football cards home
buy football cards
browse cards
why so cheap

Football Card
Samples
Click on image to
see a larger version

Trading Tip
Be reasonable.
Don't expect to unload your monster box of 1991 Donruss for a Mark McGwire rookie. Sure the "book value" might be the same, but truthfully, what's more desirable? Most traders stick to a rookie-for-rookie, inserts-for-inserts policy. I'm pretty flexible as my trading habits center around finishing sets and collecting John Jaha and Montreal Expos, so I'm happy to trade inserts. That said, it's very unlikely I'll trade any hall-of-fame game-used for all the 2001 MVP I need. The book may say they're worth the same but I'd rather have one nice card than a bunch of commons. A good trade is one in which both sides are happy, not one that one side feels like they were pressured into. - tip from www.tradercracks.com

Frequently Asked Question
What is an insert set?
Insert sets are planned short prints within a production run that generally have more technology and excitement surrounding them. Inserts can have ratios anywhere from 1 card from an insert set found per pack all the way up to a "1 of 1," which means just one of those cards exist.

Ratios indicate how often cards from insert sets are scheduled to fall in a given pack of cards (generally printed on the pack or box) with numbers like "1:28," which would mean 1 card of the insert set listed would fall in every 28 packs.

The total number of insert cards within a given insert set also help dictate how random and difficult it will be for collectors to find. Therefore, if a 10-card insert set is going to be inserted 1:28, then it would take a collector on average 280 packs (10 multiplied by the insert ratio 28) to find a specific card from that insert set or to complete the entire insert set. How much harder is it to complete an insert set of 20 cards at the same 1:28 ratio? If you answered “twice as hard,” then you’ve got it.

Several different insert sets generally exist within each trading card product, and they are set up to offer different levels of challenge for collectors. Some collectors only focus on the more rare inserts while others try to complete the more obtainable.

There are a great variety of insert cards being produced by trading card manufacturers today. Everything from game worn items being cut up into pieces and put onto the cards (See What are Game Worn Jersey Cards?) and cards with the actual signature (or signatures if more than one player signs the card) on them to cards with wood engraving and highly decorated foil cards.

For the most part, the higher the price of the pack, then the more insert content the product should strive to deliver.

Customer Testimonial
Fast & smooth.

Glossary Term
Bordered design - These designs have a white or other colored border around the card. This separates the photo and design from the edge of the card.

Even More Links

Questions? Email us at qa@footballcardlots.com

| Find Value Of Football Cards |

Football Card Lots Home | Why so Cheap?

Advertising Partners

Santa Rosa web design