Buying in Bulk - Recent Pickups

In years past I've bought out collections or have bid at auctions for a bulk lot of cards.  Some have been better deals than others, but in each case I tried to weigh the benefits versus cost.  I always figure that if I can land a nice lot of vintage cards for an average of $1 (or less) per card, then why not?  There's always hope that I'll be able to upgrade a few and it doesn't hurt to keep extra vintage in the collection.  However, I tend to skip the really big lots because either the seller's expectations have shot through the roof or because I simply don't have the time nor inclination to sort through tens of thousands of cards.  Besides, I'm supposed to be downsizing my collection!

And then there's this little devil in the back of my mind constantly egging me on to buy, BUY!  Especially when I see something I think is missing from the collection.  Often times, I simply don't remember I already have it!  Sometimes the price to pay just can't be matched if you were to collect individual cards separately.  Of course this means potentially wasting money that could have been put to better use on another set completion.  That's when buying in bulk can be helpful and hurtful at the same time, because you end up with many cards you need but also a few you either don't want or need.

Nevertheless, I recently acquired a couple lots that will help with one set and start another.

Here's a box full of 2021 Topps Heritage.  Mostly high numbers, and I expect a complete series (or two) out of this box.  So I'll probably have to hit ebay to complete the full set and then I'll have to figure out what to do with the dupes.  Did I really need to start another project?  No I did not. However, for about $20, I figured it's better than buying blasters.

Then I found a lot of 1969 Topps football.  This has been one of my long time projects and I'd really like to see this project completed.  I already have many of the big name cards, so for me it was just a matter of finding commons. 

This lot consisted of 90 cards, though there were duplicates including both checklists.  The checklists were needs.  Not sure if I'll hang on to the dupes.

I think one of the best features of this set is the bold background colors and use of the old logos.  They don't make them like that anymore. 

Also found some nice Hall of Famers in the lot. There were 90 cards in all, with a few dupes.  Probably 60 or 70 unique cards in all which should get me very close to completing this set.  Now I just have to find where I put the other cards.  

The vintage lot set me back about 50 cents per card, while the Heritage buy was far less.  

So is it worth it to buy bulk?  I guess it's all a matter of opinion.