2013-14 SP Athentic Discussion Thread (Merge)

[MW Connection]

Leafsman, I like you point of view towards event and game used jerseys. Personally, I like them but your post opened my eyes a bit

[30ranfordfan]

Two points in there.

Agree 100% on the SPA cards. I've never understood why those parallels are so sought after. They're not RCs, they're not GU, and they're not crazy limited (100 copies is pretty limited.... but that still makes the card VERY accessible for all but a few of the most popular players).

Me, I do like the idea of cutting up jerseys (or other memoribilia) for cards. It's a way for us to own pieces of something that most of us couldn't own otherwise.

The whole GU vs Photoshoot thing though.... I do really wonder if what they're doing is best for business, and I'm certain it's not best for the hobby.

I do like getting Cup ARP of the mid-teir (or lower) players that I want (I will collect one RC from all Oilers). They're nice cards, and I think the patch certainly enhances them. If they wern't used at all (photoshoot jerseys, that is) what it would mean is an end to GU cards for any rookie, and I think that's okay.

Becuase what it could do.... is give UD (or any licensed manufacturer) the ability to double down on all the top rookies. Think about it: This year, Mackinnon is the big deal. You get a variety of RCs.... some numbered, some auto'd, but nothing GU. Then when next year's products drop.... and they've had time to aquire a gamer.... the first GU cards of Mackinnon come out, and they'd also be a big draw.

With all the photoshoot stuff off the market, there would be (in theory) less GU cards overall, and... at least in theory.... wouldn't that make those "hits" better?


It would be impossible to drop photoshoot in favour of GU and still get this many GU cards of this many rookies. Does The Cup still survive without ARPs ?? Is SPx still viable without Jersey / Autos ?? Can we live without Ultimate Sheilds being the huge hits in that product?

I agree.

I'm not saying they aren't popular; I'm saying they don't appeal to me personally. To each their own.

I have been purely a rookie card collector since I started. The volume of autographed patch cards available these days is immense. Because of this - no matter what set - autographed patch cards are uninteresting to me.

So what if a card has a five-color patch? BIG WHOOP. It's just a piece of fabric. For example, the fact that a Sidney Crosby Emblems Of Endorsement has an asking price of $1,200 or more on the secondary market absolutely floors me. For that price, you can buy an actual Crosby game-worn jersey and send it to Sidney to sign it.

I was never a fan of cutting a jersey into pieces to put in cards in the first place. I have always felt that it was disrespectful, especially in the case of hall of famers who have passed on, and a waste of a jersey.

[RGM81]

I agree.

I'm not saying they aren't popular; I'm saying they don't appeal to me personally. To each their own.

I have been purely a rookie card collector since I started. The volume of autographed patch cards available these days is immense. Because of this - no matter what set - autographed patch cards are uninteresting to me.

So what if a card has a five-color patch? BIG WHOOP. It's just a piece of fabric. For example, the fact that a Sidney Crosby Emblems Of Endorsement has an asking price of $1,200 or more on the secondary market absolutely floors me. For that price, you can buy an actual Crosby game-worn jersey and send it to Sidney to sign it.

I was never a fan of cutting a jersey into pieces to put in cards in the first place. I have always felt that it was disrespectful, especially in the case of hall of famers who have passed on, and a waste of a jersey.

Show me a place where you can buy a Crosby gamer for $1,200. You can't even buy a Max Pacioretty jersey for that low anymore.

[Leafsman]

Show me a place where you can buy a Crosby gamer for $1,200. You can't even buy a Max Pacioretty jersey for that low anymore.

I was estimating the cost. My point is that to ask $1,200 for a card containing a piece of a patch is ridiculous.

[Leafsman]

Two points in there.

Agree 100% on the SPA cards. I've never understood why those parallels are so sought after. They're not RCs, they're not GU, and they're not crazy limited (100 copies is pretty limited.... but that still makes the card VERY accessible for all but a few of the most popular players).

Me, I do like the idea of cutting up jerseys (or other memoribilia) for cards. It's a way for us to own pieces of something that most of us couldn't own otherwise.

The whole GU vs Photoshoot thing though.... I do really wonder if what they're doing is best for business, and I'm certain it's not best for the hobby.

I do like getting Cup ARP of the mid-teir (or lower) players that I want (I will collect one RC from all Oilers). They're nice cards, and I think the patch certainly enhances them. If they wern't used at all (photoshoot jerseys, that is) what it would mean is an end to GU cards for any rookie, and I think that's okay.

Becuase what it could do.... is give UD (or any licensed manufacturer) the ability to double down on all the top rookies. Think about it: This year, Mackinnon is the big deal. You get a variety of RCs.... some numbered, some auto'd, but nothing GU. Then when next year's products drop.... and they've had time to aquire a gamer.... the first GU cards of Mackinnon come out, and they'd also be a big draw.

With all the photoshoot stuff off the market, there would be (in theory) less GU cards overall, and... at least in theory.... wouldn't that make those "hits" better?


It would be impossible to drop photoshoot in favour of GU and still get this many GU cards of this many rookies. Does The Cup still survive without ARPs ?? Is SPx still viable without Jersey / Autos ?? Can we live without Ultimate Sheilds being the huge hits in that product?

Personally, I can do without The Cup.

I have seen many people post their displeasure with The Cup for the following reasons:

1. Boxes/cases are very expensive. Many collectors (myself included) simply cannot afford to buy this product.

2. The contents of a box of The Cup are underwhelming and the return on what people get for those cards often do not justify the price of said box.

The fact is, those who buy these types of high-end products (at a steep retail price, I might add) with the hopes of breaking even or making a profit are finding that it generally ends up being a losing proposition. Many of those who collect for fun (like me) don't have the disposable income to flush away on this type of product.

[MW Connection]

Personally, I can do without The Cup.

I have seen many people post their displeasure with The Cup for the following reasons:

1. Boxes/cases are very expensive. Many collectors (myself included) simply cannot afford to buy this product.

2. The contents of a box of The Cup are underwhelming and the return on what people get for those cards often do not justify the price of said box.

The fact is, those who buy these types of high-end products (at a steep retail price, I might add) with the hopes of breaking even or making a profit are finding that it generally ends up being a losing proposition. Many of those who collect for fun (like me) don't have the disposable income to flush away on this type of product.

valid points. I won't buy exquisite or the cup. Price is the #1 factor but there is only one pack. Might as well just buy singles of players I like from the set for the money and buy a product with some actual packs.

[RGM81]

I was estimating the cost. My point is that to ask $1,200 for a card containing a piece of a patch is ridiculous.

Well you can utilize that sentiment to apply to just about any logical conclusion in this here hobby of ours.

One piece of cardboard #'d /99 signed by a hockey man can sell for much more than a different piece of cardboard #'d /10 signed by the same hockey man because it is deemed that the /99 piece of cardboard is from a more desirable product.

There are cards with pieces of jersey from legendary Hall of Famers worn in an actual game that sell for $2 while people pay $10 or more for shiny photoshoot-worn jersey cards of players who will be lucky to play 25 games in their entire career.

The boundaries of logic and well-reasoning are often stretched in card collecting.

And that's part of the fun. LOL

[MW Connection]

Well you can utilize that sentiment to apply to just about any logical conclusion in this here hobby of ours.

One piece of cardboard #'d /99 signed by a hockey man can sell for much more than a different piece of cardboard #'d /10 signed by the same hockey man because it is deemed that the /99 piece of cardboard is from a more desirable product.

There are cards with pieces of jersey from legendary Hall of Famers worn in an actual game that sell for $2 while people pay $10 or more for shiny photoshoot-worn jersey cards of players who will be lucky to play 25 games in their entire career.

The boundaries of logic and well-reasoning are often stretched in card collecting.

And that's part of the fun. LOL

nice post. the mystique and market increases for card, sets, and players are what makes it fun. Even worn is fine for me. At least they had it on

[30ranfordfan]

I could do without it too, have never cracked a single tin of it (and won't). Could I do it? Yeah, I suppose. I wouldn't bankrupt myself cracking a tin or two.... but why?? I can buy the singles I want.... and lots of them.... for a fraction of the price of a single tin.

I'm just saying: Without the memorabilia, you kill the ARP. If it was gone, I'd probably be okay with it.... but I do like them (and I can't claim otherwise). For the most part, I think you and I (not being too upset to see them gone) would be in the minority.

Personally, I can do without The Cup.

I have seen many people post their displeasure with The Cup for the following reasons:

1. Boxes/cases are very expensive. Many collectors (myself included) simply cannot afford to buy this product.

2. The contents of a box of The Cup are underwhelming and the return on what people get for those cards often do not justify the price of said box.

The fact is, those who buy these types of high-end products (at a steep retail price, I might add) with the hopes of breaking even or making a profit are finding that it generally ends up being a losing proposition. Many of those who collect for fun (like me) don't have the disposable income to flush away on this type of product.

[Leafsman]

I could do without it too, have never cracked a single tin of it (and won't). Could I do it? Yeah, I suppose. I wouldn't bankrupt myself cracking a tin or two.... but why?? I can buy the singles I want.... and lots of them.... for a fraction of the price of a single tin.

I'm just saying: Without the memorabilia, you kill the ARP. If it was gone, I'd probably be okay with it.... but I do like them (and I can't claim otherwise). For the most part, I think you and I (not being too upset to see them gone) would be in the minority.

I would be very happy if ARPs disappeared. The hobby is supposed to be just that - a fun, affordable pastime. When products like The Cup came along in 2005-06 with ARPs, many people began using the philosophy of 'how much can I get for this' instead of 'can I finish my set'. When money entered the picture, my enjoyment for card collecting quickly went downhill and I finally mustered the courage and will to say that 2013-14 is the last season I will be collecting cards from.