopped by the store and while there I took a look at cards and sitting along side all the blasters were a stack of the recently released 2010 Topps Chrome Baseball full retail boxes. Each box contained 24 packs and was selling for $71.48 plus there were no guaranteed hits. What would posses a collector to drop $72 on a retail box when they could spend less then $60 for a hobby box that contained 2 on-card autographs not to mention the hobby exclusive like Printing Plates, Super-Fractors, Team USA autographs and MLB Logoman Patch Cards? Lets not forget Topps recent hobby-only wrapper redemption program too.
Good lord that's a crime. I was thinking of getting a retail box for the retail exclusive cards but not at that price.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen these Topps Chrome boxes you are referring to, but from time to time I have seen other product. I'm guess they would put these type of boxes out if people didn't buy them. Not all of us collectors are lucky enough to live near a hobby shop so retail stores such as Target may be their only outlet for new cards...meaning they may get desperate from time to time!
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