What gets me more bang for my buck?
Economics forum
Posted on May 1, 2017, 12:34 a.m. by BugGirl1999
I'm torn between buying a booster box of Modern Masters 2017, a box of Eternal Masters, or just using the money to buy specific cards I need for an EDH deck. From a profiting standpoint, would the MM17 box or the EMA give me more reselling value/trading power? Or, are they too much of a money gamble that buying specific cards would be the wiser option?
Buy the cards you want and be satisfied, or buy packs for a chance of satisfaction along with much disappointment.
May 1, 2017 1:10 a.m.
chaosumbreon87 says... #4
while I cannot say for any and every case, generally buying singles is more profitable than buying boxes for loot. Sure you could end up with a box of godly profit, but on the other hand, you could end up with a box of hot garbage. I would cut my losses and buy singles. As of this comment, I can see TCGplayer 14 cards above MSRP of 10$ for MM17 and EMA. I would generally save the 200 bucks or invest in some power creep cards (gaea's cradle, dual lands[plateau, tundra, scrubland], fetchlands, staples [flusterstorm, FOW, etc]
May 1, 2017 2:46 a.m.
Best bet: buy the singles you need (as everyone has said and will always say).
That said, if you are just inserted in input about which box is more profitable and singles is not part of the question, then my gut says MM17. I haven't looked at any numbers on either box, so I'm not sure which has a higher EV, but my general impression is that the money in eternal masters is on the mythics while the money in MM17 is in the rares. That means you'll hit with a higher frequency and the value of your MM17 box likely has less variation than your EMA box. (Though again, the best place for your $200 is singles)
May 1, 2017 6:37 a.m.
Mm17 has a better chance to open what you currently pay for the box (190 on tcg). I don't normally buy packs, but when I got my rebate I ordered 2 cases of MM17 as I needed slot of the cards including a lot of uncommon. That being said out of 8 boxes I opened only 1 did not have enough value of things I needed or could easily trade to cover the cost. But overall I opened more than what I paid. But as each pack/box/case is different, there is always a gamble you won't open up enough good cards to recoup your money - and sometimes it ain't even close. As the box I opened that didn't cover the cost had less than $600 in real value.
So unless you can buy by case, even MM17 is a risky investment. Singles, or hunt for someone selling a collection at a discount.
May 1, 2017 7:42 a.m.
GeminiSpartanX says... #7
MM17 beats out EMA on the 'gambling on packs/boxes' front, but unless you're going to draft the packs you're better off buying the exact cards you need to play with.
May 1, 2017 10:30 a.m.
BugGirl1999 says... #8
Thank you all so much for the input! I'm gonna buy the single cards I need in case any of you were wondering. Thanks again! :D
MollyMab says... #2
Singles. Always singles. Unless you are getting a box at a steep discount you will struggle to make more money than a box costs.
May 1, 2017 12:52 a.m.