Okay, so I kept hearing about these sports card subscription boxes. Seemed like everyone was talking about them online, you know? At first, I kinda brushed it off, thought it was maybe just for kids or people getting back into the hobby hardcore.
But the idea stuck with me. I used to collect cards way back when, and the thought of getting a surprise package of cards each month? Sounded kinda fun, like scratching a lottery ticket but with cardboard treasures. So, I decided, what the heck, let’s give it a shot.
Finding the Right Box (Sort Of)
First step was figuring out which one to even try. Man, there are a lot of them out there now. Some focus on specific sports, others mix it up. Some promise big hits, others more variety. I spent a bit of time just browsing, looking at what people were saying. Didn’t want to spend a fortune, but also didn’t want a box full of junk wax either. It’s a tricky balance.
I eventually landed on one that seemed decent. Focused mostly on basketball, which is my main interest these days, and had a mid-tier price point. Looked like a reasonable mix of packs and maybe a guaranteed graded card or something, I forget the exact pitch now.
Signing Up and the Wait
The sign-up process itself was pretty straightforward. Put in my details, selected the basketball option, paid up. Click, click, done. Then the waiting game started. They usually ship around the same time each month, so I knew it would be a couple of weeks.
Honestly, the waiting part was kinda fun. That little bit of anticipation, wondering what might be inside. Would I get a cool rookie? A nice parallel? Or just a bunch of base cards? It definitely brought back that feeling I had as a kid heading to the card shop.
The Arrival and Unboxing
Finally, the box showed up. Just a plain brown box, nothing fancy, but still exciting. Brought it inside, grabbed a knife, and slit the tape open. I wasn’t expecting gold, but the curiosity was real.
Inside, there was some packing material, and then the goods. Here’s what I remember pulling out:
- A few recent hobby packs: I think it was a couple of Prizm and maybe a Donruss pack. Standard stuff.
- Some loose cards: These were in top loaders or semi-rigids. A mix of vets and rookies from the last couple of years. Nothing earth-shattering.
- One graded card: It was a PSA 8 of a semi-star player from the 90s. Not bad, but not exactly setting the world on fire.
- Supplies: They threw in some penny sleeves and top loaders, which is always useful.
So, I sat down and ripped the packs first. That’s always the best part, right? Pulled a couple of decent inserts, a numbered card that wasn’t a major player, and a bunch of base. Pretty standard pack-ripping experience.
Looked through the loose singles next. Found one rookie I actually collect, so that was a small win. The graded card was… well, it was a graded card. Added it to the stack.
My Thoughts After the First Box
So, was it worth it? Ehhh, maybe? If I added up the value of the packs and the graded card, it probably came close to what I paid, especially if you factor in shipping costs saved from buying individual packs online. But value-wise, it wasn’t a home run. It felt more like paying for the convenience and the surprise factor.
The experience itself was enjoyable, I can’t deny that. Opening a curated box of cards delivered to your door has a certain appeal. It’s different from just going to a shop or buying singles online. It forces you to look at cards or players you might normally skip over.
I stayed subscribed for another couple of months. Some boxes were a bit better, some a bit worse. Never got that monster hit, but had a few nice pulls along the way. Eventually, I decided to pause it. It was fun for a bit, satisfied that curiosity, but I found I preferred spending that money more targetedly on specific cards I wanted for my collection.
Still, it was a cool thing to try out. If you like surprises and aren’t laser-focused on maximizing value for every dollar spent, it can be a fun way to add some random variety to your collection each month.
