[geoffreyh]

Well, I fear what I am about to say is going to be the opposite of so much of what is listed above.  But, as a father who collects with his son, let me say that Panini needs to remember not to focus too much on the high-end collectors.

In general, my son and his friends really just want three things from cards: 1) A chance to pull new and "cool" cards of their favorite players, 2) to pull a "hit" (jersey or auto; maybe serial numbered) every so often; and 3) to learn about the game.

The first goal is simple to say, perhaps hard to do.  They want cards.  If you limit the number of cards you make, you limit what they will buy.  Make cards too exclusive and high end, and you will lose them altogether.  But you will really draw them -- and I think everyone -- if you simply make some cards that are "cool" and "different."  What attracts his attention?  Anything unique: cards that are shiny, die cut, textured, retro, clear, etc.  Bring back the occassional hologram and 3-D card.  Make some inserts that are round or shaped like a shoe (or anything that stands out).  It sounds silly to the high-end person, perhaps.  But to the average collector -- especially the younger ones -- different is great and makes things stand out.

As to the second, hits are important.  Make jerseys and autos too exclusive and hard to pull, and you disappoint them.  Heck, I would do more, not less.  I understand the need to make some things rarer and keep values up, but do not lose the average collector in the process.  Also, remember the first thing they want here too.  Be different when you can with the hits.  Rather than just all jerseys and patches, insert some new and cool things.  Pieces of a game-used net, shoe, headband, ball, etc.  Make it fun and different.  Also, I would MUCH rather have redemptions than less cards.  Do I like redemptions, not necessarily.  But do I like the fact that I get a redemption for a Steve Nash auto rather than no Nash auto at all.  Final point here: kids love the serial numbered parallels (and I sort of like them too, I have to admit).  They think serial numbered cards are "hits," they give them something to aim for, and they collect sets of them.

Their final "learning" desire can be met many ways.  Don't forget the past and remember to add cards (and hits) from the old-timers.  Put some "fun facts" on the back of some cards.  My son learns a lot about the history of the game through cards and the players he pulls.  So keept adding cards of Maravich. McAdoo, Monroe, Kerr, Wilt, etc.

As to the higher-end collectors (leaving the son and focusing on me for a minute), what do I want: I want more on-card autos and less stickers (and I will take redemptions for on-card autos over pack-pulled sticker autos any day; with redemptions for sticker autos being something I hate the most).  I love nicknames and autos with inscriptions.  I like the occassional cut-auto.  I also, like the kids, want to see something new.  Yes, we need cards with regular action shots.  But do something different every so often.  The Chronology painted canvas cards, for example.

And, as everyone has said, please have a customer service department that responds to questions.  You might also think about creating a small focus group or group of collectors that can sort of act as a sounding board or advisors.  Reaching out like this is a nice start.  But having a regular group to solicit opinions from that is a nice cross-section would be great.  Not only would you get some good ideas and feedback, but it would show that you are listening and want the input of your customers.

Anyway, good luck on the venture, and I cannot wait to see what is coming.

[Thecar]

Suggestions for Panini basketball products:


1) On card autographs only- feels more "personal".....and to me if it has to be done redemption style it's ok because it will be on-card.

2) Cut back on the releases, but vary the card styles. 12 releases would be OK, 4 high end, 4 middle tier and 4 low end.  For example, I LOVED the style of the Fleer Authentix product, and i also loved the look of Topps '52 style and Topps Gallery.

3) All rookies should be serially numbered and limited to 2-3 per box. I really can't stand the products that have a rookie in every pack but not numbered. It devalues the rookie card.

4) Minimize the parallels. Gold refractors and X-Fractors are more than enough.

5) That's all I can think of for now.

[vgqv]

I will get straight to the point, relinquish your contract with the NBA to let Upper Deck & Topps solely produce my NBA cards.  You have no business producing something you've never made before.  You say the hobby has declined now and you have lost collectors who can't afford high end stuff.  Well, what about the collectors you will lose NOW?  Are you thinking of them?  Good luck with your 20 sets for next season, you have no chance.  U.D. or Topps couldn't do that!

I hate you David Stern.

[sentonhurrikane]

I'm with VGQV. 

I'll let Panini know when I want a neat-o sticker to put on my school notebook.  Oh wait, I'm not 10. 

Upper Deck has me loyally locked up with SPX.  Topps has me similarly locked up with Chrome and Finest.

Panini cannot duplicate that.  And if they try to, I'll be insulted and will NOT buy it. 

Because of the Panini deal, I will strictly be buying Football and Hockey next year ... no Basketball.  I feel sorry for the rookies coming out over the span of this joke because they won't have an SP Authentic Rookie or a Chrome Rookie ... two cards that have become the standard for draft picks and their fans.  It's ridiculous and there couldn't be a bigger insult to the collectors.

I realize Upper Deck has a stranglehold on the NHL license and I should be upset about that, however, Topps wasn't doing as well with Hockey and their products weren't as much a genuine expectation to the collectors as they are in Basketball. 

Can you imagine if Kobe didn't have a Chrome rookie?  What about his Finest rookie?  What about Vince Carter and Paul Pierce not having SP Authentic rookies?  It's terrible to think about. 


I, too, hate you David Stern.

[bengleicher]

For Panini:

1.  Serial numbering (on insert AND base cards) insures that the cards you're getting are not overproduced.  Upper Deck Finite is a good example of what Panini should look at for a middle-tier box.

2.  No one likes to "pull" a standard jersey card that isn't serial numbered, especially of average players.  The "hit" of the box shouldn't have a beckett value of $6.  Eliminate them.  Either add an autograph or a low serial number or get rid of them entirely.

3.  Get rid of "e-cards."  They're a waste of space.

4.    Make sure that the cards are durable!  Some current sets are prone to scatches, chips, etc.  Others (see Topps Chrome) naturally bend until they're a perfect arch.  Collectors don't want their cards to de-value themselves over time.

5.  Make all of your releases completely unique and different from the others.  We're tired of opening different boxes and seeing the same cards.

6.  I love unique cards.  The clear cards from Fleer E-X are awesome.  Die-cut inserts, holographic cards, embossed cards, and 3-D cards still catch my attention 11 years after I started collecting.  New designs and ideas are we need from Panini.  Lets see what you can come up with

[Early Aerosmith]

I just hope Panini let's us buy direct.   The 'freakshow' of standard card collectors in shops or shows is why no the coolness of it all has left.  

Go Panini !  congrats on kicking our USA arse with this..  this country needs a cleansing.. like a company needing to dump the trash with layoffs. 

(screw the jersey patch cards, or layers of SILLY numbered cards....an auto a box would be all that is needed)

Rock !

[amccallum]

1.) On card Auto's
2.) Do not over produce rc's, jersey's or auto's. Make them harder to get, and allow them to have a good value.
3.) Great customer Service.
4.) If you list the number of hits that you should recieve in a box, do not put "on average." If your going to do that, I would rather just see the odds on the indivual packs, and not state how many hits you should recieve on average.
5.) Do not over produce Auto's of the Greats. It will just make them into commons.
6.) Do not have tons of parallels in every set.
7.) Have atleast one product include True Auto rc's.

[byronscott4ever]

I've been in contact with Panini but am happy to see the thread here so people can post constructive thoughts and ideas.  Here are a few of mine:

1.  Reduce redemptions to a bare minimum.  If you are doing draft redemptions, memorabilia, or ones that deal with teams/players reaching statistical goals, that's fine but others should be an exception.  Make them redeemable for many years and even after they expire, offer something (anything!) in exchange so they aren't worthless

2.  Embrace the NBDL at least somewhat

3.  No sticker autographs

4.  Do some parallels but don't go overboard

5.  Make at least one card set that features legends/retired players.  Look for opportunities to fill in autograph holes that haven't been filled yet (like a McHale Celtics on-card auto for example) and be creative with themed autographs (starting five for NBA champions, NBA Finals coaches that have faced off, players that have all won the same award, etc.)

6.  Have Customer Service be useful.  I don't want to open a pack, get a card, call CS and be told they don't know about it or what it is.

7.  Do a set like Topps Total with non-glossy cards of players, coaches, assistant coaches (perhaps all of them on one card) but not mascots and include printing plates.

8.  Make special retail-only sets and/or inserts to make that market desirable.  Make packaging that can't be searched by pack searchers or include better dummy cards (like ones with stickers on them to make them appear to be something else).

9.  Work with NBA teams on doing stadium giveaway sheets and/or sets

10.  Do at least retro-looking set each year that features current players

11.  Use more hobby-box box topper packs and oversized cards

12.  For jersey cards, try to indicate which game or season a jersey is from and try to acquire meaningful ones like All Star ones, Finals, Europe games, etc.

13.  Maintain a database of patch cards so that anyone can see what a card should look like rather than having someone put a fake one in to drive up its potential value

[chitown hustler]

No STICKER autographs. Insist they are all ON CARD.

[jfbanicki]

On card autos are awesome, but if that would drive up the cost to much the use on cards for highend and stickers for mid level products. Lowend doesnt need autos, that way you can limit the number of autos but still make them attainable.
When it comes to jersey/patch cards DO NOT put plain one colored ones into highend product, noone wants to pay $200 for 5 cards just to end up with a plain patch, use the plain one to fill the low and midend products.
Variations, limit them, we dont need one for every color of the rainbow, it only makes them all worthless and only player collectors will want them, the rest of us will be stuck with a bunch of same card with a different color border.

And now for the people making suggestions, remember, be realistic, if they only make 10 sets and limit production in all those sets, how much do you think even the lowend would cost, remember this is a worldwide hobby not just your city or state. What would your chances of getting anything more than a couple packs would be before the products sellout. And while we'd all like to see highend products for the cost of lowend, it will never happen.