My First Big Case Break!!!

[calculusdork]

So after much discussion with my wife, we have decided to do our first big multi-case break. I've gotten some incredibly valuable advice from a couple of members here, and come October 3rd my wife and I will be ripping 6 cases of 2012 Topps Update. I am going to be taking off work that Thursday and Friday to sort and sell -- we are getting serious! I'm preparing to order a bunch of supplies from BO (penny sleeves, top loaders, cardboard boxes), some #000 and #00 bubble mailers (and packing peanuts - thanks rudyjustinfarrell!) off eBay, and also looking at a new printer/scanner. Also planning to commandeer my kids' toy room for sorting.

Hopefully this is the first of many multi-case breaks to come. I appreciate any advice you guys have for us.

[SportCardBuffet]

Have fun, good luck & have fun!

[rudyjustinfarrell]

Don't forget to learn how to use Paypal shipping, and have a scale. Just a few cards should fall under the 3oz DC rule, but if you start putting together multiple purchases you might start pushing the limit.

Get packing peanuts too, your mailer has to be a certain thickness to get the cheaper DC.

Have fun and good luck.

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by rudyjustinfarrell

Don't forget to learn how to use Paypal shipping, and have a scale. Just a few cards should fall under the 3oz DC rule, but if you start putting together multiple purchases you might start pushing the limit.

Get packing peanuts too, your mailer has to be a certain thickness to get the cheaper DC.

Have fun and good luck.

Yep, forgot about packing peanuts. Also plan to order a bunch of USPS regional rate boxes ... the "Size A Top-Loading" boxes seem to be the perfect size for 1-2 400-count boxes.

I've been using Paypal shipping for my recent transactions, so I've gotten familiar with it. Hadn't considered buying a scale though, that's a good idea ... any suggestions?

[rudyjustinfarrell]

I purchased whatever digital postage scale that Walmart had.

[BostonNut]

Good luck!! Sounds like a BLAST! You're a lucky man to have your wife help you out!!!

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by rudyjustinfarrell

I purchased whatever digital postage scale that Walmart had.

This looks promising. Measures up to 1000 grams (2.2 lbs) in 0.1 gram increments ... sounds like what I need.

American Weigh Black Blade Digital Pocket Scale,1000 by 0.1 G: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Dining

[Major_League]

Good luck. It will be work but should bring u a 20%+ ROI. One bad thing is guys are already preselling sets at $22.99 on eBay. Normally they get $30 + on release. Keep this in mind in your estimates.

Hope u pull some big hits!

[nhsportsguy]

Good luck with the break!!

If you could, put aside any Middlebrooks cards you pull, inserts, RC's, autos, relics, etc, and I'll buy them all from you in one big lot!

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by nhsportsguy

Good luck with the break!!

If you could, put aside any Middlebrooks cards you pull, inserts, RC's, autos, relics, etc, and I'll buy them all from you in one big lot!

Will do.

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by Major_League

Good luck. It will be work but should bring u a 20%+ ROI. One bad thing is guys are already preselling sets at $22.99 on eBay. Normally they get $30 + on release. Keep this in mind in your estimates.

Hope u pull some big hits!

I saw those pre-sell sets ... it has been noted. Goal is 19% ROI.

[Thommy]

LMK if you get any Kemp/Votto/Gonzalez (both)/Stanton/Kershaw/Gordon Parallels!!!

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by Thommy!

LMK if you get any Kemp/Votto/Gonzalez (both)/Stanton/Kershaw/Gordon Parallels!!!

I can see now I need to add a tab to my spreadsheet

[JohnAndrew]

Good choice! I busted my first-ever case (2012 Topps Chrome) a few weeks ago and it was an absolute blast. Have fun with it!

[tajikey]

Yeah buddy! You've got a Grade-A wife for not only allowing you to do this, but voluntarily joining you. If only I could convince my wife that ripping wax is an excellent time to bond, I'd be in the same boat!

You should get a load of packing peanuts for free when your cases arrive, if that helps. I use the Brother QL-500 Thermal Printer, and absolutely love it. I also picked up a Dymo scale from Wally World that measures to the .0X ounce.

Most of all, HAVE A BLAST.

[frozenntimesports]

Dude get a Brother QL-700. Its worth it's weight in gold. Its so easy, a caveman like me can do it.

[neahcrow]

Amazon.com: USPS Style W-2812 5Lb Postal Mailing Scale: Office Products

I believe that is the postage scale i bought recently from Amazon and it has worked really, really well.

Good luck! I'm going to be doing 2 cases of Update- I was considering more but I'm still a little scared from Topps 2 (although Update looks better) and I don't have alot of time available around release date. I'm planning on doing 5-6 cases of 2013 Topps 1 for my first case break of that size.

[nhsportsguy]

Originally Posted by tajikey

Yeah buddy! You've got a Grade-A wife for not only allowing you to do this, but voluntarily joining you. If only I could convince my wife that ripping wax is an excellent time to bond, I'd be in the same boat!

You should get a load of packing peanuts for free when your cases arrive, if that helps. I use the Brother QL-500 Thermal Printer, and absolutely love it. I also picked up a Dymo scale from Wally World that measures to the .0X ounce.

Most of all, HAVE A BLAST.

AMEN to that!!

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by KaraandMelliesDaddy

Dude get a Brother QL-700. Its worth it's weight in gold. Its so easy, a caveman like me can do it.

Wait ... this works for PayPal shipping?? Looks awesome.

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by nhsportsguy

AMEN to that!!

You guys have no idea

[hairysasquatch]

Post your results so we can see how you did on the projected ROI! I have been doing it a little differently this year - buying single cases of selected products, building a master set with my son, and then selling the rest. I am hoping that the Gold Parallels in Update will be a big revenue generator as people chase the 1-990 set.

[calculusdork]

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

Post your results so we can see how you did on the projected ROI! I have been doing it a little differently this year - buying single cases of selected products, building a master set with my son, and then selling the rest. I am hoping that the Gold Parallels in Update will be a big revenue generator as people chase the 1-990 set.

I've curtailed my expectations, but I'm betting this will be a huge money maker. I've ordered enough cases to get 1080 total gold parallels, and I'm going to work with my LCS (and some of his other customers) to try to build a complete set. I may not get there, but hopefully I will get close!

[calculusdork]

Here's my pending BO supply order ... I know I won't need everything for this break, but I'm trying to get to $150 for free shipping. This brings me to $142 so I'll add in a couple more things. Did I miss anything?

- (20) Ultra Pro 3x4 Regular Topload Card Holder (25ct Pack) - 500 total
- (4) Ultra Pro 3x4 Thick Topload 100pt Card Holder (25ct Pack) - 100 total
- (20) Ultra Pro Card Sleeves (100ct Pack) - 2000 total
- (10) Ultra Pro Team Set Bag Resealable (100ct Pack) - 1000 total
- (1) 100 Count Cardboard Storage Box (50ct Bundle) - 50 total (for 50-80 card sales)
- (2) 400 Count Cardboard Storage Box (50ct Bundle) - 100 total (for base and master sets)

[tajikey]

Originally Posted by calculusdork

Wait ... this works for PayPal shipping?? Looks awesome.

Yeah, it does. I would have recommended it if Staples had the same price on it this week as they did last...$40. I should have been a buyer at that price

[KB81]

Good luck!! Enjoy!!

Post up what scanner you get - I am also looking for a nice scanner.