Does the hobby really care about RC AUs on card vs. sticker?

[Bob Loblaw]

From prices I'm seeing, it looks as though if there's a sticker auto on a nice card vs. an on card auto on an unauthorized (EEE) card, the $ is about equal. Thoughts?

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Would an Elite sticker autograph of Johnny Newprospect sell for less than the same card signed on-card? Nope, they would sell for the same amount.

If I was a manufacturer, I wouldn't think twice about sticker autographs if I found that it was more cost effective to produce sticker autographs and fit into the production schedule better.

While the hobby enthusiasts have been vocal about sticker autographs for a decade...their money isn't matching their mouths.

 

[phillyfan0417]

Would an Elite sticker autograph of Johnny Newprospect sell for less than the same card signed on-card? Nope, they would sell for the same amount.

If I was a manufacturer, I wouldn't think twice about sticker autographs if I found that it was more cost effective to produce sticker autographs and fit into the production schedule better.

While the hobby enthusiasts have been vocal about sticker autographs for a decade...their money isn't matching their mouths.

I think there wouldnt be many who would say they prefer stickers.

It would never actually stop me from buying. Elite's have become one of my favorite investments because even though they lag a bit behind chrome, there is still money to be made.

 

[mmier118]

I can't speak for the hobby but personally i prefer on card auto's. I am willing to pay a premium for nicely designed on card auto's, while I would probably pay the same for a nicely designed sticker auto vs. a poorly designed on card auto. Other factors also come into play when it comes to sticker auto's, an example would be for me personally i was looking at George Springer auto's and debating between the Bowman Chrome sticker auto vs. the topps chrome on card usa auto and it was a tough choice. The bowman chrome brand name plus the fact it is numbered had me leaning towards the chrome but in the end I decided to just by some vintage, so maybe my opinion doesn't reflect what the hobby thinks lol.

 

[Topnotchsy]

I think that it bothers more collectors than investors. For investors it doesn't matter what the card looks like, as long as there's money to be made. For collectors it has to be something they want to keep in their collection.

 

[billsanders007]

A prime example of sticker vs on card VALUE is the classic Topps Triple Threads triple auto triple game used. I've bought several of these with Pujols on them (Vlad, AP, Manny and Ryan Howard, AP, David Wright) for around $200 a piece. If these were on card I believe they would be much more expensive. IMHO

These cards are case hits with some of the best players in the game today and these cards sell for LESS than a box of triple threads? I've been wrong before but I think a on card auto version of these cards would sell for much more....

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I'm not talking about veteran autographs. There's no doubt that veteran on card are worth more than stickers.

But there's a particular card that goes for just about the same amount between EEE on card vs. Bowman Sterling stickers. And I've seen a few more like that as well.

I believe the above poster was correct when he said that investors didn't care; that if there's money to made, it'll be made...

 

[cmixer]

I pay less (or not at all) if an autograph doesn't fit on the sticker;
you don't have that problem with on-card.
But if the auto fits nicely, I don't mind the sticker.

If a sticker gets the cards in the pack (no redemptions) -
I'm for them.
If i have to wait 6-8 weeks for my card ... I want them on-card.

 

[cmnkb8]

I pay less (or not at all) if an autograph doesn't fit on the sticker;
you don't have that problem with on-card.

Unless you're Carlos Santana.

 

[bradical]

I have never bought a baseball product that didn't contain some type of on-card autos.

Stickers autos don't do it for me. Look cheap, and are usually done pretty poorly,

 

[js0000001]

On card is the reason chrome is king

But if I buy a card just to flip later I could care less

 

[reljac]

If you had two comparable products that were both authorized, I have no doubt the on card would outsell. It's hard to find a good comparison, given those two requirements though. Bowman Sterling & EEE aren't even on my radar in general.

 

[Original Boski]

I don't really mind either way, some sticker autos look pretty nice.

I will say that I MUCH prefer a clear sticker auto to the reflective silver stickers.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

If you had two comparable products that were both authorized, I have no doubt the on card would outsell. It's hard to find a good comparison, given those two requirements though. Bowman Sterling & EEE aren't even on my radar in general.

The topic is RC autos. If Sterling and EEE aren't on your radar, why are you posting in this thread?

 

[shayscards79]

Depends on the sticker, depends on the card, depends on the player.

Hard to tell. I'll always go for the on card auto before a sticker, but I'm usually not too picky. Like some people said, depends on the sticker as well, the reflective stickers suck, especially the ones upper deck had around 2004.

 

[Matsuicollector]

I think that it bothers more collectors than investors. For investors it doesn't matter what the card looks like, as long as there's money to be made. For collectors it has to be something they want to keep in their collection.

I agree. I think prospect stuff follows different rules than everything else. From what I've seen for start/HOFers/non-prospects, on-card autos are still preferred and generate higher prices.

 

[brouthercard]

This point can't be emphasized enough.

If you are buying a card as investment to flip, it doesn't matter if the card has sticker poop on it, prospectors will buy it to sell for a profit. It could be used chewing gum on a card, and if you can buy it cheap and sell it for higher- I don't care, and I don't think any prospector would care.

On the other hand, if you are buying something for your personal collection that you plan on keeping as a family heirloom to pass on to your children, of course there is a premium for on-card autos. It's just that very few people have the intention of keeping a prospect auto card for generations at the current time, so that's why the prices for sticker vs on-card for current prospects is so close.

As for the established previous prospects now stars, I think you will see in time that the on-card autos will outsell sticker autos of their rookie cards, at least for the distinguished collector.

All the rest of the collectors who continue to pay premiums for sticker autos if that is not the only option, can go ahead and toss their cards right next to their cases of 1988 topps baseball that they have stashed away in their teeming outhouses. I can't believe some people don't have a problem with a sticker auto, and if Topps came out with a product called MLB autographed toilets, and slapped sticker autos inside the toilet bowl and called it an autographed collectible, and people continued to buy that crap (on the way down the drain), I can't say it says much about the taste of the general collecting public.

Demand quality, or be part of the trash.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

My impression is that the thing that matters most or needs to be accurate is the name of the player on the card to those that invest in prospect cards...maybe brand is second most important.

As said above other things are more important to collectors - accurate (non-photoshopped) team name & league, on-card for some, brand, etc.

 

[JoshHamilton]

I don't know why prospectors would care. They're in it for the money

But any collector with a lick of good taste will take an on card auto over a sticker. Stickers suck

 

[ebechols]

I love the 2010 EEE cards, but they don't seem to hold the same value as the Topps products, so I wouldn't know which ones are the preference. Personally, for a player collector I agree with the above poster who said that on card are the ones I would chase.