[kesscards]

For us set collectors, something is missing nowadays, especially in most UD products...a checklist.  Going back to some of the earlier sticker sets that Panini has produced, I have no idea if I have a set or not because I don't know what the set runs to or if a number was not produced.  For example: in the 1997-98 sticker set, does sticker #5 exist?  And by the way, who is on some of those stickers?  The set is plentiful enough yer obscure enough that this site has no clue about them.   Most people on this board may not have a clue what this refers to, but for those who do, it is important to know who is on what card.

I agree with those who would not mind seeing redemptions for full game-used items, not just swatches/patches.

One more thing that I have not heard anything about...where are the cards going to be produced?  It will make a difference.  You have to assume that a set has to be produced in one location, be it Italy, the U.S., or wherever.  The shipping costs to get the cards worldwide may make the price points rather high, even for "lower end" products.  Check the postage for shipping a box of cards from the U.S. to Australia.  It would blow your mind.  I have done it and do not like to have to charge those rates, but have no choice.

Those of you who say that the cards from a set can be produced in multiple locations have to ask yourselves: What would happen to serial numbered cards and/or plates if they are produced in more than one location?

Personally I don't care if Panini comes in and Upper Deck and Topps go away.  If quality cards are produced at reasonable, or even semi-reasonable prices, then I will be on board.

Thanks for reading my slightly divergent post.

[texansfan8]

Dating the jersey is an awesome idea!  It would be great to know you could have an extraordinary card with an even better jersey piece on it.  Imagine having a piece from one of MJ's greatest games,  55 in his comeback on the Knicks, 63 against the Celtics and so on.  Very good idea!

[la lakers]

I want this thread to stay up forever so we can actually see if PACRAPPI followed any ideas on this message board. I doubt any idea written hear will be considered or put into place. Its just another ploy to make everyone feel like you are having input in the decision making process. Every other company has done this before and look where its got us. don't count on anything you post here to actually come true. Seriously, Panini.as my only NBA card maker, give me a break. Looks like I'll be buying vintage basketball and working on old sets for a few years until the NBA realizes what a big mistake they made and brings back UD & Topps.

[greg4501]

1) Like it's been said..ON CARD autos
2)Overall much less gu and autos per box,nowadays its, like 3 gu and an auto,4 gu,5 gu ect. They're becomming way too common.
3)LESS ROOKIE CARDS. This is a big one for me,having a rookie in every pack is terrible.
4)Love the idea of game dating jersey and patch cards. Would be awesome to have Kobe 81 point game jersey piece,or a Michael Jordan finals patch.

[taffster74]

I know this is slightly off-topic, but what the heck ..... I am starting to get sick and tired of people coming here and bitching about the panini deal. Okay, we got it already - you don't like the idea. Get over it and get over yourselves. This is a thread where panini want's collector's input to consider. Any bitchers are going to be ignored.

To those who are insisting on making rookies rare - get out of your ivory tower. This is what has contributed to killing the hobby as it has bred investors who then come to these boards and denegrate someone for posting their box break of topps or mvp. Having a lot of rookies in a box really helps set-collectors and the young kids just getting into the hobby. Think about them rather than your own pockets for once.

Finally, as i said before, panini as asking for our input for consideration. Of course this is no guarantee they will listen to us or do exactly as we have said. Anyone who thinks that has their head in the clouds.

Back to the kids and set collectors - when Panini recieved the sole NBA license they stated they would return the hobby to it's roots and get kids back into to collecting by making the product more available and affordable. I know I am paraphrasing, but that was the essential gist of it.

[ljbiggestfan2]

I for one hope Panini proves most people wrong and comes out with some great products!  Here is there chance to listen to the customer and implement these requests into their products to the best of their ability...here are some things I would love to see:


1) Sign Larry Johnson, former NBA Star! If you need help I can get this deal done...sorry had to start there

2) They should use more then 1-2 pictures for retired players to give each card a different look. Upper Deck seemed to use the same few pictures over and over again.

3) I don't mind redemptions as I understand why they issue these. Sure it would be great if there wasn't any, but most players are super busy with all sorts of things in their lives. Although a redemption shouldn't expire ever or at least 10 years. I for one buy boxes of products several years after it's released and with some players most of thier cards are redemptions. So if there are 1/1 redemptions that expire how do you ever get that card?  Why should there ever be a deadline?

4) Just get creative and show us all something "new" and that attract new collectors as well as veterens like myself...

5) Lastly, bring back more of the stars from the 90's!  The 90's stars were so popular and still are with tons and tons of collectors out there. So if you bring back several more of these players it will bring back former collectors.


Good luck and I'm excited to see what Panini can bring to the table.

[richbod]

The NBA deal with Panini is a joke.  Just think about this and this only.  Kobe-UD EXCLUSIVE, Durant-UD EXCLUSIVE, MJ-UD EXCLUSIVE, LeBron-UD EXCLUSIVE Oden-TOPPS EXCLUSIVE Wade-TOPPS EXCLUSIVE.  What are you going to offer me, a person who spends thousands on product every year, well not any more, I don't want a Hannah Montana concert used dress.  WHAT A JOKE!!!  YOU CAN'T OFFER A PRODUCT AND NOT HAVE AUTOS OF THE BEST PLAYERS, EVER, MORONS.

[c32w]

Thanks for listening to our feedback. I understand Panini and the NBA want to expand to a global market and reach new buyers. US collectors will collect no matter how much they "hate" the product. My hope is that Panini can surpass both ends of the spectrum that obviously the NBA felt UD and Topps could not achieve. Some of the higher end improvements aside from what others mentioned that I'd like to see are as follows:

1) A Michael Jordan inscription. I think any product that this would include would instantly shake the hobby's foundation. Collectors would kill for a Michael "Air" Jordan auto #/23. My speculation however is that UD may keep Jordan autos going and insert them into other products just like they're doing with Tiger right now. Either that or maybe he'll stop signing.

2) A "Starting 5" on card 5 signature auto series #/5 per team/card. UD kind of got into this with the Chronology 5 autos. However, a series with the autos from the best teams has yet to be done. They just had 5 good players from each team. Jordan's Bulls, Magic's Lakers, Bird's Celtics, Robinson/Duncan's Spurs, Olajuwon's Rockets, Shaq/Penny's Magic, etc. would exceed any multi-auto'd cards out there. Even a Michigan Fab 5 card would be highly desired.

3) Create a better player/celeb combo auto series. When UD did the Reggie Miller/Spike Lee combo auto, it was highly desired. Panini can take this to another level with guys like Lebron/Jay-Z, Tony Parker/Eva Longoria, Shaq/Jabbawockees, Jaric/Lima, Rodman/Madonna or Hulk Hogan (NWO), Magic/Aresenio Hall or Jack Nickleson or Paula Abdul, Michael Jordan/Michael Jakson, Melo/Lala, etc. Even if the autos were cut like the Madonna or Jackson, Panini would draw so much attention to their NBA line. With the acquisition of Donruss and its foot in the celeb market, the combo of the 2 would be ideal.

4) Include a David Stern auto. Just cause it's never been done.

5) Make Finals trophy patches into the new logomen. I never understood why UD and Topps cut up Finals trophy patches. A subset of trophy/autos, in my opinion, would replace logomen being that they're harder to obtain. UD Black's manufactured trophy patches were really popular. If those were game used paches, that could have been one of the best subsets of all-time.

6) Use Nike, Adidas/Reebok logos and patches in our patch inserts. This was my idea for UD since they held most of the Nike players. My dream fantasy card would be a dual MJ/Tiger auto with a TW logo and a Jumpman logo. If Panini can get shoes or clothes from players, why not get a Jordan used shirt or shoe, cut them up, and insert the jumpman into a patch card? T-Mac, CP3, LBJ, Melo, and so on all have logos. Adidas has their 5 with Garnett, Arenas, Howard, etc. Nike's Air Force One team would be a great set in itself. Each player would be in their white warm ups and could feature the Nike Swoosh as a patch. 

Anyways, those are a few of my higher end ideas. I'm sure the hardcore US collectors are hoping that Panini can create a product similar or better than Exquisite. A lot of the ideas I mentioned are not too cost friendly on a yearly basis and reaches a little outside of the NBA; however, Panini's inaugural debut should still make a huge impression. The NBA should accomodate with the pull they have. If Panini creates even a few fresh, innovative concepts rather than only rehashing old ideas, I'm sure they'll win over the critics in no time. Thanks again for listening to our feedback. Chris c32w

[phdbeckett]

One thought at a time. Multi-player autographs are great, though cards with autos on both sides are harder to display and appreciate. One idea, not used in almost 10 years is the "swivel frame"
<img src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i34/phdbeckett/playbook.jpg" width="700">
In this example, the frame opens up to reveal a jersey card. 
The frame is much sturdier than the one's offered by Topps (see Triple Threads or Sterling), and allows the auto to be certified on the back and have space for up to 8 autographs and possibly a set name or catchy logo on the front. A must!
Thank you,
Joe
PhdBeckett.

[jlequang]

1. NO STICKERS - When I hear of Panini I think of stickers, not trading cards. I do not collect stickers. I say for the first set it should be strickly TRADING CARDS. NO stickers at all (even if it is what panini is good at).. not even inserted stickers. NONE! Trading cards are CARDS with a collectible quality to them, nothing cheap and flimsy.

2. BIG NAMES / BIG HITS $$$ - There needs to be a possible BIG HIT in every product, something worth chasing (i.e. something equal to pulling a Michael Jordan Autograph or a 1/1 logoman auto rookie).

3. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND APPRECIATION - What's in it for me? Just keep it real. I hate false advertising and false promises, something UD was notorious at doing. I also got short-changed on so many replacements and it took forever to get a response.

4. IT BETTER BE GOOD - I'm not going to buy simply because Panini is the only option available. I'd rather not have any cards at all than spend my money on junk. In my opinion Panini is in the same class as Press Pass, Classic, Razor, Donruss, maybe Inkworks too. They each have some good qualities but not enough to make me a buyer.

Perhaps also team up with MeiGray since they already got Game-Used memorabilia direct from the NBA. Just my two cents.. hope it helps.. good luck.