NEED QUICK OPINIONS... PRIZES FOR CONSTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS...

[Lancemountain]

I like option B personally.

I think it's a nice separation, I mean Ichiro isn't related to the other guys in the set, this gives a little difference to the Ichiro.

I don't think anyone busting this product (have a few coming myself) really care WHAT card Ichiro is on, just as long as it looks great and adding a patch will do just that. I don't think you have to worry about it looking like the rest of the set.

Can't wait, hope I pull one

 

[jondawg04]

Key question for would be buyers here is, what would the difference be in the print run between the two options? Obviously the cost of the jersey would have to be factored in to the production, thereby decreasing the amount of signatures included for this specific product. If, for example, the options turn to having 200 Ichiro autographed metal cards w/ a 90 day wait versus 50 Ichiro autographed non-metal patch cards w/ a 45 day wait, then I'm not too sure what the buyers would prefer. Double the wait but four times the chance of pulling an Ichiro auto may be a better option for those busting. Obviously my point is worthless if you planned on having the same amount of signatures included regardless, but from a business perspective it makes sense to have different runs w/ the additional cost to produce the patch cards.

The quantity inserted would be exactly the same.
BG

Option B it is!

 

[Zambrano38]

I would go with B, but make sure to leave enough room for a good picture of Ichiro.

 

[AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR]

The cards would be standard size...

Its just it would have a JUMBO PREMIUM PATCH...

Ichiro has ZERO oversized premium Patch autos...

I think the autos would bring $400 or so..
The premium patches $600+..

what do yall think?

we have to pick one... cannot run it both ways...
BG

I read it wrong as well....I thought Oversized card! ::facepalm::
Then I go with the oversized premium patch!

 

[bigpops65]

I would vote for the oversied jumbo patch. I know that when I rip product, a basic auto gets a shrug, but the oversized patches give you the "Holy SH!T" moments. Even with some lesser players. The appeal of the jumbo patches of Ichiro would be huge, and I think a welcome addition to the hobby landscape.

I don't think the wait time should be a factor, as it seems to be minimal when talking about redemptions across the board. I think the better looking card should win out, and it is like an added bonus to the collector who opens the product.

I know people are normally upset when they pull a redmeption (count me as one of them). With this explanation, and assuming it would also be posted on the Leaf web site for collector's to see, I don't see it being a major problem at all. Having opened product across the major companies -- Panini, Topps, UD and Leaf -- I have no qualms with Leaf's return time on the redemptions I have pulled. One, from Metal Football Draft, took less than 2 weeks. I have ones from Panini that are over a year now.

 

[jondawg04]

I think choosing B with an added option of cataloging each patch to be seen online would be great and would prevent fakes.

Taking that a step further, how about the option to pick which exact card you will get from the catalog, based on what order the redemptions are redeemed? Gives incentive to the early breakers, adds a different personal aspect to the redemption process, and the collectors redeeming the cards will feel like they are getting exactly what they want.

 

[MojoDan]

You are talking about a rare opportunity here if you go with option B.

Just my two cents but a jumbo Ichiro patch would really set the interest high, and set the bar for unique Ichiro patches.

God luck with whatever you decide.

 

[wolfmanalfredo]

As cool as an oversized patch might be, I think you need to go with option A. We've seen what happens with relationships and how they are affected when the sell sheets have something that isn't in the product.(not to mention the cards of this magnitude that for a few are more then likely the main buy in point) I personally feel that manufacturers need to stay as close to the sell sheet as possible to avoid CS problems. Also as I said above, with it certainly being the main selling point for many, I personally feel its not a smart decision to just ditch it and introduce something new at the last minute.

Just my opinion

 

[A_Pharis]

I went with option B, because of the lack of Ichiro jumbo patch/autos, but it is going to be funny having something completely non-set oriented resulting from METAL product. The strict "stick to the set" collector in me says that it's a metal product -- so it should be a metal-themed card. Save the patches for a future sale sheet.

 

[A_Pharis]

I think choosing B with an added option of cataloging each patch to be seen online would be great and would prevent fakes.

Taking that a step further, how about the option to pick which exact card you will get from the catalog, based on what order the redemptions are redeemed? Gives incentive to the early breakers, adds a different personal aspect to the redemption process, and the collectors redeeming the cards will feel like they are getting exactly what they want.

Early breakers as in people who break street date? No thank you. Keep them randomized.

 

[alwayson22]

I chose Option A. If I had redeemed an Ichiro Metal Auto, I would want that specific card.

As others have stated, you can always use the Ichiro Patch to promote another product.

 

[A_Pharis]

I chose Option A. If I had redeemed an Ichiro Metal Auto, I would want that specific card.

As others have stated, you can always use the Ichiro Patch to promote another product.

Well, the redemptions aren't made, yet -- so, technically, the person wouldn't pull a "Ichiro metal auto" redemption if they went with the Exquisite-style patch/auto.

 

[jeff152380]

Option B... gets my vote because I look for high quality high end ON CARD patch autos... still waiting for some nice Pujols ON Card patch autos..... not to mention Charles Barkley hint hint

I Also would really try to key in on using an ink that will be very bold and stay that way when Ichiro signs..... I know you cant control this, but try to have him keep the auto out of the patch or going off the card..... If the cards look high quality I will be buying them on the open market..


As to my hint hint about Barkley.....Getting him to sign would be bigger then anything you have done yet.... including Ali!!! There is so much interest in the 80's-90's NBA stars and Barkley is more popular now then he was as a player!
Maybe chasing down some of the other hard to get autos in sports like Julius Peppers, Rasheed Wallace is a thought as well

 

[JBel4331]

What if you packaged out the damaged Ichiro autos along with some kind of exchange card along with it? That way, the person could either choose to keep the damaged card (instead of waiting), or send it back to you along with the corresponding exchange card for a new card? That way, it would be more like someone getting a replacement instead of a redemption.

 

[gt2590]

I'll go with B too.

I think the die-hard Ichiro collectors who would be chasing the singles would go crazy for 'em. And when you have the chance to be the FIRST to have any kind of super-deluxe card of a true HOF-type player, you should go for it...

GL w/ it either way!

 

[biggosh95]

An auto is cool, but an auto AND a patch....SWEET!!

 

[MisterT]

Brian -

I voted for option A and here is why...I am looking at this issue both from the customer and the business perspective. As a buyer who bought into a group break, the Ichiro metal was a key part of my decision process. I am disappointed that it is a redemption, but you can make that up to me another way...give me a credit towards another product, or give me a special bonus (by sending me another, not necessarily metal, auto) as an "above an beyond" gesture. Do something like that to differentiate yourself from Topps.

Now, why not option B? Well, it sounds like a killer card - and I would love to get one. But, it also sounds like a card that could really juice up another product. As a business person, I would save that one and give me (the customer) something else to show that you are sorry about the redemption.

Don't forget, not all buyers are not reading forums like this. Put an explanation on the redemption for everyone else.

Good luck and thanks for owning up to the issue before shipping. There would have been a lot of frustrated people otherwise.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

How damaged? damaged to OR from the signing?

if the cards are already signed, they should be inserted as is, and those that pull it have the option of exchanging it for a proper copy.

anyway you do it, redemptions are going to cause a **** storm

 

[showoff]

Due the premium patch auto. What you should do is have different inscriptions on some of the patches and number it on card like /5. Might look sick

 

[steve-a-reno]

The more valuable card IMO would be the patch auto hands down, but people who bought metal for the metal aspect might prefer the other. I'd take the patch no question, however you might want to call it something other than exquisite.