card sleeves difference? (BCW vs Ultra-Pro Premium)

[alexlazarevich]

I've been buying the 10,000 count BCW card sleeves from blowout: BCW Card Sleeve - 2 5/8 x 3 5/8 - 100 Pack Case - $39.99 : Blowout Cards - Sports Cards and Trading Cards Wholesale Online Store

But I just saw the Ultra-Pro Premiums: Ultra Pro Premium Card Sleeves - 10,000ct Case - $124.99 : Blowout Cards - Sports Cards and Trading Cards Wholesale Online Store

What is the difference? The BCW's are like 32% the cost of the Ultra-Pro premiums. Is there some negative to the BCW's that I'm not aware of? Or some amazing feature of the Ultra-Pro Premium's like it'll turn a sticker auto /99 into an on card auto /10?

[stumpfreeman]

Ultro Pro premiums are way thicker (overkill in my opinion). But I do prefer the regular Ultra Pro sleeves, way better quality than BCW IMO.

[sd_navarre]

Originally Posted by stumpfreeman

Ultro Pro premiums are way thicker (overkill in my opinion). But I do prefer the regular Ultra Pro sleeves, way better quality than BCW IMO.

I concur with this statement

[alexlazarevich]

Interesting.

Will a Bowman base card, sleeved into a Ultra-Pro Premium sleeve, fit into a regular top loader?

What about a Bowman Chrome card, sleeved into an Ultra-Pro Premium sleeve, does that fit into a regular top loader, or will I need the slightly thicker 2mm (75pt) top loaders?

[stumpfreeman]

Originally Posted by alazarevich

Interesting.

Will a Bowman base card, sleeved into a Ultra-Pro Premium sleeve, fit into a regular top loader?

What about a Bowman Chrome card, sleeved into an Ultra-Pro Premium sleeve, does that fit into a regular top loader, or will I need the slightly thicker 2mm (75pt) top loaders?

I think the base will fit, but not sure about the chrome.

[stjoesportscard]

I think the BCW's also aren't always cut right and some of the sleeves you get end up being pretty much worthless as well... anybody else have that sort of problem

[pmannings#1fan]

Originally Posted by stjoesportscard

I think the BCW's also aren't always cut right and some of the sleeves you get end up being pretty much worthless as well... anybody else have that sort of problem

Actually I've had no problems with them but hell that was only outta 300 though so maybe some QC problems found within 10,000 of em. Not everything passes QC inspection especially if the inspector does watch for flaws carefully or reports flaws to the machine operator!!

[alexlazarevich]

I've gone through 20,000 BCW sleeves, and didn't see any quality control problems at all. Maybe I was just lucky? Or maybe I don't remember throwing away some bad ones, that is possible.

[iluvfish2]

No, no need to increase size on toploaders. They're a much higher quality penny sleeve. I've had some minor quality control issues with the BCW's and never had any issues with Ultra Pro, but given the price differnce I'll gladly take a few miscut sleeves and/or improperply sealed seams for the price difference.

[ohiomike]

Ultra Pro has gotten better over the last 5 years, as THEY used to put out crap sleeves and their top loader packs always had 1-3 unusable top loaders in it. It got so bad that I switched exclusively to Collector Safe products, until they went out of business. Collector Safe put out the best penny sleeves I've ever used, and never had problems with any of their other supplies either. But since being forced to switch again due to supply of Collector Safe products getting depleted, I have to say that Ultra Pro regular sleeves have really been improved, and their top loader packs have way less trash top loaders as they used to.

As far as BCW goes, I've used them too and have had almost no issues with but it does seem people prefer Ultra Pro. I will say that I now like Ultra Pro sleeves better than BCW, but nearly anything else I am indifferent.

But if these Ultra Pro "Premium" sleeves are the ones that are thick and have the little hologram in the corner, I absolutely despise those. I can't believe anyone would pay 2-3 times extra to use them. I wouldn't switch to those even if they were the same price as the regular soft sleeves!

Bottom line is if you're happy with the quality and price of whatever you are currently using, stick to it. There is honestly not too much difference in most of the product lines that Ultra Pro and BCW have.

[alexlazarevich]

Originally Posted by ohiomike

Ultra Pro has gotten better over the last 5 years, as THEY used to put out crap sleeves and their top loader packs always had 1-3 unusable top loaders in it. It got so bad that I switched exclusively to Collector Safe products, until they went out of business. Collector Safe put out the best penny sleeves I've ever used, and never had problems with any of their other supplies either. But since being forced to switch again due to supply of Collector Safe products getting depleted, I have to say that Ultra Pro regular sleeves have really been improved, and their top loader packs have way less trash top loaders as they used to.

As far as BCW goes, I've used them too and have had almost no issues with but it does seem people prefer Ultra Pro. I will say that I now like Ultra Pro sleeves better than BCW, but nearly anything else I am indifferent.

But if these Ultra Pro "Premium" sleeves are the ones that are thick and have the little hologram in the corner, I absolutely despise those. I can't believe anyone would pay 2-3 times extra to use them. I wouldn't switch to those even if they were the same price as the regular soft sleeves!

Bottom line is if you're happy with the quality and price of whatever you are currently using, stick to it. There is honestly not too much difference in most of the product lines that Ultra Pro and BCW have.

Those "Premium" sleeves are the ones I was wondering about. Thanks for the tip. I don't want no hologram on the sleeve, and I'm pretty sure most customers don't either.

This forum rocks once again. Thanks dudes.

[JonDailey1982]

The only thing my customers have commented on regarding BCW vs Ultra Pro is that the BCW sleeves tend to "stick" at the top so to speak and you have to roll them a little to get them to open up at times. The Ultra Pro tend to just be open out of the package naturally. But overall they are most expensive and we don't make as much on them. I personally don't have issues with the BCW and most of my customers don't either - only a few have made comments on them so if I didn't own a shop I'd just get BCW and save myself money...