Where is the GU market going for HOF/retired players?

[383astro]

Since these guys arent playing anymore I guess we can expect nothing but manufactured patches for them from now on besides the stuff #d under 10? We have manufactured hat logos, lettermen and bat barrells. Pretty soon are we going to see manufactured jumbo patches with period correct jersey cut style swatches (not sure if that made sense but I cant word it any better)? or do you think that Topps still has some vintage patches and are saving them? Also what is UD and Panini gonna do with what they have left (if any)? Thanks for the replies.

 

[sdsportsfan1214]

Gotta think that sooner or later they will start running out of stuff for alot of those older Hofers

 

[Superfractor]

Non-deceased players still have the opportunity for: event-, [game]"-worn", sitting-on-the-john-for-two-minutes-used patches and swatches. I don't see a problem? What with the ambiguity of Topps Triple Threads' "Relics". I don't know why we presume they are "Game-used"; this in the sense of what that term entails?

 

[brouthercard]

As real gamers become more and more scarce, I think Topps is going to realize that they don't need to put the expensive legit stuff in their cards to sell their products - the wax zombies will still buy it - heck, people still tolerate sticker autos, why won't they continue to tolerate "relics" - it makes no difference in their sales or pre-orders. So why pay $10,000 for an authentic game used piece of history when they can get something for 5-10% of the cost and still sell the same amount of product. Plus, they are able to preserve what remains of a limited commodity, instead of continuing to shred it to pieces, like the rainforests around the world - it may be the more PC thing to do for the company, and it's cheaper as well.

As for the GU cards that actually exist, I think the general public has already grown weary of modern day game used, and that sentiment has spread to retired/HOF as well. Patch pieces that don't reflect a player's team, continued errors in wrong patch pieces on a player's cards - Topps DOESN'T help with their questionable relics, and it hurts all the older stuff as well, minus, say well-publicized pieces such as the 05 Ruth Jerseys, where people have more faith that what they are buying is what they think it is.

 

[AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR]

As real gamers become more and more scarce, I think Topps is going to realize that they don't need to put the expensive legit stuff in their cards to sell their products - the wax zombies will still buy it - heck, people still tolerate sticker autos, why won't they continue to tolerate "relics" - it makes no difference in their sales or pre-orders. So why pay $10,000 for an authentic game used piece of history when they can get something for 5-10% of the cost and still sell the same amount of product. Plus, they are able to preserve what remains of a limited commodity, instead of continuing to shred it to pieces, like the rainforests around the world - it may be the more PC thing to do for the company, and it's cheaper as well.

As for the GU cards that actually exist, I think the general public has already grown weary of modern day game used, and that sentiment has spread to retired/HOF as well. Patch pieces that don't reflect a player's team, continued errors in wrong patch pieces on a player's cards - Topps DOESN'T help with their questionable relics, and it hurts all the older stuff as well, minus, say well-publicized pieces such as the 05 Ruth Jerseys, where people have more faith that what they are buying is what they think it is.

I agree. A Bob Feller game used jersey from his playing days $2,500???
A Bob Feller "old timers day" jersey he wore for 5 minutes to throw out the first pitch, free to Topps as a sponsor. It makes sense from a business point. $2500+ or free divided into the cost of production. Topps and UD have ALWAYS considered old timers game (as well as first pitches) part of a MLB game, therefore a "game used" jersey. had the pleasure of deep conversation with Topps over what I considered "events" and not games. MLB sanctioned (which everything is) = MLB game. That's why I moved all my PC of Hall of Fame game used cards 3,000+ a few years ago. Your not getting what you think on those cards. They are no better than a Yankee stadium seat from an old renovation on a Babe Ruth card. The game used market started to drop a few years back, and has been picking up steam ever since. Now we find out even the "real" game used jerseys were never even worn and sold by clubhouse scammers....

 

[bear0555]

I've noticed the market get softer the past couple years and it seems like this trend has even applied to some of the rarest items (i.e. patches of tougher hof/retired players). It makes me wonder whether people will care about the players who came before their time.

I dumped a couple very nice mantle topps sterling gu because they don't say that mantle wore the items on the back of the card. From what I've seen from ud and playoff, I trust them much more than I do topps.