How it Works

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If you are ready to become a true Bench Warmer collector, there are a couple of terms you need to be familiar with.
First, there is the BASE SET. This is a complete set of base cards or “common cards” for a particular card series. You usually can not purchase the base set, rather they each card is randomly  packaged in packs. This way, when you open a pack, you never know which cards you will get.
Then, there are the INSET CARDS, or CHASE CARD SERIES that are the non-rare to rare cards that are randomly inserted into packs, at various ratios (e.g. 1 card per 24 packs). An Insert Card is often different from the base set, in appearance and numbering. Some favorite Bench Warmer inset/chase cards are the autographed cards, swatch cards (which contains a piece of the model’s outfit in the card) and kiss cards (which has an imprint of the model’s lips)!
The value of a trading card depends on a combination of the card's condition, the subject's popularity and the scarcity of the card. Some of our series are “limited editions” which have and smaller print runs to boost value. Each card, however, does have a true monetary value. Cards are only worth as much as a collector is willing to pay.
Popularity of our trading cards is determined by the familiarity, or content of the card, and is usually subjective. Often, certain trading cards will be printed less often than others; this then makes the specific less printed card more valuable than others. Sometimes, each card will be labeled in some way in order to indicate its scarcity. Time can also make cards more scarce due to the fact that cards may be lost or destroyed.
Here are some basic terms:

9-Up Sheet:            Uncut sheet of nine cards, usually promos.
Autograph Card:    Printed insert card that also bear an original cast or artist signature.
Base Set:                    Complete set of base cards for a particular card series.
Box Original:               Manufacturer's container of multiple packs, often 24 packs per box.
Box Topper Card:         Card included in a factory sealed box.
Blister Pack:                Factory plastic bubble pack of cards or packs, for retail peg-hanger sales.
Case:                         Factory-sealed crate filled with card boxes, often six to twelve card boxes per case.
Chase Card    Card, or cards, included as a bonus in a factory sealed case.
Common Card    Non-rare cards that form the main set. Also known as base cards.
Factory Set    Card set, typically complete base sets, sorted and sold from the manufacturer.
Hobby Card    Item sold mainly to collectors, through stores that deal exclusively in collectible cards. Usually contains some items not included in the retail offerings.
Insert Card    Non-rare to rare cards that are randomly inserted into packs, at various ratios (e.g. 1 card per 24 packs). An Insert Card is often different from the base set, in appearance and numbering. Also known as chase cards.
Master Set    Not well defined; often a base set and all readily available insert sets; typically does not include promos, mail-in cards, sketch, or autograph cards.
Oversized Card    Any base, common, insert, or other card not of standard or wide vision size.
Parallel Card    A modified base card, which may contain extra foil stamping, hologram stamping that distinguishes the card from the base card.
Pack    Original wrapper with base, and potentially insert, cards within, often called 'wax packs', typically with two to eight cards per pack. Today the packs are usually plastic or foil wrap.
Retail Card    Cards, packs, boxes, and cases sold to the public, typically via large retail stores, such as K-mart or Wal-Mart.

Rack Pack    Factory pack of unwrapped cards, for retail peg-hanger sales.
Promo Card    Cards that are distributed, typically in advance, by the manufacturer to promote upcoming products.
Redemption Card    Insert Card found in packs that are mailed (posted) to the manufacturer for a special card or some other gift.
Sell Sheet    Also 'ad slicks'. Usually one page, but increasingly fold-outs, distributed by the manufacturers to card distributors, in advance, to promote upcoming products.
Sketch Card    Insert Card that feature near-one-of-a-kind artists sketches.
Swatch    Insert Card that feature a mounted swatch of cloth, such as from a sports player's jersey or an actor's costume.
Tin    Factory metal can, typically filled with cards or packs, often with inserts.
Unreleased Card    Card printed by the manufacturer, but not officially distributed for a variety of reasons. Often leaked to the public, sometimes improperly. Not to be confused with promo cards.
Uncut Sheet    Sheets of uncut base, insert, promo, or other cards.
Wrapper    Original pack cover, often with collectible variations.