Please Read this Upper Deck Blog!

[doniceage]

I am all for Upper Deck being on the scene of every sport with their cards. They do alot of things very well and like many other companies out there they have issues to resolve.

As much as I would love to see it be an open market allowing ITG, Topps, Panini, etc. to manufacture licensed products as well, I do not want to see an over produced free for all that waters down things for all. Give each different applicant license to make a couple of sets, or put set licenses up for tender with no company being allowed to own all licenses in any price point tier. Just get some competition going. I am always awed by how effective ITG has been in competition without a license. I imagine they would and could crank it up to leave the competition behind with a level playing field.

Dr. Price has echoed your sentiment. As he would like each entity to be able to produce a certain amount of sets. Thus if you wanted 16 products had 4 companies they could produce 4 sets 2 would mean 8 etc. Of course the NHL and NHLPA would have to agree to that. I am sure Dr. Price could give his thoughts on that.

I truly miss Pacific and some of the things they brought to the table.


Do
n

[bprice]

I have always advocated that the number of releases be controlled.

I also think that three, maximum four licensees should be able to produce a limited number of products per year.

I would welcome the competition, that way, the best product wins the loyalty and hard earned money of the collectors.

Isn't that the way it should be?

Brian Price

[mr ozzie]

I have always advocated that the number of releases be controlled.

I also think that three, maximum four licensees should be able to produce a limited number of products per year.

I would welcome the competition, that way, the best product wins the loyalty and hard earned money of the collectors.

Isn't that the way it should be?

Brian Price

Yes it is. More competition always equate to better quality. And I have always placed ITG in higher regard than Upper Deck. Your Superlative Franchises and Ultimate Memorabilia cards are THE standard in high-end collecting - bar-none. I would buy more if only you have more Sidney Crosby cards. Otherwise, you sir are the cream of the crop.

[30ranfordfan]

First, I'd like to say 'welcome' to Dr. Price. Glad to see you posting here (and I'll throw in a plug to see more Bill Ranford in future ITG releases - miss his inclusion in the BTP sets.)

I'm going to give a +1 to the sentiment in the last few posts.

I don't pretend to know what the right number of releases per year is. 10? 20? 30? I'd be fully in favour of having multiple companies release 1 or 2 low ends, 4-6 mid range, and 1 or 2 high end sets. There's be plenty of room for Upper Deck, ITG, and another company (or two?).

Even if the NHLPA decided that 30 was the right number, and they didn't want to break up the distribution evenly: i.e. one company get 15, and two others split the other 15.... things would be better than they are now.

I'm not 'pro' or 'anti' any company. Better described as Pro-Collector and Anti-Monopoly. Both ITG and Upper Deck have got my business this year.

Upper Deck makes some great stuff, but has gotten lazy. Lack of competition has a lot to do with that. ITG makes some great stuff, but hard to compete without a license. Topps & Pacific used to make some nice stuff too. Panini might be innovative as they try and take a bigger share of the market.

[Goose97]

I have always advocated that the number of releases be controlled.

I also think that three, maximum four licensees should be able to produce a limited number of products per year.

I would welcome the competition, that way, the best product wins the loyalty and hard earned money of the collectors.

Isn't that the way it should be?

Brian Price

That sentiment has been echoed time, time again. It's the most logical, and reasonable assessment been tossed around by collectors, and Hobby outlet owners for quite some time now.

There has been a discernible sentiment for having a single licensed company producing cards for the masses. Disappointment really!

With the monopoly being had by UD. The imagination to create a better product has become commonplace, and stale, and as you see a great deal of disgruntlement.

For you Mr. Price, the fight you have does not go unnoticed, and the support you have is echoed... Clearly! You could have done what the makers of Pacific did, and just fold up shop, and sell off your assets, but you kept the faith, and pursued the future, and we ALL see that. For that we thank you.

I just see a great deal of fear coming from the main people in charge of Upper Deck. How do they manage to keep what they have? And how would they be justified to keep a monopoly, even after we all have spoken. Should it not be us in the end that have a say? If so, then I do believe we all get a hold of the major players involved in the CBA process, and voice our concerns. It's like getting a hold of your local politician in charge.

[MatsSundin13Rocks]

I have always advocated that the number of releases be controlled.

I also think that three, maximum four licensees should be able to produce a limited number of products per year.

I would welcome the competition, that way, the best product wins the loyalty and hard earned money of the collectors.

Isn't that the way it should be?

Brian Price

I completely agree with what you are saying Brian. That is exactly the way it should work.

Off topic:

Is there a way to contact you or Allan though because I'm wondering about my Vancouver 2010 order. Got charged on my credit card but no one called to confirm the order. Just wondering about shipping times.

[doniceage]

I completely agree with what you are saying Brian. That is exactly the way it should work.

Off topic:

Is there a way to contact you or Allan though because I'm wondering about my Vancouver 2010 order. Got charged on my credit card but no one called to confirm the order. Just wondering about shipping times.

If you need help just drop me a line if you do. Can put you in touch with Allan.

DOn

[Inferno]

I completely agree with what you are saying Brian. That is exactly the way it should work.

Off topic:

Is there a way to contact you or Allan though because I'm wondering about my Vancouver 2010 order. Got charged on my credit card but no one called to confirm the order. Just wondering about shipping times.

If your credit card was charged then your order should be confirmed. I got an email myself, but I don't think anybody was called. If I understand correctly the cards were going to ship out roughly four weeks after the Olympics so accurate information could be added to the back of the cards (Ex: Gold medal text to the Canadian players). I have a Tretiak Jersey/Auto coming myself, can't wait to see it!

[MatsSundin13Rocks]

If your credit card was charged then your order should be confirmed. I got an email myself, but I don't think anybody was called. If I understand correctly the cards were going to ship out roughly four weeks after the Olympics so accurate information could be added to the back of the cards (Ex: Gold medal text to the Canadian players). I have a Tretiak Jersey/Auto coming myself, can't wait to see it!

I've got the Sundin Patch, Auto/Jersey, and Auto coming!

[Bostonfan46]

or it could be like "Wow!, i just spend 150 dollars on a Backlund letterman and a Jarome Iginla all white jersey card from a box of black"