Product delays explained!

[TPotts]

Many thanks. One of my favourite articles I've written. :)

It's definitely a double-edged sword: fewer products = less revenue. It would possibly also necessitate letting go of some people in the product development areas. The end result--superior products without the watered-down interest and redundancy--may or may not actually be worth it from a financial perspective to the manufacturers or even the players.

Very welcome! But yes, definitely the double edge sword is out to get us. I'd like to see them try it out for a few seasons or so but I have a feeling, thats not going to be happening anytime soon...

[JBpatches]

It seems like most people in this thread place more blame on the card companies than the players, I have it the other way around - I place most blame on the players. They are getting paid for a service (signing autographs), and they should do the honorable thing and sign in a timely fashion. I know the players are making millions of dollars a year, but with their licensing agreement and autograph signings, they make thousands of dollars a year with card companies - that's a nice chunk of change for not much work. The players should realize that by dragging their feet they are not only screwing over the companies but the fans also - who just so happen to be the customers who's money pays for cards, jerseys, tickets, etc.

The only time I really place blame with the card companies is when they don't honor expired redemptions. My favorite card company when it comes to the design is Panini/Donurss, and my favorite sport just so happens to be baseball. With Topps having a monopoly on baseball, I can only opt for very old products (I hate non-licensed cards) in which I hope not to pull a redemption and if I do - pray that the company honors it. But I will admit that Panini is a lot better when it comes to expired redemptions than Topps or Upper Deck.

Also people have asked for a list of players who are notorious for delaying products. That's simple to find. Simply start to pay attention to which players autographs are always redemptions. For example, I don't think I've ever seen a David Wright redemption, but I constantly see redemptions for guys like Matt Kemp.

[RGM81]

"They are getting paid for a service (signing autographs), and they should do the honorable thing and sign in a timely fashion."

That's the thing, though. In many instances, they are not getting paid. Why do you think Roberto Luongo hasn't signed for UD for years but has always had autographed content in ITG's products? There's a comment floating around (might be here, might be on another board) where a collector who knows a specific player, and the collector posted that the player NEVER got paid for any of the cards he signed as a rookie.

I'm not going to sit here and act like I know the process that UD/Panini use when it comes to making payments to players who return their cards. I don't. I know what ITG does only because Dr. Price is very transparent on the matter and has publicly posted the following:

Yes, we do send payment with cards or labels. Yes, we do have less autographs than the others. Yes, we only put in a product the autographs we have on release date. All these statements are true.

These policies are by choice.

I don't follow what players are redemptions for other companies but I heard some names mentioned in other threads. Some of the names mentioned are players we have relationships with. I can tell you from my personal experience, there is no issue getting them to sign.

Hockey players are the best. They are honest and easy to work with.

So, unless you know for a fact that it is a player's fault that autographs are not sent back to a company, don't jump to conclusions.

Let me expand the scenario. The player (let's call him Alex Ovechkin) receives two packages. One from ITG with 200 signatures as part of a larger amount with a check enclosed and one from another manufacturer who owes him money from previous autographs.

Yes, I do get mine back. Can't comment what happens with the other package but based on redemptions, it obvious.

So can you really blame the player for that? What would you do if you were the player.

I have heard this directly from agents, have the other posters heard this first-hand?

Again, treat the players properly and with respect and you usually get the same in return.

You usually find that hockey players are the best to deal with. At least that's been my experience.

I have NEVER had a player cash his check and not send me back the autographs.

Brian Price

[Yipper]

If I was an athlete, I wouldn't sign anything unless I get paid or have a system like Dr. Price. More often that not, unless you are star you get ignored a lot. It's a lot of work signing thousands of autos a year and probably getting paid absolutely nothing for it besides satisfying the hockey hobby.

[JBpatches]

"They are getting paid for a service (signing autographs), and they should do the honorable thing and sign in a timely fashion."

That's the thing, though. In many instances, they are not getting paid. Why do you think Roberto Luongo hasn't signed for UD for years but has always had autographed content in ITG's products? There's a comment floating around (might be here, might be on another board) where a collector who knows a specific player, and the collector posted that the player NEVER got paid for any of the cards he signed as a rookie.

I'm not going to sit here and act like I know the process that UD/Panini use when it comes to making payments to players who return their cards. I don't. I know what ITG does only because Dr. Price is very transparent on the matter and has publicly posted the following:

It can't be an on-going thing with many players, it just can't. If that were the case we would have heard about the lawsuits. I don't know hockey but I just checked eBay, Roberto Luongo has recent Upper Deck cards - he gets paid for his name and likeness being used. I know all players (even if they don't have autographs or memorabilia cards) get paid because I seen their card contracts for sale on eBay in the past, and I read them.

If a player wasn't paid for years and a card company continued to use their name and likeness, trust me, there would be a lawsuit. Players have managers, assistants, agents, publicists, accountants, etc. Filling a lawsuit is a piece of cake for them. Also I bet the Players Association would get involved and threaten to end the card company's licensing agreement unless the issue was handled with.

[pensauto77]

Personally I say skip the guys who take too long. Forget a redemption if you can avoid it man. It's what we all hate. And I don't agree with you guys who are saying UD an Panini should be the only ones doing something. The player is GETTING MONEY for signing? UD and Panini are doing what they are supposed to are they not? The teams PAY the players to play do they not? So that is what they do right? So explain what I'm missing. I do however understand what you are saying about traveling to the player and what not. The teams do provide transportation to the games for the players. So in a sense maybe UD and Panini could meet them halfway on this or something? IDK to be honest but if they take forever to sign just move to another player or forget them is MY OPINION!

[mortuus]

You cant also blaim the players when some even said UD takes forever to send checks or how it works so i dont really understand how it should work - if no money why should they bother time and sign bunch of cards and no money long time after? this is very strange indeed.

[centrehice]

I don't know the finer points of the NHLPA and the NHL agreement, but there is a clause that states the player's have an obligation to the NHL Licensing to sign some cards.

Whether they are paid or not is still a moot point, UD and Panini have to run a real business, not the shoddy behaviour they are exhibiting at the moment.

You guys need to start filling claims with the Better Business Bureau, that will make them move their butts.

[mxaxtxtx]

When all is said and done, the BBB doesn't really have teeth. They are a voluntary self-regulation agency. If you file a complaint with the BBB and the company receives the report they have no obligation to do anything. Does it help move along the process? A bit. Does it matter to the Card Companies? Very little, just gives them a push in the right direction.

I don't know the finer points of the NHLPA and the NHL agreement, but there is a clause that states the player's have an obligation to the NHL Licensing to sign some cards.

Whether they are paid or not is still a moot point, UD and Panini have to run a real business, not the shoddy behaviour they are exhibiting at the moment.

You guys need to start filling claims with the Better Business Bureau, that will make them move their butts.

[mattleegee]

Maybe they should make LESS sets
they cant even keep up with the normal sets but keep adding more sets every couple years

Look at football for instance
Topps-

regular topps
Chrome
Platinum
Finest
Inception
Triple Threads
Five Star
Bowman sterling
Legends
Prime
Precision
Rising Rookies
Magic

Im sure i missed a few... same thing with panini... look how many sets they put out and still have a redemption in every other box... just saying