10K Card Journey

  • Are Arena Club Slab Packs Worth it With a Discount?

    A surprise $20 coupon convinced me to try an Arena Club Gold slab pack. I landed a PSA 10 Aaron Judge rookie—solid value for my $87. While discounts are rare, they really help lower the break-even point to a more realistic price.

  • Maximize Your Sports Card Shopping with 6% Cash Back with the Bank of America Customized Cash Card

    If you buy sports cards on eBay, the Bank of America Customized Cash Card’s 6% cash back offer is a game changer. Earn up to $800 in rewards your first year—including a $200 bonus—by maximizing online purchases, then enjoy 3% back long-term, all with no annual fee.

  • Why Selling on Veriswap is Worth It for Collectors

    Selling my Francisco Alvarez/Mike Piazza dual auto /5 on Veriswap was a surprisingly positive experience. I received a full-price offer quickly, enjoyed low fees compared to other platforms, and found the process smooth despite a minor mobile hiccup. Veriswap’s community-focused trading and selling options make it a great choice for raw card sellers.

  • My Experience with Arena Club Slab Packs: A Cautionary Tale

    After buying an Arena Club Gold slab pack, I pulled a disappointing card but was pleasantly surprised by the buyback offer. Selling back was easy, though I took a small loss. This experience reinforced that slab packs are a gamble, and singles remain the smarter choice for collectors.

  • My Experience Buying an Arena Club Baseball Emerald Slab Pack

    Buying an Arena Club Emerald slab pack was a fun, impulsive splurge while on vacation. I pulled a PSA 10 George Lombard Jr. auto—not a grail, but a solid card. While the thrill was real, the odds still favor buying singles over slab packs for long-term value.

  • My Experience with Filthbomb Breaks on Fanatics Live

    Joining a Filthbomb break on Fanatics Live was a mixed experience. Finding and buying a spot was easy, but the auction process was slow and communication after the break was limited. However, the cards arrived quickly and were packaged with care. Overall, I’d join again if I had credit to use.

  • Understanding PSA’s Minimum Grade Submission

    PSA’s reintroduced “Minimum Grade Submission” lets collectors set the lowest grade they’ll accept for a card, returning it ungraded if it falls short-but you still pay the full fee. While useful for crossovers, I find the value limited for raw cards, especially since no feedback is provided if the minimum isn’t met.

  • Quality vs. Quantity: The Key to Smart Sports Card Collecting

    When it comes to collecting, I find far more satisfaction in owning a few standout cards-like rookies, memorabilia, or autographs-than piles of base cards. Focusing on quality over quantity makes my collection more meaningful, easier to manage, and gives me greater long-term enjoyment and value.

  • Card Grading Factors: What Collectors Need to Know

    When it comes to grading cards, four main factors-centering, corners, edges, and surface-determine both the grade and market value. Centering and corners are especially critical for vintage cards, as they drive eye appeal and collector demand. While all four factors matter, collectors often pay a premium for cards with strong centering and sharp corners, even…

  • My First (and Only?) Experience entering a Card Break

    If you’ve ever been curious about joining a card break on Fanatics Live, here’s what to expect. I only participated because I had a $125 Fanatics Live credit from my PSA Collectors Club Premium membership. The break I joined with Filthbomb Breaks was entertaining but highlighted the gambling-like nature of most breaks-long sales pitches, low…