New Guy Questions

[GregH]

Hey everyone, long time reader first time poster. I've got a couple topics/questions that may have been brought up on here before, but I'd like some recent thoughts. Sorry in advance for the length and possible rambling.

First, the Topps vs. Panini brands. I see on a few different forums that Panini isn't getting much love from collectors due to them having some customer service issues and some standard card problems. Doesn't Topps have just as many, if not more? Maybe I'm not buying enough high end Panini stuff or not getting lucky, but I believe a lot of their stuff (inserts, autos, ect.) is listed along the lines of '/999 (/75, /50, /1,) no guarantee per box/pack odds'. I think this is kind of cool, especially with all the problems I've had or heard about with Topps products missing guaranteed hits. I bought a hobby box of 2011 A&G that was supposed to come with three hits; it came with one, a GU jersey relic of Joba Chamberlain. When I e-mailed Topps customer service about it, along with a question about the 'mailed out products' vs. 'in box products', I got the run-around. Eventually they sent two GU relic cards with no explanation for my question. When pressed, they responded 'All of the relics and autographs are randomly distributed. Unfortunately, I do not have the distribution statistics on mailed out cards'. This seems a bit shady, as the big hits like autos, rip cards, plates, ect. can all be removed and substituted for the less desirable relic cards. By the way, if anyone is interested in seeing my entire e-mail exchange with Topps regarding the missing hits, just let me know and I'll send it to you.

I know I ran on for a bit there with the box issues, but they also has issues with the Topps 60th Diamond Anniversary (dig area problems), the late launch of Super Bowl Legends Giveaway, the missing autographs from the Gypsy Queen baseball card set, ect. People aren't shy in writing about the problems they've had with Topps. I'm no great Panini advocate, but they sure don't seem any worse than Topps, and without competition, Topps can continue to push poor products. To sum this up, why do you think more people like Topps than Panini when each has problems. I think you can argue that Topps has more problems because they make and sell more products, but I don't know. I think Panini is getting bashed more. Is it the sticker autos? I'm not a fan of those, either, but that leads me to my second and final (thank God) topic: TTM autos vs. set autos.

I've recently (Past couple months) got into TTM autographs. Mostly requesting from active baseball and football players. My question is are TTM autographs generally worth less money than autographed cards from sets? I've no desire to sell any of my cards (started the collection for my daughter and most are personalized to her, anyway) but was just wondering. Since everyone is hoping to hit an autograph card from the boxes they buy, I figured I might as well just send some base cards away for autographs. The base cards were stacking up, anyway, so it was a win/win. Anyway, just curious if anyone knows. I'd imagine that the set ones were worth more because it would be easier to prove that the auto was authentic, but what if you've got a signed note from the player, or the envelope the card was returned in with the city postmark? Already searched E-Bay for TTM autos and didn't see many cards so any info here would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

GAH

[andrewhoya]

hey there, welcome to SCF. I am not really familiar with Panini, mainly because I only collect baseball, but Topps has loads of problems witn customer service, just like 99 percent of All companies. Check out the Panizo forum to see some of the problems people have with them.

As fir TTM, you said it. People want to make sure they are certified autos, not just signed by you. Just because it was returned by a city postmark doesnt mean the player kr coach actually signed it.

enjoy scf!

[DaClyde]

I think all the card manufacturers provoked their own customer service problems when they started to guarantee hits per box/case, rather than simply stating odds. They dug their own graves.

[GregH]

I agree, DaClyde, it was asking for trouble. They maybe sell a few more boxes that way, but that's a load of problems.

[mrveggieman]

Good read. As far as autographs are concerned the certified autos are prefered over ttm or ip autos. That being said getting an auto ttm or ip is still great and if you ever want to be sure you can send it in to psadna.com to get their opinion.