Letting someone else take the hit

You know if you buy a new car, the second you drive it off the lot, it loses value.
If you buy a used car in good shape, then you can avoid taking the big hit on value and get more bang for your buck.

The same principle applies to cards. I recently spent $20 on a lot of cards from a seller on the Blowout forum. It's the same amount we spend on blasters all the time. It's the same amount I spent on what I once termed "the best blaster ever".

Unlike that blaster, this "blaster" I purchased was all about the shiny. Many of you purchased 2011 Topps Chrome blasters or packs. You might get one or two colored refractors. Take a gander at what I got for the same price as a blaster.





2010 Bowman Chrome Kellin Deglan auto--This would be a nice hit for a blaster, especially since it was a guy from my team. Don't worry, I'm not a prospector and Bowman Chrome is NOT why I bought this lot. It gets better.





2010 Topps 206 Ian Kinsler Blue Refractor #104/199--Yes, Ian looks a little silly, but it's an beautiful card and everyone knows blue refractors were made for the Rangers...and Dodgers...and???





2010 Topps Chrome Michael Young Gold Refractor #31/50. How many blasters did I buy wishing to pull something like this? I don't know and I'm glad you don't either.





2010 Topps Chrome Michael Young Blue Refractor #94/199. It's the start of a beautiful rainbow. Yes, that's the 2nd time I've used the word beautiful in this post. Make that the 3rd time.






2011 Topps Wrapper Redemption Ian Kinsler--That's not Chrome, but it's sparkly and it's my first and only wrapper redemption card.




2011 Gypsy Queen Ian Kinsler Sepia Mini #38/99--Ok, I know it's not shiny, but it's still a great addition to my collection.





I just had to show the back. Well, I didn't have to, but I scanned it, so you get to see it.





2011 Topps Chrome Brian McCann Black Refractor #49/100--No, it's not a Ranger and yes Captain Canuck, it is going in my catcher binder next to the gold one. I hid my catcher binder since I knew you were looking for it.





2011 Topps Chrome Elvis Andrus Blue Refractor #40/99--One of my favorite cards of 2011, it shows Elvis turning a double play against the Giants in the 2010 World Series.





2011 Topps Chrome Ian Kinsler Black Refractor #46/100--Another of my favorite cards from 2011 because of the angle of the photo, the swing and I think that's Joe Mauer behind the plate.

I got all that for $20, but wait there's more! Sorry, I was going for the cheesy informercial affect there...

The lot also included some future trade bait. I won't say what they are specifically, but the lot had:

1 2011 Topps Chrome Black Refractor #/100
1 2011 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #/99
4 2011 Topps Chrome Sepia Refractors #/99
2 2011 Topps Chrome Red Refractors #/25

Overall, I'd say that is a pretty good haul for $20. This is what I was referring to in my post earlier today when I said spending money on opening packs was a waste. I could never expect to get this lot of cards from a $20 blaster, but I picked it up for the same price after some guy took a bath on what must have been a case. I'll definitely be using the Blowout forums and other avenues to buy singles/lots that fit my collecting habits, but fear not dear reader.

I'm a sucker for busting my own packs, so I should still have plenty to trade. Heck, that's one of the best parts of having a blog anyway.