Comments on: NBA Rookie Cards finally arrive … well, sort of

By: XstreamINsanity

XstreamINsanity — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:04:29 +0000

I really wish I could see the license that the NBA and Panini have so maybe we could see what they state in there, if anything is stated in there, about rookie cards. Even still, regardless what Panini does, they would have gotten flack from somewhere. If they produced regular base RC, people who like RPM and AU RC would have complained. By them doing the draft for the rookie class, they get at least AU in there and maybe even GAME USED material instead of just Event Used material (though, I have a feeling it will be more towards event used). Also, even though I don’t want it like this every year, there is something I do like about the draft aspect. When you have a draft that goes two rounds and then you have other signings done in the off season, you can potentially have 60+/- rookies in a year. Many times, the companies will put out rookies from higher picks and more well known schools. By them doing this draft redemption hopefully they’ll choose the top performing rookies of the year rather than just who they think should be in it (though I think there are a lot of redemption cards, like 30 or something). That’s a hope (and idea Panini if you’re reading). However, because I don’t know what the license says, I don’t know whether Panini is on the hook for rookie cards this year or the league’s license. Licenses change over time, so whatever happened 10+ years ago may not be in the contract this time. We’ll have rookies in some respect and next year will be better.

As far as the redemptions from Panini in general, you might want to check out their blog. They’ve hired a new CS manager and from the comments being left on there, and here on the forums, they’ve been getting them out faster and more timely. If you don’t know where their blog is, paniniamerica.wordpress.com. They put out weekly updates of redemptions they’ve received and from whom, so you can check and see if yours is in. Also, Tracy is pretty good at responding to redemption questions in posts or directing you to someone who can help you.

By: chrisolds

chrisolds — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:34:34 +0000

Corey: The NSCC card isn’t an RC.

By: chrisolds

chrisolds — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:33:07 +0000

Lazer: It’s actually simpler than that by using a photo service.

Kingbudd: Should be 2011-12 cards. I don’t know the final call, but my gut feeling is XRC is likely.

By: Lazer-A

Lazer-A — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:46:33 +0000

Panini:
1. Hire a few photographers.
2. Send photographers to NBA games.
3. Take pictures of rookies.
4. Make cards of said rookies
5. Put them in packs.
6. Don’t worry about rookie autographs untill next year when we have a full season.

By: Kingbudd

Kingbudd — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:46:02 +0000

Will you classify these cards as 2011-12 rookie cards or 2012-13 rookie cards since they are numbered XRC? It would be nice to have a very short print rookie card since only P&P, Limited, and Gold Standard will have 2011-12 rookie cards. But it depends on how you classify these rookies will determine scarcity and drive the price either up or down.

By: steve

steve — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:32:04 +0000

yeah…….blame the league & the players-dont blame Panini for being just as corrupt as the owners, the league & most of all-THE PLAYERS !!!! ( these multi-millionaire players, in some cases, who need to sue card companies-for anywheres from a few $K to as much as $50K -I think that was Eli in the NFL…….but still need to ‘squeeze’ as much as they can because hookers & cocaine aint free people !!).

WHO CARES !!!!!

collecting was fun….when I started (and still is….most the time)

By: charles faires

charles faires — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:57:20 +0000

I would agree with Mr. DePietro that it would be hard for panini to make cards, to a point, they could have done a draft set w/ autos there was plenty of time for that, they do it in football every year, its started before the season begins, they know the teams they use the heck out of photo shop anyway, they use stickers autos all the time, i know even if you don’t get complants at your shop, doesn’t mean everything is ok, we are given very little recourse, and this doesn’t sit well as you can see by most of the comments in this artical, ebay has a lot of bottom feeders, they will play on the posistion panini is forcing on collectors. i don’t know, panini is growing as far as redemption king, and maybe thats a title thay don’t want

By: Charlie DiPietro

Charlie DiPietro — Sat, 19 May 2012 02:47:59 +0000

Panini was strongly considering not producing any basketball products for 2011-12 because there was no way to economically acquire a significant number of rookie autographs before the season ended. Feedback received from collectors, card shops, internet retailers and distributers convinced Panini that collectors preferred having basketball product this year with draft pick redemptions over not having any basketball products at all.

Understanding that people would prefer having actual autographed cards over redemptions, 2011-12 Past & Present Basketball has received very favorable response from box busters in my store. They love the retro designs, the autographs, the inserts and yes, they like pulling the 2011 Draft Pick Auto Redemption Card # 0.

While I would prefer not to wait until late October to run the 2011 Draft Pick “Live Draft,” no one has complained when they pulled the Card #0 in my store. The concept of running a “Live Draft” for the 2011 Draft Class soon after Panini has acquired the autographs at a signing event is a creative concept. It adds, and will continue to add interest to the product until the “Live Draft.”

Viewing the prices paid for the “Card #0” on eBay, a significant number of the people who buy cards don’t seem to be bothered by the fact that they will have to wait to find out what RC they’ve won. Pulling a card that consistently sells on eBay from $50 to $150, is much better than pulling an autograph no one wants to buy for $5.

By: Nick Tegeler

Nick Tegeler — Sat, 19 May 2012 02:01:18 +0000

I agree with a lot of other posts on here. Panini is making a big mistake by using MORE redemptions. I hope this is not going to be a every year thing for basketball rookie cards. They already put WAY too many redemptions in their products. More than any other company out there, and that’s not to mention they are also the worst at redeeming them or sending a replacement in a timely manner. Plus their customer service stinks to the heavens!!! I am still waiting on cards from 2009-10 and have asked for replacements more than 4 months ago for some and am still waiting on those as well. Every time I call they are having their phone service switched over and that’s been going on now for over a month. They must be using cavemen to switch it over, I have NEVER heard of it taking this long to switch a phone service.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:28:39 +0000

Dear Panini,

I really hope you are listening to this;

I was a collector as a kid back in the early 90′s. I collected all sports at that time, but later fell out of the hobby like many other people.

I have since decided to re-visit the hobby, now in my late twenties. I decided I would focus my collecting only on basketball due to it being my favorite sport. I have bought many of your products this year, including boxes of Hoops, Preferred, and now a couple boxes of Past and Present.

While I admire the artistic nature of all the cards you produce, I must say, the “redemption” cards are going to cause you to lose a lot of customers. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall in your marketing meeting when your team made this decision. Although, I don’t think I would have been able to contain my laughter…

This idea is simply ridiculous. The future of this industry lies in the hands of young people. And as a kid, the last thing I would have wanted to do was open a card and have to wait to “redeem” it several months down the road. How is that fun? Not only that, but the Past and Present set doesn’t even allow you the opportunity to know what you’re getting. This is a terrible idea… By the time you run your online “draft” for the cards, people are already going to be thinking about the 2012-13 season. No one is going to care about this season’s rookie class anymore.

I strongly encourage you to consider removing the redemption cards from all future sets. Keep in mind the future of the hobby, which includes a much younger generation of people than the ones making your marketing decisions. If you take the fun out of collecting, you are going to lose that valuable demographic.

Thank you.