16-17 SPA Configuration Changes

[notoriousrob101]

Keep it the same configuration as 14-15: 1-2 FWA per box and the 3rd card being a SOTT, AM, Immortal, FWAP. They destroyed the product this year with adding 1000's of worthless SOTTs and rookie SOTTs. It was a great way to dilute the product and now they can't sell out.

[ronfir]

First in my opinion Upper Deck does not care what collectors think or even want. They have the only NHL license and if you want licensed cards you have to buy their product, the way they put it out. UD knows that most of us will buy regardless because we want the cards.

Only way it would ever change is if collectors did not buy the products and that is not going to happen. I don't expect the lower price to be much and I hope I am wrong but I seriously doubt UD will decrease the number of "worthless FWA autos" that junk up their products.

I have bought a ton of their hockey the past few years, but I have started to cut back and plan to do the same with SPA and their next product, Trilogy. I might try to Pick up the singles I want and not bust the products that have not much of a chance of hitting it big. But of course there is always that chance and UD has us one more time.

Bummer less autos for what I believe will be almost the same price you / we have been paying.

[Stephler4]

I really do like the configuration in 2014-15. Not sure at today's exchange rate, it would be as attractive of a value for the collectors. UD is trying a whole bunch of different things to help drive value in their product. Ie. Game jersey cards in S1 not 1/box. They are also getting feedback from alot of LCS. They are listening. As a collector, I am with you. I want more autos but if it is a $5-$10 auto, I would rather not get it and save $35-$40/box.

Keep in mind, I don't collect the FWA set. So my views are more on sell and trade value so I can get my PC players.

[atruong317]

With pre-order pricing now up

$1959.99 CDN + $17 Shipping + Tax = $2075.84 CDN for a case, which I imagine will have 36 autos.

16 Boxes, guaranteed 2 Autos a box = 32 Autos. So if 25% of the case gives you 3 Autos, you'll get 36 autos, the "same" amount as a case of 15-16 SP Authentic.

They said the pricing would be lower to accommodate the changes, however, this shows it is already more expensive than last year's pre-order price of 15-16 SP Authentic for a case.

[notoriousrob101]

With pre-order pricing now up

$1959.99 CDN + $17 Shipping + Tax = $2075.84 CDN for a case, which I imagine will have 36 autos.

16 Boxes, guaranteed 2 Autos a box = 32 Autos. So if 25% of the case gives you 3 Autos, you'll get 36 autos, the "same" amount as a case of 15-16 SP Authentic.

They said the pricing would be lower to accommodate the changes, however, this shows it is already more expensive than last year's pre-order price of 15-16 SP Authentic for a case.

Stephler lives in a dilutional world where UD cares what collectors think. What happened to the lower price point? It's all about squeezing collectors

[Stephler4]

I am a glass half full type of guy. I believe in giving it a chance before judging. I think sometimes people like to focus on the negative instead of giving any credit. Anyhow, they have always been great to me and I have had conversations with them on some of the issues and they responded with their plan. I may not agree with all of it but this hobby isn't only about me. If you want to throw insults my way, have at it. If it makes you feel better then I was able to impact your day positively. I guess that my opinion shouldn't be allowed to be shared because Notorious Rob shares different views. Lol.

[Stryfex]

My main SPA question is actually less about the stuff we're all crying about in this thread...but more about the retro cards.

I quit collecting SPA after 14-15 because I hate pulling those stupid unwanted retro cards from a pack soooooo much. I just can't stand them and based on how you can't even give them away nobody else can either. I've been on a hard "until Upper Deck stops putting retro inserts into SPA, I'm never collecting SPA again" stance. I wonder if the lower pack amount might mean those get the axe which would be a nice change

[Sharky94]

"They have listened to people." haha that's a good one, you must be new

+1

[Sharky94]

My main SPA question is actually less about the stuff we're all crying about in this thread...but more about the retro cards.

I am glad someone else thinks the same thing as I do. It grinds my gears when you open up packs of 2015-16 (etc) cards and half the cards are of guys that retired 40 years ago. Meanwhile, 50% of the players in the NHL might have one cheap OPC card each year, while a large portion of players have absolutely NO cards. There is the NHLPA really looking out for its players! If I am paying $5 for a "common", I don't want some guy that retired before I was ever born...

[atruong317]

I am glad someone else thinks the same thing as I do. It grinds my gears when you open up packs of 2015-16 (etc) cards and half the cards are of guys that retired 40 years ago. Meanwhile, 50% of the players in the NHL might have one cheap OPC card each year, while a large portion of players have absolutely NO cards. There is the NHLPA really looking out for its players! If I am paying $5 for a "common", I don't want some guy that retired before I was ever born...

two different topics there
@Stryfex is talking about the retro themed cards they've put in. They usually put in a subset that is the same design from 10 years previous.

I believe you're talking about Retired players vs current players.

For the Retro themed sub-set, there is no mention of it in the preview information, so perhaps there is good news for you @Stryfex

For the retired vs current players, I doubt UD will change their approach for this. With SPA being a "mid"-end product, they tend to not put non-star (whether current or retired) players in mid-high end sets.