Sticker vs. Hard Signed Autographs

[SenatorsFan]

As a collector of autographed, non-memorabilia cards exclusively, I find myself extremely picky when it comes to this matter. I always try and seek hard signed cards, and really don't even pay attention to their sticker counterparts. Does anybody else feel this way? Do you feel that the companies are getting lazy and that we as hobbyists are endorsing this method of card production by refraining from delivering negative feedback.

Frankly, I don't see why it would be that hard for the company to send the cards out individually (they already do for a bunch of the sets), of course its a little more of a hassle on both ends, but
1) The cards are much more appealing
2) It helps to eliminate counterfeits

What do you think?

[30ranfordfan]

I also prefer the hard signed autos. I think everyone does. I do get why the card companies use them though..... you get the athletes to sign tons all at once, and then you're good for a while. No redemption messes.... which I dislike way more than I dislike the sticker autos.

[roy.the.greatest]

I would pay more for hard signed, but if a card is only made as sticker auto and I like it, I will be interested to get it but maybe I won't pay that much as I would normally do. It really depends on how I really like the card or not.

[HammerHawks]

I agree, hard-signed is better but I don't mind stickers. Also, do you have any interest in a Messier BAP AU that is hard-signed? If so, PM me. I also have many other hard-signed autos.

[SenatorsFan]

I agree, hard-signed is better but I don't mind stickers. Also, do you have any interest in a Messier BAP AU that is hard-signed? If so, PM me. I also have many other hard-signed autos.

I actually have a Messier SOTT in my radar, I'm thinking of picking up that one. Also, here in Ottawa there's card shows all the time and there's a shop nearby where I live that's stocked with thousands of singles at discounted prices, so with this abundance of cards I have the luxury of inspecting any cards I purchase + no shipping fees, etc, so I just focus on local stuff.

[mw83krk]

Hard signed usually gives the signer a lot more freedom and less confined space. I also find that sticker auto's are a lot more messy since they are signing more of those at a given time than hard signed, and thus get lazier as they hit the 2000th sticker etc.

Plus with a hard signed auto you know that the player actually touched the card... you don't get that with a sticker.

[DarkHorseCards]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who didn't prefer the hard signed for all the reasons stated by other posters... the advantage for the card companies in using stickers is that it gives them more flexibility in terms of time and card design. They can send out a bunch of stickers to all the players and then start designing the cards as opposed to having everything not only designed, but printed and shipped. Or in the case of a printing error, you just redo the cards and you still have the intact autos.

That brings up something... seeing as hard signed autos have two extra shipping steps in them (one to the player, one from the player) I wonder if hard signed cards are more susceptible to damage than sticker signed cards.

[SkyFire47]

its quite funny in that stickers were brought about because the card companies were trying harder to bring more autographs to the collecting public. we all want more hits in our boxes and as a result alot of autos and jerseys have become common but take them out and give us less hits per box (or heaven forbid we get shorted even one common auto or jersey) and we're screaming for someone's head.

[30ranfordfan]

That's the thing..... when the card companies see that people want more autos and more GU..... they're going to do their best to produce those cards. The thing is, getting autos back in time is hard, so stickers take over.... and getting enough GU material is hard..... so they go out and get 'photoshoot' or 'event worn' stuff.

The only sets I did last year were UD 1 & 2. While I busted mostly hobby packs, I'm thinking I may just get retail next year. The YGs are the same odds, but I will lose out on the GU cards (that I didn't really want) and have no chance at the autos (which I had very little chance anyway). I'll save a ton of money though, getting the retail.

its quite funny in that stickers were brought about because the card companies were trying harder to bring more autographs to the collecting public. we all want more hits in our boxes and as a result alot of autos and jerseys have become common but take them out and give us less hits per box (or heaven forbid we get shorted even one common auto or jersey) and we're screaming for someone's head.

[mortuus]

Nothing can beat hard signed.. they should really ditch stickers.. they are just meh and look dull.