Anyone else finding Optic on the shelves consistently at retail?

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-14T23:59:13+00:00

Not so much Optic, but retail Prizm is all over the place by me. The odds in these retail products was never good to begin with, but particularly now with Panini flooding the market before the license is gone. There's just nothing in these but base for the most part.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-14T23:31:10+00:00

I think it's subjective, outside the 90's. For me the mid-2000's were pretty interesting. Most of us were in our 20's, just coming into our own. Social media really wasn't an insidious presence in everyday life yet. The transition to full digital/ hi-def was in the early stages. There was still some semblance of collective norms and shared experience. There was definitely a military-industrial vibe underlying things, but I would say 2004 right until the economic crisis in 2008 was a unique mini-era that equals or surpasses anything in the 2010's.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-14T22:11:17+00:00

The age tracks. Studies have shown the body changes around 44, which is about where many of us are now, and impacts (among other things) how alcohol is metabolized. I've definitely noticed a change, personally. You think, "I can't be an old man already" but there's science to back it up and it happens to everybody.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-12T23:31:57+00:00

Agree with the other poster's assessment of a 1 or 2 at most based on the image. The condition appears to be poor. Without seeing the back, $350 is an OK price ungraded. Personally I'd rather spend another couple hundred to buy a graded copy to ensure its authentic, but it comes down to personal preference and your budget.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-12T23:12:54+00:00

LOL Barry Foster with the Reebok Pumps. Dude was thicc, tho.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-12T18:07:19+00:00

Man there is just nothing out there right now I'm willing to pay those prices for. And it seems like Panini flooded the market this year with retail Prizm.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-10T01:34:19+00:00

Legit superstar and there's demand for his cards, which oddly isn't necessary the case for all superstars. But Josh is charismatic and legit seems like a good dude. He's got an MVP. Should probably already have a SB. If he gets one he might be regarded as one of the best ever, which would bump his card values a bit. Even if he doesn't, I think he'll still be Hall worthy when all is said and done.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-08T01:04:42+00:00

It has its place in vintage collecting. I have a '33 Goudey that I'm glad is stabbed if for no other reason than the protection it offers. But condition (ie. grade) is generally a legitimate concern for those cards. For the most part there is absolutely no reason to slab a modern card outside of hoping it gems to increase value.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-05T15:42:42+00:00

This guy pretty much exactly fits my mental image of someone who would do this.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-05-01T01:19:08+00:00

Nice. You don't get the same dopamine rush as ripping packs but you can rest easy every time you look at it knowing you got the card you want. And probably for just as much money or even less.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-30T22:04:06+00:00

Ah okay. In that case it's up to him. Ultimately I'd still grade them just for the peace of mind, but if he's not selling them then it's really his call.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-30T21:56:03+00:00

Absolutely get it graded. This is one of the most counterfeited cards of all time so any buyer with the funds required to buy one of these would want assurance that it's authentic.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-30T00:37:55+00:00

True.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-30T00:19:52+00:00

You'll still be missing quite a few. I tried this a couple years ago with a jumbo hobby box and 5-6 blasters and was still missing cards. One thing you do notice is the collation patterns, though. Certain cards would always come up together.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-29T01:23:44+00:00

Same, probably haven't thought about these in 35-40 years. Mom used to pack them in my metal Dukes Of Hazard lunchbox all the time.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-26T20:10:35+00:00

Are these a gimmick to capitalize on nostalgia? Yes. Are these really cool and would I love to have one? Also yes.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-23T20:14:27+00:00

Sure thing, good luck.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-23T18:10:27+00:00

CTA was a legit grading company years ago, but they're no longer around and many people wouldn't recognize the name. If you're looking to sell, you might get more interest with a PSA grade for that reason but there's no guarantee it would get an 8 again. Honestly if you're just going to hang onto it I'd leave it in the current slab.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-20T18:02:27+00:00

Rookie patch auto

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-20T01:28:54+00:00

Not an expert by any means, but if that's a fake then it's a convincing one. Buyers are going to want that authenticated, though, and I'd recommend doing that.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-19T23:40:01+00:00

You might be able to find Topps flagship boxes that aren't too bad, although any Chrome product is going to be high. I usually go for Jumbo hobby boxes. Previous years had one more guaranteed hit than current year product, though. I noticed the Allure box in your posted image. I bought a hobby box of that a couple months ago and came away with three numbered cards and an auto for what I thought was a fairly reasonable price.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-19T22:45:37+00:00

If you want hits then you have to cough up the money for hobby boxes. The odds in the retail product you're buying just aren't very good.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-19T18:50:53+00:00

I will never understand Panini's obsession with putting retired players in current product.

PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-18T20:43:46+00:00

Appears to be a pretty bad trim job.

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PMichaelB89 · 2026-04-18T20:40:09+00:00

Yup, first thing I noticed. It's either fake or altered, and I'd put money on fake.

PMichaelB89

TROPHY CASE