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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • Get Card Ladder Pro with PSA Collectors Club Premium: A Smarter Deal

    Collectors considering Card Ladder Pro can get more value by subscribing to the PSA Collectors Club Premium tier. For the same $199 annual price as Card Ladder Pro alone, you receive a full subscription plus grading perks and $125 in Fanatics Live credit-far surpassing the Standard membership and making Premium the clear choice for serious…

  • Recent Pickups: 1929 Churchman Babe Ruth (PSA 4.5)

    The 1929 Churchman Babe Ruth is an affordable, eye-catching card from Ruth’s playing days that I recently added to my collection for $900. With strong centering and vintage appeal, it’s a card I plan to hold long-term, hoping to see continued growth in value as demand for pre-war baseball cards rises.

  • Recent Pickups: 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan Sticker (BGS 6)

    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All data and prices are as of April 28, 2025. Card: 1986 Fleer Sticker Michael JordanGrade: BGS 6 (Subgrades: Centering 7.5, Corners 7, Edges 8.5, Surface 5)Where I Bought It: eBayPrice Paid: $590.23 Recent Value from Card Ladder: Why I Bought It:I want to one day own the 1986 Fleer…

  • Navigating eBay: From Purchase to Authentication to Vaulting

    Buying sports cards online can be a multi-step process, especially for high-value cards. From negotiating prices on eBay to navigating authentication and secure storage in the PSA Vault, there’s a lot to consider. Here’s my experience going through this journey and the lessons I learned along the way.