Hey Cal Ripken Jr Collectors, what do you think about this?

[cgilmo]

Proclaiming that they should "stick to hockey" isn't a valid response to them being here for constructive criticism on the cards they are releasing.

I don't think he really proclaimed that they should do that, merely suggested that they just may be able to do better in the hockey market than in baseball. Opinions are valid responses when someone comes in and asks for an opinion

"maybe they should just focus on Hockey and not do baseball"

Kinda hard to misinterpret that. You really think that is the kind of opinion ITG is looking for here?

It's a very short sighted statement for sure, but it probably didn't catch ITG by surprise when they read it. When you open yourself up, you get things like this. The only thing you can do as a company is interpret and respond. The response can vary from doing absolutely nothing or revamping the entire product line.

 

[sportscardtheory]

Board Members:

I am all ears to comments and suggestions about how to make the products you want to collect.

I have been a collector for more than 50 years and continue to collect.

I realize that we have to make cards for you and that listening is a big part of that.

However, I think there is a way to suggest and even criticize that doesn't involve an all out attack on our reputations.

I have been making trading cards for 20 years dating back to the time I brought back the Parkhurst name in hockey, so I do have some experience, am I always right. Not even close, no one is.

When we first thought about entering this market, we were told by collectors that a choice when buying baseball cards would be welcomed. We are doing are best to give collectors a choice.

Will our product be for everyone, certainly not. But I find the attacks in some of the posts disheartening.

Now before you take this post and slam me, I think I too am allowed to speak my mind as you have.

For those who are interested in our product, don't judge it by one card. Please visit our website and checkout the checklists and images posted.

I am just asking for a fair shake in baseball and from baseball card collectors, that's all.

Brian Price

It's just a few bad apples, Mr. Price. Don't mind them. Their existence on this board seems mainly to instigate and antagonize. Let it roll off your back and just do the best you can. Listen to the constructive, ignore the antagonistic. I'm sure Brian Gray will attest to focusing too much on those few bad apples in the past.

 

[sportscardtheory]

Kinda hard to misinterpret that. You really think that is the kind of opinion ITG is looking for here?

It's a very short sighted statement for sure, but it probably didn't catch ITG by surprise when they read it. When you open yourself up, you get things like this. The only thing you can do as a company is interpret and respond. The response can vary from doing absolutely nothing or revamping the entire product line.

I certainly understand that. That is why I am offering counter-points to their opinions. I don't want ITG to ever think that the loud opinions of a few represent the entire board.

 

[Leaf]

Board Members:

I am all ears to comments and suggestions about how to make the products you want to collect.

I have been a collector for more than 50 years and continue to collect.

I realize that we have to make cards for you and that listening is a big part of that.

However, I think there is a way to suggest and even criticize that doesn't involve an all out attack on our reputations.

I have been making trading cards for 20 years dating back to the time I brought back the Parkhurst name in hockey, so I do have some experience, am I always right. Not even close, no one is.

When we first thought about entering this market, we were told by collectors that a choice when buying baseball cards would be welcomed. We are doing are best to give collectors a choice.

Will our product be for everyone, certainly not. But I find the attacks in some of the posts disheartening.

Now before you take this post and slam me, I think I too am allowed to speak my mind as you have.

For those who are interested in our product, don't judge it by one card. Please visit our website and checkout the checklists and images posted.

I am just asking for a fair shake in baseball and from baseball card collectors, that's all.

Brian Price

It's just a few bad apples, Mr. Price. Don't mind them. Their existence on this board seems mainly to instigate and antagonize. Let it roll off your back and just do the best you can. Listen to the constructive, ignore the antagonistic. I'm sure Brian Gray will attest to focusing too much on those few bad apples in the past.

+1

For the most part, this site is filled of great guys who love cards just like you and I do, Brian.
Thanks for bucking the recent trend of manufacturers being inaccessible to their customers.
BG

 

[sportscardtheory]

As for the Ripken Jr. card, I agree with most that it is a dull card. It should at least have the entire player name (or at least have RIPKEN JR. in big letters) and be more team-oriented color-wise (maybe the team stadium in the backround if players can't be used as someone else stated). Also, I believe they should be serial-numbered /4. JMO

Can you use pictures of players from the back with no face or team emblem showing? A card about the size of the back of a player would look cool, with the RIPKEN JR. nameplate at the top of the card and his belt at the bottom with the game-used portion in the middle. Just a suggestion.

 

[drp]

The one thing that I think is not appropriate for me to do on this board on or any board for that matter is comment on the legalities of making trading cards.

What you can do and what you can't do is not black and white.

The case law varies from issue to issue.

What I always try to do is what I think is right and legal after reviewing the information available. That is not always what others think is correct but again, we are all entitled to our opinions.

I guess what I have to re-learn is that it is not those who shout the loudest that have the most to say.

I appreciate your comments and I will react to those that I can react to.

A proper two way dialogue between collector and manufacturer is very important.

Thanks for your time.

Brian Price

 

[Russ S.]

Not bad.
Kinda plain.
IMHO, they should be /4. Or the front of the card pictured on the back.
That way the patch fakers won't have their way with them.

^^ What this guy said.

Maybe if a company does this, the others will follow.
Only way we are going to beat the patch fakers!!

 

[Pinbreaker]

Proclaiming that they should "stick to hockey" isn't a valid response to them being here for constructive criticism on the cards they are releasing.

I don't think he really proclaimed that they should do that, merely suggested that they just may be able to do better in the hockey market than in baseball. Opinions are valid responses when someone comes in and asks for an opinion

"maybe they should just focus on Hockey and not do baseball"

Kinda hard to misinterpret that. You really think that is the kind of opinion ITG is looking for here?

I guess if you are going to quote me, use the whole damn statement.. not just an excerpt!

It looks like they are trying to get into the patch/auto market of baseball where there is a dwindling market.. I've been collecting sportscards since 1985, so I am not new to these types of companies..

I was looking at the Ripken card and if that's the product they are putting out in that present state, then yes, I say stick to hockey for a better return on an investment.. If they are trying to make unique cards for the collectors, (I do like the Ryno card by the way) then it's a tough market to crack..

Are these cards going to be encased or just soft sleeved/top loader with a piece of tape? With a card like the Sandberg, you could make the card in front of 300 people, but there will always be several collectors that will say it's too nice to be real.. It would benefit ITG if they are encased vs no casing..

They came in here asking for opinions.. I gave mine and you have yours.. As with most collectors, we will make our decisions with our $$$..

 

[drp]

Pinbreaker, that is only one card from one insert set.

There are over twenty insert sets of autograph cards, memorabilia cards and auto/memo cards.

You should not judge the entire product by one card.

Some will like it, some won't but there are hundreds of other cards in the product.

Please keep an open mind until you see the entire product and then your right, vote with your hard earned money.

That's all any manufacturer can ask.

Brian Price

 

[hofautos]

^^ The original post was about the ripken card, not the entire product.
I actually agree with pinbreaker based on the ripken card, I would recommend you reconsider the card design or stick to cards that you can put the picture of the player on, whether be hockey, baseball or whatever. TO me that one card design is enough to suggest the entire product line is "needing". The set would be better off without it all together, so that the design won't put off the entire set.

The sandberg and mattingly are decent, still not my cup of tea (i bought sportkings because on-card autos), but at least some people would buy into it.

I do second the opinion of having a pic on the back of the full logo or partial logo, just so patch faking is discouraged and maybe the big boys may take a page out of your book. It would be offering something that the big boys do not, and may prompt buyers. You could even use it in your marketing of the product, as novel.

 

[jam92102]

I think these cards are amazing. But I'll never be able to afford my guy Especially with them being 1/1's.

 

[hofautos]

I think these cards are amazing. But I'll never be able to afford my guy Especially with them being 1/1's.

well if it doesn't have a pic of bigmac, it may sell cheaper than you think, and you may be able to afford 4 1/1s

 

[Pinbreaker]

Pinbreaker, that is only one card from one insert set.

There are over twenty insert sets of autograph cards, memorabilia cards and auto/memo cards.

You should not judge the entire product by one card.

Some will like it, some won't but there are hundreds of other cards in the product.

Please keep an open mind until you see the entire product and then your right, vote with your hard earned money.

That's all any manufacturer can ask.

Brian Price

I do have an open mind and there will be other cards in your product.. I have seen sell sheets in the past promise cards that were never made.. So until I can see these packs opened (AIC does case breaks that do well).. I will wait to see what the cards will look like..

Since I am a collector first and foremost and the cards are nice and decently priced, I might end up with a few here and there. I don't want to open products where my chances of pulling a good Hall of Fame player is greatly diminished by prospects.. So if I get any, they probably will be from the secondary market..

I appreciate your company coming here for the input from collectors and look forward to the changes that members are talking about.

 

[George_Calfas]

Board Members:

I am all ears to comments and suggestions about how to make the products you want to collect.

I have been a collector for more than 50 years and continue to collect.

I realize that we have to make cards for you and that listening is a big part of that.

However, I think there is a way to suggest and even criticize that doesn't involve an all out attack on our reputations.

I have been making trading cards for 20 years dating back to the time I brought back the Parkhurst name in hockey, so I do have some experience, am I always right. Not even close, no one is.

When we first thought about entering this market, we were told by collectors that a choice when buying baseball cards would be welcomed. We are doing are best to give collectors a choice.

Will our product be for everyone, certainly not. But I find the attacks in some of the posts disheartening.

Now before you take this post and slam me, I think I too am allowed to speak my mind as you have.

For those who are interested in our product, don't judge it by one card. Please visit our website and checkout the checklists and images posted.

I am just asking for a fair shake in baseball and from baseball card collectors, that's all.

Brian Price

It's just a few bad apples, Mr. Price. Don't mind them. Their existence on this board seems mainly to instigate and antagonize. Let it roll off your back and just do the best you can. Listen to the constructive, ignore the antagonistic. I'm sure Brian Gray will attest to focusing too much on those few bad apples in the past.

+1

For the most part, this site is filled of great guys who love cards just like you and I do, Brian.
Thanks for bucking the recent trend of manufacturers being inaccessible to their customers.
BG

Agreed......Dr. Price, thank you for allowing the collectors input.

 

[jam92102]

I think these cards are amazing. But I'll never be able to afford my guy Especially with them being 1/1's.

well if it doesn't have a pic of bigmac, it may sell cheaper than you think, and you may be able to afford 4 1/1s

Here's hoping!

 

[Musial Collector]

So I looked at the sell sheet, and as much as I hate the Ripkens for lack of full name and picture, the Munson that is on there is amazing, even with lack of picture and full name. If that came up for auction on ebay, I would seriously consider making a run at it.

 

[mwheeler27]

can you make something similar to this? I would buy something like this before i would buy a card with no picture of the player.

Dr. Price made something similar to this in 2007. Here's one example:



While the memorabilia isn't as nice in the SK card, the on-card auto trumps any sticker auto in my opinion.

 

[mwheeler27]

I consider myself a somewhat serious collector.

Having said that, I actually like the design of those Ripken Jr. cards. They look clean and non-busy. I like refreshing changes. I'm very happy to learn that Dr. Price is going to include Cal's first name on these cards too.

I will agree with almost everyone else that I would love to see these numbered /4 instead of each being a 1/1. I'm a set collector/builder, and numbering them /4 appeals much more to me than making them all 1/1s.

Thank you Dr. Price for giving us another choice in the baseball card market! May your stay in this market be long and prosperous.

 

[drp]

You have given your opinions and we have listened.

I have the card to post but not sure how to add an image. Need help.

Brian Price

 

[Viking4Alpha]

I consider myself a somewhat serious collector.

Having said that, I actually like the design of those Ripken Jr. cards. They look clean and non-busy. I like refreshing changes. I'm very happy to learn that Dr. Price is going to include Cal's first name on these cards too.

I will agree with almost everyone else that I would love to see these numbered /4 instead of each being a 1/1. I'm a set collector/builder, and numbering them /4 appeals much more to me than making them all 1/1s.

Thank you Dr. Price for giving us another choice in the baseball card market! May your stay in this market be long and prosperous.

Agreed.

Couldn't have said it better myself.