Can I get a discount on my National VIP pass?

With the National coming up in just a short time, there is so much talk going on about the hobby and who's going and who will be bringing the beer.

Blowout Cards had a different idea and is offering special Topps VIP retro card sets on their site for presale - that's before the National, before anyone has had a chance to put these cards in their hands.

I thought these cards were supposed to be limited to people who bought VIP packages. It's part of the deal, right? So, why does Blowout get the opportunity to sell these cards ahead of time to anyone who wants to purchase them?

I am not naive to think that after the convention these cards aren't going to end up on eBay, but why does Blowout get to have the upperhand and sell these cards before anyone when they were supposed to be given out to the public and the National Sports Card Convention?

What good is calling this a VIP exclusive if I can sit at home and click buy for $25 and get the same cards that hundreds of people went to Baltimore and received because they paid the $120-plus for a VIP package?

Update: Maybe they are slightly limited on Blowout, although I don't see where it says on the website. Blowout wrote on their Twitter account at 12:29 p.m.: "2010 Topps National Convention VIP 1960 Retro Card Sets-less than 10 left."

2008 Masterpieces retail box break (Black Friday deal from Blowout)

Sometimes boxes sit in my home and fester until I can't hold back any longer. This is completely different from the way I normally act when it comes to baseball cards. If the box comes in the mail, I could actually sit on it.

If I buy packs or boxes at Target of the local shop, I immediately have to open. And, by immediately, I mean, right in the car in the parking lot before I get home.

Yet, my boxes from Blowout, I let them sit until I decided to open.

Here's the first of two I will highlight.

2008 Masterpieces is a 120-card set with all the cards above 89 being short print. Of the 89 base set, I am missing just four cards from the set after opening the retail box, and just one double.

I received four short prints:

94 - Ryne Sandberg
99 - Ken Griffey Jr.
108 - Joe DiMaggio
110 - Yogi Berrra



Six Yankee Stadium Legacy cards, which are all going to Marie (and it happens to be a trend for this box).

Two framed cards

David Ortiz framed black (another Red Sox insert)



Ken Griffey Jr. #52 framed green 18/75



And, one game-used jersey card, which is also going to Marie. It's like her birthday never ends.



Review: For the $11 or so this cost, this was a great break. I got a jersey card of a star, two variations of stars, including one numbered to 75. I nearly completed the base set and got two Yankee SP. Good times.

Blowout Deals on Black Friday

I have spoken to some of you about the whole going out and shopping on Black Friday and we were all skeptical of any internet card deals. I have just learned that Blowout Cards will be hosting a Black Friday sale starting at 6am Black Friday 11/27.

Sadly I am sure I will be at the mall buying crap I don't necessarily need, or stocking stuffers. I love the rush of running around a mall at 4am for no real reason with a bunch of other lunatics. Hopefully when I get home there is something fun left for me to get, but it's the season for giving not getting so I won't be upset if I miss out. If I hear of any other card companies hosting sales I will keep you updated.