16-17 SPA Configuration Changes

[edler4114]

I think he just doesnt want players like Willie Plett or Mike Gartner being the vets in the box. I agree though you shouldnt be putting guys like that in. It should be recognizable HoF IMO. It's the difference from having a guy like Bure over a canuck like Smyl on a card. Doesnt have that "show" value

[atruong317]

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.

I do believe UD was trying to lower the price point for SPA because the 15-16 boxes are approaching $200+ CDN. This would be encroaching on their "higher" end sets like Premier/Black/Black Diamond etc.

So it seems like they reconfigured the case to have more boxes to allow for the price drop.

So for people who buy cases, this shouldn't make a big difference, but it depends on how many FWAs you would get in a case compared to previous years.

For people who buy boxes here and there, you get one less auto and save some dough. This may entice non-SPA buyers to buy more of the product.

I do think the pricing is still high especially compared to 14-15 or even the 15-16 McDavid year.
I believe that the Distributors are banking on the Matthews/Marner/Nylander hype and raising prices higher.

But if you have read some of my other posts on Distributors, you know I place a lot of the pricing issues on them with the games they play with the LCS.

[Stryfex]

I've had enough conversations with my LCS to "know" that it's not just your opinion but it's absolutely the case. I'm not a big fan of upper deck and I like to crap on them like everyone else...but alot of the grief that gets slung at upper deck is actually the fault of the distributors especially in Canada. They play ridiculous games to maximize their ROI and it really sucks in a niche hobby like this where a small amount of customers are being taken advantage of

But if you have read some of my other posts on Distributors, you know I place a lot of the pricing issues on them with the games they play with the LCS.

[RGM81]

I've had enough conversations with my LCS to "know" that it's not just your opinion but it's absolutely the case. I'm not a big fan of upper deck and I like to crap on them like everyone else...but alot of the grief that gets slung at upper deck is actually the fault of the distributors especially in Canada. They play ridiculous games to maximize their ROI and it really sucks in a niche hobby like this where a small amount of customers are being taken advantage of

Tuesday: distributor says they're out of stock on your order.
Wednesday: distributor says, "Hey look we got our allocation cut, so we have to cut yours and it's $20 a box higher now."

[atruong317]

Tuesday: distributor says they're out of stock on your order.
Wednesday: distributor says, "Hey look we got our allocation cut, so we have to cut yours and it's $20 a box higher now."

Or "I can't sell you that unless you buy this 13-14 UD Ultimate case"

[mortuus]

If its lower price then last years i dont really see a problem.

[Stryfex]

Is that really something they do? That would explain why breakers are always trying to unload total garbage like contours and portfolio on customers even though nobody wants it

Or "I can't sell you that unless you buy this 13-14 UD Ultimate case"

[rydlar99]

Yes... That's something they do. This years Cup trick is buy a case of UD Black and we'll sell you a case of Cup ($100/box higher than release). Or at least that's what I heard a couple weeks back.

[Stryfex]

I started out really surprised that that is a real life business practice but now that I think about it...I shouldn't have been surprised at all. This actually gives me a little more sympathy for the retailers (breakers specifically). I've always wondered why they are always pushing awful group break configurations instead of ones that customers are asking for and paying for...it seems like they kind of have to

Yes... That's something they do. This years Cup trick is buy a case of UD Black and we'll sell you a case of Cup ($100/box higher than release). Or at least that's what I heard a couple weeks back.

[atruong317]

I started out really surprised that that is a real life business practice but now that I think about it...I shouldn't have been surprised at all. This actually gives me a little more sympathy for the retailers (breakers specifically). I've always wondered why they are always pushing awful group break configurations instead of ones that customers are asking for and paying for...it seems like they kind of have to

Yup my LCS got an offer from his distributor that was similar to "Hey, we got more Series 1 for you!, but you have to buy <insert unpopular product>"

I can't remember what it was, could have been UD Black, or Ultimate. He politely told them no even though it meant he didn't have any more Series 1 on the shelves.

The smaller LCS usually gets the shaft, they get allocated because they don't purchase as much in total. They can "get around" the allocation for the hot stuff by buying crappy stuff, but then they are left holding the pile of poop of crappy stuff.

The LCS have to stand together as a group against the distributors but the competition is too high for them to co-operate.