Can Someone Explain COMC to Me?

If history repeats itself, then in about a week my blogroll will be filled with posts about hauls from Check Out My Cards' Black Friday Sale. I've read COMC's blog post about their sale event, which includes millions of marked down cards, free shipping on orders over twenty cards and scratch-and-win cards for COMC credit. It sounds like a good deal!

But, I feel like I'm missing something. You see, I'm in the market for a Joe Maddon card in a Cubs uniform So I typed in ":Maddon" and here's the first three cards which showed up in the search.

I honestly don't understand those prices. The 2010 Heritage card is a short print, so I can see where the sellers are coming from on that one. But the other two cards are commons and can be had on Sportlots for 18 cents each. Yes, even the 2007 Topps Gold parallel is listed for $0.18 on Sportlots.

I checked out one of the million of the marked down cards and it's confusing. 55% off a Carlos Correa autograph!  Cool!

I like Correa as a player and he has a bright future.  I clicked on the "Sale --55% OFF SRP" and it led me to the seller's page.

 The price makes my wallet cry, but it's an on card auto, graded, and numbered to 25.  I get it.  $400 is probably a fair price.  What I don't understand is the 20%.  Where did the 55% go?

Last example.  I collect Kerry Wood cards and this one was the 5th card listed in my search:

 All four cards were listed by the same seller. They are each marked down 5% and all four are the non-glossy version of Wood's 2000 Fleer Tradition card.  I can pick that up on Ebay for $3.49 and on Sportlots for under a dollar (including shipping). $40 for a card which I could find in a dime bin at a card show? What gives? I realize the Kerry Wood example may be an outlier, but it's a quite egregious one at that.

I've never bought anything from COMC. The main reason being is that I just don't understand it. Even with the sale prices and free shipping I don't think I'm receiving that good of a deal. 

If you have any experience with COMC I would love to hear how you make it worth your while. Perhaps if I can learn a few tricks from you guys/gals then I can find some deals and take advantage of their Black Friday Sale.

Thanks for reading.  I look forward to your comments!

Waiting 'til Next Year Headquarters CELEBRATES!

The Rule V draft is quick approaching and the deadline to add players to the 40-man roster was today for all MLB teams.  The Cubs added four to the roster, which ultimately protects them from the draft.

In short, Vogelbach is a Cub for a little while longer.  If his name wasn't added to the 40-man roster, then he surely would have been taken by an American League team looking to fill a hole at first base.

I'm elated the Vogelmonster is still a Cub and that the organization won't lose him to the draft come early December.  I'd like to think the Vogelmonster is pretty stoked, too.

A Pack of Heritage High Numbers to Scratch the Itch

I like to open cards.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.  At least that's what I have been told.  I figure buying on $3 pack is better than buy a box at $60, right?

Well, let's see if I get luck and find the Dexter Fowler I need or maybe another David Ross?

Cards one and two:

 Jordy Mercer is no Carlos Correa.  Carlos stays in the collection and Jordy will Walk The Plank.

Cards number three and FIVE in the pack:

That's right, I'm skipping card number four and you can't do anything about it. The Scherzer is a short-print, so that's a win, right?

Cards six and seven:

 Meh.  NL West kids I don't know.  Moving on.

And the last two cards in the pack, eight and nine:

Yunel Escobar versus Justin Bour?  Bour is a former Peoria Chief.  Justin is easily the third best card in this pack after the Correa and Scherzer.

It's even better than card number four: 

It's a purple refractor and it's not numbered. It's really nice to look at, but I'm not an Asdrubel Cabrera fan and Rays are tough to get rid of within the blogosphere.  Sigh.  Any takers?

Thanks for stopping by today and ripping a pack with me.

Dodger Fans Like Me - Part II

Welcome to the final installment of my mini series, Dodger Fans Like Me. Let's be honest here: there are more Dodger bloggers out there than any other team and the odds of me receiving cards from two Dodger fans in back-to-back days isn't all that outrageous.

I hosted a contest some time back and Night Owl won.  I sent a prize package of cards his way and I was genuinely surprised when a return package landed in my mailbox. 

Actually, when I saw the first item I about fell out of my chair.  No seriously, I almost did!  I have a new-to-me desk chair and I forgot that it can tilt backwards.

 I'm not sure if Greg picked this up from someone else, or how he came across this National Sports Collectors Convention corporate exhibitor pass, but it is sooooo sweet!  I'm going to find a Cubs lanyard and hang this on the wall in the man room!

If that weren't enough, there were cards in the package as well:

 I just blogged about this card yesterday.  Or did I?  I did not!

Night Owl sent me the gold version and garvey cey russell lopes sent me the silver.  It's funny how this hobby works, isn't it?  Before yesterday I didn't even know this card existed and now I have its parallel!

Here's Javy getting the First Home Run insert treatment.  Nice!  I actually remember listening to this game on the radio.

 More Topps Update!  With the addition of Russell and Bryant I think I'm getting close to the Update Cubs team set.

 Nope, check that.  I think I still need two or three of the Bryant cards.  Go figure. 

Matt Szczur is one of my favorite former Peoria Chiefs.  I wonder if he'll get a shot next year if the Cubs don't resign Dexter Fowler.  Is it me, or does Strop's hat alllllllmost look straight in that picture? 

Ooooooh!  It's a sparkly cognac refractor from 2011 Topps.  Sorry Gavin, this one's staying in my collection.

Ernie!  I'm a sucker for reprint cards even if they don't have the feel of actual vintage. Send them all to me!

 I wish the backs of modern cards would bring back cartoons and trivia.  Good stuff.

 Gary Scott and Casey McGehee.  McGehee put together a decent career, but third base was a revolving door until Aramis Ramirez came to town.  Hopefully Kris Bryant will carry the torch at the hot corner for the foreseeable future. 

 Did you know that 2014 Topps Heritage had gray back variations?  I didn't.

 Lastly, a card for my slowly growing Dillon Maples collection.  Seriously.  I have a Dillon Maples collection!

Mr. Night Owl, thank you so much for the cards and a BIG thank you for the National pass of Kerry Wood! The underlying reason for me holding the contest was for me to make room in my trade box, not to coerce another blogger into sending me cards. I honestly wasn't expecting cards in return, but I'm certainly not complaining.  Let me know if you're interested in any Donruss puzzle pieces, I think I could help you out some!

And, that concludes the Dodger Fans Like Me series . . . or does it?   Thanks for stopping by everyone!

Dodger Fans Like Me - Part I

Yesterday I received a PWE from Jim, the brains behind garvey cey russell lopes.  I vaguely remember picking up a Bill Russell auto for him at a card show in Iowa early this fall. He returned the favor with some Cubs cards!

I didn't know Ryne had a Topps 1st Home Run insert card.  I don't know if this is from Series 1, 2 or Update, but I'm willing to bet on Update by looking at the rest of the package.  Regardless of prior knowledge, this is my 785th Ryne Sandberg card in my collection.  I'm slowly creeping in on another milestone!

I've discussed the above Rizzo card before.  I didn't like the first one I received from the blogosphere, and I don't know that I like this one much better. Plain and simple: Anthony is wearing way too much red for my tastes.

I'm really excited to add some more Update Cubs to my collection.  In about two months I'll be at the Cubs Convention in Chicago and these cards will make the trip.

 You never know when you'll be in the same elevator as Miguel Montero and need a card of him wearing Cubs blue!  Additionally, the Clayton Richard card is the only card in my collection with him wearing a Cubs uniform.

 I believe Herrera and Hunter are both now free agents, but they could be brought back with the club between now and the Convention.

Woo-Hoo!  Another Soler card for my collection.  Theo!  Do NOT trade Jorge!

 The Mark Grace card gets some love on the blog because he led all major league players in total doubles hit in the decade of the 90s.  (My head is full of useful useless information.)

Thanks for the cards, Jim!