How To Tell If Your MTG Booster Box Is Resealed

Hello, Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts! It can be a tricky task trying to decipher whether or not an MTG Booster Box has been resealed. That’s where we come in! Booster boxes can be resealed for a variety of reasons, such as to conceal that a box has been tampered with or to sell packs that have been removed from a box. Some third-party retailers may reseal boxes in order to sell them as sealed boxes, even though the contents may have been tampered with or may not be authentic.

To tell if a booster box is resealed, you can look for signs such as uneven or wrinkled shrink wrap, a lack of a seal on the box, or a broken seal. Additionally, you can check the weight of the box to ensure it is consistent with the weight of an unopened box.

It’s important to be suspicious of third-party retailers and to thoroughly inspect the box before purchasing. It’s best to purchase from reputable sellers or official distributors to ensure that you are getting an authentic, unopened product.

Signs That Your Magic: The Gathering Booster Box Is Resealed

To determine if the box is potentially resealed, we’ll have to go through a list of things to look for. Signs to look for when inspecting a booster box for resealing include:

Uneven or wrinkled shrink wrap

Look for any signs of tampering or changes in the shrink wrap on the box. If the shrink wrap looks uneven or wrinkled, it could be a sign that the box has been opened and resealed.

However, shrink wrap can sometimes have defects or odd wrinkles from the factory. A small wrinkle or slight inconsistency is probably fine. We’re looking for bigger tells such as:

• Loose to the point that you can move it around
• No Wizards of the Coast logo
• Incorrect heat seals

Regarding heat seals, there should be a seal across the top of the box and the sides. The front, bottom, and back will not have a heat seal in the plastic wrap.

Broken seal on the box

The box itself will have a perforated seal. Usually one would break this seal to open the booster box and prop up the image for display purposes. 

This seal can be broken without removing the plastic and sometimes happens during shipping or handling. However, it should not be broken all the way across.

The image below shows a sealed authentic booster box, and you can see that the box’s seal is slightly broken near the top, but the sides are still intact. This is normal. But if the seal is broken all the way around, be suspicious.

Check the weight of the box

Compare the weight of the box to that of an unopened box. If the weight is noticeably different, it could be a sign that the box has been opened and resealed.

But criminals will often replace the cards inside, so this isn’t a fool-proof method. 

Check the Wizards of the Coast logo

Check the logo on the box, if the logo is not properly aligned or the print is not crisp, it could be a sign of a fake product.

Check the pack layout/amount

Compare the number of packs in the box with the expected amount for that edition. If the number of packs is less than expected, it could be a sign that packs have been removed from the box and it has been resealed.

Each booster box will contain 36 packs, arranged in three stacks of 12. 

Check for any unusual smell

If there is any unusual smell on the box, it could be a sign that the box has been opened and resealed.

This one sounds weird but can be useful. Booster boxes usually come from the factory to the distributor, then to the store, all in a matter of a week or two. There isn’t time for a booster box to absorb any odd scent. With the exception of vintage boxes, to be clear.

The you already suspect that a booster box might be resealed, and it has a distinctive odd scent, then it has likely sat at someone’s home or car for a few days absorbing the smell.

It’s always best to buy from reputable sellers and official distributors to ensure that you are getting an authentic, unopened product.

How To Check For Resealed Packs

A resealed box often contains resealed packs, which can be packs that have been removed from the box and replaced with different packs. These packs may not be authentic or may contain different cards than what is advertised on the box.

To check for resealed packs, you can look for the following signs:

Uneven or wrinkled packs

Inspect the packs for any signs of tampering or changes in the packaging. If the packs look uneven or wrinkled, it could be a sign that they have been opened and resealed.

Magic: The Gathering booster packs have a high standard, and have a certain level of quality. If you have any experience opening packs, then you should quickly be able to tell when some feel “off”. 

Sometimes, the booster packs come out a little weird from the factory, but if you find multiple weird packs in a booster box, it’s likely been tampered with.

Missing or damaged seal

Many packs have a seal on the top or bottom of the pack to indicate that it has not been opened. If the pack is missing this seal or it appears to have been tampered with, it could be a sign that the pack has been resealed.

Check for:

• Adhesive on the outside of the packs
• Packs are difficult to open
• The pack seals don’t line up

The method used to seal the booster packs in the factory is a heat seal and crimp, so there is no glue involved. If you find any adhesive, then they have been resealed.

Check for missing or extra cards

Compare the number of cards in each pack to the expected number for that edition. If any pack has missing or extra cards, it has likely been tampered with.

Again, mistakes happen at the factory and we’ve all seen YouTube videos where someone opens a weird pack that has extra cards. But this is very rare. If you find more than a single pack with an irregular amount of cards, then it’s time to be suspicious, especially if there are no hits. 

What To Do If You Suspect A Resealed Box

If you suspect that a booster box or pack you have purchased is resealed, there are a few things you can do:

Contact the seller

If you suspect that the box or pack is resealed, reach out to the seller and ask for a refund or a replacement. Many reputable sellers will be willing to work with you to resolve the issue.

Open the box to inspect the packs

If you want to confirm that the box or packs are resealed, you can open the box and inspect the packs. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some retailers may not accept returns or exchanges if the box or packs have been opened.

File a complaint

If the seller is not willing to work with you or if you purchased the box or packs from a third-party marketplace, you can file a complaint with the marketplace or the payment provider to report the issue.

Take it as a lesson

In some cases, the seller may not be willing to issue a refund or replacement, or the complaint may not be resolved in your favor. If this is the case, you can take it as a lesson to be more vigilant when purchasing items in the future.

It’s important to remember that resealing boxes and packs is illegal and unethical, and it’s important to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can also seek legal action if the seller is proven to be fraudulently resealing.

Safe Retailers To Buy MTG Booster Boxes From

When purchasing Magic: The Gathering booster boxes, it is best to buy from reputable retailers to ensure that you are getting an authentic, unopened product. Here are a few retailers that are considered safe to buy from:

Wizards of the Coast: The official website of the company that produces Magic: The Gathering. You can be sure that you are getting an authentic product from the official source.

eBay: Purchasing through PayPal’s goods and services protection on eBay can also provide you with some protection in case of any issues with your purchase.

Star City Games: One of the largest and most reputable online retailers of Magic: The Gathering products, with a wide selection of booster boxes and other products.

TCG Player: Another reputable online retailer of Magic: The Gathering products, known for their wide selection and competitive prices.

Card Kingdom: Online retailer that specializes in Magic: The Gathering products with a good reputation.

Local game store (LCS): Buying from your local game store is a great option, as you can inspect the product in person, and they often have a good selection of products.

It’s always a good idea to read reviews and do your own research before making a purchase to ensure that you are buying from a reputable retailer.

Retailers To Avoid

It’s important to be cautious when purchasing Magic: The Gathering booster boxes, as there are some retailers that have been known to reseal boxes or sell counterfeit products. Here are a few retailers that you should be wary of:

Online marketplaces: Some online marketplaces such as online classifieds websites or social media platforms may have sellers that are resealing boxes or selling counterfeit products. Be sure to check the seller’s reviews and be cautious when purchasing from individuals or small retailers.

Unfamiliar websites: Websites that are not well-known or do not have a good reputation may be more likely to sell resealed or counterfeit products. Be sure to research the website before making a purchase. Grey market sellers: Grey market sellers are retailers who purchase a product in one market and sell it in another at a higher price. These types of sellers may be resealing boxes or selling counterfeit products.

Unauthorized sellers: Some sellers may not have been authorized by the manufacturers to sell the products they are offering. Be sure to check the authenticity of the sellers as they may be selling counterfeit products.

It’s a good idea to check forums and social media platforms, like Reddit, to see if other customers have had positive or negative experiences with a particular retailer, this will help you to make an informed decision.

Conclusion

Remember to be mindful when purchasing MTG booster boxes. Look for signs of tampering with the box and be mindful of looking for resealed packs. Always do research before buying from sellers. Refer to the list above when determining which seller is right for you! I hope this article provided the information needed to be successful and enjoy the hobby of MTG!