The annual release of the retail-only Topps Chrome Update came a little late this year, and it also came with another surprise: a heftier price tag. At $49.99, it’s nearly three times the previous price of $19.99. On the plus side, the higher cost means you’re more likely to find it in stock at Target or on their website. That’s exactly what I did, picking up 3 boxes of one of my favorite rips each year.
Each mega box of Topps Chrome Update comes with 10 packs, with each pack containing 4 cards. For those of you doing the math at home, that’s more than a buck a card at the new box price.
Despite the prevalence of refractor finishes among the inserts, actual refractors are brutally tough to pull. I didn’t get any in my 3 boxes, though I did get a blue refractor of Evan White.
Topps Chrome Update is always a fun rip, full of rookies and players for new teams. But it’s much more fun at 20 bucks than it is at 50 bucks, and the bang for the buck just isn’t there at the new inflated price. Combine the price increase with tougher odds to pull anything and I’d recommend buying singles, unless you really love the thrill of opening this product. I do every year, and I don’t have any regrets about my boxes.