WHAT WOULD YOU DO???? what would YOU buy?

Might a sincere honest collector help me out?. A birthday's coming up and I
may spend $120-140 on cards..........

Upper Deck SP and/or Topps Finest, are they the best way to go? (buying
unopened boxes/cases)*

*(Not the $150 2003 SP box with 8 packs, memorabilia each pack)

Maybe I should get two different boxes of upper end cards? Advice is
needed.I started collecting (again)last year. Before that, my only
experience in 1986.when we had 3 companies (not counting sportsflicks
cards!lol)

RE 2002-3 :I have about 1500cards. Many rookies (Yao, Gooden and on and on.,
I am learning that the majority of mine are the middle tier cards, e.g.
Upper Deck MVP, Topps Chrome, Topps10..I have many gu and au cards I'm sure
the same player,e.g. if it was SPx instead of a Fleer, the card would be
much more valuable....( from what I am learning)

Any feedback/advice to this semi-rookie in collecting would be sincerely
and,

If you would take a little of your time to send your opinion. please send to


THANK YOU